Spit1A Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 (edited) Hello everyone, I've joined the group build a little late but I'm going to try and build a CF-18 in Balkan Rats markings. This will be my first time participating in a group build, first in progress topic, and first time using photo etch...so we'll see how things go....haha For this build I'll be using - 1/48 Hasegawa F/A-18C kit converted to an A model - Leading Edge Decals (48.62) - Eduard BIG ED F/A-18C photo etch set I've learned a lot lurking these forums and I'm eager to try out new techniques on this build. At the end of the build hopefully I'll have a model that kind of resembles a CF-18 Anyway, lets get on with it. I'm not sure if the Balkan Rat aircraft had the spotlight installed, but I've decided to model the spotlight because I think it looks interesting. I'm using a MV lens for the spotlight. Here is the back of the spotlight enclosure. The hole in the back of the enclosure is there so I can stick a little LED through it. And here's a quick test of the LED setup. Thats it for now, I'm waiting on the photo etch set to arrive before I really get into the build. Edited March 7, 2011 by Spit1A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tilt Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 Nice!! Looking forward to this build for sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie Cheetah Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 Kewl, I dont think I've ever seen anyone light one of these up before. Looking forward to it. Glad to have you aboard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ixgr1 Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 Oohh ......... electronics even ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 I'm not sure if the Balkan Rat aircraft had the spotlight installed, but I've decided to model the spotlight because I think it looks interesting.I'm using a MV lens for the spotlight. Welcome to the world of GBs and in-progress! You sure have chosen an interesting subject with lots of AM goodies. I just looked through some pics I have of the Aviano deployment (circa 1998), and have seen a combination of some with and some without ID lights. BTW, I love the way that light looks. I hate to rain on the LED parade, though, but the ID light can't work on the ground (only weight off wheels) - but it would certainly look cool lit up. ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit1A Posted December 9, 2010 Author Share Posted December 9, 2010 Thanks for the comments guys! Alf, thanks for the info on the ID light. Do you know why the ID light can't be turned on while the aircraft is on the ground? I'm willing to sacrifice some accuracy to have a working light though! I've made some progress on the light. Here the LED is installed and wired up. The wires will be routed along the side of the cockpit tub and down to underneath the speed brake. I'll install the switch and battery under the speed brake so I can access them easily. A quick test of the light. It works! Looks alright. And another shot in the dark. That's all for now. The photo etch set arrived the other day. Everything is so small! I'm glad I bought a photo etch bender as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Cool work ive been whanting to set up lights in one of my builds but cant find any good tutorial keep up the progress Cheers neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Emvar Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Cool workive been whanting to set up lights in one of my builds but cant find any good tutorial keep up the progress Cheers neo Yeah I know, I'm in the same boat with a project I've got on hold till I figure out all this power stuff simplified. Without all the math. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sean Bratton Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Nice job on the spotlight. Have you figured out how you're going to mount the 1/48th Tu-95 on the other end? Can't wait to see some more of your work. Cheers, Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Alf, thanks for the info on the ID light. Do you know why the ID light can't be turned on while the aircraft is on the ground? There is an electrical interconnect in the CF-18 between the ID light function and a weight on wheels switch on the right main landing gear. In other words, even if you turn on the switch in the cockpit (it is mounted at the extreme left of the left throttle lever), the light cannot work when weight is sensed on the right main gear. Another fun fact is that the light is aimed 10 degrees up and 15 degrees forward from sideways. Very neat job on the wiring setup, by the way. ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 (edited) There is an electrical interconnect in the CF-18 between the ID light function and a weight on wheels switch on the right main landing gear. In other words, even if you turn on the switch in the cockpit (it is mounted at the extreme left of the left throttle lever), the light cannot work when weight is sensed on the right main gear.Another fun fact is that the light is aimed 10 degrees up and 15 degrees forward from sideways. Very neat job on the wiring setup, by the way. ALF But hum does that mean that if a the ground crew want to do maintenance on it and test their work the have to jack up the plane or take the bird up for a try !! :blink: Edited December 9, 2010 by Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tilt Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I think he was asking why the light isn't operational on the ground. Is it maybe due in part because it could cause burns if accidentally turned on? Isn't it something like a million candle power or something? That could burn skin pretty dang quick if you put your hand close to the beam. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Emvar Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 I think he was asking why the light isn't operational on the ground. Is it maybe due in part because it could cause burns if accidentally turned on? Isn't it something like a million candle power or something? That could burn skin pretty dang quick if you put your hand close to the beam. Normal aircraft lights are really bright..... We won't marshal an aircraft in with lights on. I've been flashed while on pushback in a tug..... not good. Usually get a cab ride home a trip to the Dr. and a couple of days off until the spots go away. So I understand the safety measure. Most of the experienced guys don't look straight ahead but side to side in the Tug when driving as pilots have been known to have their finger slip and hit the switch. I've had one pilot call me at home to apologize. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 But hum does that mean that if a the ground crew want to do maintenance on it and test their work the have to jack up the plane or take the bird up for a try !! Not really - they have a little box that lies to the aircraft, and can selectively change the readings of the Weight on Wheels switches to test various systems. In response to Tilt's comment, I suspect there might be a cooling concern for the ID light on ground. It is 600,000 candlepower, so it must get pretty hot. The worst thing about the ID light is that it is almost impossible to tell if you have it on, especially during the day. There is no cockpit indication (i.e. warning light in the cockpit, etc) of it being on. The only way to tell is the switch position (which is easily overlooked, given that it is out of the pilot's normal scan pattern in the cockpit), or seeing the light beam as it touches something at night (or reflects off clouds or precipitation). So for this build, you can say the groundcrew had used the "prox box" (proximity switch box) to test the ID light on ground... ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scooby Posted December 10, 2010 Share Posted December 10, 2010 Not really - they have a little box that lies to the aircraft, and can selectively change the readings of the Weight on Wheels switches to test various systems.In response to Tilt's comment, I suspect there might be a cooling concern for the ID light on ground. It is 600,000 candlepower, so it must get pretty hot. The worst thing about the ID light is that it is almost impossible to tell if you have it on, especially during the day. There is no cockpit indication (i.e. warning light in the cockpit, etc) of it being on. The only way to tell is the switch position (which is easily overlooked, given that it is out of the pilot's normal scan pattern in the cockpit), or seeing the light beam as it touches something at night (or reflects off clouds or precipitation). So for this build, you can say the groundcrew had used the "prox box" (proximity switch box) to test the ID light on ground... ALF Alf is correct about the wow box. And we had to be really careful with it. As for the light, that is exactly the reason, it has to do with the cooling. When we changed the light we would only turn the light on for a short period of time or we'd get a sun-tan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit1A Posted December 12, 2010 Author Share Posted December 12, 2010 Thanks for the comments guys! ive been whanting to set up lights in one of my builds but cant find any good tutorial Neo & Emvar, I just found this LED tutorial that may help get you started. I'm using LEDs from Miniatronics that came with resistors. I can't find the voltage and amperage specs for these particular LEDs so I'm just going with what Miniatronics recommends (3V, 470ohm resistor). Although I'm pretty sure a 470ohm resistor is overkill in this case... Anyone know anything about these Miniatronics lights? Thanks for all the additional info on the ID light. I guess I'll have to go with Alf's explanation as to why the light works on the ground. One thing I enjoy about modeling is learning new things about each aircraft. I'm glad I joined this GB as there are so many people here who have flown or worked with the actual aircraft! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 very cool work - look forward to more! The worst thing about the ID light is that it is almost impossible to tell if you have it on, especially during the day. There is no cockpit indication does a chime go off if you open the canopy with the light still on? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tilt Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 does a chime go off if you open the canopy with the light still on? Yeah.....it's called a wingman. It goes, "hey dingle-nutz......guess who's buy'n the beer??!!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 does a chime go off if you open the canopy with the light still on? yeah but its confusing since its the same one as when you leave the keys in the ignition Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 yeah but its confusing since its the same one as when you leave the keys in the ignition Careful, Neo - let's stay away from potentially classified information. We shouldn't let the enemy know that the keys to the CF-18 are shaped like a Canada Post mailbox key - and they come with a Tim's card attached! ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Yeah.....it's called a wingman. It goes, "hey dingle-nutz......guess who's buy'n the beer??!!" yeah but its confusing since its the same one as when you leave the keys in the ignition Careful, Neo - let's stay away from potentially classified information. We shouldn't let the enemy know that the keys to the CF-18 are shaped like a Canada Post mailbox key - and they come with a Tim's card attached! ALF ;) :wub: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit1A Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Just a quick update today. Been spending most of my time getting the small parts ready for priming but I did get the work associated with the LED done. Got the battery/switch assembly done... and wired up. It looks like I'll have pretty good access to the battery and switch through the speed brake once everything is done. Thats all for now, thanks for looking! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 impressive work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spit1A Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Hi, Just a quick question. Does anyone know if there should be a slight overhang between the back of the cockpit tub and the flat portion behind the ejection seat? Is this ok, or do I need to sand it flush? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Neo Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Just checked on mine and if you push the pit al little more foward you will see that it snugs in nicely leaving it flush Just one question for you since you have all that nice led setup you really should add some nav lights too just add one more led and run some fiber optic wire from it Cheers Neo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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