Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Other Hobbies and Interests => Topic started by: gribeauval on June 18, 2009, 10:24:40 pm
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Just in case people think that I have given up building lifeboats I had better explain.
The client that I am building the RNLB Thomas McCunn for asked if I would repair and repaint one of the early models of the aircraft that flew the first airmail services to the Orkneys that had been dropped and broken. He also asked if it could be repainted in its early all over sliver with green trim.
1) This is what I received in a parcel, elevator section missing, rudder missing, one undercarriage missing, windows broken, struts damaged, wing rigging gone and 1/4" dust/muck inside the fuselage.
2) The fuselage was stripped down and cleaned up. The seats were stripped ready for recovering in thin black leather.
3) New side windows were made from perspex sheet with added framing.
4) New tailplane section spliced in place.
5) Recovered seats refitted in the fuselage.
6) New side windows fitted in place.
7) Upper fuselage section refitted.
8) New rudder carved and fitted in place.
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More of the rebuild.
1) The broken wings were repaired with modern epoxy glues to give them strength.
2) The glazing bars that form the cockpiot were soldered together.
3 & 4) Replacement second prop carved.
5) Masks were made to allow the painting of the wing registration numbers.
6) New wheel and cover carved then glued onto the legs.
7) Lower wings glued in place.
8) Fuselage decals made using Photoshop.
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Next bit !!
1,2 & 3) The decals and green cheat line were added before the top wings to allow easy access
4) Top wings added and the wire rigging in place.
5) External fuel gages and fillers added to the engines.
6,7,8,9,10 & 11) Aircraft finished!
12) Ready for takeoff !!!!!
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Great to see another damaged model restored better than its former glory.
Bob
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From the jig-saw puzzle you got, to the restored model is nothing short of a miracle, congratulations on a fine job. :-))
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Lovely job :-))
The DH Dragon has a significant place in Australian aviation history, as it was used for a time by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Here is a photo I took of one at an air show in Bundaberg, Queensland, in 2003, plus one of the history of this particular aircraft.
Peter.
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If you would like to fly in one you can from the IWM Duxford. My wife bought me a flight as a birthday present a couple of years ago,
now that's what I call a suprise, turn up to look at the aeroplanes, and end up flying in one.
The flight I took was over Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket, I think they did a Special over London.
Colin
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That was a nice project, from what you a started with that is a nice model now :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
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If you would like to fly in one you can from the IWM Duxford. My wife bought me a flight as a birthday present a couple of years ago,
now that's what I call a suprise, turn up to look at the aeroplanes, and end up flying in one.
The flight I took was over Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket, I think they did a Special over London.
Colin
My wife did the same for me a couple of years ago. Did the one over London. Flew from Duxford down to Thames Barrier up river to Buckingham Palace and back to Duxford. Simply stunning !! The D.H.89 Dragon Rapide is one of my favourite aircraft. Looking at scratchbuilding a 1/24th scale model of one.
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My father was a wireless OP in a DH89 Dragon Rapide during WW2.
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A good job well done Mike, and a piece of history saved.
Is the 'BIG' Mersey still ongoing?
Peter
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I still have the Rapide flight from Duxford to look forward to, courtesy of my brother. Almost full circle as my first ever flight was a joyride in a Rapide from Northolt over West London in the early 50s.
And I threw myself out of one at Halfpenny Green. Those diagonal struts from the upper wing root to the nacelle could have been designed to help parachutists out of the cabin. Just hang on standing on the wing till the man says Go!
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You got/need a copy of the Aeromuddler plan Cosmo?? ---- PM
Regards Ian
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Hi Circlip,
I have a copy of the Scale Models plan and a copy of Harold Towners flying scale model thanks. I've also bought a couple of card models of the Dragon Rapide.
Cheers
Mike
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This might be of interest to anyone who wants to build one
item number
200390994583
Wullie
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My father was a wireless OP in a DH89 Dragon Rapide during WW2.
I used to do Parachute Free fall jumps from one of those, The Stall Speed was so slow, we could just step off backwards,off the lower wing, bit of buffet fro the Prop wash, but not much as the Pilot would throttle back when we were "Getting Off"!!
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Very nice work there, and a superb finished model. Certainly I would say your work is superior to the original.
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Here's the Rapide outside the Marriot hotel at the John Lennon Airport Liverpool
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Word is ,you sold the Tanker ,,,,,
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Hai Friends..it was a great discussion...was much helpfull...thank you all...
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I used to do Parachute Free fall jumps from one of those, The Stall Speed was so slow, we could just step off backwards,off the lower wing, bit of buffet fro the Prop wash, but not much as the Pilot would throttle back when we were "Getting Off"!!
And it was the very first civilian aircraft that I "exited" from back in'72 over Weston on the Green airfield courtesy of the RAFSPA.
Was an acquired art to leave the kite and find a footing on the lower wing mat, and the fingernail marks on the diagonal engine strut didn't exactly fill us with confidence.
Add to that an ex Polish WWII fighter pilot (Jerry Ostrowski ) as jump pilot, and you have the recipe for some "interesting" exits !
Ahhh....those were the days !!!
Bill
(http://s4.postimage.org/o81n29lw/Rapide_2009.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/o81n29lw/)
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I live in East London/Essex borders and I know my planes , I'm sure in the summer months one of these passes overhead very slowly with a distinct engine note which is why I know it's the same plane without even finding it in the sky so could one of these still be flying and probably coming out of either North weald or Duxford aerodromes?
PS. just reread the post and noticed sinjon mentions there is one a Duxford :embarrassed:
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Ah! fond memories of my first flight. RAF Hendon c. 1947-8
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Ahoy
you done a wonderfull job on the restoration of your Raptide, The DH Dragon Raptide is one of my favorite english aircraft of all time your looks gorgious A HARDY WELL DONE. I would love to share mine with your dear sir if you dont mind. Mine is made from paper
Franklyn Day
(http://s2.postimage.org/6rws34bo/PICT0012.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6rws34bo/)
(http://s2.postimage.org/6s1qp5t0/PICT0003.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6s1qp5t0/)
(http://s2.postimage.org/6s8cujs4/PICT0009.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6s8cujs4/)
(http://s2.postimage.org/6sa0dw9w/PICT0011.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6sa0dw9w/)