Pete J. Posted January 22, 2013 Author Posted January 22, 2013 You got my curiosity up and I did a little research. The reason the air ran through the crankcase was to warm it. Normally, heating the air is not what you would want to do, but keep in mind that this is an aircraft engine and one of the major problems with carbureted engines is that they can develop ice at the venturi. This can be a bit of an issue when you are in combat at 15,000 feet and your engine quits.
Scale-Master Posted January 22, 2013 Posted January 22, 2013 Yeah, those tires were a SCORE weren't they... Has it already been 10 years?
Pete J. Posted January 22, 2013 Author Posted January 22, 2013 Yeah, those tires were a SCORE weren't they... Has it already been 10 years? March 2003 Mark. Some times is seems like that was forever ago and other times like yesturday.
Pete J. Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 awsome job , a saw like that is on my wishlist still ! Here is the saw I bought. http://www.ottofrei.com/Knew-Concepts-Jewelers-Precision-Hand-Saws-with-Knob-Tension-3.html I like it because it has a cam testioner that means I don't have to go through a lot of messing around when I change blades or take one end out to get it through a starter hole. I also got this blade holder with blades as it seemed like a good starter set since I didn't know what I would need. It really makes working with this stuff easier than I would have imagined. http://www.ottofrei.com/Swiss-Sawblade-Assortment-On-Wood-Stand.html
Scale-Master Posted January 23, 2013 Posted January 23, 2013 (edited) March 2003 Mark. Some times is seems like that was forever ago and other times like yesturday. I'm going to blame that on the Sake. Edited January 23, 2013 by Scale-Master
Pete J. Posted January 23, 2013 Author Posted January 23, 2013 I'm going to blame that on the Sake. Not to mention a Sapporo or two. Great time. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Pete J. Posted January 26, 2013 Author Posted January 26, 2013 Ok, I finished a couple of more parts. I made a brass firewall using the plastic part as a pattern ... ...and it didn't fit because I made some mild modifications to the body. So I made a new one that used the body as a pattern. And then I drilled it for the fasteners and polished it. Next, I turned the gas tank and gas cap. The gas filler is a little slanted because the tank sits under a lip and the filler would be set forward of the center line of the tank. Then I added some brass straps and fasteners.
crazyrichard Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 (edited) pfftt this is getting pretty insane good insane hahaha it Edited January 26, 2013 by crazyrichard
zenrat Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 Great work, but will you risk disqualification if there is too little of the original kit left?
pandamonium2112 Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 I like this build! Very creative. I'll be waiting for more posts..Keep going
Builder Posted January 26, 2013 Posted January 26, 2013 Your metal working is amazing. All of it. The radiator really blows my mind.
Pete J. Posted January 29, 2013 Author Posted January 29, 2013 Got a few more bits done. I can see that I am getting close to a time to start painting the plastic bits. Here is the steering wheel. I shaped the basic shape with brass with the jeweler's saw and finished it with files. The center hub was turned and the black grips are just Tamiya enamal black. I also got the head lights done tonight. All turned on the lathe. Now for the major change. The original Red Barron does not have a windscreen. In converting this I wanted to make this look like a WW 2 German soldier with googles. I had a hard time deciding exactly how to do this and make it fit under the helmet. In the end I decided I could take some styling cues from an aircraft cockpit as well and added the top piece accross the top of the bar. This is all test fitting.
crazyrichard Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 its got glasses hehehhe looking awsome !!!
ningoth4 Posted January 30, 2013 Posted January 30, 2013 This is a really kewl conversion you have giong here! And really nice brass detail work! Kevin
Pete J. Posted February 5, 2013 Author Posted February 5, 2013 Hi again! Well it is time for an update and a request for opinions. Here is some of the latest progress. I had a bit of a problem. The screen that I used was brass and I used "blacken it" to get a nice even color. About a week after I used it, the black changed color and flaked off. Not a problem. Sand it down and paint it with a good enamel. It seems to be holding. In the meantime, I have mounted the head lights on the radiator shell. I think they look good, but here is where your opinions will come in. I put a clear lens (Krystal Klear) and they looked good, but I have seen hot rods with colored lenses before. I can do red, orange, yellow, blue or green. I have my opinions about what may look good in this context but I am not really a hotrod person, so I am going to you for your opinions. What do you think??
crazyrichard Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 leve that as it is , looks perfect , on all that brass you dont need some colored lenses imo
Jantrix Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 leve that as it is , looks perfect , on all that brass you dont need some colored lenses imo x2
Scale-Master Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Clear lights would be my suggestion as well. Any color would be a distraction. Are you going to clean up that lower edge of the radiator opening? Looks like removing about 0.010 with a flat bastard file could fix it. Looking very good.
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