PBY Catalina WIP

[newmagrathea]

Very nice. I still have a (roughly) 1/24 scale RC Cat lying around waiting to get build. Seeing yours put that back on this winter's build-list.

I have one of those too, my grandfather put it together and gave it to me. I'm not sure what brand mine is and I know there is a couple different companies making them. Mine is yellow and blue, not the color scheme that I would prefer. That is another project that I need to get going again. I've never flown the plane, the battery is shot and it came with a really cheap AM receiver and radio. I want to replace the receiver with a DSM receiver so I can use my DX6i.

 

[newmagrathea]

A bit more progress.

I glued in the engines into the cowls, and glued those to the center section of the wing.
I glued the wing tips to the center of the wing, the wing is completely assembled now.
Finished masking everything, there are so many little windows on this thing.
Glued in the steering column and mounted the nose gun.
Glued the two halves of the fuselage together finally.

What's left:
Glue the cockpit in place
Putty the seams and sand them smooth
Another round of primer
Masking and painting
Decals
weathering

I've still got to figure out how I'm going to mount this.

 

[newmagrathea]

She's got paint. The props and wing are not glued on, I just set them on for fun. Next I'll put the decals on and start the weathering.

 

[Master Blaster]

This is what I'm hoping to paint it like. I'm also hoping to figure out how to print my own decal, or find someone that can. I'm going to get the numbers for my grandfathers plane and put them on the side.

Hi newmagrathea, did you figure out?
If not, I use to buy it from ebay..just search "inkjet waterslide decal paper"
They are very cool, easy to use, I have been using them with no problem!

About the low res images from the website which shows your granpa's plane.. I could not find high res photos.. but managed to enlarge that 300x225 to 1250x938 with low detail loss.. now you can see even the plane number and Australian flag.. hope it helps.

Looking forward to see yours finished.

 

[division 6]

Tail numbers are changed when transferred to civilian use and changed again if sold to another country.

Don't forget the de-icer boots (black) on the leading edge of the wings.

 

[newmagrathea]

Tail numbers are changed when transferred to civilian use and changed again if sold to another country.

Don't forget the de-icer boots (black) on the leading edge of the wings.

Yeah, I've got a few touch ups and details to paint. I still have to paint the wing supports too.

 

[PHArchivist]

Beautiful model. I just ordered on in 1:48 to do Goodman's plane for the aforementioneded film Always.

 

[SpamDaddy]

This is really coming along nicely. There were so many amazing aircraft designs in WW2. I just ordered a 1/48 B24D Liberator, my favorite WW2 design just ahead of the P61 Black Widow. I think I just found my 3rd favorite. I didn't even know this plane existed which is sad because I think Consolidated Aircraft produced both craft. Thanks guys!

Lee

 

[Zombie_61]

Beautiful model. I just ordered on in 1:48 to do Goodman's plane for the aforementioneded film Always.

The PBY-5A Catalina and the Douglas B-26C and TB-26C Invaders were the coolest aircraft in the movie in my opinion. Be sure to share photos with us after it's finished, if not in progress!

 

[Junk Pilot]

Sweet. Rathmines is only 30mins from my place.

Found it. My grandfathers plane.

http://www.catalinaflying.org.au/vh_cat.htm

 

[newmagrathea]

Sweet. Rathmines is only 30mins from my place.

Oh man, I'm jealous Id love to check it out.

I've been working on it a lot, had a couple set backs though. For some odd reason I though it would be a good idea to put the decals on before I finished painting. Bad idea, I removed masking tape from the wing and it took most of my decals off with it. And I had my first run in with model master metalizer paints, I thought I'd ruined my paint job. Luckily I was able to wipe it off with a thinner soaked paper towel.

I've finished painting and decals, I've started on weathering. I airbrushed on some exhaust and grime around the engines. I've done some very light oil washes and streaking. I've got some more weathering to do for rust streaks. Once I get the rust streaks on I'm going to glue the wing on and get the wing supports glued on.

I've been on turbo mode lately because I want to get it done before next weekend which is my grandfathers 90th birthday. I've still got to make a stand for it.

 

[Junk Pilot]

That's a great looking bird. It's coming up real nice.

 

[SpamDaddy]

That's a great looking bird. It's coming up real nice.

Agreed. Really loving the nearly finished product...can't wait to see it done : ) : )


Lee

 

[Mike J.]

I'd keep an eye on that roundel; it looks like it might be silvering.

Aside from that, the paint job looks great.

 

[newmagrathea]

I'd keep an eye on that roundel; it looks like it might be silvering.

Aside from that, the paint job looks great.

That's just a slight warp in the decal that is catching the light. I couldn't get them to completely lay flat on that complex curvature.

 

[newmagrathea]

Well I think that I'm done except for a couple small things that have to wait until tomorrow. A bit of paint on the wing supports to hide the glue and some flat clear coat. Next is figuring out what I'm going to do for a stand/display.

 

[samster27]

Looks beautiful. The only comment would be that that the two machine guns seem way too thick on the kit. I think brass replacements would look great.

Lovely model and of course a personal one too. Well done. :thumbsup

 

[newmagrathea]

Looks beautiful. The only comment would be that that the two machine guns seem way too thick on the kit. I think brass replacements would look great.

Lovely model and of course a personal one too. Well done. :thumbsup

I thought about replacing the guns with brass but I was worried that I wouldn't get both barrels lined up parallel again. I agree brass would look better.

 

[division 6]

Nice work.
I'm sure your grandfather will really like it.

 

[Mike J.]

I thought about replacing the guns with brass but I was worried that I wouldn't get both barrels lined up parallel again. I agree brass would look better.

You could make a jig.