Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Tophe on June 28, 2012, 11:27:45 AM

Title: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on June 28, 2012, 11:27:45 AM
On my wall, there is a big 1/32 Mitsubishi J2M3 Raiden that I built in 1977 or 1978. Disliking its Japanese aggressive roundels, I added (in 2006) French ones into a Frenchanese imaginary country and I discarded guns. But this was not enough.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on June 28, 2012, 11:28:58 AM
My goal now is to remove the propeller blades and have a solid nose (glider). To “justify” it, I plan to paint a nose cockpit (and a scaled down cockpit above, for the instructor). This may be done in 2012 or 2013.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on June 29, 2012, 03:37:23 AM
I will be following this project with great interest, mon ami! I especially like the suggestion of windows right up front. They're perfect for sightseeing!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: raafif on June 29, 2012, 09:01:05 AM
why not a 2-cockpit version like the Zero trainer ?  Move the existing cockpit forward by 2 feet with the second cockpit staggered up like the Do-335 or Me-163'S' 2-seaters.

Sounds like an interesting project :)
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on June 29, 2012, 10:59:54 AM
I will be following this project with great interest, mon ami! I especially like the suggestion of windows right up front. They're perfect for sightseeing!
Brian da Basher
Thanks Brian.
I have considered painting black windows on the side, into a Raidenliner, but I gave up as a glider cannot be an airliner, can it? Maybe yes, powered by mind... The front seat would be 1st class, the pilot being above. The scale turns 1/32 to 1/48 with this change anyway.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on June 29, 2012, 11:03:14 AM
why not a 2-cockpit version like the Zero trainer ?  Move the existing cockpit forward by 2 feet with the second cockpit staggered up like the Do-335 or Me-163'S' 2-seaters.
Too much hard wok for me, sorry... I experienced months of PSR with my 1/32 P-38, and I prefer avoiding this. PSR for the nose and canopy and engine exhausts will be enough. But thanks for your idea, that could have been or would deserve a profile.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 30, 2012, 03:29:20 AM
remove the wings altogether and turn it into some sort of airship...
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on June 30, 2012, 12:29:56 PM
That's a good idea... Alas, it needs to "stand on the wall". But cutting the wings is a good idea, I will consider either:
- a sesquiplane biplane
- an asymmetric one with just a very short port wing and no tailplane on starboard
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on July 01, 2012, 08:42:57 PM
The blades have been cut off, and the first layer of puty is on... That's a start.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on July 02, 2012, 11:52:46 PM
You're off to a good start, mon ami!

I find PSR goes much better if I take frequent breaks for adult beverages.

Your mileage, however, may vary.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on July 08, 2012, 04:53:09 PM
PSR advanced. The plane is no more a soldier.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on July 11, 2012, 04:05:19 AM
Wow that's really shaping up nicely, mon ami! You have the patience of a saint to take on that kind of PSR. Not only am I delighted by your concept (I too enjoy turning swords into plowshares), but I'm completely amazed by your work!

Let me know if you ever have a PSR webinar please.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on July 14, 2012, 11:34:58 PM
Thanks Brian.
With summer holydays away, the rate of advancement will decrease, sorry.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on August 07, 2012, 10:30:12 AM
That's a good idea... Alas, it needs to "stand on the wall". But cutting the wings is a good idea, I will consider either:
- a sesquiplane biplane
- an asymmetric one with just a very short port wing and no tailplane on starboard
At last, it turned out to short starboard wing and no port tailplane. That interested my son (maybe the first time he "saw a saw")...
Lots of PSR to do now.
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on August 09, 2012, 06:09:11 AM
It's great to see you're getting an assist from your son, Tophe!

I really like the new look. It's "semi-asymmetric" in that the horiz. stab. on the right partially compensates for the missing wing, just as the wing on the left seems to compensate a bit for the missing horiz. stab. These two elements also give this model a certain "sculptural balance".

Wonderful work and congratulations on your child having interest in the hobby!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 12, 2013, 01:31:20 AM
I am going to finish it, at last... ???
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 12, 2013, 09:18:49 AM
1st layer of paint:
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: father ennis on March 12, 2013, 09:42:19 AM
Interesting,very interesting ,indeed ...
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on March 13, 2013, 06:56:33 AM
I really like how the one wing is counter-balanced by the horizontal stabilizer.

Your models are at the heart of whimsy and a pure delight, mon ami!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 13, 2013, 11:36:55 AM
Thanks a lot!

Well, I still have to improve the colouring, but the fighter 1/32 has now turned into a trainer 1/48...:
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 15, 2013, 09:05:31 AM
The final model is there, before being attached again on the wall:
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 15, 2013, 09:14:12 AM
This is a trainer for piloting asymmetric aircraft... ;)
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: finsrin on March 15, 2013, 09:27:28 AM
GAD ZOOKS --- this is different  :)
Looking forward to seeing its final "look".
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Cliffy B on March 15, 2013, 09:47:18 AM
Oh and what a fun little trainer that would be!  She's looking great man  8)
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 16, 2013, 05:01:11 PM
Thanks a lot!

Well, here is the final adpect, flying in the sky/standing on the wall...
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: finsrin on March 16, 2013, 06:14:01 PM
Have to be sitting when viewing picture.  When standing, I lean to one side as brain tries to convert image to symmetric.
In combat, just seeing asymmetric aircraft can cause enemy pilots to swerve off course as their brains get confused.  With dire consequences   :o
First there was stealth,,, now the deadly effects of just seeing asymmetric opponents for pilots who have not trained specifically in air-to-air asymmetric aircraft combat.
Could it cause radar guided missiles to swerve enough to become near misses ?
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 16, 2013, 06:33:00 PM
Sorry; "standing" may have been the wrong English word.
The other explanation is that I turned the picture 90 degrees to look like flying.
On the wall picture, you can see why the asymmetric layout was chosen: to leave room for the curtain!
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: taiidantomcat on March 17, 2013, 01:47:57 AM
Little bit of everything there  :)
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on March 17, 2013, 03:06:51 AM
That really finished up nicely, mon ami!

I especially like the bonus picture of the Complete Tophe Gallery!

Well done!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 17, 2013, 11:38:18 AM
Thanks a lot.
This is not the complete gallery of mine, but the very big models part of it. I made more than 100 models as a total, see http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/ThankingIgor.htm (http://www.kristofmeunier.fr/ThankingIgor.htm) ...
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on March 18, 2013, 01:29:05 AM
Thank you for that link to your gallery, mon ami! There were some models I hadn't seen before.

Your improved Mirage and Shooting Starliner are absolute wonders!

Outstanding, inspiring work!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Tophe on March 18, 2013, 02:01:01 AM
Dear Brian, thank you too for the inspiration you gave me (the Shooting starliner was made after your huge airships)...
Title: Re: J2M12 RaidenTrainer
Post by: Brian da Basher on March 19, 2013, 07:19:46 AM
It's always nice to find uses for all those window decals in the stash, mon ami!

Brian da Basher