John's RNAS Rolls Royce Armoured Car

[JohnRatzenberger]

Impressive work, John. That'll look the dog's when finished. Will it make it to Telford?

Regards

Martin

It has a better chance of being at Telford than it does the end of this GB unfortunately ....

[gnomemeansgnome]

This build thread is really great, John. Nice scratching going on here.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Not going well, external influences ....

First, I should acknowledge the real star of this show ...



A dozen or so years ago, I spent a few (big) kits worth on several each of about every Evergreen strip, rod, shape in each size, not to mention some sheet stock. Still working on it -- all I have to do is reach down and fish out what I need. I have another bin full of wood and wire and a couple-three smaller cases with springs, brass/alum tube and other stuff.


So, back to the RRAC. Here's the wire-wheel photoetch, there are 4 each French and German pattern -- enough for two wheels each. I'm going to use the German pattern, it appears to match an RRAC closest. The problem, as seen on the instructions is that they expect you to have two times the number of wheels, sand each in half, mount the wires on the sanded side then sandwich together. Nice for a two-wheel airplane, not so much for a 6 wheel + 2 spares RRAC -- I don't have that many wheels for starters not enough photoetch.



I cut the spokes from a wheel and cut two wire sets. I am going to fit and fiddle to see what I can do.



I haven't had much bench time and that's not going to get better unless it really starts raining as I have a rather lengthy outdoor construction project -- well actually destruction first, then construction ....

[fredk]

For a hub centre you may try an aluminum pop rivet.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Thanks, Fred - I think I'll try a short piece of tube for the axle to slide into and then maybe use the kit hub. My biggest problem will be fitting the wire on one side, suitably "crowned", then turning the wheel over and doing the other side without ruining the first side.

[splash]

Looking at the last image have you not got two sets of outboard spokes?

Should the inside spokes be the plan type that don't cross each other?

The radial spokes at the rear is what the weight of the vehicle hangs on, the offset spokes on the front stops the hub rotating.

[philp]

John,
An idea to help prevent flattening the one side while you are doing the other is to find something you can fit it on that will give the room for the already crowned size. Thinking maybe you can find some washers the right size to rest them on, or a lid from a pill bottle or similar.

I still haven't played with PE but have a few kits in the stash that come with it so always eager to watch how others handle it.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Alan, the two different style wires were provided as German vs French, not inside vs outside. I have thought about using the straight ones as inside if I really mung up the other ones.

Here is a RR wheel pic that seems to shows same style inside & out. And BTW only vaguely look like the ones I am using by count and layout.



Anyway, I have separated the brass ring between spokes to allow them to move better when bending - of course that also makes them more liable to damage. I also dug out my wire-wheel shapers from the Resicast kit.



I opened up the inside of the wheel more and then just test fit my shaped wheel.



Phil, that's what I'll be doing, I just had to play a bit. I think I'll carefully make the hole, etc and center a rod in it to keep the spokes aligned.

[splash]

They will look brilliant. Sorry about the misidentified wheel types.

This is becoming an excellent master class.

Regards Splash

[Old_Tonto]

Outstanding work John, they look superb and put my efforts to shame.