Fil d'information

Roland Sachsenhofer
In view of the start of this build, I was tempted by the following motto: "From ugly duckling to swan": the kit offers a number of interesting challenges, but gives an idea of the potential both as a model and as a representation of a true aircraft beauty! I will try my best to make the swan appear....
A first challenge: roughly moulded parts, poor fit and a wing that wants too much in a positive V-position.... A second challenge will follow in the form of a Vacu canopy that has turned yellow with age; this will give me the opportunity to try out the doing in Vac-canopy myself. More of that next time...

Robert Podkoński
Taking a seat here, too 🙂

Roland Sachsenhofer
It's a pleasure!

Transall NG
Nice aircraft !
One was used in the last phase of the New Guinea gold rush in the 30's...
Good luck !
@+

Cuajete
Great, Roland!
I would like to see the steps you follow when making the Vac-canopy.

J35J
Very intresting project! Taking a seat.

Alex K
In...

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your interest, I appreciate it!
Cuajete, I'd be happy to show you a few photos of the progress of the construction and application of the self-moulded Vac canopy. It seems to have produced a reasonable result so far....

Erik Leijdens
An unusual subject Roland! No doubt you will end up with a fantastic result

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your trust and encouragement, Erik!

Cuajete
Many thanks, Roland!
Great job with the putty party and vacuum canopy 👍

What thermoformer did you use?

Thomas Kolb
This look like an intriguing project, but she's definitely a putty queen! I am super impressed with the vac-forming!

Łukasz Gliński
Can't miss that swan

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you very much for the answers, mates! I'll show you a few new pictures from today: the surfaces have been reworked with 2000 grit sandpaper (even if it may not look like it, dusty as the "duckling" still is) to prepare it for a first coat of paint. This will certainly show the need for correction! 🙂

Nicolas
I'll grap a seat. Nice work so far.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Feel very welcome, Nicolas! 🙂

Roland Sachsenhofer
New pictures of the current state of construction: the 'Baby Clipper' still looks very dark, but in the next step it will get an 'Azur' blue underside, which will be completed by 'Middle Stone' and 'Dark Earth' on the upper sides. Since prototype photos already show this machine with heavy signs of use and weathering, I will endeavour to achieve a similar look here.

Finn
Looking good indeed

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you Finn!

Cuajete
Nice preshading, Roland 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you mate!

Roland Sachsenhofer
The 'Baby Clipper' has lost some of its elegance with all the rods and struts, but has gained in authenticity. A certain amount of effort is required to reconstruct the entire antenna equipment - not exactly a small amount - but also the structurally necessary struts: the kit manufacturer Azur does not provide any information here, let alone that it would put material for this in the box. The entire superstructure at the top of the engine nacelle is the result of own research. Everything was made from wire, cable insulation (exhaust pipes) and MG muzzles joined together (pitot tubes). The floats under the wings are braced with super-fine steel wire, which, by the way, is a very versatile material. The instructions also make no reference to the tailplane struts, which were also made by the builder.
However, most of the work has gone into the undercarriage! This was, to summarise, so heavily modified that it can actually be described as newly constructed from etched parts and wire from the leftover box.

So, I've already written a lot, but there's one more point: I'm particularly curious to see how my first self-built Vacu canopy performs on this project. I'm a bit anxious, but also very excited to see what the unmasking that will soon follow will show!

Marko
interesting to see how you build such a great model from a challenging kit.👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Glad to hear it, thank you!

Cuajete
I agree with Marko.
A challenge with great resolution. Great job so far, Roland. And very nice painting job 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for these motivating words, quite appreciated!! On now to the final act of this project...

Thomas Kolb
I agree with all comments above. I must say, I like way you attached the wires and struts - usually there is a bit of a lump of superglue where they attach to the fuselage, but you managed to make the connection points very neat.