**** DONE: 1/48 Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina Commonwealth GB.

Vic Balshaw · Dec 8, 2010

Thanks guys. Not much progress to report though I'm working on an additional bulkhead having carved out and spruced up the door today, took about 3 hours. Hope to be able to put some detail on the bulkhead tomorrow and maybe take some pic's.

Am also mulling over the best way to open up a couple of hatch covers so the more interior can be seen and the hatch can still be used. Am open to suggestions on the best way to do this.

Wayne Little · Dec 8, 2010

show us a pic of the said hatches Vic...

N4521U · Dec 8, 2010

Well now, if we could make a mold of the Skin!!!!!!!!

Hint hint

Vic Balshaw · Dec 9, 2010

Wayne Little said:
show us a pic of the said hatches Vic...

Here you go Wayne, hope you got something for me.

This set of shots show the starboard side roof hatch that's behind the cockpit just in front of the central wing pylon (for want of a better word). The hatch is not that well defined by panel lines so I have outlined it in pic 2 and then pencilled in the shallow lines in the next couple of shots. I did try scoring the line with a sewing needle but gave up after a couple of scratches particularly as I also slipped on the second scratch.

This is the anchor housing hatch which opens out to the bomb aimer compartment. I'm still toying with the idea of having an anchor and would like the hatch open just to let some light in.

As for today's progress, the additional bulkhead is taking shape but was interrupted as I was dragged out to do some Christmas shopping.

N4521U · Dec 9, 2010

molds and casts could be made of them areas...... if you didn't want to shape PVC sheet.

I am liking this build.

Airframes · Dec 9, 2010

Nice work on the bulkhead Vic, very impressive! As for the hatches, the easiest way to open them up is to drill a series of small holes, inside the pencil or etched lines, then cut along the holes to remove the plastic. The opening can then be filed to shape, and the edges thinned by sanding or shaving. The hatch covers can very easily be made from thin plastic card, by using the openings to draw a template, transferring this to the plastic card. Cut to shape and gently bend to form the curves, between finger and thumb.

Crimea_River · Dec 9, 2010

What Terry said.

Vic, the bulkhead and door are fabulous!

Jayl · Dec 9, 2010

Those bulkheads look great Vic. Nice work.

Vic Balshaw · Dec 10, 2010

Thank you very much gentlemen as always much appreciated. A little more progress today on the bulkhead but had to take a trip to the hobby shop today which killed a few hours of modelling, never the less, hope to get more done tomorrow and post pics.

Thanks also Terry for the idea, I've been toying with something like that but am also looking at just four very small holes, one on each corner and then with a very fine small saw, I have a number and not including the razor saw, I can cut along the panel recess line. We will see how it goes when the time comes and naturally I will show progress for the benefit of others.

Airframes · Dec 10, 2010

Look forward to seeing the result Vic. Methinks this is going to turn out a real cracker !

Wayne Little · Dec 10, 2010

Yep, Terry has nailed it for you Vic....based on what you have been up to lately with your great work...cutting out that hatch opening and making a new cover should be a simple endeavour mate!

rochie · Dec 10, 2010

Vic those bulkheads are fabulous

Night Fighter Nut · Dec 10, 2010

Those are looking really nice.

vikingBerserker · Dec 10, 2010

Well done!

N4521U · Dec 10, 2010

How do you do That?????????????????

Vic Balshaw · Dec 11, 2010

N4521U said:
How do you do That?????????????????

Bill, I'll send you an email explaining how.

Once again, thank you gentlemen and after an intensive day at the workbench, one scratch built bulkhead completed with the exception of a little paint. As you can see I've used a number of bits and bobs that have come to hand, bits from old printed circuit boards, varying sizes of electric wire or just the outer casing and of course, plenty of Evergreen and odds from the spares box. In all I think I've spent about 10 hours working on it over several days. Hopefully some of it will be visible through the cockpit.

Before venturing onto improving the kit bulkheads, I decided to attack one of the hatches that I would like opened. Follows the step by step process I employed and I didn't need to drill any holes Terry, but again thanks again for the guidance.

Some of the initial tools employed.

The two small saws being used. As you can see both have fine teeth on the concave and one has a deeper concave than the other. The shallow one also has a few teeth curving round the narrow end, this helps to cut gently into the plastic. The other is better for cutting into corners once one has cut through the plastic.

The first cut through as seen from outside and inside. Note the Tamiya masking covering the teeth at the back end of the saw, this prevents you from making unwanted saw marks where you don't want them and I use Tamiya as normal masking leaves a sticky film after removal. The third picture shows the deeper concave saw cutting into the corner.