Jonny Quest SST "DRAGONFLY"

[hornet driver]

I'm starting my JQ "Dragonfly" build. This is going to be a challenge. I'll be using the version shown at the end of the show with the credits. The big challenge is --there are almost no straight lines--. So, I'll use the vertical stab. as a starting point. It's straight in the rudder area and I can pull measurements off it and reference those to all the other demensions. Any measurements will be presented to you as units , since they are easier to calculate and ratio. I upgraded to E/D power so I would have a bit more material to work with. I have all the episodes on DVR so I can reference them at any time. I've been online and seen all the versions out there but none of the seem to hit it on the head.There will be a bit of artistic embellishment used but I expect the TRF members to jump in and set me straight if I go off course. " The Adventure Begins"

[chrism]

That's going to be one Big A$$ed Bird!

[Fishhead]

I'm starting my JQ "Dragonfly" build. This is going to be a challenge. I'll be using the version shown at the end of the show with the credits. The big challenge is --there are almost no straight lines--. So, I'll use the vertical stab. as a starting point. It's straight in the rudder area and I can pull measurements off it and reference those to all the other demensions. Any measurements will be presented to you as units , since they are easier to calculate and ratio. I upgraded to E/D power so I would have a bit more material to work with. I have all the episodes on DVR so I can reference them at any time. I've been online and seen all the versions out there but none of the seem to hit it on the head.There will be a bit of artistic embellishment used but I expect the TRF members to jump in and set me straight if I go off course. " The Adventure Begins"

I have the theme music on my Ipod.

[El Phantasmo]

Way cool! I grew up watching the reruns in the 80's, and I always loved the science meets adventure aspect of the show.

I just wish Hanna-Barbera or whoever would release the original, unedited, sometimes racially insensitive, complete series. It's my understanding, the versions released on DVD are edited to remove offensive content. But the channel Boomerang showed the originals for a while; I have all but one sitting on the DVR. It's similar to Disney not re-releasing Song of the South, which by the way won an Oscar for best song.

[Stymye]

Here's a drawing someone did , I saved it but was too chickened to build one
one of my favorite shows growing up.

[hornet driver]

The first challenge I have is building a male fuselage plug so I can pull some body panels off it. Normally this would not be a big deal but, now I live in an apartment and don't have a good shop any longer. So I have to keep it simple . I have a plan. I've got my measurements based off the picture. The vertical tail is 2 units tall--by these measurements the tailcone will be .5 units. Went to Hobbytown and picked up a pac of BT-60 bodytubes. They are just a smidge over 1.5 inches across. The BT-60 will be the tailcone-- sooo--1.5 inches = .5 units---1 unit =3 inchs. Based off the picture my tailfin will be 6 inches tall and the total length will be 25.5 inches not including the probe--max fuselage thickness is 2.25 inches not including the intake. Pulled a dozen or so other measurements but, at this point they are of no concern . To work I go . Pics later

[hornet driver]

I decided to use balsa runners for the basic form followed up with a coat of bondo. I started from either end with the bondo and worked towards the middle , finally filling in the deapest areas last around the spine. Looks ugly now but it's cheap and fast. Normally I would surefile it down and then sand until time to fill again. This time I'm just going to knock it down with some 80 grit to get the basic shape and refill--and continue block sanding. I bought 2 quart kits of bondo at wallyworld, about 8 bucks each . I've used 1 up getting this far.

[Stymye]

gee thanks for even acknowledging the post I went thru so much trouble to find searching 45 minutes thru files on stored cd's,, you don't have to use it but ... dang at least say thanks

[hornet driver]

gee thanks for even acknowledging the post I went thru so much trouble to find searching 45 minutes thru files on stored cd's,, you don't have to use it but ... dang at least say thanks

Sorry bud just been one of those days--and nights--argg. That is a cool pic and is pretty close to where we're going. I'm really thinking about doing a painting while I do this build--If nothing else it might give me another perspective.By the way, where in the world did you find that ?? Thanks for calling me out--probably needed that.

[Stymye]

I have no idea ,, on the internet I'm sure , probably could have found it quicker that way than searching thru tons of random data ...lol.. but I thought I had a 3 view somewhere ... no luck finding that 3 view,
If I find it i will upload it ,it might help a bit

[hornet driver]

A THREE VIEW WOULD BE HUGE !! I can't find one. That said ,there are so many variations on the theme I can only extrapolate and put it towards the version I'm doing but it would be a huge help and I would'nt have to do so much stinkin math---figuring out angles and such. I can tell you , a lot of my info is coming from one episode--Shadow of the Condor--got a good cockpit view and a marginal bottom profile view. Just need to work all that into the version I'm doing.

[digitalastro]

If you haven't visited this site yet, you should. Great JQ resource

http://www.classicjq.com/

in the left column, click on art, production drawings, and scroll all the way to the bottom, then click on delta-wing jet

or

art/fan submitted images and scroll

or

memorabilia/models and guess what? scroll down!

of course, this clip is required viewing:

http://www.jonnyquest.tv/

[hornet driver]

Thanks DA, That first site was one of my primary sources. The other one is cool. That guy does some incredible work.

[hornet driver]

Got a bit more done on the plug tonight. I'll post some pics later but really nothing of intrest, cept for all the stinkin sanding. Going to do the cross section a bit --and I mean a little--- egg shaped , sorta gives it character. Looking at the nose and I -MIGHT-- reprofile it a tad. Maybe something leaning towards an XB-70 look--maybe-maybe not--thoughts?--Not talking about the canards , just the tip, I will keep the probe -no matter what.

[hornet driver]

Not much to look at but the initial sanding is done on the plug--first pic -- and put a skim coat on one side --last pic-- to take care of a million low spots. I'll sand it to shape and skim the other side tomorrow. Pretty happy with the basic shape so far. A lot of effort but I'm liking the way it's going so far

[hornet driver]

UPDATE---Still sanding. Happy with the way it looks and it's going about the way I figured. I have Weds off so I should have the plug finished that evening , so look for some pics. It would be earlier but it's gonna be in the mid 70's and I'm going fishin for a few hours--just have to walk out my front door and walk to the lake--NICE.If I have time that night I'll pull the first parts off the mold !

[hornet driver]

Got up early today and got to work. Put on the last skim coat of bondo and got it sanded down. went back over some pinholes with spot putty. Sanded that and got a couple coats of primer on. Gonna let those dry awhile and go fishing. First photo is looking at the top down--second is rolled on its side and shows the asymmetry of this profile well. still have some shaping and chopping to do on the nose . I'll work on that later.

[Bravo52]

Found this....not sure if you have it already....


http://www.classicjq.com/art/product...s/QuestJet.jpg

http://www.rogerevans.tv/jq_cut_29.html

[hornet driver]

Thanks Bravo52, Yep got those , as a matter of fact it came down to those designs and the one at the beginning of this post. I finally settled on the one I posted but I think in the end it's gonna be a shake n bake of all of them.

[hornet driver]

Well, I've been up since 4a.m. thinking about this thing. Originally I was going to pull plastic parts off the fuselage mold and build from there in a pretty standard manner--wood fins , filler,etc.----I've changed my mind. I'm going to do a fiberglass layup now. Top half, bottom half and the vertical stab will be a seperate layup as will the intake area. This will involve a lot more finishing time for both the mold and parts. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME I DID'NT JUST HAVE A STROKE !

[sodmeister]

All I can say is ,this is going to be another superb build.I`m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

So far so good !

I was going to ask you where the glass of vino was.....but I saw it......now`s it`s all good

What kind of 2 part Bondo is that ? Is that something different ,as opposed to the pink 2 part ?

Cheers

Paul T

[hornet driver]

All I can say is ,this is going to be another superb build.I`m really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

So far so good !

I was going to ask you where the glass of vino was.....but I saw it......now`s it`s all good

What kind of 2 part Bondo is that ? Is that something different ,as opposed to the pink 2 part ?

Cheers

Paul T

Na, just the standard stuff, I mix a little less hardener in so it does'nt turn very pink---gives me a little more working time. Got to work on the intake and cockpit area. Going to tinker with the cockpit some more and then do a reverse mold--I might resin cast it. I've got the big honkin tail built and its drying--no pic of it yet. Should get the main wings done tonight --later

[hornet driver]

Got the fins for the mold roughed out. I went pretty much true to form for the vertical , For the wings I sorta blended all the different looks together and came up with these. Did'nt get as much done as I wanted--I got called into work yesterday on one of my days off.

[hornet driver]

Did a quick fit of the wings--interesting-- I've never really cared for the extreme dihedral on the Dragonfly so I'm going to tame mine down a touch. What your looking at is just a rough-out.

[T-Rex]

looking great so far!!

[hornet driver]

looking great so far!!

Thanks buddy, I'll be glad to get out of mold building and start the real stuff !

[sodmeister]

Do you have any idea how cool that looks........really ,do you ?

Love it !!!!!

Nice work friend !


Paul T

[hornet driver]

Thanks Sod, progress is going to slow down a tick till Monday evening and then I'll get back to it. I have the following 2 days off

[Scotty Dog]

WOW! Thats alot of building.
You sure are going to have a unique one of a kind rocket.
Looking good.

[hornet driver]

WOW! Thats alot of building.
You sure are going to have a unique one of a kind rocket.
Looking good.

You have no idea ! I hope when this is done I can pull the parts off the mold and then refurb the mold into a static display. I'm gonna have to lean into this one a bit...