Author Topic: New model Finished - Ares (Read 8558 times)

PJ Rowland · « **on:** January 18, 2011, 07:38:55 AM »

Hi all.

For those who were following the build might have remembered I was building a new Classic model. I chose to build the stylish Werwage ARES.

Initially this is what I was going to fly at the US Nats in classic, however I decided to build something else instead.

Weight : 45 oz
Engine : Stalker .61 Lite

I just finished Clear coat - Using PPG Global systems. Painted in a similar style to my other Nobler. I used PTG finishing method exclusivley and am pleased with the results. Enjoy the photo's . It was certainly more difficult to build this correctly due to there being so many curved surfaces that required it to be perfect.

I also finished clearing my new 2011 Model which is my backup US Nats model. I will post pics of that seperate

As yet Its unflown Will report back once test flights have been done.
Feel Free to check out the other model I finished ( Cleared them both at the same time. )

Here is my 1951 Nobler ( the veco .29 version.. ) for a paint comparision.

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2011, 07:47:37 AM »

Wow PJ; Both planes are beautiful. I really like your color scheme.

Bill Gruby · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2011, 07:59:23 AM »

That has got to be the prettiest Ares I have ever seen. PJ that is just Georgeous.

"Billy G"

Derek Barry · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2011, 08:06:14 AM »

Awesome mate!

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2011, 08:11:53 AM »

Thanks Guys.. I dont know about prettiest Ares.. Billy certainly holds that mantle, Im pleased with it.

Thanks DB - Looking forward to chatting with ya'lll in July ( booked my flights already )

Also this isnt even what im bringing over ! I got something better planned

mike hartung · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2011, 10:29:16 AM »

What an awsome airplane. Hope she flys as good as she looks.

Dalton Hammett · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2011, 10:32:21 AM »

Fantastic Model !!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2011, 10:59:32 AM »

Love the trim scheme. Very cool looking. Was it cold when you shot the clear? Looks like a bit of orange peel. No matter, that can be rubbed out. Very cool plane.

JamieHolford · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2011, 11:03:10 AM »

This is gorgeous!

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2011, 02:21:02 PM »

Randy..

Good eye..
Its actually just overspray that PPG stuff is pretty sticky.

Spot on i'l just buff that out. ( you mean the flap.. BAH dont point it out!

)

peabody · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2011, 03:09:18 PM »

They're both really nice, PJ

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2011, 04:08:27 PM »

Sorry Randy no it was 25 c

ptg · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2011, 04:36:06 PM »

PJ,

Very good looking plane(s).

Here is a trick that for spaying PPG clears. Plan on 2 coats. The first coat is sprayed at PPG recommendations. Let it dry 24 hours. Wet sand using 1000 to 1200 grit but don't try to get everything perfectly flat and take care not to go into color. Just light to moderate sanding mostly to take out all of the dust and make things generally even. Next clean everything with Windex twice and use tack rag generously. Mix more PPG but this time mix equal parts of clear and medium speed reducer. Add regular amount of catalyst. This will be very thin and need only be sprayed on in a quick thin wet coat. Be sure to adjust you gun to the finest mist mixture of liquid you can. Use long quick strokes and move the gun quickly to avoid runs.

The result will be a very smooth finish and if you manage to get all the dust off before you spay you just might be satisfied without rubbing out. If you do get runs, no big deal, they can easily be sanded and rubbed out.

This second coat should add more than .75oz. to the overall finish. I use an Iwata gun and generally only add .375 to .5oz.

Hope this helps. I really like your style, too! Looking forward to meeting you and seeing your NATS planes in person.

PTG

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2011, 05:58:29 PM »

Thanks Phil.
Hiya Phil!!

Basically I shot a dust coat, and then waited 20 mins then hit 1 coat of wet and let it flow.
Dust isnt really an issue. Ive got a mate who works for a body shop as a cleaner and the boys let me come in after work to shoot the clear using the beer economy. 1 Case of beer for the lads! I supplied the PPG they supplied the booth and set the gun up. I have painted a bunch of times so I was confident to use his equpiment. The booth sucks is out from below and is temp controlled to 25 c to clear then baked at 60c for 2 hrs. So absoloutly no dust at all.

Weight added total clear was .8 oz

The wings and fuse went off perfectly, but I didnt secure it properly and had it hanging from the mounting by its nose. The problem was the flaps moving about under the pressure of the airgun. Also the wings moving about from hanging. So what your seeing is just overspray and semi orangepeel. I have yet to buff out any of this.

Il hit it with 2000 - 2500 and 3000 and I should get it all out.
This was also my 1st time using the PPG gear ( on your recommendation I might add .. and might I also add.. $$ $$ $$ - and I got it at trade price..

The Nobler was done in another brand and didnt flow NEARLY as nice. The PPG is amazing gear.

Thanks for all the positive comments guys.

No dramas Phil, I look forward to meeting you also.. Basically these 2 models ( raptor and ares) were test models to trial the techniques you outlined in your article. 1st time attempt im happy with the results but i learnt alto I will do differently on my Nats model..
Thanks for your advice - Well taken also. I will make up 3 test peices and do some more testing to perfect my clear by the time july rolls around I will have a nice ride.

I have no illusions of getting a front row ship like your Diva or Jimmys..I just dont have the patience to spend 300 hrs on getting every single fit of every piece perfect. - Id be happy with 17points. To be honest I give the finish of that ares a 6 out of 10. My goal is to get it to my standard of 9.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2011, 06:06:14 PM »

The Ares looks AWSOME PJ, excellent graphic treatment!

I'm gonna toss in two-cents here though by suggesting that it could still use some of the red/white treatment on the tail surfaces. Don't get me wrong, it looks great, just slightly unfinished to my eye. Picky-Picky-Picky I know...

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2011, 06:16:30 PM »

Unfinished.. PHFFT..

hhah I know what you mean.. keep looking at it she grows on you.

Ok so.. let me inform you as to what happened.. I had the lines from the wing flowing down and matching up on the tail. I sprayed it red and stood back and thought.. Something doesnt look right.
Measured and everything was right and symetrical, but still didnt look right. For some reason the lines didnt line up - still dont know why.. but I decided to rub the whole tail back to primer, rehit it and re tape the red. Same thing was goign on the lines just didnt line up in tape, to get it looking right I had to move it out 1 cm from centre and it looked right flowing down, but the gap between fin and red starting was off.. must have been the way I did the red bars on the wing.

So I opted to both bother and hit it all white and trim the tail and fin to match.. hahha

Matt Colan · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2011, 06:47:57 PM »

Ummm................all I can say is WOW!!!!! That's a fantastic looking Ares!!!

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2011, 07:11:47 PM »

I stole the idea from your Flag anyway !

One of my dreams would be for someone to build a copy of a model / paint scheme I did.

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2011, 07:53:15 PM »

Beeeeautiful!!!!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2011, 11:17:41 PM »

PJ,

How are you doing the lettering on the wings? Paint masks or???

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #20 on:** January 18, 2011, 11:38:02 PM »

Giving up my trade secrets.....

Computer cut Vinyl lettering.

One of my clients runs his own custom lettering and signwritting company. Ive known him for 15 years. When I get to the lettering stage I take the model over to him, we close the doors for 3 hrs and collectivly come up with letting idea's and have a few beers!

The way this particual lettering was done is really cool.

A few points : Its all in capitals, but we digitally modified the A to be larger because lower case lettering in that font looked awful.
Its a standard black based font and we extrapolated a thicker line edge outline, gave the outline a .2mm gap sepeartion from the base black. We then added in a drop shadow, and joined the nodes to make the outline merge into the Shadow. - Takes about 40 mins to generate the text.

Stars were computer cut, we digitally make a copy of the area to be applied, digitally map the stars over that and cut it out, so they lay exactly where they need to go. For example if you look at the wings, we wanted the stars to start in a certain pattern and reproduce that pattern on the reverse wing. Obviosuly the wings are different dimensions so we mapped that difference.

Wheel spats are painted.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2011, 11:40:32 PM »

The Stars on the Nobler across the Fuse are oriented the wrong way - the front points face at 30 degrees inboard. I didnt realise that until after I cleared it.

We recified the mistake on the Ares, all the stars on the fuse are oriented with points facing forward.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #22 on:** January 23, 2011, 04:33:07 AM »

Very nice P.J. I can't wait to see your other new models... very inspiring finish. And great to hear that the beer economy is working for you. lol

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #23 on:** January 23, 2011, 03:16:00 PM »

Cheers Warren. You can check out my other one in the forum.

Just working on the 2 for the USA now Paint prep and paint.

Warren Leadbeatter · « **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2011, 04:15:03 AM »

Yes I saw the Raptor... amazing amount of detail, but then you need that with the AMA rules hey?

So I take it you wont be trying out for the 2012 AUS Worlds team then?

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #25 on:** January 24, 2011, 03:26:19 PM »

Thanks mate - Well that Raptor was just a test ship, The one going over will be lighter and nicer with more detail - I did most of that detail in a 1 1/2 days.

Re: 2012 Worlds team - No I have no interest in going to a worlds again. I will be making every effort to attend multiple US Nats in preference of any trip over the pond. - however besides that - I am going to Europe in 2012 for a long awaited 3 month holiday !

Bill Little · « **Reply #26 on:** January 25, 2011, 01:07:50 PM »

PJ,

The Ares is awesome! Great job on both and enjoy your trip to the 2011 NATS! Hopefully I will at least get up there for a couple days, hopefully we can meet then!

Bill

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #27 on:** January 25, 2011, 03:47:24 PM »

Yes ty Australia is great, we just don't have paris, london, rome, Shuttleworth air museum. Its taken me a lot of time to save up for that trip.

No drama's Bill look forward to it myself. - I will post some more pics when I bolt the beast in and have some test flights, but right now its on the backburner until my US models are finished..

Bill Little · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2011, 05:40:42 PM »

PJ, I am jealous! I hope to get to Europe before I leave this rock....... "Down Under" would be great, too!

Bill

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #29 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:16:18 PM »

Ty, Been to Melbourne? Thats where I live - without a doubt No # 1 most livable city in the world and we are the sporting capital.

Just spent yesterday at the Australian open in garden square looking at all the cuties walking about - whilst sipping on a whiskey on ice in 28 Degree's fine blue sky. Gotta love melbourne.

I Just want to see alot of things in Europe, I want to see the French open tennis, Wimbledon tennis, Britsh open, Duxford, visit scotland, visit ireland, Rome, italy, paris, london... Its taken me 3 years to save!!! ( And to save up some time off for work )

I agree NZ is great - wouldnt want to live there. Infact wouldnt want to live in Sydney, QLD, or South Aust either.. Just came back from Sydney for a friends Birthday party 2 days... Sunday.... so crowded....

Bill Little · « **Reply #30 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:34:18 PM »

Well, PJ, I would love to play one round of golf on the Old Course at St. Andrews while I can still somewhat swing a golf club.

I have been in contact with several really nice guys from Australia and the other neighboring areas. All have been outstanding people and ones I could definitely live around! Very much like the South was years ago, when the old traditions were still alive. Unfortunately, most of this area has changed and not for the better.

Bill

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #31 on:** January 26, 2011, 09:12:22 PM »

Bill - HA good luck on that playing golf on ST Andrews.. Its almost impossible.

Im keen but id rather play Pebble beach ( which was also on my list but maybe when I come back )

This is from the website :

So, how can I book an Old Course Tee Time with Links Golf St Andrews?
Each year, we, Links Golf St Andrews, receive an allocation of tee times for the Old Course. All of our tee times come as part of a package or golf tour which includes hotel accommodation, transport and golf. Our golf tours are usually for a minimum of 4 nights and will combine golf on some of the other courses in St Andrews or Scotland.

What if I want to just play one day round ?
For golfers who have not managed to secure an Old Course tee time in advance, there is still an option to apply for one via the Daily Ballot. The St Andrews Old Course Ballot is drawn on a daily basis for the following days play (Tuesday to Saturday) and on Saturday for Mondays play (Please note the Old Course is not open for play on a Sunday). For example, if you wish to enter the ballot for a tee time on Wednesday, you would apply on the Tuesday. If you wish to enter the ballot for a tee time on a Monday, you would apply on a Saturday.

To enter the ballot, golfers names, home golf clubs and handicaps are required (Maximum of 24 for men and 36 for ladies). The deadline for entering the ballot is 2pm and the results are usually available by 4pm.

Links Golf St Andrews take care of the above process for all golfers who have their golf tour booked with them. We will advise our clients if they have been successful in the Old Course Ballot and if not, arrange alternative golf for the next days play.

Bill Little · « **Reply #32 on:** January 26, 2011, 10:43:54 PM »

HI PJ,

Yeah, I knew it is tough to get on, but I would have to book way in advance anyway. A good life long friend that worked with the USGA played a couple rounds there, and brought me back a bag towel, among other things.

Haven't played Pebble Beach but in an earlier life I was the pro at a small course here in Pinehurst and was on Arnold Palmer's "Advisory Staff", good for free custom made clubs from his company. I was able to play (for free!) a ton of rounds on Pinehurst #2. Now the green fees are way out of my range for one round of golf. They are openly in competition with Pebble Beach to be among the highest greens fees in the US. HAven't checked lately but over $350 plus caddy fees. #2 is still ranked as one of the best in the World, and the Club finally allowed the US Open to be played there. Twice so far and it's coming back in the next few years. I just go and work a tent and watch.

Payne Stewart won the first one there in memorable fashion.. The USGA really liked having it there. We even had a fellow from "Down Under" win the second Open played on #2! Cool dude, too. Been to Augusta for The Masters, but of course never played there. That's harder, by far, than getting on the Old Course, unless you can work a job during The Masters. Then they allow one day for the workers to actually play the course!

It is getting tougher by the day for me to play though, so.........

As to Memphis, I think it is like a lot of places where people live. They don't realize that those who don't live there actually want to see some of the stuff they see everyday! Have two days set aside for the Smithsonian, at least. Unless you are just going to the Air/Space part, then it's still hard to get it all in, in one day.

And I-40 is worse than Ty said......

Bill

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #33 on:** January 26, 2011, 11:12:15 PM »

Aww.......

Your not helping !

I have nothing positive to add to ANYTHING you just said..

Youve played great courses... you had custom made clubs.... and now your suggesting 2 days at the Smithsonian! surely 7 hrs will be enough !!!!!!!

Unfort I gotta get back to work on Monday.. Hence Id stay longer.. This isnt going to be a once trip..

I plan on making several trips back to the USA for the Nats. Maybe every 2 years... This will be instead of flying in the Australian Nationals.

Bill Little · « **Reply #34 on:** January 27, 2011, 12:35:51 AM »

By all means come on back to the NATS here as often as you can.

There is plenty to see around this country, too!

You will enjoy whatever you and your Dad decide to do, I am sure. And I was pretty serious about the Smithsonian. If you want to see the various different areas, it could take a week to take it all in.

I have been very lucky to have done some of the stuff I got to do, that is for real.

Good luck!
Big Bear

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #35 on:** January 27, 2011, 01:05:17 AM »

I shall

Thanks Bill.. Im going to re-appraise my choice of trips on advice by all.