Author Topic: So it begins - Avenger 35 (Read 35995 times)

wwwarbird · « **Reply #100 on:** November 28, 2011, 10:37:45 PM »

Looks great, but I'm not sure that Randy has any tape that makes straight lines.

Shultzie · « **Reply #101 on:** November 29, 2011, 09:40:55 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on November 28, 2011, 10:37:45 PM

Looks great, but I'm not sure that Randy has any tape that makes straight lines.

LOL!
That being said:
Randy's talent with tape is amazing! For example, check out these beautiful paint schemes work on a couple of my favorite "POWELL-POW WOW!" work of skyart at its finest.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #102 on:** November 29, 2011, 11:23:58 AM »

Donnie,

well, I do plan to use that Cobra White (alabaster pearl white with some other stuff mixed in). But that's just the base color.

Shultzie · « **Reply #103 on:** November 29, 2011, 03:03:56 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on November 29, 2011, 11:23:58 AM

Donnie,

well, I do plan to use that Cobra White (alabaster pearl white with some other stuff mixed in). But that's just the base color.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE PERFECTO' COLOR--OHYEH!!!!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #104 on:** November 29, 2011, 06:16:26 PM »

Here we go...

I can smell a slightly "Randy-ized" version of the scheme before all is said and done.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #105 on:** November 30, 2011, 10:12:23 AM »

Wayne,

The colors will (likely) be pearl white (this is a custom mix I came up with for the Cobra), a metallic maroon red (like the original tone) and a sort of blue-gray color that will hopefully be in the neighborhood of the original color. I may futz around with the stripping pattern, but it will essentially be what's in Don's picture. As I said, I don't know if I'll go with a red dyed canopy or not. I need to dig up a Williams Brothers Military Pilot somewhere.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #106 on:** November 30, 2011, 11:38:32 AM »

Randy, remember I have a vast assortment of dry pearls if you need some to spark up the color,, I even have some candy concentrates for when you,,,,,,,,
oh wait, you said simple right?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #107 on:** November 30, 2011, 01:55:00 PM »

Mark,

Not even temped. (well, not much). I have everything I need, I think. I just need to get the darned thing built. I worked to 7pm last night (getting home at 8 ) and will tonight. Hope to get out to the shop tomorrow night. Lots to do before it's ready for finish. At least I don't have to build wheel pants.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #108 on:** November 30, 2011, 04:47:09 PM »

I can relate, I am currently overhauling my work area,, tired of having three homes for the same thing and never knowing where to look,, LOL, plus getting rid of some "stuff" that has been hanging around way to long.

HOpefully I can get some actually modeling done soon,,

wwwarbird · « **Reply #109 on:** November 30, 2011, 08:18:00 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on November 30, 2011, 10:12:23 AM

Wayne,

The colors will (likely) be pearl white (this is a custom mix I came up with for the Cobra), a metallic maroon red (like the original tone) and a sort of blue-gray color that will hopefully be in the neighborhood of the original color. I may futz around with the stripping pattern, but it will essentially be what's in Don's picture. As I said, I don't know if I'll go with a red dyed canopy or not. I need to dig up a Williams Brothers Military Pilot somewhere.

Yep, just givin' ya some s... Randy.

Hey Mark! Uh, you know.

proparc · « **Reply #110 on:** December 01, 2011, 11:53:19 AM »

While everyone else is busy arguing about the BOM, I come over to "Randy's Place" and hang out. If you could somehow go back in time, (we may be able to sometime) and visit Flushing Meadows at the height of the "push" for the Worlds and the Nats, Randy's ships look JUST LIKE THAT.

Brother Randy is not just doing some serious kick-ass building, he is channeling up some mean Flushing Meadows mojo. I know Jose Modesto is enjoying these build threads as much as I do.

When the “boys” at Flushing Meadows finished a ship, they looked just like what they were intended to do, and that was, take on the World, and that was exactly what they did!! Randy’s ships look just like that, ready for World class action.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #111 on:** December 01, 2011, 02:06:11 PM »

Wayne,
yeah I know, and thanks for remembering,, sigh
Its on the radar,,,,,,,,, still $:-\$

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #112 on:** December 01, 2011, 02:25:50 PM »

Quote from: Shultzie on November 29, 2011, 09:40:55 AM

LOL!
That being said:
Randy's talent with tape is amazing! For example, check out these beautiful paint schemes work on a couple of my favorite "POWELL-POW WOW!" work of skyart at its finest.

That "Effect" is cool. I didn't know that Randy sometimes flew clockwise.

And how come the writing is all mirrored?

Shultzie · « **Reply #113 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:16:41 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on December 01, 2011, 02:25:50 PM

That "Effect" is cool. I didn't know that Randy sometimes flew clockwise.

And how come the writing is all mirrored?

Why is the writing mirrored....I PLOPPED THE 35MM NEGATIVE INTO MY EPSON SCANNER IN REVERSE...DIDN'T CATCH IT UNTIL AFTER I POSTED IT

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #114 on:** December 01, 2011, 03:38:00 PM »

Quote from: Shultzie on December 01, 2011, 03:16:41 PM

Why is the writing mirrored....I PLOPPED THE 35MM NEGATIVE INTO MY EPSON SCANNER IN REVERSE...DIDN'T CATCH IT UNTIL AFTER I POSTED IT

I actually spent several minutes puzzling over why Randy would have gone and made everything mirrored before I realized what must have happened. Once I realized it must have suffered in transit, I still had to verify that the leadouts weren't sticking out of the wing facing me, and that the AMA number was on the wrong wing (as well as backward).

Life inside my head can be like a sitcom, sometimes.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #115 on:** December 02, 2011, 12:53:25 PM »

Tim,

Weirdly, I learned to fly clockwise. Did that until I left for college. When I came back to flying, I met Pat Johnston and he flew counter-clockwise so I flew that way. About 2 years ago I built a little profile to fly clockwise just to see if I could still fly that way. It was fun.

Proparc,

Bill Little · « **Reply #116 on:** December 02, 2011, 02:16:52 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on November 30, 2011, 04:47:09 PM

(snip)

plus getting rid of some "stuff" that has been hanging around way to long.

HOpefully I can get some actually modeling done soon,,

"Hopefully" a certain ME-109 is not in that category!

Big Bear

Randy Powell · « **Reply #117 on:** December 02, 2011, 07:24:46 PM »

I think the 109 is a delusion. It's not real, just a figment of Mark's imagination. I have no real proof that says otherwise.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #118 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:30:15 AM »

Randy,,,

now YOUR going to jump on me too,, sheesh,,
it is real, Pat has touched it,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #119 on:** December 03, 2011, 01:32:25 PM »

Uh huh. Sure, Ok. I believe you. You're a trustworthy guy.

Les McDonald · « **Reply #120 on:** December 03, 2011, 01:55:45 PM »

Donnies' Avenger is one of the most beautiful and complex models ever conceived.
To witness guys like Randy and Mark build these things to their high standards is a real treat.
Ol Donnie gotta be lovin this, I know I am!

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #121 on:** December 03, 2011, 05:05:09 PM »

Les,
from you that's high praise, thank you,,

Randy,, you need to play nice,, just cause your dogs beat up on my poor cougs is no reason to lash out ,,, sheesh,,

and you have seen the pictures too,, I guess now I just have to finish the 109 for the regionals,,

wwwarbird · « **Reply #122 on:** December 03, 2011, 06:08:13 PM »

Quote from: Les McDonald on December 03, 2011, 01:55:45 PM

Donnies' Avenger is one of the most beautiful and complex models ever conceived.
To witness guys like Randy and Mark build these things to their high standards is a real treat.
Ol Donnie gotta be lovin this, I know I am!

I agree with Les, it's enjoyable to watch a cool design get a high quality build.

I'm kind of hungry to see someone do a nice semi-scale Warbird model though, it's been a while since we've seen something like that here on the forum. I think it's been even longer since we've seen one of the Axis planes done. Something like an FW190 would be neat, but there's been many of them done over the years so it's kind of old news. I'm don't recall ever seeing a nice ME 109 though, that would be pretty neat to see.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #123 on:** December 03, 2011, 11:25:30 PM »

OK, we need to take Donnie out behind the shed and beat the snot out of him. I got the plane in one piece sans the canopy and control surfaces, but what a pain. The tail of that thing is just evil. But it's finally together and I just need some clean up and sanding. The tail wheel set up was particularly tough. But the good news it, I weighed the thing and the whole airframe without canopy or control surfaces is about 13oz. That seems pretty good to me.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #124 on:** December 03, 2011, 11:35:52 PM »

Randy,
it may be painful, but man when it sits there in one piece, its a very very satisfying feeling,, I know it was for me!
this build challenged me WAY beyond what I thought it would,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #125 on:** December 03, 2011, 11:44:01 PM »

Figuring it out from his less than descriptive plans has been interesting. Yours were better that way. I'm still gonna have to do s bit of filler in a couple of spots. I just had to pry the tail apart a bit to get that ball link in. Sigh... Man, those blocks are thin in spots, but the thing is sure light.

Shultzie · « **Reply #126 on:** December 04, 2011, 10:43:54 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 03, 2011, 11:25:30 PM

OK, we need to take Donnie out behind the shed and beat the out of him.
But the good news it, I weighed the thing and the whole airframe without canopy or control surfaces is about 13oz. That seems pretty good to me.

I'll take some pictures tomorrow.

Randy and Mark!!
That was my same feelings waaaay back in 1967 during the building faze-haze of my first nationals STING RAY!
*(see attached photo taken at the 67 nationals practice circles)..
where my first brand new Sting Ray was being "TWEAKED" in with the CONSTANT HELP AND NAGGING QUESTIONS I WAS ASKING of some of the most gifted CLPA flyers in the USA. With out their help and advice on trimming and flying, I highly doubt if I would have continued to build these EVIL TAIL FEATHERED ASSEMBLEEEEEEES'

I MUST HAVE BUGGED THE

OF OF BOB GIALDINI with those constant LONG DISTANT PHONE CALLS TO WISC. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT...asking question after questions about that EVIL TAIL ASSEMBLY...
Even after building 3 successful Sting Rays...guess I got hooked on the look for my AVENGER SERIES stunt models and like the "Song Sings: THINGS ILL' GET EEEEEE ZZZZZ ER' as time flies on and on...n' all that jazz!

CONGRATS' RANDY!! FANTASTICAL'' WOW!! ONLY 13 OUNCES IS AWESOME!!!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #127 on:** December 04, 2011, 06:24:24 PM »

OK, it's mostly in one piece. the elevators are now done and on the plane (or fitting). Still need to build flaps, landing gear, fairing, cowl and canopy.

Progress....

Pics below of the assembled main airframe.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #128 on:** December 04, 2011, 07:04:40 PM »

Cool.

Bill Little · « **Reply #129 on:** December 04, 2011, 07:24:51 PM »

That is looking really sharp, even though it's just bare bones......

Bill

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #130 on:** December 04, 2011, 07:32:13 PM »

Randy, I gotta tell ya, it sends shivers down my spine lOL,, I SO remember mine looking like that,, and how awesome it was. and then my nightmares began LOL
heres hoping yours goes a lot smoother than mine did

Shultzie · « **Reply #131 on:** December 04, 2011, 08:29:15 PM »

Like the song says.....

"DEMMMBONES...DEMMMBONES....THEM DRY BONES...NOW THAT'S DA WORK N' WORD OF THE LORD AND DANDY RANDY'S GOD GIVEN TALENT.RANDY...THOSE BONES ARE TRULY A WORK OF ART!....SIMPLY ASTOUNDING....THANKS FOR SHARING THESE PHOTOS!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #132 on:** December 04, 2011, 09:29:20 PM »

You can see a couple of dings in the thing toward the tail. This if from freelancing where I had to widen the insert piece that the stab sits on. On the other hand, all the million pieces ended up fitting together pretty nicely. As you can also see, the leading and trailing edge have to be shaped yet. I get to this point on a plane and all I can think of is the amount of work yet to go. But it's fun, I guess.

Now comes the big question. Do I dye the canopy:

1) Black
2) Brown
3) Red (like Donnie's original)
4) Blue

I'm leaning toward blue. the plane will be pearl white, red and blue ultimately in some combination (probably pretty close to the original, but I may get creative on the fuse.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #133 on:** December 04, 2011, 10:23:07 PM »

I think I'd go with blue too, a lot less chance of it turning pink at some point.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #134 on:** December 05, 2011, 09:54:20 AM »

Randy,
Your builds are always impeccable. You are doing Donnie justice and more!

Shultzie · « **Reply #135 on:** December 05, 2011, 10:34:18 AM »

Quote from: Tom Niebuhr on December 05, 2011, 09:54:20 AM

Randy,
Your builds are always impeccable. You are doing Donnie justice and more!

AMEN, (My "HOTSHOT"BROTHA'TOM!!!

I AM TRULY HONORED!

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #136 on:** December 05, 2011, 11:25:03 AM »

I look forward to setting Randy's Avenger next to mine at the regionals this year,, that will be a rare photo op,,
heck maybe I might even throw a 109 in the picture as well,, ( painted or not it may be there)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #137 on:** December 05, 2011, 05:42:48 PM »

Mark,

Mine won't be orange, but it should be OK. And I know you just want to bring the 109 to prove it exists. Amazing what you can do with photoshop.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #138 on:** December 05, 2011, 06:36:16 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 05, 2011, 05:42:48 PM

Mark,

And I know you just want to bring the 109 to prove it exists. Amazing what you can do with photoshop.

Heh, Heh, Heh.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #139 on:** December 05, 2011, 11:15:06 PM »

Randy,, mine isnt orange either,, for the record, its GOLD,, sheesh,,

Wayne,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, yeah I know

John Miller · « **Reply #140 on:** December 06, 2011, 08:45:14 AM »

Mark, can you hear the strains from flight of the Valkry playing softly in the back ground?

Randy Powell · « **Reply #141 on:** December 06, 2011, 10:43:09 AM »

I don't know that Mark is a Wagner sort of guy. But hey, you never know. Linda looks a bit like a valkyrie. Blonde anyway.

OK, orangy gold.

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #142 on:** December 06, 2011, 11:00:22 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 06, 2011, 10:43:09 AM

I don't know that Mark is a Wagner sort of guy. But hey, you never know. Linda looks a bit like a valkyrie. Blonde anyway.

Give him a helmet with horns and a big ol' battle ax and he'll be Valkyrie-bait, anyway.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #143 on:** December 06, 2011, 11:09:48 AM »

holy crap,, I thought this thread was about RANDY,, and now I am getting crucified,, oh wait, different era huh,,

yes well I am of Bavarian , English, and Italian descent,, not much Norse blood in there,, the 109 will get finished,, but with my shift to electric power, its kind of become yesterdays news,, now in all honesty, I have been eyeballing it for a possible conversion to electric, but that likely wont happen,, I just need to finish cleaning the bench, and sand some more,, oh and repair the wing silkspan where the girls poked a hole in it during a teenage sleepover at the house,, sigh,, then there are the things I have uncovered that today I would never find acceptable, aesthetically,, and should I leave them, or redo them,, sigh,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #144 on:** December 06, 2011, 06:25:36 PM »

Mark,

This is why my Bearcat never got finished and is languishing under the bench. About a million things I would do differently now.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #145 on:** December 06, 2011, 07:50:34 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 06, 2011, 06:25:36 PM

Mark,

This is why my Bearcat never got finished and is languishing under the bench. About a million things I would do differently now.

Well guys, if you need a shipping address...

Randy Powell · « **Reply #146 on:** December 08, 2011, 07:05:48 PM »

Hey Shultzenator,

On the rudder/fuse rear. Was it rounded or squared up? Or just the rudder rounded off?

Shultzie · « **Reply #147 on:** December 08, 2011, 10:29:59 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 08, 2011, 07:05:48 PM

Hey Shultzenator,

On the rudder/fuse rear. Was it rounded or squared up? Or just the rudder rounded off?

It's been a while..but I usually never liked to SQUARE these items to sharply...JUST THINK ABOUT THIS...

So many models that I have seen that use sharp squared up edges...USUALLY AFTER THE GRULING HOURS OF PRACTICE FLYING....ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO KEEP PAINT THICKNESS AND WEIGHT IN CHECK...THESE SHARP EDGES soon began to pick up nicks..dings...dents in constant handling, and rubb a dub rub throughs those DELICATE clear coats over sharp balsa surfaces begin to look FLIGHT WAR WEARY...THEN...THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH GRIT, GRIM ENDS UP ONTO THOSE BEAUTIFUL HAND RUBBED SURFACES...which begin to look pretty pretty dull and delicate.
BOTTOM LINE!
SHARP EDGES look pretty good BRAND NEW...BUT THEN ADD THE HOURS , DAYS OF FLYING...ROUNDED SURFACES RETAIN THAT NEW LOOK MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER IN THE LONG HAUL?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT....with that in mind, my vote ESPECIALLY FOR THE PAINT WORK ALONE..goes for ROUNDING THE SURFACES!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #148 on:** December 09, 2011, 06:30:12 PM »

Don,

So, does this mean the rear of the fuselage was rounded? I assume yes. Thanks for the top view. I need to decide if I'll copy the inklines. Looks cool.

Shultzie · « **Reply #149 on:** December 10, 2011, 10:00:53 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 09, 2011, 06:30:12 PM

Don,

So, does this mean the rear of the fuselage was rounded? I assume yes.

Not only I rounded the fuselage I also blended both the dorsal* and sub dorsal's* fin' (Our Aerodynamical wizard masta, Gary Letsinger would often

LL~at my lame understanding labels that I would use in naming airplane body parts and appendages?)

I was also cautioned to be very careful in using too many micro-balloonie's in blending those aft sections...
However....even after all those years of flying those Sting Rays....NO STRESS CRACKING in either the wing to fuselage-stab fillets ...TALK ABOUT BLIND LUCK?

by the way....I found a bunch of B&W 120 film negatives (attached one sample) of that first Avenger that I thought were lost forever a few weeks ago when digging out my Christmas decorations. (same negatives and more that I took with my old Rolleiflex double lens reflex camera.
Actually some of those negatives were taken of not only the underside of the Avenger but also the aft sections of the stab and elevators.
I will check out my local KINKEEKINKCO'S & COPY locations to see if they can scan these negs for us.

RANDY...AGAIN!!! THOSE BEAUTIFUL DRY BONES OF THAT NEW AVENGER OF YOURS ARE TRULY ARTISTIC BALSA SCULPTING AT ITS FINEST!