P-47D "Razorback" Thunderbolt - AirDave Prototype

[airdave]

Well, its time to get a Razorback D model sorted out!

I've already got one Paint scheme lined up for the first release,
so my goal is to sort out any issues with the D version I have created.

Originally I started with the Marek P-47D Thunderbolt and made all the necessary changes to create a P-47M and N versions.
Most obvious change is the two different wing types.

And as everyone knows, there were significant model issues to sort out as well:
Internal Formers shape and Size adjustments
Fuselage section shape and fit modifications
Engine and Propellor Assembly redesign
Landing Gear redesign
Complete detail markings redesign and complete Repaint
Addition of Wing Pylons, Landing gear inserts, Fuel tanks, Bombs, etc

When turning to the Razorback D model, I was disappointed to see that Marek opted for a fuselage spine extension part rather than a new fuselage.
Effectively the model is the same Bubbletop D version, with a spine part added.
When I finally started this prototype test build, it turned out to be much better than I had anticipated though...
it was obvious that it needed a number of modifications, but with carefully fitting the effect was very good indeed (imo).

Anyway, follow through as I test build and make all the redesigns as I go.

Please understand...this is quick and dirty build!!
I am not edge colouring, dry fitting, or being very patient with the build.
Glue is messy, fingers are dirty and work area is disorganized!
MY goal is to deal with important and obvious areas that need redesign
and getting to those assembly steps requires no wasted time or effort.

Initially, this is the same fuselage build as with the M and N versions and all goes together as planned.
This plane has all the adapted and modified fuselage sections.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama0.jpg

You will notice the fake cockpit image transferred over from the M version,
although I know it will have to be redesigned because of a smaller cockpit openeing.
You also get a sneak peek at the first paint Scheme available with the Razorback D version.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama1.jpg

[airdave]

Aircraft is, of course, "Raid Hot Mama", a P-47D-15 razorback from the 510 FS, 405 FG, flown by Lt. John Drummond in 1944.

I have a couple of photos of the original plane noseart and there is at least one plastic model version of this plane. I also found a couple of artistic versions of the noseart (with innacurate colours)
...but from all that, I was able to create the new NoseARt for this model.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama2.jpg


You can see I am at the point where I am test fitting the Canopy and "razorback" fuselage.
This is just a cool shot of the new engine artwork, so I thought I would throw it in.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama5.jpg



First issue I had with the "razorback" was the overall length of the part.
Marek's original design has the spine part running into the Tail fin, whereas the tapered back should end in front of the Tail.

I also had an issue with achieving the correct shape to the spine.
The sides become concaved as you move back from the canopy and without creasing the part, I couldn't retain the shape.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama4.jpg

I can also see I have some tweaking to do with the canopy.
overall look is good, but I'd like to make it fit a little better, it needs to be slightly upsized
and I wonder if I can separate the sections for an opening Canopy?


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama3.jpg.

[mchale]

looks good so far dave

[airdave]

To improve the fit of the spine extension I had to make two major changes.

First the overall length has been shortened
as well as the sides trimmed slightly, to create a better taper...
allowing the razorback to end at front of the tail fin.

And a simple 2 part former has been added to the inside of the razorback extension to help it retain the proper shape.

With some edge colouring, the fit would be almost perfect.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama7.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama6.jpg


The canopy is being a little trickier...I haven't been able to design an opening canopy, but I have a few modifications to the canopy itself for a better fit.

The overall size has been increased, the angle from rear to middle section has been changed.
The forward section needs a few tweaks to allow it to sit better on the fuselage.

And the biggest modification is the rear canopy section has been removed from the spine extension.
As you see in the last photo, it is now a separate part that will sit over top of the new spine extension.

I'll print out a new copy of the canopy parts and get them fitted for some new photos.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama8.jpg

Right now I am sorting out a new Tail fairing setup...mainly to make sure the end of the razorback part is hidden, but it might also work better for other models.
more to come...

[mbauer]

Wow, Beautifull!

The engine art work is fantastic.

Looking really good Dave, Thanks for sharing!

Mike Bauer

[Peter Epps]

Can't wait!

[jagolden01]

Real nice Dave! A definite purchase!

[doctormax]

Looks very good dave

[cMags]

Looks good Dave, I like it.

When you talk about an opening canopy, do you mean you want it to move, on rails? Or just one that you can position either open or closed, depending on builder preference? If the latter, it simply slides back and separates at the greenhouse/windshield segment. I'm sure you can see it on many photos.

[milenio3]

Nevertheless, it looks great, Dave.

[consistseeker]

love the razorback and the support for the fuselage
consistseeker

[airdave]

Looks good Dave, I like it.

When you talk about an opening canopy, do you mean you want it to move, on rails? Or just one that you can position either open or closed, depending on builder preference? If the latter, it simply slides back and separates at the greenhouse/windshield segment. I'm sure you can see it on many photos.


I already know how a Thunderbolt canopy opens,
my point was I wanted to see how well the parts separated into the two halves,
how well I could make it fit to the model in an opened position
and how well my "inner" and "outer" parts worked.
(I have already created inner and outer layers to sandwich some clear acetate)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama11.jpg

but my problems were:
inexperience with these types of canopies...just not sure what I was doing with plastic glues and such
and
the innacuracies of the Marek design.
...the basic canopy parts just weren't fitting very well, and my opening canopy idea made things worse.



I made a few changes to marek's original design (compare in the following photos)
first I separated the rear Canopy section from the Razorback spine.
Now the rear canopy is a separate part that mounts on top of the spine.

second, I enlarged all the parts by about 1-2%, to compensate for the fit over the spin and to give a little more side length to the main Canopy.

third, I changed the angles between the rear and center sections of Canopy, so now the top transitions better from spine angle to level canopy.

and fourth, I enlarged the upper bulb of the forward section.
I find this to be the most awkward part of the assembly, it just doesn't fit right. But I can't redesign the entire canopy.
At least now you have a little extra material to work with...form it, glue it and then trim off any extra as I did.


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama9.jpg


and the final fit of the fully altered canopy
(its not the best gluing job...when removing the first test canopy, I did some damage to the spine surface.
i should have changed the entire spine for the last canopy, but I'm too lazy!)


http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama10.jpg

another thing you will notice in this last picture...
I modified the Intercooler Vents one more time!

The kit still includes the opening vent door parts
but if you decide to leave the fuselage unaltered, the artwork depicts fully closed doors,
thus leaving the USAF Insignia fully intact.

[Peter Epps]

Looks good, but I think a vacuformed canopy would be the ultimate way to go. Looks great so far.
Peter

[Wyvern]

Looking really good, AirDave. I'm looking forward to some hot looking razorbacks!

Wyvern

[airdave]

thanks!

Thats about it for Razorback related issues...
from this point its the same build as with any of the Thunderbolts.

I have fitted the wing spars, both front and rear.
Need to get the Tail surfaces in place to keep working on the fairing issue.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama12.jpg


This is my fourth evolved design for the Fairing
and the best so far!
Front and top fit is right on!...
the goal now is to extend the fairing and incorporate the horiz. fairings into the same piece (eliminating two parts completely!)

if all goes well, I will just add fairing strips for the undersides of the horiz. Tails.

This will greatly improve the overall design and look of this part of the model.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama13.jpg

[doctormax]

It really looks nice dave something about the colour and the work done on the canopy really make it looks so nice

[airdave]

getting ready to skin the wings now...

and I remember back to the first P-47 build (Chautauqua)
and I am reminded of the fact that the wing formers are pretty basic.
(Refer back to post#15)
Wing former consists of:
main spar spanning wing to wing,
2 inner wing forms (that fit close to the fuselage)
and 2 large stiffeners that also serve to maintain the right angle between the spar and inner formers.

I didn't like the fact that there is no outer wing formers to help hold the wing shape,
to help avoid crushing
and to strengthen the area where I am now attaching wing Pylons.

So...its time for another modification!

Pretty straightforward, the pictures probably explain it best:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama14.jpg

and the outer wing forms are positioned at the wing pylon mounting point.

You may notice, I doubled up the front portion of the inner wing forms.
I had the extra parts so I decided to use them just to create a little more gluing surface for the skins.
This is also the area where you stretch and form the wing root fairing, so a little more rigidity here is a bonus.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama15.jpg

This former modification is included in my P-47 kits from here on.
These new Former parts have been added/changed.

If I get a chance, I will eventually go back and update the first couple of P-47 kits.


Wing skinning seemed to go a lot quicker, with the new outer form holding the wing shape
while I glued the trailing edge, using some strip tabs for strength.

Inner edges of the wings match the fuselage really really well!
But its a little tricky getting them glued into place.
I have no tips for this...my "attack and bash" method to building doesn't help, you just need to be patient and careful with your glue.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama18.jpg

[airdave]

I mentioned the Wing Pylons
(which I designed for the first two P-47s to handle the Extra Range Fuel Tanks)

...same parts again,
but this time to carry Wing Bombs.

I found a nice WW2 photo, of this Squadron P-47, showing an installed Wing Bomb...which I used as design reference for these Bombs.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama19.jpg


Heres a nice view, from above, of both Wing mounts in place.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama20.jpg


and to finish off the Wing installation, fit the fairings.
Same fairings I designed for the first two planes,
although I have made a small modification to the leading edge angle
(to better match the wing shape when wrapped under the leading edge)
and a small modification to the paint (to better match the leading wing edge paint).

In the following photo, the wrap around ends of the fairing have been cut off for measurement,
but the full fairing has a small wrap under section with matching paint scheme (so the visual effect is the same).

Again, all these mods are applied to the kits.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama21.jpg

[airdave]

and I finally got a Tail Fairing sorted out.

This last design fits really well, with upper and lower separate parts.
(sorry the photo doesn't show that great...after gluing and pulling off four sets of test fit fairings, the Tail surface began to get quite messed up!
You can see one of the patches I had to apply to the fuselage (upper left of the D))

I haven't quite got all the fairing glued down, but you can see the shape and how it lines up much better with the Tail parts.
This new design also eliminates the need for upper fairings for the horizontal tails.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama16.jpg


Fitting the underside fairings was easy as pie!
but revealed one BIG error on my part.

As I was gluing the fairings in place, I began to think they might look a little better painted gray, to match the underside of the plane.

uh.....yes...the underside of the plane is gray...
so why are the tail wings not gray??

lol ...back to the kit, to remove the green paint from the underside of the Tail Wings
and the lower fairing parts!
This issue only applies to this kit (Raid Hot Mama) but has been fixed!!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/testbuildmama17.jpg

[mbauer]

Hi Dave,

The canopy details are excellent. Really like the wingroot fitting as well, nice clean model!

Mike

[member_3]

The wing and tail fillets look great. I hope we don't have to wait for Chris to get back from Europe before we see this one in the store!

[Texman]

Dave,

Are you going to recolor the green panel lines? Those just dont look right to my eyes. But the thought of a new razorback is really cool!

[airdave]

Dave,

Are you going to recolor the green panel lines? Those just dont look right to my eyes. But the thought of a new razorback is really cool!


when I started the kit, the panel lines were all white.
(actually the panel lines are black, and slightly offset is a white "highlight")

but in all the green paint areas, the white highlights were too extreme
and I didn't like the look.

...so I toned it down, and gave it a green tint (which I thought looked a little better)
The photo flash is really making it glow, its a little more muted in person.
But if you can recommend something different, I am open to suggestions?

I wonder if a different shade of green would be better?

[Texman]

If you could send a sample of a piece so I could see how it looks in person vs the flash, I might have an idea. But the new spine you built up looks pretty good that way.

[airdave]

Razorback is done!
...just finishing up the cover page, instruct pages and getting everything ready for the shop.

Took Ray's advice, and toned down the panel highlight lines to a light gray colour.
A more neutral look...and still not as extreme as the white highlighting
(which looks fine against the underside gray, but didn't look right against the green paint.)

Finished up the "dirty" build last night.
As you can see I went for a gears up model and I was too lazy to build the Prop!
I wanted an "in-flight" look.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/RaidHotMama01.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/P47%20Thunderbolt/Razorback%20prototype/RaidHotMama02.jpg


so which model is next?

[jagolden01]

Sure looks great, Dave.
fine use of the CD spindle!

[doctormax]

ah yes it looks good and the empty cd spindle works great doesn't it dave. done a great job on the redesign i may well buy but its a case of the dukw from modelik on the wish list right now

[airdave]

The CD spindle was a good idea, I have saved a couple of them...
its probably only temporary, I'll hang the plane up at some point.

but I didn't think when mounting the plane for the photos.

I punched a clean hole in the fuselage, big enough for a toothpick
...then made a clean hole in the spindle and inserted both ends.
Problem is, I hadn't checked for center of balance, and the plane just nosed over and hit the table!

So I had to find the CofB and make a second hole in the fuselage! lol
Good thing this was a "dirty" build! because its full of bullet holes now!
(thats also why the belly is a little crunched in)

[doctormax]

the underside got hit by flak ;)

[Paperwarrior]

Dave,

Awesome build. It really came out great!!!

Jeff

[airdave]

I sent an email to Chris G at ecardmodels (a day or two ago)

Haven't heard anything back yet...plus he hasn't accepted delivery of Raid Hot Mama yet.

Must be tuning us out (or at least me) while on vacation!

As soon as the P47 hits the store, I'll let ya know!

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/outlawzairbrushcom/hobby%20links/ecradmodel%20releases/RaidMamasamplecover.jpg

[doctormax]

nice layout on the cover dave,

[airdave]

for those of you who showed an interest in Raid Hot Mama (thanks!)
it will be at least another week before I get it into the shop at ecardmodels.

just got a telegram from Mr. Gutzmer (of ecardmodels):

Still in France and can pick up some free connections on my phone but
the laptop is out. Due back in six days :)

seems the coq au vin is more appealing than card modeling these days?!

[doctormax]

ah a glass of Bordeaux a pair slippers on and a pipe smoke filled room with Edith Piaff playing on an old gramophone in the background ;)