So lets see. Where do I begin. Making the bow planes functional (if they are really "Functional" at all). What I mean by this is, do they have any influence on the boats behavior at this size or not? Do they just look cool moving.
I have found in most cases with the exception of the Type 7 and a few other boats that they just look cool because they move. Yes on the Gato and VIIC they work. But these 214 mid planes are so small and not nearly as far forward of the CG to make me wonder because I'm going through a lot of trial and error to get them to move.
The WTC has two servos in the front. They are forward of the planes. I have two choices. Run a long shaft from the aft dives planes control to the bow planes or bend backwards 1/16 wobbly wire on magnets to the forward control shafts. I tried that. It works but it's kinda of funky. As you can see in the picture I have this bent control shaft. It's a temporary and it works. If I go this route I will use it as a pattern to make some a bit more palatable to the eye.
The other issue I have with this model is the resin cast parts. Although most are OK this one dive plane was cast poorly. Either the resin was old or not mixed thoroughly because no matter what I do it sweats an oily substance that eventually comes of through the primer. The primer remains gooey and nothing I have tried seals it.
So the only option I have is to scratch build a new dive plane. Not what I bargained for on a customer build.
Today I will finalize the bow planes and with any luck move on to the model building and painting of this model.
I have found in most cases with the exception of the Type 7 and a few other boats that they just look cool because they move. Yes on the Gato and VIIC they work. But these 214 mid planes are so small and not nearly as far forward of the CG to make me wonder because I'm going through a lot of trial and error to get them to move.
The WTC has two servos in the front. They are forward of the planes. I have two choices. Run a long shaft from the aft dives planes control to the bow planes or bend backwards 1/16 wobbly wire on magnets to the forward control shafts. I tried that. It works but it's kinda of funky. As you can see in the picture I have this bent control shaft. It's a temporary and it works. If I go this route I will use it as a pattern to make some a bit more palatable to the eye.
The other issue I have with this model is the resin cast parts. Although most are OK this one dive plane was cast poorly. Either the resin was old or not mixed thoroughly because no matter what I do it sweats an oily substance that eventually comes of through the primer. The primer remains gooey and nothing I have tried seals it.
So the only option I have is to scratch build a new dive plane. Not what I bargained for on a customer build.
Today I will finalize the bow planes and with any luck move on to the model building and painting of this model.
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