The Seagull and the Cat *** Finished ***

[TobyC]

Very nice work so far. That catapult is not cheap but I'm assuming it can be reused for many float plane dioramas

[JohnRatzenberger]

Really the only aircraft accommodated are the Seagull & the Kingfisher.

There are some issues with the catapult kit - instructions unclear, the photoetch railings look too flat and are probably not complete. I have taken the "good enough from a few feet away" approach.



Catapult is basically done, except the cradle, the cable, and the paint job. I'll go over it and try to straighten up some of the catwalks and railings. I may need to mount the whole catapult on something that looks like deck just to make it stable - we'll see what happens when I have the Seagull on it.

Speaking of which, somewhere in the Japanese language instructions it probably says that the front float struts mount facing backward. Anyway, after being sure the struts were well-mounted in the main float, I figured this out. I then had to shear them off and try to remount them - it was not fun, but I think I got it.

On the plus side, the top of the upper wing has a nice coat of yellow. I'll let it sit a couple days before I put the struts under and paint that alum. Once I get the wing floats on and a few bits on the fuselage assembly, I can paint all that also.

Progress, but it may get a bit dicey from here on ....

[JohnRatzenberger]

And a bit more ....



The catapult is fully painted, may get some washes/highlighting. Still needs the cables. The cradle is mostly done.

The SOC gained wing-tip floats, tail struts, and a couple other bits. Time for some wing struts, alum paint, etc .... Float alignment could be better ....

Getting there ...

[TomW]

Looking really good John I wish I had the skills to build PE structures like that.

Regards

Tom

[JohnRatzenberger]

Thanks, Tom .... note the lack of close-up shots

Anyway, after a flurry, here's the SOC all assembled and almost ready for the silver paint shop.



I have a bit of fine sanding to do where all the struts and things came together. I cannot complain about the fit, the struts mounted nicely in the bottom of the upper wing and then all seemed to fit together quite well. Only needed about 2-1/2 hands to make it all happen, but that's far less than most.

The yellow wing is covered in Tamiya tape, not bunched up fabric ....

[Stuart]

That's really nice work John - I really like the old SOC, it's a smart looking aircraft.

[TomW]

That's really nice work John - I really like the old SOC, it's a smart looking aircraft.

I whole-heartedly agree, there are a pair of them in my stash but they're both the wheeled versions. The float kits always seem to attract a price premium with dealers and online auction sites. Might have to build one soon-ish.

Regards

Tom

[Dazzled]

I think you're being a bit harsh on the catapult John. It looks terrific and very nicely detailed, no doubt enhanced by your building skills. It's going to set the Seagull off beautifully

[JohnRatzenberger]

Seagull, a portrait in silver & yellow ....



Decals next. Also must paint engine, inside of cowl, then outside. That may be difficult, matching the red of the decals which I don't think are the correct red ....

[Migrant]

That looks really good, John. Nice finish on the Seagull.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory ....

OK, today, or at least the little part of it available to me, was to be decaling. That is when I finally admitted that the wing floats and the tail struts were in the way of the decals and had to gently slice them off with a razor blade so I could get the decals in.

In the process I broke off the main float.

Then, despite a quick check before, I discovered that the one-piece decal with the two LSO stripes would not fit between two thingies on the tail and that I would have to carefully, with a very new #11 blade, split the wet decals while laying on the tail.

Anyway, two underwing insignia are on and drying, the tail LSO stripes are on and drying.

I'm not touching anything for a while ...

[Softscience]

Very impressive metal bending work. That catapult is mighty impressive! Thr seagull is looking great too. How are the clear parts? In my example the clear bits look like somebody stuffed some colorless bags into a mold and let them partially melt, then resolidify

[JohnRatzenberger]

Ralph, my canopy isn't all that clear, I still need to try a Future bath on it.

Anyway, I have reglued the struts. I have added the upper wing decals, the fuselage band, and the rudder stripes.



So good news there .... and .... my week just became free so this should be easy to finish now.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Here's most the rest of the decals.



Since the photo, I have done the prop-warning stripe on the main float and the half the prop-tip markings.
Canopy has been futured and looks great; need to paint the frames.

I need to put the rest of the prop-tip decals on AND match up cowl paint, that will be the hardest part but I have identified 2-3 possible Vallejo paints that might mix up well.

I should be able to overspray a semi-gloss Friday, then do the rigging, close up the canopy and be done this weekend.

[MarkyM607]

That's very nice!.