CT-114 Tutor (CL-41) Canadair - Snowbirds RCAF

[jabez]

Must have missed that - (DOH!) Thanks Dave!

[airdave]

Its time! for a golden goose!

I will be working on publishing the next CL-41 Tutor in the next few minutes! yay

But first, just wanted to point out a small error in the Tutor model Instructions.

I have fixed the error, and updated future kits
as well as the Snowbirds kit in the store (since its the only published model so far).
Its not a huge error, but it might lead you to install a part upside down
if you haven't paid attention to any of the build photos.

Part 87 (right and left) are shown in the diagram upside down, with the skinny edge to the bottom.
It should go to the top, with the wider tab to the bottom.
As in this updated diagram (below)



Make a note on your Instruction pages...or a note next to the part...and pay attention to my photos of the finished model.

[14thWarrior]

That's model #2 purchased.

[herky]

bought the golden one today

[YankeeBoy]

Thanks for the timely correction, Dave. Got the updated file from eCard today.

[14thWarrior]

I am finally ready to get to work building my own copy of the CT-114/CL-41. I'm starting with the Snowbirds version first.

It took me a while to get all my supplies and equipment gathered. The trickiest supplies to get was appropriately colored markers for edge coloring the cut pieces. I ended up bringing a printout of some of the pieces of the model to Curry's Art Supplies store and through a lot of trial and error found some Prismacolor Premier art markers that match the model's colors fairly well.

I also bought a ream of the 65lb stock from Staples; though I don't think I really needed that. When I finally got it together with my 110lb stock, I finally realized that they are in fact very similar thickness because they are different "types" of cardstock. The Staples brand stock is Cover stock; whereas the Domtar brand stock I already had is Index stock. So although their basis weight in lbs is very different; there is only 23g/sm difference between them. The Staples cardstock is 176gsm, while the Domtar cardstock is 199gsm.

There are noticeable differences in the appearance and texture of the cardstocks, though. The Staples stock isn't quite a bright white as the Domtar stock; but it's texture is just slightly smoother. Prints on the Domtar stock look very good on the Domtar stock using the nice high end Canon color laser printer I have access to. It'll be interesting to print the same stuff on the Staples stock to compare.

The only thing I don't have ready is the vacuforming rig to make the clear canopy (and hopefully clear nosecone); but I've got time to get that together.

I'm excited to get started.

[airdave]

I've got a few canopies made now...you can have one if you want to pick it up.

I'll check and see if there any upcoming Toy shows at Bingemans.
I sell Hot Wheels and other toys at those shows.
I could always bring a canopy to the show.
(You're also welcome to pick it up at my home in Cambridge)

You won't need it for a while...so let me know when you are ready.
(if you haven't already figured out your own option)

[14thWarrior]

You're right, I won't need the canopy for a while; but, I'm also looking forward to trying my hand at vacuforming my own canopy. I've got the material I need to put a vacuum forming box together; and plan on building that soon.

I'll keep your offer in mind if my attempts at vacuum forming fail. :D

[airdave]

Just made a couple of (small) changes to my latest Tutor kit that I am working on
and decided to update all the Tutor kits with the same mods.

Small changes, you might not even be concerned.
But, if you bought any of the Tutors (Snowbirds, Tebuan, Golden Cent.)
you can go to ecardmodels and re-download the kits (through your account)
and you'll get the latest version with the mods.

I am just getting ready to publish the fourth CL-41 model, this time it is the natural metal finish RCAF Trainer.
And I have just started work on the fifth instalment...a Red Knight Tutor.

From the very first Tutor kit, I have been promising myself that I was going to adjust those side "deflectors" that fit into the jet Engine intakes.
The deflectors are slightly offset, as they should be,
but I didn't like the very thin pointed sliver of material on one side.
And the very thick section on the other side.
This goes back to the original work Nobi did for me...and I wanted to make a small design change, but never did. My fault.

But after building the new RCAF Tutor I decided to modify the shape a little bit
...you will hardly notice it. But its enough to strengthen the thin side of that part, and move the deflector down a little bit.

And as I said, I have modified the deflectors in all previous kits.

Deflectors in this photo have NOT been modified.


...
And, while photographing this latest RCAF Tutor, I noticed how high the plane sits at the rear.

I must explain, that the original prototype model sat way too low (compared to the real plane).
The tail is supposed to sit a little higher that the cockpit.
And since I was redesigning the Landing Gear (more than once), I compensated and increased the stance of the plane.

But after photographing this latest build, from the side, I see that it sits a bit too high.
The spine of the fuselage should be closer to horizontal.
So, I have shortened the Main Landing Gear a little bit to drop it down.
Not much...about 2mm in total.

Probably not going to notice the change until you view the model directly from the side
but it should be more accurate this way.

And, as said, I have modified all the Tutor kits with the slightly shorter Landing Gear struts.



These aren't big modifications...just little things that bugged me.
But I wanted to make sure everyone is aware of the changes and you can decide if you want to replace the kits in your collection.

[14thWarrior]

How many different liveries are you planning to do for the CL-41?