F7F Tigercat SOH Project

**Milton Shupe** · May 3rd, 2010, 04:25

Originally Posted by modelr

Watching a master at work is just awe inspiring. Thank you for letting us look over your shoulder, so to speak.

You are too kind Sir ... this is simply a labor of love.

We now have a round tail for the -1.

**brad kaste** · May 3rd, 2010, 06:03

Milton,....I have a couple of questions: How does one...such as you,....take the given actual dimensions of the real aircraft and then translate/draft them down to exact scale the aircraft you're designing?
-What program do you use to 'downscale' without loosing the actual dimensions?
-Is there a bit of 'trial and error' when reconstructing?
-When do you know the aircraft you're designing is 'spot on' in scale proportion and realism?
-Are there times where you have to fudge certain parts of the fuselage (let's say) since there's no given dimension information given? In other words,...sometimes you might have to use the 'eyeball' method in order to get the aircraft correct.

**fliger747** · May 3rd, 2010, 07:48

Since this is a simulator aircraft, it uses real world dimensions as opposed to a scale aircraft such as a 1:48 or some such. Milton can probably give a good dissertation on how he makes measurements off of the various drawings to translate into the three dimensional portions of the model. Even very small divergences can make the shape look wrong! A real art!

Cheers: T

**Milton Shupe** · May 3rd, 2010, 15:40

Originally Posted by brad kaste

Milton,....I have a couple of questions: How does one...such as you,....take the given actual dimensions of the real aircraft and then translate/draft them down to exact scale the aircraft you're designing?

Brad, see attachment for an example 3-view drawing with dimensions.

Tom has it right. We model to real world dimensions.

Once you have proper 3-views (unlike the attached), you set the views up all scaled to the same L,W,H per inch/meter/pixel.

Then in the design program, (I use gmax) you setup a calibration box the exact dimensions of the aircraft (L,W,H). Once done, you apply mapping and place the 3-views on the sides of the calibration box. Once done, you have 3-views of the aircraft in real world dimensions.

-What program do you use to 'downscale' without loosing the actual dimensions? N/A

-Is there a bit of 'trial and error' when reconstructing? N/A

-When do you know the aircraft you're designing is 'spot on' in scale proportion and realism? The model is built to match the 3-views that are to real world dimensions. Spot on is too precise unless you have dimensions of every part on the aircraft; no one goes to that extent to my knowledge. 99% of the parts are built to the 3-views, or are "proportioned" in the VC by sight and verified in all angles against other things with regard to positioning, size, shape (somewhat of an an art). Unless you have the real aircraft at your fingertips, you do not have a lot of options available to you.

-Are there times where you have to fudge certain parts of the fuselage (let's say) since there's no given dimension information given? In other words,...sometimes you might have to use the 'eyeball' method in order to get the aircraft correct. Yes, as described previously.

Unfortunately, the eyeball method is very important as is the artistic value applied since few have the luxury of the real aircraft available to them. That is why I require so many reference pictures before I start a project. You can never have enough to substitute for being able to lay hands on or to measure,

Hope this answers the questions.

**brad kaste** · May 3rd, 2010, 19:15

"Hope this answers the questions."

Thanks Milton,...it has.

**Milton Shupe** · May 3rd, 2010, 19:29

Progress for the evening is getting the basic horizontal stabilizers shaped and built. Tweaking to come later afterwhich the elevators and trim tabs are modeled.

**Milton Shupe** · May 4th, 2010, 18:33

Empennage done

**Kiwikat** · May 4th, 2010, 18:44

That's looking very good Mr. Shupe!

Thanks for keeping us updated! :ernae:

**fliger747** · May 5th, 2010, 09:34

Pretty soon will have something to start flying around.

T

**Flyboy208** · May 5th, 2010, 12:12

You work fast Milton , yes, thanks for the progress report ...

Mike :salute:

**Bomber_12th** · May 5th, 2010, 12:29

Really beautiful work there, Milton - a perfect example of mindful modeling!

**Milton Shupe** · May 5th, 2010, 15:18

Well, thank you Gentlemen.

I hope to have the wings done this week and be working on the main gear and nacelles over the weekend.

EDIT: Well, good progress on the wings tonight.

**stansdds** · May 6th, 2010, 04:13

Hoooo whee! That is looking sweet!

**PilatusTurbo** · May 6th, 2010, 06:25

Just like the A-26, it's soo exciting to see something great take shape. It looks spectacular so far, and this is just the tiny tip of a great iceberg! :ernae:

**Ian Warren** · May 6th, 2010, 08:08

Never seen one in the NZ .. but many years ago , we had a series of Books 'Purnel,s History of WWII , this i based the types in the Pacific that would kick butt and win a War ... Korean maybe
.. Superb Model Build :salute:

**bpfowler** · May 6th, 2010, 13:31

hubba-hubba Milton! what a good looker.....

I got next to the F7F at Historic Flight two weekends past. It's in perfect flying condition, and painted like a navyblue show-car. My overall impression: it's a HUGE plane. Got a couple snaps, but theyre mostly rivet pattern close ups.:-)

**middle** · May 6th, 2010, 14:16

Great, Milton..when ya have a beat ready I'd certainly volunteer for some testing...mid

**Milton Shupe** · May 6th, 2010, 17:21

Originally Posted by bpfowler

hubba-hubba Milton! what a good looker.....

I got next to the F7F at Historic Flight two weekends past. It's in perfect flying condition, and painted like a navyblue show-car. My overall impression: it's a HUGE plane. Got a couple snaps, but theyre mostly rivet pattern close ups.:-)

Thanks bp ... some of the painters may be interested in that ...

There was one on Vancouver Island for refurb last year or longer ... Eric P. sent some pics of it. Beautifully redone.

**Milton Shupe** · May 6th, 2010, 17:22

Originally Posted by middle

Great, Milton..when ya have a beat ready I'd certainly volunteer for some testing...mid

You bet Middle ... will make sure you get your copy.

**bpfowler** · May 6th, 2010, 19:09

Originally Posted by Milton Shupe

Thanks bp ... some of the painters may be interested in that ...

There was one on Vancouver Island for refurb last year or longer ... Eric P. sent some pics of it. Beautifully redone.

yessir, that's the plane, number 483. Quite the resto.

**stansdds** · May 7th, 2010, 04:24

Originally Posted by bpfowler

hubba-hubba Milton! what a good looker.....

I got next to the F7F at Historic Flight two weekends past. It's in perfect flying condition, and painted like a navyblue show-car. My overall impression: it's a HUGE plane. Got a couple snaps, but theyre mostly rivet pattern close ups.:-)

Oh, yeah, that reminds me. F7F's, except for the night fighters, left the factory with a very glossy sea blue paint scheme. I know Helldiver will back me up on this issue. Please don't make the day fighters dull or matted, they need to have high gloss paint.

**Milton Shupe** · May 7th, 2010, 19:53

Tonight's progress involves engine building. Just getting started here ...

**Milton Shupe** · May 8th, 2010, 11:19

Moving ahead on the port side nacelle ... just getting the basic shape here ... hope to complete the nacelles, main gear doors, and main gear this weekend.