crackerjazz Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 Hey, John, thanks for stopping by :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Hi Bill, really appreciate your most positive comments. For scaling and alignment of reference drawings I do them all in SW. I normally start initially with a construction line centered at the origin, which I dimension to the length of the scale model. I then exit the sketch and go to the front plane again and start another sketch (this way it's easier to turn the reference sketch on and off by hiding or supressing). After that, using Tools -> Sketch Tools -> Sketch Picture I select my reference sketch (jpg I notice pixelizes a lot when resized; I like high-res png files). The reference drawing will appear with the sizing handles and can be dragged and resized just like in any photo editor. I always resize using the top-right corner handle and never the edges. Click also on Transparency -> Full Image -> then set it to maybe around 60 percent. There are also positioning and rotating selectors on the left side, but I just normally drag the photo into position. Here's the fiddly part. Whenever you resize you'll need to drag it into position again. Just be patient with repeatedly resizing and dragging and you will be rewarded with a nicely positioned reference drawing. If you exit out of the sketch picture by accident just double click on your photo or in your tree and you'll see the handles again. If you go the top view, you wil still see that initial reference line so I just start another sketch, import my reference top view and do the resize-and-drag in the same manner. If you want to stack another photo on the Front or Top plane, just start another sketch on that plane, then import a photo again. And don't forget to play with the transparency. Hope that helps : ) Edit: Oh, forgot to tell you, when you're ready to sketch over the reference drawing, you'll have to start another sketch on the front plane, for example, then you can start sketching. This keeps your photo and your sketch separate (to make it easier to hide the photo off and on). Ok, I see. I was just curious. I haven't done a lot of using sketch reference images but the few times I've done it I started by using Autocad or Illustrator to scale the images first. I prefer Autocad because you can set some reference points and measure and then it's a simple matter of math to figure the ratio and scaling. I suppose you probably could do the same in a SW sketch, I just like having them all scaled and set @ 0,0,0 before I bring them into SW. I've done a few parts using images in the model, but never stacked multiple images like you did for your engine over your frame. Don't know why I never thought of doing that. It's one of those "well duh" moments. Thanks for explanation. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 and oh yeah, I forgot one thing.........WOW!!!!!!!! Are you going to print this sucker?!?!?(no pun intended) That engine work is outstanding. Circular patterns...a life saver sometimes huh? Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 3, 2014 Author Share Posted December 3, 2014 (edited) Hi Bill, thanks! :) Circular patterns are definitely indispensable. I'll try it with styrene first -- just need to do the intake and compressor stage. And I suspect the blades may not be printer-friendly. On the model I was planning to make just the visible blade parts -- the guide vanes and that first row behind them. I'm getting close to where I was on the 3D engine (wish I could say the same thing about the control panels) before the crash. Except for the skirt and that slotted band along the waist of the aft section -- I'll have to figure out how to do those all over again, as well what to do with the various greeblies. After which I can hang the engine on a gimbal -- can't wait to see how that looks. Edited December 3, 2014 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share Posted December 5, 2014 Some work on the fuel nozzle assemblies and manifold and some detail on the combustion section casing... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 Found the basic profile of the accessory gearbox from a block diagram of all places :) And also found some photos on the web that helped -- it's the same accessory gearbox used on the CJ610. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aurora Mark Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 If I had the words to describe how I looked - complete with drool on the keyboard - when looking over your work, well, I'd use it here. Incredible! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 13, 2014 Author Share Posted December 13, 2014 Hey, Aurora Mark, thanks! :)Z Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 After finalizing the gearbox cover and moving on to the other parts, I chance upon this profile of the top cover from a CF700 parts manual. I wish I'd worked off of this instead. It has some particular nuances I would have wanted to incorporate into the model. But now I don't have the heart to start over *sigh*. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 19, 2014 Author Share Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Wrapped some styrene sheet on a rod and turned it on the drill. Edited December 20, 2014 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 It's good to see you building again, crackerjazz! It's all looking really good ... and I'm always surprised when I see just how small this is ... your attention to accurate detail amazes me! Thanx! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Apollokid Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Interesting build and great progress. I really like your techniques.Excellent work! Gene Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 Hi Pete, Gene, thanks guys! Say cheese! :)/> Test fitting. Some puttying is in order. And I need to remember to paint the guide vanes and bulletnose first before I glue the bell on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 22, 2014 Author Share Posted December 22, 2014 I had no plans of making the aft fan visible in the beginning. But it will be somewhat visible when viewed from atop so I thought I might as well make one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Man alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your skill and perfection of your scratch building art is incredible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 Man alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your skill and perfection of your scratch building art is incredible. Couldn't ... say ... it ... better ... myself! Is one of your fans cut out of sheet aluminum crackerjazz, or is it just painted aluminum? ... so far this engine assembly looks mah-vell-uss! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 Really appreciate your kind words, Spaceman! Means a lot coming from you! :) Hi, Pete, that compressor fan is just styrene painted with Alclad polished Aluminum. I know what you mean about Alclad now -- the material magically "transforms" into metal :) Vidar710 was right, too, after all. Maybe I should have followed his suggestion to use Alclad on my LM-5's coffin - I regret sanding down all the rivets. I've been looking for plain Alclad Aluminum but my LHS says the color has been back-ordered for months. I want to see the difference between Aluminum and "Polished" Aluminum and I guess the cast titanium fan blades would fall more under an Aluminum-looking (no sheen) color? I might need the same on the LLRV frame. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted December 23, 2014 Share Posted December 23, 2014 I've been looking for plain Alclad Aluminum but my LHS says the color has been back-ordered for months. I want to see the difference between Aluminum and "Polished" Aluminum and I guess the cast titanium fan blades would fall more under an Aluminum-looking (no sheen) color? I might need the same on the LLRV frame. My local hobby shop doesn't carry Alclad products but I went up to Modellers Choice in Hamilton and he's got some Alclad 'paints'. Send him an email to see if he's got some Aluminum. I've only used their Chrome and, when I get it prepped correctly, it looks super! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 Awesome, Pete, thanks for the info! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Gave in to modifying the accessory drive gearbox. The gearbox is tiny -- about 23mm wide on the 1/18 model so I'm wondering if I can actually scratchbuild all the details in. And attached the old oil filter. The shape of the oil tank is a bit tricky. Working on the indentations on the oil tank. Happy new year, everyone! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Long way to go :( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Brother Jazz, I hope you had a great Christmas and New Years because you sure going crackers over this build Yes, a long way to go but it will be one of a kind ones it's finished. I was a Hiller Museum over the weekend and I saw some interesting looking choppers that will make some head turns if built into kits. Sort of like your project here. Very inspiring! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 (edited) Thanks, Mike! Yes, had a wonderful Christmas and New Years, I hope you did, too! They flew by real quick, though. Just yesterday it was Christmas Eve :) Chipping away....oil cooler added. Edited January 3, 2015 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 This 3D work is visually stunning, crackerjazz ... but, where, oh where are you getting all this detailed reference from? Is it just from Tony's pix or is there THAT much online? You need a pat on the back for sleuthing all this lovely detail! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share Posted January 4, 2015 Hi Pete, thanks! Tonys shots are the best ones so far but many components are hidden behind hoses and piping, so I bought a CF700 maintenance manual. It was helpful but you still have to refer to photos as the hand-drawn drawings don't exactly match the real parts. The accessory drive gearbox, at least, seems to be shared between the CF700, CJ610 and J85 and the Kalitta Maintenance website has some good photos. I also got the illustrated parts manual from Sicuro Publications but except for the top view drawing of the gearbox, was more part numbers than illustrated parts. My references so far: 1. Tony's shots 2. Photos - http://area51specialprojects.com/nasa/llrv_misc0003.html 3. Prop from Earth to the Moon - http://www.americanspacecraft.com/pa...mod/llrv2.html 4. Big photos - http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/LLRV/Large/ 5. Dryden LLTV - http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/LLTV-952.html 6. Unconventional, Contrary and Ugly pdf (with side and top views) - http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/LLRV_Monograph.pdf 7. 3 Stooges photo CD (Jay Chladek's JSC LLTV shots) - http://www.tagteamhobbies.com/llrv.html 8. CF700 Maintenance manual - http://www.sicuropublishing.com/servlet/the-5545/GE-CF700-Aircraft-Engine/Detail 9. Kalitta Maintenance - http://kalittamaintenance.com/turbines/photo-gallery/ Even with the references above I'm still trying to make sense of the engine parts. The hardest ones are around the gearbox. I don't know if I could replicate everything as it looks like a jumbled mess. I can't wrap my head around how Ben Guenther did his painfully-detailed 6.5-incher. I wanted to get in touch with him but couldn't find any contact info. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.