What if

GROUP BUILDS => 2015 Group Builds => The Knackers Yard => The Civilinise/Militarise it GB => Topic started by: JayBee on June 02, 2015, 03:58:44 AM

Title: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on June 02, 2015, 03:58:44 AM
Kit box picture for my second entry


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FDSCF0001_2.jpg&hash=481c75b69b058d69e7a68073731c927783f7424c) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/DSCF0001_2.jpg.html)


Jim
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: Mossie on June 02, 2015, 04:03:06 AM
And what a second entry, can't go wrong with such an oddity. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: PR19_Kit on June 02, 2015, 06:53:12 AM
What the devil is THAT Jim?   :o

I don't think I've ever seen one of them before, in any media.
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: JayBee on June 02, 2015, 07:24:12 AM
Try this Kit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIAI_LK-1

You will also find images of it in Google.

I have also seen, somewhere in the internet a clip of one taxying on skis.
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: PR19_Kit on June 02, 2015, 07:25:59 AM
It could ONLY be Russian Jim!  :o

Thanks for the link etc.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: JayBee on June 02, 2015, 07:36:46 AM
It is also a rather nice little kit. The fuselage "pod" is moulded in clear plastic, and you get a full set of masks with it.  :thumbsup:

Jim
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: Mossie on June 02, 2015, 07:41:13 AM
Looking at that Wiki page, it's a lot smaller than I thought it was.
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: Modelling_Mushi on June 02, 2015, 08:03:24 AM
Quote from: JayBee on June 02, 2015, 03:58:44 AM
Kit box picture for my second entry

Has Tophe seen this one? Looks like he might have had a hand in its design  ;D

Should be fun.
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: jcf on June 02, 2015, 09:57:45 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on June 02, 2015, 07:25:59 AM
It could ONLY be Russian Jim!  :o

Thanks for the link etc.  :thumbsup:

Welp, Westland also built an aircraft along similar lines. Not as succesful as the Soviet model.;D
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airwar.ru%2Fimage%2Fidop%2Fxplane%2Fdreadnought%2Fdreadnought-1.gif&hash=d8b062f5e5e40536d0019adaf23f94ef16df1065)


Russian page on the Fanera, loads of photos:
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/cw1/fanera.html
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: Martin H on June 02, 2015, 01:34:42 PM
That westland looks far to conventional in the side view.
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: Captain Canada on June 02, 2015, 04:01:19 PM
Freaky looking bird that's for sure !

:cheers:
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: The Chaos on June 02, 2015, 10:37:50 PM
WOW looks very cool.
Awesome Projekt.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on June 25, 2015, 09:12:46 AM
Right, work has started on this one and there are a few changes required to the kit.
Firstly here is the text and three-view drawing from Bill Gunston's "Aircraft of the Soviet Union" dated 1983 from Osprey publishing.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2Ftext.jpg&hash=c4edd68bafeb5979564d27c4d4f2f0f96e3f8bd7) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/text.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FThree%2520view.jpg&hash=bbf5660a676ce1abbbf630ad631168774927999a) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Three%20view.jpg.html)


If you read the text it says that seating within the aircraft was pilot and co-pilot left and right with two pasengers in the back.
The kit gives: pilot central with one seat to his right and three seats in the back.
I will be going for the text version.

Next comparing both the text and the three-view with the box art, the kit would appear to be one of the early test examples. Differences being :
Full span ailerons need to be changed to ailerons and flaps.
The Towend ring on the engine needs to go.
The shape of the fin and rudder should be changed if this is going to depict a production example, BUT I like the early rudder that the kit gives (Dilema!).
Finally, and this is not visible, the kit gives spats for the main wheels but for what I have in mind they have to go. Sorry BDB.

Onwards and upwards Comrades!
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: jcf on June 25, 2015, 09:27:13 AM
The kit is of the prototype/early variant.

http://airwar.ru/enc/cw1/fanera.html

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fairwar.ru%2Fimage%2Fidop%2Fcw1%2Ffanera%2Ffanera-1.gif&hash=6306ca1a568ae88dc12e1b77aeeab6e96f0eb837)
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: PR19_Kit on June 25, 2015, 10:42:51 AM
If the pilot is sitting in the centre,  how does he see past the ruddy engine???  :unsure:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on June 25, 2015, 11:56:24 AM
Many thanks JonCF
It has not proven easy to get info on this beast, makes it all the more fun!
I just wish my niece was here,  she lives in Moscow and is an Emglish/Russian interpreter.

Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Rick Lowe on June 25, 2015, 12:06:33 PM
Is not need to pilot see, Comrade, all is clear skies and plain sailing in Glorious USSR and nothing possible to go wro%$&*)mnZBe5u34667

... CRUNCH!
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Rick Lowe on June 25, 2015, 12:15:31 PM
Check out the British entry in the 'Weird Flying Wing' stakes:

http://freespace.virgin.net/john.dell/cowing/OA1_In_Flight.JPG
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on June 25, 2015, 12:37:53 PM
Thanks Rick,

but I already knew all about the Cunliff-Owen blended body designs.

When I saw this wee beasty I fell in love with it.
The problem is just how to Militarize it, but I have that in hand. Well almost. I have several ideas I just have not decided which way to go yet.  :rolleyes:

Jim
Title: Re: Fannera
Post by: KiwiZac on June 25, 2015, 01:42:11 PM
Quote from: JayBee on June 02, 2015, 07:36:46 AMand you get a full set of masks with it.  :thumbsup:
Thank the Styrene Gods!

What a bizarre object. I'm looking forward to seeing how you build it.

Quote from: PR19_Kit on June 25, 2015, 10:42:51 AM
If the pilot is sitting in the centre,  how does he see past the ruddy engine???  :unsure:
I think that may have been addressed earlier, but Wiki says: "The engine, with Townend ring cowling, was fitted on the centre-line between the font[sic? - Zac] cockpits which gave the pilot an asymmetrical view through the leading edge glazing."
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: rickshaw on June 28, 2015, 12:43:36 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on June 25, 2015, 10:42:51 AM
If the pilot is sitting in the centre,  how does he see past the ruddy engine???  :unsure:

You have discovered a problem, Comrade!  For you, a Hero of the Soviet Union badge and a session in the Gulag for exposing state secrets!  Dah!    ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on July 29, 2015, 09:01:05 AM
Work has recommenced and the cockpit interior is completed, the two aircrew and the two Russian Generals are in place.
This was not without a few problems as the height and width of the occupants tended to foul the fuselage sides. After a fair bit of sanding, cutting etc. this is now sorted and here they are.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25201.jpg&hash=8c30b4859c6994c8f7508e0cd8430d4303ac63c6) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%201.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2015, 03:44:08 PM
Are the General's hats big enough?  ;D
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: zenrat on July 29, 2015, 04:48:25 PM
Cutting Generals down to size.  How very Stalinist... ;D

The General in the RH seat looks familiar.  I think he might be related to the ex Airfix pilot flying my Caproni.
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Captain Canada on July 29, 2015, 05:14:45 PM
They look excellent ! Going to be a really nice addition once she's buttoned up.

:cheers:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on July 30, 2015, 02:29:22 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2015, 03:44:08 PM
Are the General's hats big enough?  ;D

Field uniform.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Mossie on July 30, 2015, 04:56:30 AM
They look about as comfy as you'd expect given that it's a Soviet machine.  Looking forward to the topping out ceremony Jim. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: NARSES2 on July 30, 2015, 06:33:07 AM
Quote from: zenrat on July 29, 2015, 04:48:25 PM
Cutting Generals down to size.  How very Stalinist... ;D

The General in the RH seat looks familiar.  I think he might be related to the ex Airfix pilot flying my Caproni.

Looks like Stalin's baby brother to me
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: PR19_Kit on July 30, 2015, 08:05:42 AM
Quote from: JayBee on July 30, 2015, 02:29:22 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on July 29, 2015, 03:44:08 PM
Are the General's hats big enough?  ;D

Field uniform.  :rolleyes:

When the first Tu-95 Bear flew into RIAT in 1993 the accompanying general's hats there would have made excellent auxiliary flying surfaces for the aircraft, so large were they!
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on July 30, 2015, 09:33:45 AM
Ah, but that was pure showmanship.
The old "Ours are bigger than yours" swagger.
;D
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 05, 2015, 03:49:44 AM
This is definitely a weird/quirky looking aircraft.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25202.jpg&hash=1414f0725d6e7f5bf0c868a7ce362983d9b9daff) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%202.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25203.jpg&hash=fce8b0bc3328ba9858457b08ef982c423883a141) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%203.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 05, 2015, 04:15:12 AM
Quote from: JayBee on August 05, 2015, 03:49:44 AM

This is definitely a weird/quirky looking aircraft.


That qualifies for a Whiffie Nomination in the 'Understatement of the Year' Class!  :o
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Captain Canada on August 07, 2015, 09:49:44 AM
Wow ! Is that ever !
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 08, 2015, 03:57:26 AM
As already mentioned the kit provides masks for the windows, and I will say at this point thanks to all the Gods for that.

Here is the sheet of masks, they appear to made of a very thin plasticised paper and they do stick well.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25204.jpg&hash=610d0bb2e2782f9842bbddd26db41793e9c83230) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%204.jpg.html)


....and the model with the masks applied. I would have hated to have to do that from scratch.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25205.jpg&hash=5c00562da2a2009cab1cc4fab960d691f3532514) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%205.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25206.jpg&hash=3a58833812b89a00a4f1390a8340e3816919c0e9) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%206.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Captain Canada on August 08, 2015, 04:10:18 AM
Those masks definitely look like a life saver....never mind the time, but just getting them even on each side to enhance the look.

:cheers:

Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: NARSES2 on August 08, 2015, 05:47:03 AM
Masks look good Jim, be interesting to see how well they work. Were they pre-cut or did you have to cut them like Tamiya's ?
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 08, 2015, 05:48:19 AM
Pre-cut, and they were a delight to use. (So far!)
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: NARSES2 on August 08, 2015, 05:49:42 AM
Thanks Jim. Be interested to see how well they keep the paint off and then come off the transparency.
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 08, 2015, 01:26:55 PM
That's going to be one WEIRD looking aeroplane!  :o

Correction, it already IS one weird looking aeroplane, but it'll be a fully finished weird looking aeroplane!
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 10, 2015, 09:02:24 AM
Now we have the strange yellowish bits on the wings! In fact they are the PE walkway strips.  :rolleyes:
I have never seen them depicted this way on any kit before.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25207.jpg&hash=9105a7517b3258e7c4a8749f0a706d20555235b0) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%207.jpg.html)


Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Captain Canada on August 10, 2015, 02:57:57 PM
Interesting for sure ! Looking good.

:cheers:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: zenrat on August 11, 2015, 03:10:00 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 08, 2015, 01:26:55 PM
That's going to be one WEIRD looking aeroplane!  :o

Correction, it already IS one weird looking aeroplane, but it'll be a fully finished weird looking aeroplane!

Make sense to me.  Putting the engine there allows tuning during flight and reduces length.
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: jcf on August 11, 2015, 09:35:39 AM
Quote from: zenrat on August 11, 2015, 03:10:00 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 08, 2015, 01:26:55 PM
That's going to be one WEIRD looking aeroplane!  :o

Correction, it already IS one weird looking aeroplane, but it'll be a fully finished weird looking aeroplane!

Make sense to me.  Putting the engine there allows tuning during flight and reduces length.


The engine isn't accessible in flight.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fairwar.ru%2Fimage%2Fidop%2Fcw1%2Ffanera%2Ffanera-3.jpg&hash=037e8f5be7b826ae24917450c56c4ed4f48388ea)
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 11, 2015, 09:48:20 AM
Excellent shot JCF. I am not sure if that is full production standard or not.
Given that you previously, and very correctly, mentioned, the kit is of the prototype aircraft.

There are too many changes from prototype to production standard to consider doing especially for a What If, but one at least will be done, the removal of the Townend Ring.

Having decided to remove the Townend ring, which as well as giving a little bit of aerodynamic streamlining, was also an exhaust collecting ring, I had to fit the engine cylinders with individual exhaust pipes.

Here they are waiting  to be trimmed.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannera%25208.jpg&hash=c68753f838a2884a90b6a14d07756aa5b4fc5609) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannera%208.jpg.html)


...and with them trimmed.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFannerra%25209.jpg&hash=c9551d9b7d82772a71073553ca87c402b499c6dc) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fannerra%209.jpg.html)




Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 11, 2015, 09:52:03 AM
You, Mr. JayBee, are a glutton for punishment!  :o
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: zenrat on August 11, 2015, 07:09:18 PM
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on August 11, 2015, 09:35:39 AM
Quote from: zenrat on August 11, 2015, 03:10:00 AM
Quote from: PR19_Kit on August 08, 2015, 01:26:55 PM
That's going to be one WEIRD looking aeroplane!  :o

Correction, it already IS one weird looking aeroplane, but it'll be a fully finished weird looking aeroplane!

Make sense to me.  Putting the engine there allows tuning during flight and reduces length.


The engine isn't accessible in flight.

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fairwar.ru%2Fimage%2Fidop%2Fcw1%2Ffanera%2Ffanera-3.jpg&hash=037e8f5be7b826ae24917450c56c4ed4f48388ea)

Well they missed a trick then.  I had "assumed" it was an inline engine situated between the pilot and the other bloke.
With that exposed valve gear (will you be scratchbuilding it?) they can keep an eye on things although the windscreen seem ideally situated to be coated should there be an oil leak.
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 14, 2015, 08:49:45 AM
The engine, looking more like a working engine should.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252010.jpg&hash=0d85b921b76c78518b49b02c3225c2840da1e1e2) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2010.jpg.html)


This is a field modification, well whenever anything is handed over to the military they never leave it alone, do they?
More of this in the backstory.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252011.jpg&hash=ddab74ff096c2ecc828acf699a8bad5d0470b7cf) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2011.jpg.html)


Jim

Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Mossie on August 14, 2015, 12:20:00 PM
How has been to build Jim?  Looks to be a bit of a putty monster, par for the course for a short run kit?

I'm itching to get hold of their Beverley when it's out. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: jcf on August 14, 2015, 01:39:12 PM
Will you be doing a KHAI 3 as a companion?  ;D

http://airwar.ru/enc/cw1/hai3.html

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fairwar.ru%2Fimage%2Fidop%2Fcw1%2Fhai3%2Fhai3-3.jpg&hash=45b887ba70a54194a5cf50740efaa22240c9878e)

;D :wacko: ;D
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: PR19_Kit on August 14, 2015, 01:47:55 PM
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on August 14, 2015, 01:39:12 PM
Will you be doing a KHAI 3 as a companion?  ;D

http://airwar.ru/enc/cw1/hai3.html

;D :wacko: ;D

That looks rather good, I'm surprised it only has one engine though. Tophe would have given it seven.  ;D ;)
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 14, 2015, 02:11:44 PM
Quote from: joncarrfarrelly on August 14, 2015, 01:39:12 PM
Will you be doing a KHAI 3 as a companion?  ;D

http://airwar.ru/enc/cw1/hai3.html

(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fairwar.ru%2Fimage%2Fidop%2Fcw1%2Fhai3%2Fhai3-3.jpg&hash=45b887ba70a54194a5cf50740efaa22240c9878e)

;D :wacko: ;D

Absolutely not JCF, I only do sensible models.  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: jcf on August 14, 2015, 02:18:41 PM
The point, as it were, of these planerlets (roughly glider-plane or motor-glider) was maximum efficiency
with a single M11 engine.
Most of the designs had long wings.  ;) ;D

A couple of others:
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/law1/lem2.html
LEM-2/OKA-33 first design by Oleg Antonov

http://www.airwar.ru/enc/cw1/lig6.html
LEM-3/LIG-6
(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airwar.ru%2Fimage%2Fidop%2Fcw1%2Flig6%2Flig6-1.gif&hash=835a6b5f12d9662f7c513c57b851391025d0daa2)

Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 15, 2015, 08:22:30 AM
Quote from: Mossie on August 14, 2015, 12:20:00 PM
How has been to build Jim?  Looks to be a bit of a putty monster, par for the course for a short run kit?

I'm itching to get hold of their Beverley when it's out. :thumbsup:

To answer Mossie/Simon's question, it has not been that bad a build.
It is certainly not a putty monster. One area that did need some putty was the rear fuselage but that was really because, with no locating pins, I had misaligned the left and right halves.
The one area where there is a problem is the upper wing to fuselage join. I have quite a gap there and the PE walkways make it more obvious. This of course may be due to my building but I am NOT going to try and correct it.
Mentioned earlier is the problem of fitting figures into this build. Maybe the pre-war Rusian diet meant that they did not grow as tall as people tend to do now.  :rolleyes: Anyway as Zenrat posted earlier I had to take the Stalinist approach and cut the Generals down to size. And the pilots, And move them all nearer the centre line. Just to get the clear fuselage parts to fit.
Then there is the engine. This has three parts, the main ring of cylinders, and a front and back set of (I think) pushrods. The detail is a bit crude as is the fit. This becomes more obvious if you are, as I did, leaving the Townend ring off.

The last point is that I had originally planned to bring this model up to production standard (20 production standard aircraft were produced for Aeroflot) but the number of changes was too great.
Removal of the Townend ring. No problem.
Changing the shape of the fin/rudder. No problem.
Re-profiling the rear fuselage, and fitting the tailplane as a shoulder mounted unit, rather than on top. Doable.
Re-working the wing so that it has smaller outboard ailerons and mid-span flaps. Easy.
Changing the layout of the windows. ARGH! No! No! No!.

Keeping it as the prototype does require a bit of a change to the backstory.

Now back to work.

Jim
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: zenrat on August 16, 2015, 04:22:44 AM
Yes, get on with it.
I can't wait to see it finished.
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on August 16, 2015, 01:34:25 PM
Well having given this it's first couple of coats of primer, the previously mentioned gaps between the uperwings and fuselage are rather more obvious.
I am going to have to do something about them.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252012.jpg&hash=6e2fe1ec1870ef927ef05a19c90ba54f1b801ee3) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2012.jpg.html)


Jim
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Rick Lowe on August 16, 2015, 01:42:05 PM
You've probably already thought of this, but if you're at that stage and don't want to go through the PSR hassle, try White Glue to fill the gaps.
You can smooth it off by dragging a damp cotton bud or similar along the top and this should negate any sanding requirements.

Drywall filler could also work, again smoothed with a damp utensil.

FWIW, HTH

Cheers
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Mossie on August 17, 2015, 04:51:24 AM
Quote from: JayBee on August 15, 2015, 08:22:30 AM
Quote from: Mossie on August 14, 2015, 12:20:00 PM
How has been to build Jim?  Looks to be a bit of a putty monster, par for the course for a short run kit?

I'm itching to get hold of their Beverley when it's out. :thumbsup:

To answer Mossie/Simon's question, it has not been that bad a build.
It is certainly not a putty monster. One area that did need some putty was the rear fuselage but that was really because, with no locating pins, I had misaligned the left and right halves.
The one area where there is a problem is the upper wing to fuselage join. I have quite a gap there and the PE walkways make it more obvious. This of course may be due to my building but I am NOT going to try and correct it.
Mentioned earlier is the problem of fitting figures into this build. Maybe the pre-war Rusian diet meant that they did not grow as tall as people tend to do now.  :rolleyes: Anyway as Zenrat posted earlier I had to take the Stalinist approach and cut the Generals down to size. And the pilots, And move them all nearer the centre line. Just to get the clear fuselage parts to fit.
Then there is the engine. This has three parts, the main ring of cylinders, and a front and back set of (I think) pushrods. The detail is a bit crude as is the fit. This becomes more obvious if you are, as I did, leaving the Townend ring off.

The last point is that I had originally planned to bring this model up to production standard (20 production standard aircraft were produced for Aeroflot) but the number of changes was too great.
Removal of the Townend ring. No problem.
Changing the shape of the fin/rudder. No problem.
Re-profiling the rear fuselage, and fitting the tailplane as a shoulder mounted unit, rather than on top. Doable.
Re-working the wing so that it has smaller outboard ailerons and mid-span flaps. Easy.
Changing the layout of the windows. ARGH! No! No! No!.

Keeping it as the prototype does require a bit of a change to the backstory.

Now back to work.

Jim

Thanks Jim, that's really helpful.  I guess as I'll be putting out an order for the Beverley as soon as it's available. Cheers! :cheers:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Captain Canada on August 17, 2015, 05:55:16 AM
Looks great. The big twin looks pretty wild as well !

:cheers:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on September 08, 2015, 08:34:47 AM
Well this one is finished. The only extra bit I will add to what has been said before is that although you get masks for the transparencies, and they are a wonderful addition to the kit, there was an amount of paint creepage under the edges, and yes they were well rubbed down. Also when removed they left a lot of adhesive behind. OK this was cleaned up with white spirit and a cotton bud, but it would have been better if it did not happen.

Also it is shown on a grassy base as I just have not had the time to creat a snow type one.

Now to the model.

The backstory :

In 1930 the LIIPS ( - Leningrad institute for sail and communications engineers) formed a UK GVF ( - training centre for civil air fleet), in turn the UK GVF formed the NIAI (Naoochno-Issledovatel'skiy Aero-Institoot - scientific test aero-institute)
One of it's products was the LK-1 (Leningradskii Kombinat - Leningrad combine), (a.k.a. Fanera-2 – Plywood no.2), (a.k.a. NIAI-1) and this was a four-seat cabin aircraft designed and built from 1933.
Flight trials at Leningrad and state acceptance tests at the NII GVF(Naoochno-Issledovatel'skiy Institoot Grazdahnskovo Vozdooshnovo Flota - scientific test institute for civil air fleet), were very successful and an order for twenty production aircraft with modified tails, spats removed, no Townend ring and other modifications was placed, for use by Aeroflot inside the USSR and the Arctic.
So much for the aircraft's history.
The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade (Russian: блокада Ленинграда, Transliteration: blokada Leningrada) was a prolonged military blockade undertaken by the German Army Group North against Leningrad
The siege started on 8 September 1941, when the last road to the city was severed. Although the Soviets managed to open a narrow land corridor to the city on 18 January 1943, the siege was finally lifted on 27 January 1944, 872 days after it began.
On 23 August, the Northern Front was divided into the Leningrad Front and the Karelian Front as it became impossible for front headquarters to control everything between Murmansk and Leningrad.
From June 1942, Leonard Goviroy was the commander of the front, and he was later awarded the title "Marshal of the Soviet Union".
It was in the very early stages of Goviroy's tenure that a need for a small communications aircraft was identified for the Commander's use, and it was at this time that it was discovered that the NIAI still had the prototype Fanera-2 in storage.
This was taken on charge as the personal transport for the Commander. The aircraft was modified to give it a self protection capability by the fitting in the cabin roof with a hatch that was in two halves that could be slid sideways on rails and a machine gun, on an improvised mount would be manned by the co-pilot, or even one of the passengers. That this was a successful modification is shown by the fact that the aircraft carried two kill markings, one German and one Finish. The German one was a Henschel Hs126, while the Finish one has only ever been described as "a reconnaissance type".
Records do show that the aircraft survived the siege but it's fate after that is sadly not known.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252013.jpg&hash=0d4ed500a09950c46ca561f3e9e2ffdd011c27b6) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2013.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252014.jpg&hash=4865d764c7780968a416b69cef5b583e86a9a913) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2014.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252015.jpg&hash=312e2d8b012fb353b8d2929d0778553abde7ec5a) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2015.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252016.jpg&hash=7042b5799a8886ad3459c3412d512ad7f752c791) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2016.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252017.jpg&hash=b7222fb9900a13dd2e647ff595b5451c2353ac70) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2017.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252018.jpg&hash=0992c880e9271f9e544187e9415fb5f55719bd9f) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2018.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252019.jpg&hash=db3c1defd23aa2b1bd4fb883913763037fdd26d2) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2019.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252020.jpg&hash=93d193bf103e1306e66f6bcb1ebb51f6618d0ac4) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2020.jpg.html)


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FFanera%252021.jpg&hash=94b05e05beff04f727950638dba1ea0201f3ad43) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Fanera%2021.jpg.html)


Lastly, if anyone wants a set of spats, drop me a PM.


(https://www.whatifmodellers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi652.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu247%2FJBricknell%2FSpats.jpg&hash=ee59a269dbb524d6a8d1a1b3a9fd581e13383f40) (http://s652.photobucket.com/user/JBricknell/media/Spats.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Captain Canada on September 08, 2015, 10:42:38 AM
Where is Brian when you need him ?

Looks great. Love the look/ shape of this one. Great job around the engine and prop as well, really looks the part. I'd leave the gunnery to the co-pilot....I wouldn't want so crazy passenger getting all excited and shooting the tail off !

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: JayBee on September 08, 2015, 11:25:10 AM
Zat is a terrible accusation to make of one of our glorious comrade Generals!
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: NARSES2 on September 09, 2015, 06:40:00 AM
That's come out really well Jim
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: zenrat on September 10, 2015, 03:35:03 AM
I swear I replied to this last night but if I did it's vanished.  Like an old oak table...

Good job, especially the windows.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Mossie on September 10, 2015, 05:47:11 AM
Love this machine, Jim, nice work with the skis and engine. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Fanera
Post by: Glenn Gilbertson on September 13, 2015, 05:01:16 PM
Great build of something completely different! :thumbsup: