Scratch build Boeing F4B-4

[Skyediamonds]

This is where I had to be creative. I followed the instructions on building up a box frame for the fuselage. This act alone reduced the interior area by at least 20%-25%. The sides now have vertical walls as opposed to the expansive concave skin following the same curvature along the fuselage.

The former labeled "E" is going to be replaced by laminations of balsa strips using the former as a guide to the correct shape. This will
Allow room for the two machine gun breeches on either side of the instrument panel as the last photo shows.

The photo shows me holding the instrument panel over former "E" which will be replaced by the balsa laminations.

So right away I was working with more confined space.

 

[Skyediamonds]

Jumping ahead, using the full sized cockpit from a reference book, I'm also posting overall shots of the model interior facing the instrument panel to give you a comparison of my objectives.

The board on front with holes is the cartridge container. By firing off bullets, the pilot can glance at the holes & see the remaining shells he has at his disposal.

It's readily apparent between photos of the full sized aircraft & the model, that the closed in vertical walls are already having a restrictive affect.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Most interesting, am enjoying this.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Skyediamonds]

Vic, Wurger:
Thank you gentlemen.

 

[Skyediamonds]

I should clarify one detail on the main instrument panel.

I simply took the photographic image of the full scale panel & photographed it at a distance that would make it to the same size as the 1/10th scale.

If that was not possible, then I would've resorted to making each instrument dial & custom fit to the panel, as was done on the P-51 Mustang.

 

[Skyediamonds]

The main instrument panel only covers a small area of the front cockpit, leaving room on either side for the two machine guns.

This required me to come up with an alternative to former "E."

 

[Skyediamonds]

The solution was to use E former as a template & laminate a few thin basswood strips together.

Because the lamination process means the laminated strips will go around the outside circumference of the original former, this will increase its overall dimensions.

So I reduced the size of E former in proportion to the laminated strips to maintain consistency of the overall outline of the fuselage upper deck.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Skyediamonds]

I apologize in advance if I use some of these photos again. They help me to lead into my next topic of the cockpit detailing & aids one's mind into how I'm approaching the next stage.

As will almost all of my experiences in cockpit detailing, I start from the bottom ( in this case, the floor & the associated rudder pedals & any accessories & work my way up along the sides & ultimately out of the cockpit.

It stands to reason to start with what might be the most difficult areas to access first & then work outward.

 

[Skyediamonds]

Starting with the floor & the rudder pedals, I noticed what appears to be three slots for the pedals.

I then created a paper template to help fit the floor as tightly as possible within the confines of the cockpit as well as ensuring proper alignment & placement of the pedals in relation to the pilot's size, the control column & any provisions for additional accessories. The plans did not offer any guidance here so it was once again, it was using period photos & eyeball method.

In these photos, it really emphasizes the narrow restrictions of the model cockpit interior compared to the full scale aircraft.

I had to sacrifice a little bit of room on the sides for structural integrity.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Skyediamonds]

The floor area was then built up using cardboard as both pedals & floor runners. They were scruffed up a bit to show some wear.

I found out from reading comments & journals that the planes were kept in ( near) immaculate condition during their service life to combat the corrosive efforts of salt water environment.

However, the cockpit interior was still scuffed up.

 

[Skyediamonds]

Thank you, sir.

 

[special ed]

This is going to be another fine job. Carry on!

 

[Skyediamonds]

Here, I had a choice of what color gray, their tones & whether to have it gloss, semi gloss or Matt. I opted for semi gloss as a compromise between the two.

 

[Skyediamonds]

In keeping with my philosophy of working from the inside out, I started detailing the internal structure of the airframe.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Skyediamonds]

Following the b+w photos:

I began installing the sidewalls into the cockpit interior, I added the vertical supports & horizontal stringers. I'm using the right side here as an example.

I will also add the accessories at this stage too.

It's far easier to work this detail outside of the confines of the cockpit interior.

 

[Skyediamonds]

The top rails were also fabricated. I used cardboard stock with the glossy side out. The glossy side is generally resistant to moisture & it's a good side to paint.

Notice I used the backside of the X-Acto blade to score the paper. This helps to make the fold lines sharp & crisp.

Notice that this cardstock is bright orange-red. I was more concerned about the thickness & surface texture of the paper than color, since it will be painted over anyway.