Continuing to work through the backlog of previously purchased 144th Scale Plastic models to be converted for flight.
A fairly new Dragon release #4640 seemed it would be an easy single MMX motor conversion.
The U2 is a pretty big Plane in real life so I didn't give it another thought when placeing the order for this kit. Upon reciept opening the box I was a bit taken back as there will be a good bit of filing and aft end alteration needed to get a minimum diameter T2+ (.281" OD) to pass thru our TR-1A Fuselage. checking with calipers I decided to cut-off the tail section aft end at the second body seam. At this seam I should have just enough styrene left after filing out the walls to pass our Bodytube/motor mount.
I have to say I am impressed with the last 3 or 4 DRAGON model Kits I've purchased. Each has been exquisitely detailed with recessed panel lines and most other tiny surface detail rendered very accurately. Our TR-1A (U2) is no exception.
Actually the main body is broken into 4 tubular sections rather then the usually plastic kit Half Side sections. These pieces mate up very well. In fact since this will have to be another wheels Up flight configuration model we well use the main body wheel cover as our notched seperation just behind the intake ducts, cockpit and Nose section. Leaving the wing, mid-body and Tail to house the shock-line & 1/2" x 10" Yellow PTFE (Teflon) tape Wadding/Streamer.
Hardest and longest procedure with this model was hand filing out the shortened Tail section with 1/4" round Bastard and 1/4" Round Diamond Files. Had to be done by hand as even using my new Micro Dremels with 1/8" mill-end might of chewed through the wall to quickly or melted an unwanted hole where the wall is Super thin to pass the T2+ body tube.
After blue taping all the major pieces together I traced the outline on the cardboard pad back cutting it out to serve as our Cardboard Cut-out. Located the LCP and added 1caliber forward for the CG. After getting the main body tube and internal parts in the taped up model the CG was located. a balance string added and Nose weight clay added to the Nose until we had a level suspension. Clay added 5.6g which was then converted to #9 lead shot mixed with CA added to the interior extended nose under the false bottom cockpit. Since I can't use the Cockpit tub I frosted the clear plastic canopy and will mask before the over-all model is painted Gloss black. Once the decals are applied the entire bird will get a single light coat of Krylon UV resistant Matte clear.
This build also went pretty quickly but I did get a few photos of the tube fitting process. The model is currently downstairs drying after a single Primer coat and one coat of Gloss Black. Hope to get to some decaling next week.
A fairly new Dragon release #4640 seemed it would be an easy single MMX motor conversion.
The U2 is a pretty big Plane in real life so I didn't give it another thought when placeing the order for this kit. Upon reciept opening the box I was a bit taken back as there will be a good bit of filing and aft end alteration needed to get a minimum diameter T2+ (.281" OD) to pass thru our TR-1A Fuselage. checking with calipers I decided to cut-off the tail section aft end at the second body seam. At this seam I should have just enough styrene left after filing out the walls to pass our Bodytube/motor mount.
I have to say I am impressed with the last 3 or 4 DRAGON model Kits I've purchased. Each has been exquisitely detailed with recessed panel lines and most other tiny surface detail rendered very accurately. Our TR-1A (U2) is no exception.
Actually the main body is broken into 4 tubular sections rather then the usually plastic kit Half Side sections. These pieces mate up very well. In fact since this will have to be another wheels Up flight configuration model we well use the main body wheel cover as our notched seperation just behind the intake ducts, cockpit and Nose section. Leaving the wing, mid-body and Tail to house the shock-line & 1/2" x 10" Yellow PTFE (Teflon) tape Wadding/Streamer.
Hardest and longest procedure with this model was hand filing out the shortened Tail section with 1/4" round Bastard and 1/4" Round Diamond Files. Had to be done by hand as even using my new Micro Dremels with 1/8" mill-end might of chewed through the wall to quickly or melted an unwanted hole where the wall is Super thin to pass the T2+ body tube.
After blue taping all the major pieces together I traced the outline on the cardboard pad back cutting it out to serve as our Cardboard Cut-out. Located the LCP and added 1caliber forward for the CG. After getting the main body tube and internal parts in the taped up model the CG was located. a balance string added and Nose weight clay added to the Nose until we had a level suspension. Clay added 5.6g which was then converted to #9 lead shot mixed with CA added to the interior extended nose under the false bottom cockpit. Since I can't use the Cockpit tub I frosted the clear plastic canopy and will mask before the over-all model is painted Gloss black. Once the decals are applied the entire bird will get a single light coat of Krylon UV resistant Matte clear.
This build also went pretty quickly but I did get a few photos of the tube fitting process. The model is currently downstairs drying after a single Primer coat and one coat of Gloss Black. Hope to get to some decaling next week.