Jssels Galaxy quest***Finished***

[JohnRatzenberger]

Good idea on the windows. Depending on how the window decals look, you might get a bit more pop out of them with a very thin coat of clear blue brushed overtop. I'd obviously test it first.

[jssel]

Just to clarify: The moulds were made so that clear lens could be mounted. It did not look very convincing to me. The DRAW decals sheet has the windscreen printed so I filled in the holes to prepare for that. Clear as mud.

[ShaunW]

I'm going to try gloss black with a hint of transparent blue on the windows of my 747, which were supplied as traditional glazing strips. This is a technique I use on AFV vision blocks that I saw in one of the military modelling rags. It might work, but then again.....! I prefer decals for this sort of thing really and in the case of this Galaxy, which has window decals, would go down that route for sure.

[jssel]

30 tires mounted on five strut trees and painted. The amazing thing is that all the tires touch the ground. Now if the struts mount correctly to the gear bays all will be good.

When the paint sets up I'll post a picture later today.

This is a rather nice kit construction wise for such an old mould. Things progressing nicely at least for me.

[Ian]

That's the best use I've ever heard for knitting needles, Jeff.

[jssel]

Here is the landing gear situation. Aircraft (or ADC) Grey is used matching most on line pictures I have seen. ADC stands for Air Defense Command over here. Main gear doors and linkage are also in the photo.



The landing gear on the real aircraft was designed to swivel for crosswind landings like the B52 but was seldom used. Eventually the feature was removed.

[jssel]

We're going to need a bigger bench, Captain.

Well the fuselage halves are together and secure. I used re-enforcing tabs along the length top and bottom to hold the pieces together. The instruction sheet suggests using a AA battery as nose weight. It would be my luck the battery would start leaking and create a mess. I used modeling clay (plasticine I believe it is called over your way) and fishing weights. Again the fit is pretty good except the aerodynamic bullet on the vertical stab. Not very pretty but filler and wet/dry should take care of it.



Work is commencing on the wings as they suffered a couple of stress fractures pulling the pieces apart.

[JohnRatzenberger]

I'd be worried about stress fractures in the legs on your workbench ...

[ShaunW]

That's a helluva beastie. Stick an old TV in the nose, that should hold it down This Galaxy will look quite something when she's built I'm sure.

[Gregers]

AWESOME. I wish I hadn't sold the one I had now. ho well. Looking forward to seeing this one completed.

All the best.

Greg

[MerlinJones]

Any progress, or did you run out of room?

Regards,
Bruce

[jssel]

Progress report today with a brief demo. And the beastie is all together now, less engine pods.

[MerlinJones]

Good news. I was initially concerned that the addition of wings would split the fuselage, but they aren't that long and you'd already reinforced the fuselage.

Regards,
Bruce

[jssel]

Ok, this is long overdue.

Recently, a visit to a craft shop netted these fine babies. Four plastic knitting needles a about 1/8 inch diameter for around @2.00USD. I only needed the tips but the rest of the rod will be used on other projects.



After careful alignment, they were taped together so no movement could take palce.



Placed into the miter box, the razor saw cut the pieces evenly.



The result.



Using a dab of 5 minute epoxy, they were added in place. And overall coat of Tamiya Surface Primer and the end result is this.



The trailing edge of the cowlings will get a thin strip of sheet stock to simulate depth.

Now the airframe was set up and allowed to cure over the past weekend while I helped grandson celebrate his 4th birthday.



Kinda looks like a C-5A "Gigant" glider don't it?

[JamesPerrin]

One could first make one's own knitting needles by putting some acrylic rod in a pencil sharpener

Coming along well. I'd be tempted to see far how it glides