2nd Club Build - Lockheed's Constellation

[Chuck M]

I agree with Ron...I get more satisfaction from building a kit that doesn't just "go together"...

[Ronv]

Yes, This is an indication of the quality of their kits, some are better than others. But this is why we do modeling. I like having to test fit/fix/jury rig parts and pieces than building a box shaker. Personally for me a greater satisfaction having a completed a model that you had to fight the entire way.
RonV

[Herk]

As this is my first Minicraft build, I would be interested to know if this is an indication of the quality of their kits. 
I have seen some of the same problems as Lee - too include the wing tips not matching top to bottom or the inclination of the wing to the fuselage being exceeded.
I will take any of the OLD Connie kits to what I am finding with Minicraft!

[Chuck M]

I hate sending you to Facebook, but I can't figure out how else to share this...

https://www.facebook.com/chopperguyhd/

Watch his Columbine takeoff video in HD, it's stunning...

[lgriffin]

I've been working some on mine, mostly parts separation and clean-up. Here are a few tips from my experience so far.

The props are tricky:

1. The mold gates are thick and at least one gate is on a blade, which makes for a tricky removal and clean-up. I used a razor saw and sharp nippers to separate the props from the runners. Be careful: The blades are delicate.

2. Lots of excess material and flash on the spinner part and on the blades. I used a sharp No. 11 blade to trim, then used needle files to file down the excess material on the hubs to something acceptable.

3. The prop blades are not consistent in thickness, attack angle, or angle with respect to each other (i.e., they're not necessarily 120 degrees apart. All you can do is the best you can here without breaking the blades off of the hubs.

4. TAKE NOTE: The pin on the back of the prop hub/blade assembly that mounts into the "engine" MAY NOT BE CENTERED. Check these for concentricity - at least two of mine are way off, causing them to be off-center with the engine. I'll be cutting them off and figuring out how to mount them later. 

There is excess material inside the cowling halves that prevents the engine from fitting properly. Clean this out carefully with a sharp blade. It's mostly at the edges where the locating pins and holes are molded: There's not enough thickness for the locating pins and holes, so they end up impinging into the recess/groove where the engine mounts.

That's it so far.

Lee G.

[Bill L.]

In case you haven't seen this on Facebook or Yahoo

news\\https://www.facebook.com/chopperguyhd/videos/1127717270593146/

Bill L.

[Herk]

Bill,
You might try the EC-121 COLLEGE EYE from the Vietnam era.  These A/C had the big radomes removed for their mission.
Regards

[Bob S]

Looking good there!..............Ahh.....the ol' Locktite Super Glue Gel --- my favorite!  That's some good stuff, ain't it Bill?

[Bill L.]

Bill L's EC-121: Assembly is very basic at this point. Nose weight is in place. Time to let things settle.
I do foresee alot of seam work in the near future!

Bill L.

[Bill L.]

Well I got my EC-121 CIA bird started. It will be SEA over white or black. Not sure yet but it will have a lot of antennas on it LOL. 

Post your updates here so we can track them together.

Bill L.