Shark 402 project...

[wwwarbird]

 Here's another current project, I'll call it a "sorta upgraded" Brodak Shark 402.

 Winters are really long here in Minnesota, with that maybe us modelers just have too much time to think. For whatever reason, I just can't seem to build any kit without "bashing" it in some way. Knowing that the 402 is already a great flier as designed, I figured it was worthy of a little extra effort on my part. On my version here I had Pat Johnston cut a set of ribs that would allow me to sheet the LE and add capstrips while maintaining the original airfoil outline. I also added a 1/2" nose tripler and Sig "Fazer" aluminum landing gear. Power will be an OS .35-S.
 Cosmetically, I've never cared for the stock 402 fin/rudder outline so I whittled out a new one to my taste. I also made new "flaps" with a 1/2" deeper chord at the root to give the wing just a little more taper. To match that I took out a 1/2" of the elevator chord at each tip, leaving the chord at the center stock, to give that more taper as well.
 I'm just getting started on the paint now, and I'll try to post progress as it goes.

[wwwarbird]

3/4 rear...

[wwwarbird]

 The new fin/rudder. The fuse outline below the stab is stock, I just continued the line up over the top and gave it an aggressive forward slant. With the planned paint scheme this outline should look pretty cool...

[wwwarbird]

 Just for the heck of it I added a tapered piece for the tank to sit on that kicks the rear outboard corner out a bit...

[John Castle]

I like what you did to the wing tips, as stock they are problematic at best. looks great.

[wwwarbird]

 Underside view of the nose tripler area showing the slot where the Sig "Fazer" landing gear slips in on the inboard side...

 (Keith Sandberg taught me that one)

[wwwarbird]

 Top of the nose here. I added a small piece of carbon fiber because I had just barely sanded into the top front motor mount blind nut that is sandwiched in the nose while shaping it. I'm hoping this keeps the nose from wanting to crack open where that nut is. I've had that problem before.

[wwwarbird]

 Painting begins, stay tuned...

[wwwarbird]

 John,

 I'm not sure what you mean about the wingtips, they're stock per the kit design. They weren't a lot of fun though.

[john e. holliday]

I like it and may use your ideas when and if I ever put mine together.   

[Michael Boucher]

Nice job Wayne.  What size doublers did you use 3/32", 1/8" ? Did you run the engine mounts back to the wing?  Very clean looking project.

[wwwarbird]

 Michael,

 The ply doublers are 1/8" and the maple mounts are even with the wing leading edge. I made new doublers out of some better plywood than what was in the kit.

[Dave Rountree]

Thanks for sharing the little trick with the landing gear mount. That is slick as all get out. I will be using that. Plane looks great! Dave R

[wwwarbird]

 Got the yellow on tonite...