What if

Here's my latest "airplane from a drop-tank" project. She's almost done, but I'm trying to decide if she looks better with or without a Townend ring over the engine. Let me know what you think!

Here's shot one with the Townend ring.

Brian da Basher

Here's shot two with the ring:

Brian da Basher

The fuse is a left over drop-tank and the wings are left over from some 1/144 scale kit. I fashioned new ailerons for them from scrap to bring them more up to scale. The headrest is 1/4 of another drop-tank, the horiz stabs are swiped from spares and the rudder was cut from a plastic bread-bag clip. the spats were cut from sheet plastic.

Shot one, no Townend ring:

Brian da Basher

The engine came from a 1/72 Academy F-4 Wildcat (that I have Top-Secret plans for) and the exhaust collector ring from spare parts. The exhausts and little mufflers are actually the landing gear struts left over from a 1/72 He-100. I've yet to attach the prop blades as you can see. Those little fairings on the upper decking and under the wings will eventually hold .30 machine guns.

Anyway, let me know what you think. Should I go with the Townend ring or without? I'm hoping to make up my mind by tomorrow afternoon as I want to get her finished this weekend. Let me know what you think.

Last shot, no ring:

Brian da Basher

I voted for the ring, but it looks cool either way.  It's got a serious "Crimson Skies" vibe to it.

The ring makes it look 1000% cooler (like another thing I know :rolleyes: ), plus it has an added aerodynamic effect on directing air flow about the engine, aiding in cooling it. ;)


Shas B)

I voted for no ring. I reckon it captures that pre war look better without it.

Just my opinion. Either way it looks cool. B)  :thumbsup:  

Geez.....for a minute there I thought you were asking our advice as to wether or not to ask you gf to marry you !]

:wacko:

No ring...the ring is to big and clunky. Looks faster w/o the ring.

Very neat, btw !

:cheers:  

I also voted for no ring, much sleeker without it.

~Steve

My highly uninformed opinion:  I would recess the cylinders so they don't stick out as far and use a smaller diameter ring to cover them.

P.S. Why did they name this feature of an airplane after a member of The Who?

:wacko:  

I like the ring, but I like JHM's suggestion of making it smaller.

Being brutally kicked out by my wife after twelve years I had to vote no ring!

Brian, you'd better hope your girlfriend doesn't see this post!  :lol:

PS Go with the ring.

I voted Nyet on the ring.  Looks way cooler a bit like the PT-19?? i think it was called....  Either way, got a real 30s vibe to it.

Mav

Go with the ring, but make it as tightly cowled as possible.

Unfortunately the Townend ring and the cyllinders are as small as they're going to get. All the engine parts, save the ring, are already glued into place. I have a feeling I'm going to return from work this afternoon and see a dead tie!

Brian da Basher

P.S. I got two coats of yellow on the wings and tail last night as well as painting the white stripe on the rudder. Third coat of yellow when I get home this afternoon and I'll make my decision while it dries.

Doesn't matter either way it's just so bl**dy cool..... I wishe, really wish that I had your vision and ability to imagine in 3D and then transfer it to plastic.

Ian

I voted for the ring - the aircraft looks unfinished without it. But I agree with the suggestions that it should be smaller, if possible.

Yes! The Townend ring is a keeper!!!!!!!![/size]

:)  

QuoteThe ring makes it look 1000% cooler (like another thing I know :rolleyes: )


Shas B)

Yeah me with my wings on!!

I voted for the ring...

Also I'm quite amazed at how you knock these suckers out! Props (or should I say Spats?) to you!

Without for me, like Sisko, I think it captures the post war look better, also, with it there's absolutley zero forward visibility, wouldn't like to land it!

I think both are cool, but I voted with out so you can see the engine.

May be there is a half way solution...

Modify the ring so that it is like the ring on the P-26, open to the front so you can view the engine.

Well it's going to take more than the five coats of yellow I've already got on it to work, so I've got some time to make up my mind. I've got to admit, Leigh's post really has me leaning towards no ring.

Thanks for your thoughts, all! The issue is still up for decision.

Brian da Basher

Yup, Brian, the ring is a good option, and I go with the rest of the guys' opinion to make it smaller.

Rafa
(BTW, the rest of the plane is also gorgeous!)

While waiting on endless yellow coats of yellow paint to dry, I toyed around with some other ring options. Sadly, none of them worked. I thought about attempting to narrow the ring I have, but now I can't find the blasted thing!

Mr Miller, is this one of the ways the "voices" speak?

Brian da Basher

Both look good, Brian, but I slightly prefer it without the ring. Look forward to seeing the finished model.
:cheers:  

Arrrggghhhh!!!

Well I found the Townend ring this morning. Right under my foot. *sigh*

So it looks like No Ring wins!

She's all painted save for the rudder stripes and tires. Hope to have her finished by tomorrow evening. Stay tuned.

Brian da Basher

QuoteArrrggghhhh!!!

Well I found the Townend ring this morning. Right under my foot. *sigh*

So it looks like No Ring wins!

She's all painted save for the rudder stripes and tires. Hope to have her finished by tomorrow evening. Stay tuned.

Brian da Basher

Arse, feck, twiglets!!  (sorry Shas @) This happened to me with a A-10 canopy a long time ago...  <_<  I've managed to glue the bits together...