Paul's Wyvern **DNF**

[Martin R]

Looking great, Paul!

Now I wonder if I could get away with doing one in Korean War colours.

regards,

Martin

[PaulBradley]

Cheers, Martin.

Unfortunately, while they entered service early in 1953, the S.4 didn't serve on carriers until 1954. But if they'd pulled their bloody fingers out......

[Martin R]

Cheers, Martin.

Unfortunately, while they entered service early in 1953, the S.4 didn't serve on carriers until 1954. But if they'd pulled their bloody fingers out......

Oh, I know they didn't serve there in this timeline.

[PaulBradley]

Uh-oh - it's the Final Countdown.....

[PaulBradley]

Little progress yesterday - we were at a dog show all day.

But, I did get the horizontal stabs and finlets in place. Also added the vacform canopy - unfortunately, despite a Future bath, the front end fogged a bit. Why didn't it fog at the rear, where it won't notice when the paint is on......?

[lancfan]

That looks great paul, I never built this one when Frog sold them- must put it on my wants list.


David.

[PaulBradley]

Cheers, David. It is a nice, little kit. Dimensionally and shape-wise it is very nice and compares well with the Trumpeter kit.

[Zee28]

we were at a dog show all day.

Funny that, because I don't remember you coming to my house and looking at my models all day.........
There's some right old dogs on display here!

This is looking splendid Paul, it's a great big muscular beast and looks like nothing else around, full of character and Frog seemed to have captured it well.

I'm guessing those extra little fins on the tailplane were add-ons to cure some straight line stability problems or ground handling issues? Just wondered.....

Splendid work so far Paul, don't worry about the slight fogging on the canopy, I didn't even notice until you pointed it out.

Can't wait to see this done!

Zee28

[Molly-new]

Unlucky Paul, you seem to be the only have with a bad fitting kit.

[PaulBradley]

Cheers, guys.

I'm guessing those extra little fins on the tailplane were add-ons to cure some straight line stability problems or ground handling issues? Just wondered.....

Something like that - seems odd considering the size of the vertical tail!

I masked the canopy last night, in prep for a marathon airbrushing session today for this and the Oxbox.

[Zee28]

Looking forward to the pics Paul!

[splash]

Cheers, guys.

I'm guessing those extra little fins on the tailplane were add-ons to cure some straight line stability problems or ground handling issues? Just wondered.....

Something like that - seems odd considering the size of the vertical tail!

Controtating props would have removed the torque problems, but if you lost one engine you would need a big fin.

The Gannet also had the extra fins and a similar power plant.

I recall when they changed the spitfire to bubble type canopies they had to increase the tail size due to turbulence from the canopy upsetting the airflow over the tail, the Wyvern has a big canopy so that might have been an issue.

Regards Splash

[PaulBradley]

Interesting points, Alan - hadn't considered that.

Well, the airbrushing didn't happen - Danielle had a migraine, so I didn't want the noisy compressor going today. Maybe tomorrow.

However, I did get more parts glued on - only the props and wheels need to be added post-painting.



I realized, after that careful masking, that the rear of the canopy on the real thing was sheet metal, not Perspex, so I removed part of my masking.....

[DazDaMan]

I recall when they changed the spitfire to bubble type canopies they had to increase the tail size due to turbulence from the canopy upsetting the airflow over the tail, the Wyvern has a big canopy so that might have been an issue.

Regards Splash

I'm not sure that's quite right - the Spitfire IX and XVI had similar-sized tailfins regardless of their canopy configuration, as did the XIV. The XVIII had a slightly larger rudder (not immediately obvious, either, as I never realised that the Spit XIV flown by The Fighter Collection has one!).

The "Spiteful" tail was fitted to the 22 and 24 to cure instability problems that had manifested during the designing of the Mk.21.

Anyway, that Wyvern looks bad-ass!

[PaulBradley]

Got two coats of Sky on the majority of the airframe, an area of black for the canopy, and a light mist coat of EDSG this arvo. Hoping to get the second coat of EDSG later, though the paint seems to be acting a little oddly.