Wildcat F4F-4 the sequel

[moon puppy]

I'm saying the same thing..huh?

Here's what the kit parts look like from my previous build a couple of years ago.

And here's the real thing. Hat Tip to Graham for finding this at http://www.midwaysaircraft.org/ they have some great pictures of restoration projects of all eras.

I think the first real problem is not knowing where and how the cowl flaps attach to the firewall. The ring they attach to and the actuators has to attach to something, they are not floating on the inside of the cowl as the original trumpeter parts are. I know the forward cowl leading edge is attached to the cylinder heads of the front row, but the rear is not.

Other problem is I still haven't gotten a powersupply for my laptop and that's where my references are. Let me work something out there and then we'll see what's what.
thanks for the input folks.

 

[Sharkmouth]

Now I say... huh? I don't speak Bubba!

I guess it is easier to say with photos. They are from Grumman Aviation's archives when they were in Bethpage, Long Island (NY). The cutaway plans are from the Polish language Wydawnictwo Militaria's monograph of the Wildcat. Books to get, since you seem to have more than one in your stash, are both from Squadron Publications. Walk Around Number 4 F4F Wildcat (Squadron/Signal Publication) and Detail & Scale 8265 F4F Wildcat in Detail.

These are all of the F4F-3

Not where the cowl flaps mount as well as where the front cowling mounts (front cylinders on the engine? :woohoo: )

The front cylinders did have brackets that attached to the front mounting ring as there were baffles to help direct air flow.

F4F-4

I hope this helps,

 

[moon puppy]

sharkmouth wrote:

I hope this helps,

It does, I have these publications and have print outs of these line drawings int he shop. But they are not as detailed as I'm diggin into. The photos are great. Again, they are on my laptop, I"m going to try to charge up the battery if the PS cable doesn't arc badly.

great shots of the accessory bay ain't it. I only wish someone had a shot of the top side of the intercoolers and how the duct work mates up to the carbs.

The shot of the -3 with the cowl flap and panels is what I need. that's going to work as a good basis to work with. Also I like seeing how thick that frame work is. Much thicker than I thought it would be.

Thanks Saul, you're a Pal..

:woohoo:

 

[jknaus]

I don't know MP. With all those refs there is still one rivet a scale 1 mill out of place over there on the right hand top quarter of your fire wall. :evil:

Okay okay I'm on my way to the corner. My aircraft kits are over there on the shelf, help yourself as I wont be needing them anymore :laugh:




PS very nice work.
James

 

[moon puppy]

Getting right on it James. And pictures of your stash is required before I pick one

Chuck, just saw your comments. Yeah, vacuuform would work well. What time can I swing by and borrow yours?!

Here's plan A, I have disk cut out that is to size. I have a smaller circle scribed out that is the size of the ring. I'm going to feather the brass in the inside of that circle and fold it up, over lapping each other, solder to make ridged again and then cut out holes for the duct work.

Plan B, working on that...

But guys, look at the difference between the Grumman shots Saul posted and the crash one I posted. From the forward frame of the accessory bay forward on the Grumman shot it looks to be a slow curve inwards that is maybe 4-6 inches. But on the wrecked one, it looks like it just stops at that frame and goes into the firewall I'm attempting. I know, I'm putting way too much thought into it, I'm going to pick one and go with it.

What's worse, I plugged in my laptop to try and charge...hehe..SMOKE! Where the hell is my powersupply I ordered a week ago!!

 

[Sharkmouth]

One thing to look out for, the exhausts were made of stainless steel. Be wary of this at the painting & weathering stage.

Regards,

 

[moon puppy]

OK Plan B...

Will do Saul, Matter of fact I have SS AlcladII. And I have to totally rework the exhaust manifold might as well do it right. Notice the that shot above, you can't see the exhaust at all.

 

[moon puppy]

Harv you said something to me about posting pictures of the firewall progress, well, here it is!

Well really this was just plans A-C with subplan 1-5 each..But I have a plan now. I said some time earlier that I should start at the Engine Mount Ring and work back, I didn't do that, I should have. bu really, I got a plan and just didn't get time today to get it started.

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

 

[MrT]

WOW! Pup. I built one of these and thought I detailed it, but compared to yours mine looks like a Junior High project. Keep it up I,m spell bound.

Terry

 

[moon puppy]

Come on Terry, this is just construction, hardly any detail yet but thanks for the Positive Waves dude!

 

[MrT]

Yeah but this is going to turn out good.

Terry B)

 

[jknaus]

Dont know if any of these will help you in any way.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1021288342012473710twXCqQPQKM
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1003779131012473710kBihSMMPJr
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1003780301012473710tFLedOugQO
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1003779134012473710NOGeMmzDOF
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1003780302012473710neJRSGEonl
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004823405012473710rXKHttdufm
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004818636012473710gCYhCWCgdN
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004966085012473710QvgLVzHgYx
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004968645012473710MUXultHkFU
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004968647012473710uVytBfJOJc
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004969547012473710GdLXWRnpeo

The pictures are not mine and I hope "fair use" covers me linking them here. Maybe you could email the owner and they may have the view you want?
James

PS if this is in contravention to the rules please delete.

 

[dirtball]

UUHHH, OK...were do I start.HUM pat Z goes to tin thinny...and #1 glued to the flat thing....OK.... I`ll let you iron it out!!. Keep it up....Harv

 

[Cheyenne]

Nice plumbing job Pup , ............ this is turning out very , very cool !!!

 

[Dragunov]

Wow MP!!!

What a great build and so much detail! Makes me want to build a aeroplane to!!

Erik

 

[moon puppy]

Thanks folks. I'm having fun with this thing, but hard to stay focused on one part because it leads to another and they all have to interact. Someone asked me why I'm doing it, practice...next open panel beast will be a P47!

 

[moon puppy]

Thanks for all the help and encouragement on this guys, I have come to the conclusion that there are no, absolutly no photos of the rear end of a P&W r1830 engine installed on a F4F that has ever been published on the web. Therefore, I'll invoke Creative License and if anyone calls me on the improper plumbing of the air ducts they will need to explain where they were when I was looking for it!

 

[jknaus]

moon puppy wrote:

Thanks for all the help and encouragement on this guys, I have come to the conclusion that there are no, absolutly no photos of the rear end of a P&W r1830 engine installed on a F4F that has ever been published on the web. Therefore, I'll invoke Creative License and if anyone calls me on the improper plumbing of the air ducts they will need to explain where they were when I was looking for it!

This didnt have what you needed?
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004818636012473710gCYhCWCgdN
or this
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1004823405012473710rXKHttdufm


James

 

[moon puppy]

Those two shots are very valuable to me James because that's as close as I can get. The first one from inside the accessory bay looking up over the top of the innercoolers is maybe the only one I can find of that side and angle. But notice up top, the hole, that's the hole for the carb duct, it's not attached to the carb, which in itself s not a major issue, I can make best guess with that. What is not clear is how the innercoolers connect to the carbs.

Unless I can find a picture of one installed I just have to make my best guess.

 

[jknaus]

Just a suggestion, but maybe the fellow who took the pics has one that he didnt post. Or maybe he has access to the maintenance manual and might scan a page.
Looking mighty fine though.
James