crackerjazz Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 This project is about accurizing the 1/18 F-86 Cockpit. Originally, what I wanted to do was to fill up the panel lines with putty, rescribe and repaint the whole plane. I bought some aftermarket "The Huff" decals but the colors leave something to be desired. So I thought I would just do some detailing on the cockpit, and preserve the original body markings. The bright artwork of this 1/18 is a sight to behold. I snapped one up having read about Lt. Jim Thompson's story of having the dragon painted on his F-86F after shooting down a MIG-15 decorated similarly. Nothing like having a display piece with a story to tell. These are the aftermarket decals. The clean dragon version is too dark and the weathered one is too light. The cockpit just begs for some detailing. I started getting at the screw hole covers. I wanted so much not to mar the surface but I guess there's no real way to achieve that. A total of four screws needed undoing. The one on the yellow band I didn't touch as I may not find a shade of yellow paint that's close enough. So instead of popping out the screw cover I sawed the screw tube in the middle from inside. In hindsight I should have done the same for the others, except for the one in front for which I won't have a choice. Canopy undone. After having removed the screws I was wondering why the two shell halves wouldn't easily come apart. I realized that the positioning pins have been glued together and needed to be pried apart so I made my way slowly along the whole plane. I started with screwdrivers here. And for areas where paint can chip I used tongue depressors and popsicle sticks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 Front part was a bit tricky - harder to pry open. At this point I wasn't breathing and was worried I'd break something. Here I could breathe again but was now worried if I could put things back together. I always end up with an extra screw or two everytime. Notice the nose weight up front. Ah, the fruits of my labor! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 11, 2013 Author Share Posted August 11, 2013 So this is what I'll be working on. In the meantime, I'll be gathering F-86F cockpit shots and see what I need to modify this cockpit and make it realistic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Yuri61 Posted August 11, 2013 Share Posted August 11, 2013 What you are doing is a great idea! I will be following along as you go.Paerhaps if you can pick up a 32 scale F-86 cockpit and then just enlarge the parts would help. It would give you a 3D perspective and what you must add. Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 14, 2013 Author Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) Thanks, Yuri61 : ) Printed out an F-86F instrument panel in 1/18 size and compared with the 21st Century part. Looks like scratchbuilding a new one is the only way to go for accuracy. Drilled out some gauges. The upper portion is a bit thicker. Shaped the corners. Added the screws. Trial run. Edited August 15, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K5054NZ Posted August 17, 2013 Share Posted August 17, 2013 Brilliant build idea, I'll be following this with interest. Even OOB that Sabre has some great detail! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted August 18, 2013 Share Posted August 18, 2013 Very ambitious, well done. I wish I could have done this to my Big Cat so I could super detail the cockpit but, I didn't have the guts to tear her apart. Looking forward to more updates. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) A10-Loader, thanks. I hope I'm able to pull this off : ) Thanks, K5054NZ. Yes, except for the trench panel lines, this Sabre is pretty cool. It's got some wonderful stencil markings that look like stenciled-on markings compared to the aftermarket decals. Aftermarket decal stencil markings. Drew holes and printed out for the canopy defroster. I'm still experimenting on the best way to do it. Stuck with pin for pilot holes. Drilled out. Rounded the top. Maybe next time I'll try rod styrene. Edited August 24, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) Balled up a little 2-part putty. Artificial horizon. Edited August 25, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 Ready for painting. Trying to figure out how to paint the thin stripe on the artificial horizon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 That is a LOT of detailed work. I recently did up a 1/18 F-16 for a corporate commission build, they are nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 25, 2013 Author Share Posted August 25, 2013 Hi Phantom, thanks! 1/18 F-16 cockpit, wow!!!! Where can I see photos of it. I've been doing a search here and couldn't find it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 28, 2013 Author Share Posted August 28, 2013 Started making the center pedestal. Needed to raise the height of the floor based on the position of the new 1/18 instrument panel. Didn't want to make a new tub as this slips in easier and locks in really nicely. Those side panels are gonna have to go, though. Started marking off the center pedestal onto some sheet styrene. Drilling holes for the toggle switches and knobs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 Hi Phantom, thanks! 1/18 F-16 cockpit, wow!!!! Where can I see photos of it. I've been doing a search here and couldn't find it. Oh not the cockpit, that I left as per the kit. Its a entire F-16. Here it is next to a 1/48 kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 30, 2013 Author Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) ooooohhh, that's a sweet F-16! Thanks, Phantom! Made some rivets. Used a pin for the smaller rivets. This seems easier than using styrene rods. Edited August 30, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Chipping away at it. What a poor photo this turned out to be. Making a hole for the ball. Am I glad this weren't an F-14. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 WOW, very resourceful, I'm impressed. Maybe I should have let you redo my F-14. Keep pluggin away, looking forward to more progress shots. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) Thanks, Steve! Maybe I can : ) - I think I'm getting the hang of making these small bezels. Drove all the way to Hamilton, Ontario to the Warplane Heritage Museum. So happy to see some of my favorite planes like the TBM Avenger and the Sabre in person and took as many photos as I could of various details. Unfortunately, the canopy of the Sabre was closed. On the way home I realized I should have asked to have it opened so I can take photos : ( This is a Canadair F-86 Mark V/VI and was manufactured under license - I'm not sure if that translates to "F-86H". I was really after the cockpit details for my F-86F. Hopefully the cockpit layout must have been similar - at least for measurements of the basic panels. I saw many similarities already, peering through canopy into the dark cockpit. How I really wish I'd asked one of the guides to have it opened for even just 10 minutes. I do plan to go back there in the near future, if just for the F-86 cockpit. If anyone needs close-up photos of other areas let me know what you need. Edited September 3, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) Make a little mistake with the speed brake lever slot - it's too long. Have to patch that up. The throttle's and wing flaps' are ok. Edited September 3, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 28, 2013 Author Share Posted September 28, 2013 (edited) Drew the de-icing panel. Won't be 3d-printing it. Not so big a fan of fuzzy parts. But it helps to visualize the final model. Styrene bits in glued together. Edited September 28, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) Worked on the smaller bezels. Repainted the artificial horizon. Worked on the turn-and-slip indicator. Edited September 30, 2013 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted September 30, 2013 Author Share Posted September 30, 2013 Wanted to see if I can make some 1/18 toggle switches. These switch handles look big magnified but at 1mm long they're really hard to see. I should have worn some closed-type eye protectors. I think some aluminum dust blew into my eyes and now they feel gritty : ( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Progress so far with the F-86F panel - 3 bezels and 2 toggle switches. But considering my slow progress that's quite a feat for me. Here she is side by side with the original instrument panel. I guess the switches are barely noticeable. Only 2 more bezels to go, some lamps, and hopefully I can redo the center pedestal. I want to put better toggle switches there than just styrene rods. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Well done, this is gonna look really cool when finished. Keep the updates coming. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Doctorgaz Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Very good work!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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