Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 (edited) Hi folks, I haven't been with you for a long time now. But I kept on modelling secretly "in the dark", meaning I posted pictures exclusevly on French forums. The translation into English was just beyond my stamina. I will try to catch up now quickly before the project draws too much to a close :) So here comes my Gates Learjet 35A project, scale 1/72, resin by RVHP. Many tiny parts, metal landing gear struts, all very breakable except for the large parts. Here is a quick assembly to get an idea of the small beauty. Edited May 4, 2011 by Scalephantomphixer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 First goes the flattening of the body parts. Afterwards they mate quite well, nothing is wrapped. Then comes a dry fit of the cockpit parts. Both seats, the control wheels (missing on the picture) and the thrust set levers. The dashboard is meant to be a decal. Everything is small and basic. Once the body gets closed up little will be visible anyway. But you never know... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Sorry folks the project just got a little stretch. Blame on me, I could not resist… I cut the door open. All of the sudden I realize how much the interior calls for some scratch building An H-shaped profile links the cockpit floor to the cabin. The operators' seats are scratch build too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Building the cabine. A rack of computers, side walls, arm rests and the rear wall. I made everything using Evergreen styrene. The computers are a quick PowerPoint design and I printed them on cardboard. Hardly any space left. The fit is tight :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Adjusting the new parts required a lot of patience: the door and its gasket were a nightmare built with lead wire and copper sheet. I removed the dashboard hood to allow a better access to the panel, on which I glued a temporary printed instrument panel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Here starts the building of the windows frames. The cabin windows need a perfect alignment, so I elected to build a brass frame for each of them. The file starts every trainees' nighmare : file straight! The mold fits smoothly. I cut small brass ribbons… … and bend them into a rectangular shape. Some solder et voilà ! The correct depth will by achieved by filing, once the frame is glued to the body. The first frame fits nicely. I added a plastic window cut to fit, but in my opinion it is too flat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 The finished serie of windows frames, waiting for the glue :-D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 (edited) I use CA to glue the frames from the inside. Once the glue is dry I file off the excess. Here it goes: outside... ... and inside. Edited May 4, 2011 by Scalephantomphixer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Here comes the result of the most recent storm in my brain : the cabin is nearly finished and "LUX FUIT!" :) The power comes from a 9V battery, a couple of resistors, LEDS and fibre optics. I built a radar boy with brass, a LED and a paper screen. A couple of red / green lights brighten up the scene. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 I added the seatbelts, a keyboard and an Atari-like joystick. A red LED will simulate the atmosphere prevailing in simulator rooms. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Design of the instrument panel, which I printed on transparent foil for inkjet printers. It took some time to find the best printer settings. The level of detail is ok with the scale, considering that a single MFD is hardly 2x3mm. Close-up… a LED back lights the instruments. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Adding the panel support at the front of the cockpit. A sheet of brass holds the LEDs and the instrument panel. View from the front side. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 A first picture of the illuminated panel. Close up of the front office. Closer. I must lower the hood to prevent the light bleeds. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 I applied a first layer of heavily thinned Mr. Surfacer 1200. Now I can spot all the tiny bubbles in the resin and try to fill them. Both body parts. There is some more work to be done before I can mate them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 A tiny little cockpit :D The space is scarce but everything is there : the throttle quadrant, centre console, instrument panel, control wheels with the radio and autopilot buttons, the seat with its comfy lamb skin and the seat-belts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Correction of the fuel tanks. Drilling a hole to accommodate the wires to the NAV light. I added pins to strengthen the assembly. Now I need to drill the holes into the wing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 The wing with both tanks and a couple of my tools. Milling the channels to receive electrical wires. I wear a mask to keep the hazardous resin dust outside of my lungs. A mini Led fits into the hole. A close up to sho the sheer tiny size of the LED, which was not easy to solder. Adding power. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 The wing tanks receives a landing light. I adapted a 3mm LED. With the power :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 My project at an intermediate status. I had to wait for a green LED for the starboard NAV light. In the meantime I will be busy with the pilot. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 (edited) Sometimes a modeller meets tough decisions! Nothing for sensitive souls... Fortunately the poor guy will get back the head, the arms and hands. A badly handicapped pilot indeed! I had to file him down everywhere so fits the narrow cockpit: the legs, the heels, the seat, everything! Edited May 4, 2011 by Scalephantomphixer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 There we are: the giant is seated, thumbs up, everything's ok! His right hand falls straight on the control wheel. The position seems correct to me. I cut his head off to turn it slightly to the left. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 The paint job is done. Not an easy one however, considering the sheed size of the match. Good position with thumb up Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Some more wiring, soldering and thermo sleeves. I can now fill up the channels in the wings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Filling the gaps. The plane takes shape :D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 More to come. Stay tuned Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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