Author Topic: Brodak Zero... (Read 2961 times)

wwwarbird · « **on:** January 06, 2011, 08:58:49 PM »

Happy New Year folks,

I've quietly been working off and on this Brodak Zero that I started back in mid May. I will elaborate here in the Open Forum once I get it completely finished, but there is a bit of a story behind this build. It's probably not real noticeable here, but this model also has quite an extensive list of mods. There's very little "Brodak" left in it actually. Last night I finally got the grey on it, Brodak Polar Grey. Tonite I went over it with 800 knocking a little dirt out here and there, and now it's ready for all the detail work. If everything goes right it will be a fun, easy scheme to do. I'll update as I go.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:05:56 PM »

DAng it man! you are going to shame me into painting the 109 arentyou,, sheesh,,
looks good my man, looking forward to seeing color on this one too

wwwarbird · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:11:09 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on January 06, 2011, 09:05:56 PM

DAng it man! you are going to shame me into painting the 109 arentyou,, sheesh,,
looks good my man, looking forward to seeing color on this one too

You have a 109?

Bill Little · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:28:20 PM »

Hi Wayne,

Looking very good! Mine was a real favorite of all my planes and very easy to fly. What engine?

OK, you ain't gettin' off THAT easy! Now you really do have to spill the beans:

Quote

It's probably not real noticeable here, but this model also has quite an extensive list of mods. There's very little "Brodak" left in it actually.

Let's hear the what's and whys!

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:43:05 PM »

Bill,

A Brodak .40 will provide motorvation. For the rest, you'll just have to stay tuned...

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:58:07 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on January 06, 2011, 09:11:09 PM

You have a 109?

ouch

Bill Little · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:00:57 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on January 06, 2011, 09:43:05 PM

Bill,

A Brodak .40 will provide motorvation. For the rest, you'll just have to stay tuned...

You're an evil fiend!

(hearing the theme song for Jaws in my head as the anticipation builds!)

Actually I really want to see the camo scheme you come up with. I gotta few ideas when I build another.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2011, 11:06:42 PM »

Not to disappoint Bill, but it's going to be a fairly basic Pearl Harbor era grey scheme. It's very tempting at this point to do a nifty camo job, but out of respect (part of the story to come later) I have to stick with the original plan on this one.

There is one scheme that I would really like to see on a Zero model though. It could be super cool if done properly. It's one where it was the usual dark green camo on top, but with a bright red/orange on the bottom instead of grey. That would be a very cool scheme on a stunter while watching it flip-flop through the maneuvers, and it would still be historically correct. I've always felt these are things more people should consider when coming up with schemes for Warbird type models. Decide on a scheme with an accurate historic look, but with something that really gets your attention in the air too. You can "fudge" numbering and lettering around (I'll be doing that on this Zero) but still work it all out maintain an accurate look overall.

Here's an example what I'm talking about. I did one of Tom Niebuhr's "WOW" repro kits a few years ago. For it I "stole" a scheme that was actually used on the Focke Wulf 190's that would orbit overhead and protect the ME 262's while they were taking off. The scheme appears as historically accurate, but things incorporated into it like the "6-D-4" actually stand for "sixty-four", the year I was born.

Bill Little · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2011, 11:14:29 PM »

h iWayne,

I remember the "Home Defense" candy cane scheme especially on teeh FW 190s. Jim Lynch flew a Sheeks FW-190 at the NATS once with that scheme.

I vaguely remember something about the orange bottom Japanese scheme. I did a lot of WWII Japanese fighters for IPMS work back in the early '70s, but have lost most all of my reference stuff from then. The Japanese stuff was interesting because at the time, there very few being done for contests.

I'll have to see that scheme, my new Zero would get it I am sure.

Big Bear

proparc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2011, 12:38:28 PM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on January 06, 2011, 09:43:05 PM

Bill,

A Brodak .40 will provide motorvation. For the rest, you'll just have to stay tuned...

Somebody please give this man an LA46.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2011, 05:05:12 PM »

Quote from: proparc on January 07, 2011, 12:38:28 PM

Somebody please give this man an LA46.

WHY?

?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2011, 06:22:36 PM »

Quote from: proparc on January 07, 2011, 12:38:28 PM

Somebody please give this man an LA46.

I'm a big O.S. fan, and the .46 is an OK engine, but I'm sticking with the Brodak for this plane.

Also, I don't know where you can run an LA-.46 in P-40 either.

Got the cowling painted on tonite and then painted the adjustable fuel tank mount to match the break line at the fuse/cowl...

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2011, 12:39:02 AM »

HI Wayne,

It looks real good.

I think your neck of the woods is the only place running "P-40", or at least in areas West of the Mississippi. Everywhere I have been up and down the East coast it is just "Profile", no engine size restrictions (which I really like! LOL!!).

To be real honest, I don't know haw a box stock kit Zero flies, I just had Mike's pencil drawings for the fuselage, stab, and wing tips to go by. Of course I had Sea Hurricane kit plans for the wing, and had to stack sand the ribs, but all the Brodak Warbirds wings were all the same then, except for tip shape.

You are going to make me build a new wing for the prototype, it's been waiting on one for a LONG time!

Big Bear

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2011, 05:44:12 AM »

I flew a Brodak Zero finished pretty much as Wayne is doing his. Powered with a Tower 40 it was one of my favorite models for over 5 years. It's flying habits were impeccable. I went in on an overhead with an engine failure, the plug died at the worst possible place.It flies that well that I bought another kit with the intention of duplicating it. I hope to get it built sometime soon if I can just stop coming up with all of these projects in front of it.
Mike Garmon had given us some truly great flying profiles and thankfully John Brodak made them available to the modelling public.

proparc · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2011, 11:39:14 AM »

Quote from: wwwarbird on January 07, 2011, 06:22:36 PM

I'm a big O.S. fan, and the .46 is an OK engine, but I'm sticking with the Brodak for this plane.

Also, I don't know where you can run an LA-.46 in P-40 either.

Your dead right!!! Can you find it in your heart to forgive me.

Bill Little · « **Reply #15 on:** January 08, 2011, 07:03:11 PM »

Quote from: dennis lipsett on January 08, 2011, 05:44:12 AM

I flew a Brodak Zero finished pretty much as Wayne is doing his. Powered with a Tower 40 it was one of my favorite models for over 5 years. It's flying habits were impeccable. I went in on an overhead with an engine failure, the plug died at the worst possible place.It flies that well that I bought another kit with the intention of duplicating it. I hope to get it built sometime soon if I can just stop coming up with all of these projects in front of it.
Mike Garmon had given us some truly great flying profiles and thankfully John Brodak made them available to the modelling public.

Hi Denis,

I have to build Mike's huge ST G.51 powered Wedell Williams Profile! That thing flies a lot better than it oughta...........

wwwarbird · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2011, 09:14:12 PM »

Well, it's going kinda slow at MitsuWilley Aeroworks. For some reason lately I've been having motivational difficulties with the Zero. I think it's because ever since I got the grey on I've been noticing little prep flaws here and there that I wish I would have caught and fixed beforehand. Too far along now though, it's just gonna be what it's gonna be...

Bootlegger · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2011, 06:11:13 AM »

The Oct contest in Baton Rouge, La is also Profile only, sorta "Run what ya' Brung"..

john e. holliday · « **Reply #18 on:** January 14, 2011, 09:21:58 AM »

The map I just looked at says there is an East Baton Rouge and an West Baton Rouge. Of course the word Paish is behing the names and they straddle the Big Muddy Mississippi.

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2011, 11:45:58 AM »

I see you got a nice color yellow/orange for the ID stripes on the LEs of the wings.

Now, as a reminder, Wayne, ........... the hinomarus (big red insignia circles! LOL!!) are actually a brown/red not bright red........

Mongo

wwwarbird · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2011, 06:16:46 PM »

Bill,

I noticed in my Squadron "Zero In Action" book that yeah, at least on the tail stripes it was yellow with a very slight hint of orange. I don't like straight yellow anyway so this was good info. I looked around my shop and just by chance I had two old small bottles of Aero Gloss on my shelf, Cub Yellow and Stearman Red. I just added a bit of red into the yellow until it looked about right then thinned it (with Brodak thinner) and sprayed it on. Going right over the grey tones it down a bit more too. Then I went ahead and did the wing leading edges too since I had enough left to do it.

I'm using some artistic license on all the markings, but basically wanting it to appear as a December 7th version from the carrier Akagi. It wouldn't have had the yellow L/E's but I added them because I feel the model needed the extra color and detail. This Zero is going to have red hinomaru insignias. I've got them coming from Emily at Control Line Central. To be December 7th correct they would have been solid, but I'll be using the white outline just for the extra detail again. I've got a couple other detail things in store too, but those will show up later.

Time to go paint a canopy...

wwwarbird · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2011, 08:53:51 PM »

...greenhouse effect?

wwwarbird · « **Reply #22 on:** January 17, 2011, 12:53:20 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on January 06, 2011, 09:05:56 PM

DAng it man! you are going to shame me into painting the 109 arentyou,, sheesh,,
looks good my man, looking forward to seeing color on this one too

Some inspiration Mark? http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=20138.0

wwwarbird · « **Reply #23 on:** January 20, 2011, 10:24:25 PM »

Well, at long last I'm finally proclaiming the Zero ready for clear...

john e. holliday · « **Reply #24 on:** January 22, 2011, 09:47:47 AM »

Not so quick. WHERE'S YOUR NUMBERS???

Just razzin ya and the plane looks great as it is.

wwwarbird · « **Reply #25 on:** January 22, 2011, 08:10:25 PM »

Doc,

If you mean the AMA numbers, they are there on the right wing. I purposely didn't show them here because they are a big part of the story I've kept under my hat about this project. I'll give one hint on the numbers, they are there, but they are not mine. Stay tuned, as soon as I get it all finished and assembled I'll have an informative post in the Open Forum.

Bill Little · « **Reply #26 on:** January 23, 2011, 12:28:55 PM »

HI Wayne,

It looks very nice! Plenty "scale" enough in details, and the execution is great.

Sounds like a very "Special" project and I await the final word!

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #27 on:** January 23, 2011, 11:09:06 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on January 23, 2011, 12:28:55 PM

HI Wayne,

It looks very nice! Plenty "scale" enough in details, and the execution is great.

Sounds like a very "Special" project and I await the final word!

Big Bear

Thanks for noticing Bill, and you are right on in your assumption. Not the way I would have wished, but during the course it has evolved into quite a special project. I'll have it all finished and explained very soon.

Gene O'Keefe · « **Reply #28 on:** January 24, 2011, 07:36:57 AM »

Actually, I 'd like to compliment you on your neat, clean, well-organized, well-lit workshop !!

wwwarbird · « **Reply #29 on:** January 24, 2011, 10:03:57 PM »

Quote from: Gene O'Keefe on January 24, 2011, 07:36:57 AM

Actually, I 'd like to compliment you on your neat, clean, well-organized, well-lit workshop !!

Thanks Gene-O. Not to worry though, you can't see then in the pictures, but there are plenty of items "lost" in this shop too.

For anyone interested I just added a post over in the Building Techniques section reviewing the Zero construction and modifications.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #30 on:** January 25, 2011, 10:57:11 AM »

Mark's had the 109 hanging on his wall in primer for what, Mark? 2 years or just a year? Keeps threatening to sand it out and finish it. I imagine the primer is as dry as it's going to get at this point.

Bill Little · « **Reply #31 on:** January 25, 2011, 11:04:08 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on January 25, 2011, 10:57:11 AM

Mark's had the 109 hanging on his wall in primer for what, Mark? 2 years or just a year? Keeps threatening to sand it out and finish it. I imagine the primer is as dry as it's going to get at this point.

Yeah, Brother Mark needs ot take a courage pill and get that one finished.....

Big Bear

wwwarbird · « **Reply #32 on:** January 25, 2011, 06:29:29 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on January 25, 2011, 10:57:11 AM

Mark's had the 109 hanging on his wall in primer for what, Mark? 2 years or just a year? Keeps threatening to sand it out and finish it. I imagine the primer is as dry as it's going to get at this point.

I do happen to know that Mark is currently tending to some family business. I'm sure that he'll be back up to speed with us soon and ready for a butt-whipping to get that '109 done. I'm looking forward to it, it should be awesome when he gets it finished.

I'm going downstairs right now to shoot what will hopefully be the last of the clear on the Zero, sionara fo now mista.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #33 on:** January 26, 2011, 10:33:25 AM »

Yes, Wayne, I do plan on getting hot and heavy on it very soon, as soon as my family situation is settled down. It sure has taken a tole on my motivation for toy airplanes.

I hope its as cool when its done as it is in my head!
and yes, the primer is probably about as shrunk out as its going to get by now,, its a month short of two years that it has been hanging there, but with good reason, I would have crashed and destroyed it had I finished it at that time. I was in the midst of a year long crash fest lol,, not so much now,, *knock on wood*

Bill Little · « **Reply #34 on:** January 26, 2011, 10:36:20 AM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on January 26, 2011, 10:33:25 AM

Yes, Wayne, I do plan on getting hot and heavy on it very soon, as soon as my family situation is settled down. It sure has taken a tole on my motivation for toy airplanes.

I hope its as cool when its done as it is in my head!
and yes, the primer is probably about as shrunk out as its going to get by now,, its a month short of two years that it has been hanging there, but with good reason, I would have crashed and destroyed it had I finished it at that time. I was in the midst of a year long crash fest lol,, not so much now,, *knock on wood*

HI Mark,

I hope you know that I was yanking your chain, since we have "known" each other for quite a while through these electronic communications. I know of your present situation and I wish you the very best. When things settle down, you will be back on top of yuor "model airplane" situation.

Bill

wwwarbird · « **Reply #35 on:** January 27, 2011, 10:12:40 PM »

Here's some pics from when the final clearcoats were going on...

john e. holliday · « **Reply #36 on:** January 28, 2011, 05:21:54 PM »

Thanks Wayne for the story on the other thread/post. In case I missed saying it, "THAT IS ONEGORGEOUS LOOKING PLANE".

wwwarbird · « **Reply #37 on:** January 28, 2011, 09:56:49 PM »

Thanks Doc, hope to see ya at Polk City or Sig this year.