Scratch build Boeing F4B-4 (1 Viewer)

[SaparotRob]

It's coming along beautifully. It will be a superlative build for sure!

 

[Skyediamonds]

I have edited that post. I hope it looks like you want.

Thank you. It's much appreciated.

 

[Skyediamonds]

It's coming along beautifully. It will be a superlative build for sure!

Thank you, sir. Trying out new skills. This scratch build has been more difficult than previous ones. Seems like I take one step back for two steps forward…

 

[Skyediamonds]

"Proof is in the pudding" as they say. Just a sampling of the trial & errors on rib stitching. In essence, to me, this is what modeling is all about when venturing outside the box. It's part of the learning experience ( Yes, I still have room to learn at 76 years old ) & developing new skills to carry on to the next project.

I could've just stayed within the defined parameters & settle for an "adequate" model that I could pass onto my son. But I had placed a lock of my hair & my signature onto a piece of paper & hid them inside the model as an effort to create an heirloom to be passed on for generations.

Having done this, I wanted to project to anyone that I tried my best.

 

[Skyediamonds]

Alrighty:

Next came the graphics & lettering courtesy of Mr. Geoff Gill of [email protected]. He even graciously matched the blue tones to my rattle can spray paint.

 

[Skyediamonds]

Then I added the textured wing walk by cutting up # 400 sandpaper. Even here, I learned something new. Once the sandpaper gets contaminated (fingerprints, glue marks, etc.) it never comes off.

I cut up blue masking tape & applied the strips to the lower wing while it was temporarily attached to the fuselage. This gave me the boundaries needed for the wing walks.

As you can see from one of the last pictures, I had to quickly remove my first attempt at applying the wing walk after fruitlessly trying to move any debris.

Lesson learned & I covered the newly applied wing walks with kitchen wrap. I'll remove the wraps after the model has been assembled.

 

[Skyediamonds]

I added the flotation bag covers & compass to the underside of the upper wing. I borrowed this colored photo to use as reference to allow me to give the flotation bag covers some contrast from the surrounding areas & give them some visual pop out.

 

[SaparotRob]

I can't even sort laundry properly. I am most impressed by your work. It's wonderful watching a masterpiece being created.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Brilliant work.

 

[Snautzer01]

Very nice.

 

[Wurger]

Excellent !!!

 

[special ed]

Another magnificent model approaching completion.
Keep the photos coming.

 

[Gnomey]

Excellent work so far!

 

[Lucky13]

Superb!

 

[Skyediamonds]

I can't even sort laundry properly. I am most impressed by your work. It's wonderful watching a masterpiece being created.

Thank you for your words of encouragement.

 

[Skyediamonds]

Excellent work so far!

Thank you sir

 

[Skyediamonds]

Superb!

Thank you

 

[Skyediamonds]

Another magnificent model approaching completion.
Keep the photos coming.

Special:

Thank you for your kind words. I can (finally) see a light at the end of this tunnel.

 

[Skyediamonds]

The upper wing is now installed. I used Gorilla epoxy to cement the struts to the wings. Then I used blue-colored masking tape to "clamp" down the upper wing.

If you'll notice in the second picture, I used several layers of soft tissue sandwiched between the tape & the top surface of the upper wing. This was done for two reasons: 1) to avoid the adhesive pulling the paint off the wing when removing the tape & 2) to act as a cushion to help spread out the tension.

 

[Skyediamonds]

I ordered flat stainless steel wire from a company called "Benecreat." It's a jewelry company making fine items for arts & crafts. Their catalog included several different sized wires. It actually took me three different orders to finally get the right sized gauge. Perseverance paid off.

Now, if I can only figure out what to do with the other gauges wires….