The TF went pretty well...my donor model still has some life to give so I thought I’d try an Anson Johnson mod. The wings are just about done.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

What a great idea! Do sign me up to follow this conversion.

Wings look great, Jim (@jimh). Looking forward to seeing the rest of the conversion.

Looking nice!

Progress continues. In looking at photos of the restoration of 45 at NEAM, the engine mount and cowling fastener pieces were pretty crudely modified. I carefully cut the lower cowlings off the donor fuselage and started "shrinking" them to the center line profile taken from a profile photo of the nose. The bottom of the fuselage is shaping up. It's a straight forward mod, cutting a straight line from the front of the tailwheel opening to the bottom of the wing fillet. The forward part of the bottom still needs shaped to fit against the fuel tank stress panels. The wing is done, disassembled and molds poured. There will be new wingtips, the two leading edge inlets, the fuel bay exit ducts, and the 3 duct doors. The radio gear was removed from the top of the fuel tank but the mounts are still there. These will be made and molded as well. the beat goes on!

7 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Thanks Louis! Yep, good ole bass wood. It’s a mix of Bass, plastic card, and magic sculpt. The final filling is done with Tamiya filler and primer. Someday I’ll figure out 3D printing 🙂 Black Magik Resin will become Black Magik Printing 🙂

Jim, (@jimh), it is a delight to follow this conversion. By all means stick to it and let us enjoy the fine workmanship involved in thi conversion. I think 3D will be really expensive if you want something that equals your skills. Very nice work.

Thank you guys so much for the kind words! I’m really hooked on doing these conversions. I’ve got several planned. Betty Jane as she is now, Stars Look Down when Ike flew in her, and the 4th FG B model that was converted to 2 seats. Beyond that, Dago Red, and Stiletto. When I started fooling around with making master patterns I started a 1/32” scale Cosmic Wind. I’ve learned a long since starting that project, so when I pick it back up there will be some improvements. What I really need to do is take the time to learn 3D printing for prototyping. Cast the resin is really straight forward as long as the master is properly prepared. The photo below pictures the new wing parts that are currently curing in silicon. I’ll cast them just as they came out of the wing. Once they cure I’ll clean them up, double check the fit and make master molds for the finished product. The sky is literally the limit!

Jim

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.