Author Topic: Johnnytodd's Build: 1/56 scale Catalina PBY (Completed) (Read 12652 times)

Johnnytodd · « **on:** December 01, 2012, 03:24:28 PM »

My interest in scratchbuilds rose from a desire for more wargame vehicles in 1/56th scale. I find that scale to be the best fit for 28mm - and there are really no aircraft kits in that scale. Lately my projects have grown in size - rather too big for a typical gaming table. This PBY is a challenge with all of its various surface angles and retractable wingtip pontoons - and its large size with wingspan of 22". Hopefully I can incorporate some crew figs (perhaps adding a waist gunner). I plan to "base" it on a simple water platform and conform to the contest rules:

12/1 Big box of basswood arrived in the mail yesterday so I better get busy. The original plans are in 1/72 so I enlarged to 1/56 then glue to proper size blocks. Next step is the bandsaw.

12/2 Now cut:

Silent Invader · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2012, 03:48:45 PM »

I love projects like this

Amalric · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2012, 07:47:13 PM »

Fantastic

I look forward to seeing more

Johnnytodd · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2012, 11:29:06 PM »

No surprise, but filing the fuselage proved to be very time-consuming. In addition to sculpting the correct profile, each side needs to be symetrical from top, bottom, front and back - here is 6 hours of labor:

It doesn't look like much... but so far it measures just right! Once this is done everything else is pretty easy.

Damas · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2012, 08:35:53 AM »

I'm pulling up a chair and watching this one very closely!

Mainly28s · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2012, 07:41:12 PM »

Wow! Looking good. I'll definitely keep tabs on this one!

FramFramson · « **Reply #6 on:** December 06, 2012, 05:46:04 AM »

Is it going to have a removable base so as to alternate between "In the water" and "Airborne"?

Johnnytodd · « **Reply #7 on:** December 06, 2012, 01:21:22 PM »

Quote from: FramFramson on December 06, 2012, 05:46:04 AM

Is it going to have a removable base so as to alternate between "In the water" and "Airborne"?

Yes, the plan is for a simple removeable water base as well as retractable wingtip pontoons.

Johnnytodd · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2012, 09:10:22 PM »

I cheated: a wing that once took me hours to carve with file and sanding block I roughed out today in 30 minutes with an electric palm sander!

Johnnytodd · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2012, 01:57:14 AM »

More progress:

Centaur_Seducer · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2012, 11:10:16 PM »

Jesus, this is some serious project!

Do look forwad to the end product

dampfpanzerwagon · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2012, 08:46:34 AM »

Beautiful.

Tony

Johnnytodd · « **Reply #12 on:** December 10, 2012, 05:55:27 PM »

More progress: Nothing glued together but most parts are now shaped - giving a good idea of the scale of this beast! I've discovered that the larger the model the more glaring any flaws become. Forunately I caught an error in the plan before I cut the nacelle slots in the wing.

Here is the plan I'm using:

http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?album=104&pid=967#top_display_media

And here is a more detailed schematic I refer to for more accurate measurements:

http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_files_0/951/PBY%20Catalina.pdf

Tom Reed · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2012, 06:12:31 PM »

Is that side blister in the right position? It looks too high to me, but maybe that is because the plane is not sitting in the water.

Johnnytodd · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2012, 08:41:28 PM »

The blister is indeed in the wrong place - its just resting on the fuselage. Once I get the other one carved they'll be properly placed. I want to make one of the blisters open to expose the .50 cal gunner but haven't quite figured out how...using only wood and/or metal

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Author Topic: Johnnytodd's Build: 1/56 scale Catalina PBY (Completed) (Read 12652 times)

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