Where Have All The Aircraft Mods Gone?

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:26 am

So this is what I did for the nose gear (same problem..spring sucked up inside).

Take a small piece of springy brass sheet. Cut a small rectangle out and fold it in half. CA glue the back side only on the bulkhead immediately and centered on the gear leg. Bend the unglued side out enough for it to press on the leg. When you hold the model right side up and pull that gear down, the locking arm drops into place. The brass plate pushes the leg forward and holds the locking arm in place. To retract, turn the model upside down and gently push back on the gear. The locking arm will disengage and drop inside allowing the leg to fold. If the brass plate becomes too weak, fold the gear and bend it back out some. Should do the trick. Does that sound like a plan?

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sat Jul 18, 2020 4:59 am

Just a little side-work while I wait for parts on another project. The original boarding ladder was too toyish for my tastes, so I have made a new one. Still needs paint, but I got it close I think.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sat Jul 18, 2020 1:05 pm

The pilot got treated too....

dannyc · Post by **dannyc** » Sat Jul 18, 2020 7:24 pm

Folkwulfe wrote: ↑
Fri Jul 17, 2020 11:26 am
So this is what I did for the nose gear (same problem..spring sucked up inside).

Take a small piece of springy brass sheet. Cut a small rectangle out and fold it in half. CA glue the back side only on the bulkhead immediately and centered on the gear leg. Bend the unglued side out enough for it to press on the leg. When you hold the model right side up and pull that gear down, the locking arm drops into place. The brass plate pushes the leg forward and holds the locking arm in place. To retract, turn the model upside down and gently push back on the gear. The locking arm will disengage and drop inside allowing the leg to fold. If the brass plate becomes too weak, fold the gear and bend it back out some. Should do the trick. Does that sound like a plan?

Awesome thank you for the tip!

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sat Jul 18, 2020 10:41 pm

You're welcome...anytime.

The boarding ladder is finished...

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 10:32 am

Almost looks real....except for the background.

Axis Nightmare · Post by **Axis Nightmare** » Sun Jul 19, 2020 1:17 pm

The ladder came out great! With the right background, a crew chief on the ladder, some ground equipment (does any exist in that scale?) you'd be in Thailand.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Mon Jul 20, 2020 10:56 am

It was suggested by a friend that ground crew and equipment would be a nice addition for this aircraft. The boarding ladder is just the start. I am also working on a flightline fire extinguisher and a plane captain grounds crewman. Wheel chocks are almost done. Then I'll work on the backdrop and see what I can come up with for pictures. Thanks for the kind words and keep the suggestions coming.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Mon Jul 20, 2020 11:38 pm

The beginning of a flightline fire extinguisher...

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Tue Jul 21, 2020 10:47 pm

Except for a hose and nozzle...and paint...I think this is done.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:44 pm

You can't get much more yellow than that! Primary paint is done.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 9:01 pm

Some hold down straps and decals...that's all that's left.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Fri Jul 24, 2020 11:19 pm

Except for some markings....this thing is done.

dannyc · Post by **dannyc** » Sun Jul 26, 2020 8:54 pm

beautiful!

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:59 am

Thanks DC...I do try. I'm still working on the ground crewman. Getting closer...

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sun Aug 02, 2020 10:04 am

In an effort to properly display the F-104 and accessories, I bought a shelf board and now I'm looking at configurations that work. This is the best I can see. I will cover the wood with "dental stone" plaster and paint it concrete grey. Not seen yet is a row of LED lights that are battery powered for ramp edge lights I will add.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 12:50 pm

Added some markings to the ladder and fire extinguisher. Going to start work on the display board next....

DocTodd · Post by **DocTodd** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 7:20 pm

Very nice work on the 104. Were there versions that had underwing tanks like that?

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 11:50 pm

Thank you...and yes, this was a less common configuration. Initially, sidewinder missiles were carried on a two rail rack mounted under the aircraft and behind the nose wheel. But debris kicked up by the nose wheel during takeoff often scarred the clear seeker head of the missile making them unreliable (if they weren't unreliable enough already). One fix was to move the missiles to wingtip launch rails and extra tanks on pylons where they could be jettisoned cleanly for fighting, or the more common wingtip tanks and missile rails on pylons. I always liked this configuration and decided to modify my 104 to it.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 11:55 pm

An example of wingtip missile rails, but without the pylon extra tanks.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Sat Aug 15, 2020 9:59 pm

The second (and hopefully last) pouring of dental stone for the F-104 ramp. It's about 7/16th of an inch thick and 16X48 inches in size....heavy too! Once the stone has cured, hand sanding to smooth out rough spots and I can start painting. The paint will seal the stone and strengthen the surface from marring in the future. Some flight line markings and battery powered led edge lights and this will be done!

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Mon Sep 07, 2020 12:28 pm

So (finally) the Udorn AB base has been sprayed with markings and grey primer for the concrete. I left it in the sun a little too long and a crack developed just off from the center. Since concrete can crack like this in real life, I'm not going to repair it. I need to weather the surface some and attach the edging. Still have to router the underside for the LED lights too.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:58 am

...and with the F-104 sitting on it.

Folkwulfe · Post by **Folkwulfe** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 5:56 pm

Is it just me....or does this forum seem mostly dead? Used to be, we put stuff here for others to see....not for the compliments (although that's nice to see too)....but mostly so others could ask questions and make maybe a suggestion or two. You might even learn something from others that improves dramatically your modeling skills. Not anymore. I think there's only a few of us that have a genuine interest anymore. That's why I titled this thread the way I did......looks like the answer is....away......shame. I used to enjoy surfing through the threads. Now, there's a few that haven't seen comments or questions in years. That's too bad....but I'll continue to add my 2C worth for the very few of us left.

Axis Nightmare · Post by **Axis Nightmare** » Fri Sep 11, 2020 6:16 pm

Times are tough right now for many on here that aren't old retired farts like us. They're experiencing challenges like all of us but may have job, school or health issues with family that takes priority over our toys and models. Life is uncomfortable in a lot of ways right now. Both time and funds can be tight right now and as great a distraction as our hobbies and passions are, reality often bites and takes a chunk out of our motivations. It's a terrible and dangerous mental health side effect of current events.

Keep up the good work!

Small Scale Military Headquarters

Where Have All The Aircraft Mods Gone?

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