Is modelling 1:1 allowed here?

[PaulBG]

I can't find another suitable forum so I'll just ask. I'm making a model Spitfire (well cockpit section) but it's full size! Everything is: cardboard, glue, MDF, bottle tops, household items and modelling clay...so it sort of is a model not a repro. Am I alone...or in the wrong place? As a taste here's a Reflector Gun Sight MKII, various sources and (not finished obviously) I'm just finishing. Cardboard, a few bits of MFD a magnifying glass, laser prints, piece of perspex....and black paint lol. Anyone else as mad as me?

 

[fubar57]

There are currently 3 (I believe) full size cockpit builds here. I personally would love to see yours
Spitfire I PR Conversion Simulator Cockpit 1:1
Geedee's P-51D Cockpit Project
T Bolt's 1:1 P-47 Cockpit

I think there is one more, a Spitfire

 

[PaulBG]

It's early days with my second cockpit fubar57, but I will post as I go along. I decided to get the instruments right first...I mean that's the part you really see right? I should mention it will be 'flat-packable' for storage. I have a lot of it CAD drawn but construction is slooow. Here's piece of the panel, most of the panel is finished, knobs and flaps to add...and Oxygen gauges! I have avoided 'perfection'...I'd like to see it finished in my lifetime. Some compromises are needed I think, you have to be practical...or where do you draw the line?

 

[fubar57]

Looks good. I added the links to the other builds

 

[Airframes]

Impressive stuff - looking forward to seeing more.

 

[PaulBG]

Looks good. I added the links to the other builds

Thanks! Those are serious guys making replicas. If I only had the time, space and equipment!
I decided to set out using simple tools, materials and have some fun. And build it in the kitchen haha.

 

[PaulBG]

The panel as of today, everything made using simple materials. The whole panel is only an inch thick. The clock works by the way.

 

[Wurger]

Nice. Looking forward to the assembling. Good luck Mate.

 

[PaulBG]

Seat and cantilever support. This bit, even though made of wood has to support my weight easily so I've tried to disguise the extra support. It looks 'close' to a real seat I think. Some things have to be as strong as the real thing. I could have made it out of metal...but where is the challenge in that lol.

 

[Wurger]

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool and welcome aboard!

 

[fubar57]

Great looking seat. Curious as to which Spit mark you are modelling as the seats didn't have flare holders after a while. Having said that, I've always thought they added a nice touch

 

[PaulBG]

Very cool and welcome aboard!

Nice to be here amongst friends

 

[PaulBG]

Great looking seat. Curious as to which Spit mark you are modelling as the seats didn't have flare holders after a while. Having said that, I've always thought they added a nice touch

Originally a Mark ll but I guess a Mark IX. I soon found most Spitfires have been modified in all sorts of ways. The vast variation in say instruments and panels is startling. Just say, the airspeed in a Mark ll now has in Knots not MPH even though that didn't happen until post 1946. I guess if it's still flying...that's what it has. Getting a single seat source was shear luck, I've had to do my best from images all over the place. That is why I say this is a model not a replica. It does mean you gain a huge understanding of every part of the cockpit...I'm enjoying that a lot Mr. R.J. Mitchell . Even the arc of the seat cantilever (though not a problem in a Spitfire) is a problem for my seat.

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work so far!

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff.

 

[PaulBG]

This was the first attempt, just done by eye and guesstimate . It was for my young son to play in. Built with a few hand tools and 2yrs of Sundays haha. There is a lot not quite right I know but is was never intended to get this far...still more to do. It's too big to get out of the room now
, standing 6ft high and 8ft long.

 

[Wurger]

Nice.

 

[herman1rg]

Looks good

 

[PaulBG]

Fuselage construction now. I spend a lot of time designing and making templates. I also try and save as much materials as possible, squeezing every inch out of the MDF sheets.