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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: wwwarbird on February 16, 2016, 08:53:45 PM
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It's finally done! The on-and-off again "P-40ish" kit bash project that began as a NIB Top Flite ARF Nobler. There are detailed posts in both the Building Techniques and the Paint and Finishing sections here on the forum chronicling this build and all the modifications from the very beginning.
My original visualization for this model was a 40's era "cartoonish" version of a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk beginning to morph out of shape from extreme speed in flight. I had a lot of ideas for both aircraft outlines and paint details when I started the project, some worked out, many didn't.
Power is a box-stock FP.40 save for a Jim Lee venturi and an ST type NVA from Leonard over on Stuka Stunt. It's got a Dubro 4 ounce clunk tank that will be plumbed to use muffler pressure and I plan to run the Tornado 10x6 three blader as shown. The spinner is a Randy Smith unit but with a new custom machined, slightly extended, "extra pointy" spinner nut by fellow club member Tony Kubes. The prop and spinner assembly are also riding on a 3/4" Fox prop shaft extension. I used it because I wanted the engine completely enclosed, but with the nose of the model having the profile look of the very early model P-40's with the long nose case Allison. I'm not planning on using the "muffler" shown in these photos, Tony is still whittling out the final version of what will be a tongue muffler with a pressure tap. Inside is a Tom Morris control system with a few modifications of my own. The main gear wheels are some older Kraft items, (BIG BUCKS on Ebay) a slight bit on the heavy side but just the right look for the P-40.
The overall markings are a simple fictional cross between the typical Flying Tigers scheme and a Pearl Harbor era P-40. All prep and finish work was done with Brodak dope and the morphed U.S. star insignias, the 160's on the fuselage sides, and "THE ARMY" logo were all custom made in vinyl to my specs. I chose the "160" number for the fuselage sides because that was the number on the side of Lt George Welch's P-40 at Pearl Harbor, the first U.S. pilot in the air against Japan during the December 7th attack. The shark mouth graphics, also in vinyl, were found on Ebay. There's a seller I came across there who offers them in various sizes and will also do them by size to order. The Kamikaze "kill" flags are water slide items from Major Decal. All graphics were sealed with a final coat of Brodak Krystal Clear.
Anyway, here's what I've ended up with... ;D
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The profile, top & bottom...
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GRRR!!!!
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Details...
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Details...
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That's very nice work Wayne!
Dave
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I dig it Wayne,, well done
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Oh man, that is so AWESOME!!!! I wish I'd thought of it. That's going to look SO cool from the handle end, for sure.
Well thought out and perfectly executed!!
The "cool" factor is off the charts, Wayne. Take a bow. 8)
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Nicely done!
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Fantastic. I can see the cartoonish motion and speed. Really cool Sir.
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I hope it flies as well as it looks. H^^
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Its fantastic! It looks like a 1930s pursuit plane is coming thru a time warp and changing into a P-40. Awesome! Now I have to rethink what I am going to do with my Nobler that needs some work. H^^
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I like it, Wayne. Very cool. It has that fantasy look that just way increases the cool factor. Hope it flies really well for you.
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Its a work of art!!
Nicely done..
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Really nice, Wayne. The Army, love it!
Chris...
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The Army, love it!
Chris...
HA! Chris caught it, I stole that idea from the movie "Hot Shots". ;D
I did forget to mention, the new flaps have 1/4" more chord at the tip and 1" more chord at the root than the stock Nobler. I also added 3" to the overall stab/elevator span and a little more chord to the elevator, I don't recall how much without checking. The flaps are solid sheet but the stab, elevator, fin and rudder are all built up and sheeted. Final all up weight is a slightly porky 51.3 ounces, but the FP will tug it along just fine.
Thanks for the compliments guys, I'll be glad to get started on something else. y1
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Wayne, it's not only a fantastic concept but also super execution.
The transformation from your imagination to reality is amazing.
Hands-down the neatest "Nobler" I've ever seen.
Terry
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Hey Wayne-0!
Real nice! Has a great sorta "Wild Bill Kelso" look to it. All it needs is to some how put a 3/4s burned cigar clenched in the shark's teeth!
You have great imagination and vision!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee
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Another well done kit bash Wayne. I love the front end, the rudder is a little different for me, but I can live with it, but it's all in fun anyway.
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I look forward to seeing it airborne in all it's Glory. Terrific!
Shug
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You did a great job, the model came out really nice.
You would never know it was a Nobler. H^^
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Sweeeeet!