Piper L-4H, SMĚR 1:50 - Czechoslovak Air Force
box
kit contents
the fuselage is short in 1:50 scale
in the kit the fuselage narrows on the underside behind the cabin
fuselage laid on a drawing in scale 1:48
wing laid on a drawing in scale 1:48
fuselage laid on a drawing in scale 1:48
a canvas is indicated on the entire surface of the model. Unfortunately, it is very rough and non-modeless
I started by gluing parts which I will gradually modify
The size of the control surfaces on the sash is bad. I glued a thin plastic stick into the grooves. Later I will sand the entire surface of the wing.
To enlarge the wing to a scale of 1:48, I cut the wing and glued a 4 mm wide plastic prism into it. To increase the width of the wing, I glued a plastic strip to its edge. Then I let the glue dry.
I sanded the wing with coarse sandpaper to get rid of the roughly marked canvas and ribs.
I cut the glued front part of the fuselage lengthwise. To expand the front, I glued plastic wedges between the parts.
I sealed the hole at the bottom with a plastic plate.
Later I will make a new hole with the right shape.
I cut off the front of the fuselage.
Later, I will modify this cut part of the fuselage.
I cut the tail rudder from the end of the fuselage and kept its fixed part. I threw away the rest of the original fuselage.
From plastic plates with a thickness of 1 and 0.5 mm, I made a new hull in a scale of 1.48
I used 1 mm thick boards for the lower part of the fuselage and the inner bulkhead in the rear part of the fuselage, I made the sides of the fuselage from a 0.5 mm plate. (the upper part of the rear of the fuselage is not finished yet)
new fuselage laid on drawing 1:48 - side view
new fuselage laid on drawing 1:48 - view from above
I glued the upper part and the keel surface of the rudder to the fuselage
for the wings, I honed the correct shape of the end arch
wings laid on a drawing in scale 1:48
I adjusted the instrument panel cover and I made a new fuel tank and glued it to the front of the fuselage cut from the original parts of the kit.
I glued the modified front part to the newly made fuselage
I painted the assembled fuselage with putty.
After finishing the modification of the shape of the bow of the aircraft, I added all the holes to it
Now I'm going to put putty on this part
I made a new engine block
I used the original engine cylinders from the kit. I just wrapped them in a thin wire to indicate the cooling fins
I cut new horizontal tail surfaces and a moving part of the rudder from a 1 mm plastic plate
I glued the engine block to the bow of the fuselage. I glued the nose with the engine to the fuselage.
I glued the engine block to the bow of the fuselage. I glued the nose with the engine to the fuselage.
I made a part of the tubular structure into the cockpit from wire.
I made a part of the tubular structure into the cockpit from wire.
At the stern of the fuselage, I made details from a thin plastic plate.
I cut airelons from my wings
I shortened the upper part of the cabin glazing. I cut off the upper part from the side windows and glued it to the upper part.
I shortened the upper part of the cabin glazing. I cut off the upper part from the side windows and glued it to the upper part.
The set contains only the basic equipment of the cockpit - seats and control levers. The seats are inaccurate. That's why I cut off my back and non-model plinths from them. I made a new backrest for the front seat. A wide strap suspended between the sides of the cab served as the backrest of the rear seat. (I will add it later). I glued the upholstery from a colored paper handkerchief to the modified seats.
I made new side walls for both sides of the cockpit.
I made new side walls for both sides of the cockpit.
I started making a new floor in the cockpit.
I made new control pedals from plastic rods pulled from plastic trees.
I made cockpit control levers from thin copper wires. I made a ball at the end of the wire by melting the end of the wire over the flame of a gas stove.
I glued struts and pedals to the front of the cockpit.
I added details to the cockpit floor and painted everything.
I made the backrest strap of the back seat from thin paper (paper handkerchief) and thin wire.
I glued the assembled floor and small control levers to the cockpit.
I glued the assembled floor and small control levers to the cockpit.
I glued photo-etched belts from my supplies to the seats and glued the seats to the cockpit. Finally, I glued the strap - the back of the rear seat.
I glued photo-etched belts from my supplies to the seats and glued the seats to the cockpit. Finally, I glued the strap - the back of the rear seat.
I glued photo-etched belts from my supplies to the seats and glued the seats to the cockpit. Finally, I glued the strap - the back of the rear seat.
In Inkscape, I painted the dashboard panel and printed it out.
In Inkscape, I painted the dashboard panel and printed it out.
The dashboard is in place.
The dashboard is in place.
The dashboard is in place.
Assembly of the model without gluing for inspection
I made a tubular structure in the cabin from a thin wire and a piece of plastic.
I made a tubular structure in the cabin from a thin wire and a piece of plastic.
I made a tubular structure in the cabin from a thin wire and a piece of plastic.
I made a new cabin front window from a thin transparent foil.
I made a new cabin front window from a thin transparent foil.
I glued the new front window to the modified upper transparent part from the kit. I cut out the rest of the cabin glazing from a thin transparent foil. I bent the new part into the right shape.
For testing, I assembled (without gluing) a new cabin on the fuselage.
For testing, I assembled (without gluing) a new cabin on the fuselage.
For testing, I assembled (without gluing) a new cabin on the fuselage.
I made the rudder control levers from thin sheet metal.
I made the airelerons control levers from thin sheet metal.
I made and glued two drop-shaped protrusions to the underside of the fuselage.
I added engine control levers and a window handle
I added engine control levers and a window handle
I placed a radio station in the space behind the back seat
I made a control panel and headphones for the cabin. (The cabin glass is placed on the fuselage for illustration only. I will glue the cabin only after finishing the work on the cockpit.)
I made a control panel and headphones for the cabin. (The cabin glass is placed on the fuselage for illustration only. I will glue the cabin only after finishing the work on the cockpit.)
an antenna reel, antenna and power cable are added to the cockpit
an antenna reel, antenna and power cable are added to the cockpit
And a view with a "glass" cab cover.
I glued the assembled cabin cover to the fuselage. The edge of the cab cover is not yet painted.
I glued the assembled cabin cover to the fuselage. The edge of the cab cover is not yet painted.
After spraying the model with silver paint, I glued the cylinders of the engine.
The model is now ready for the application of spray masks.
Nastříkal jsem červené části letadla a jeho kódová označení. Unfortunately, I sprayed too thick a layer of paint on the markings on the fuselage. When removing the mask, the white color of the hem of letters and numbers was damaged 🙁 I have to remove the damaged markings on the fuselage and do it again.
After applying spray masks and masking tapes, I spray red distinguishing elements and matriculation marks.
Nastříkal jsem červené části letadla a jeho kódová označení. Unfortunately, I sprayed too thick a layer of paint on the markings on the fuselage. When removing the mask, the white color of the hem of letters and numbers was damaged 🙁 I have to remove the damaged markings on the fuselage and do it again.
I made new covers for the engine cylinder heads from a thin soft sheet (from an empty tube of salmon paste).
I made new covers for the engine cylinder heads from a thin soft sheet (from an empty tube of salmon paste).
I made new covers for the engine cylinder heads from a thin soft sheet (from an empty tube of salmon paste).
I made new covers for the engine cylinder heads from a thin soft sheet (from an empty tube of salmon paste).
I painted the engine cylinder covers and glued them to the bow.
I added spark plugs to the front cylinder.
On the side of the fuselage, I glued the painted door to the cabin in the open position.
I removed the damaged markings on the fuselage and sprayed the fuselage again with silver paint.
I removed the damaged markings on the fuselage and sprayed the fuselage again with silver paint.
I glued a new mask to the fuselage. Everything is ready for the new sprayed brand. 🙂
I glued a new mask to the fuselage. Everything is ready for the new sprayed brand. 🙂
Repair of markings on the fuselage was successful 🙂
I supplemented the reinforcing wire of the tail surfaces.
I glued the tail surfaces.
I glued my wings. To maintain the correct geometry of the model, I placed the model in the stand.
I added the valve rods to the engine.
From the 3 mm wide masking tape, I made cover plates between the cabin and the wing.
I glued the top half of the cabin door.
I made the propeller from a popsicle wand. I'll make the metal center later.
Semi-finished product of the future wheel of the main chassis. The wheel is glued from 4 wheels cut from a 1 mm thick plastic plate.
The new bike is almost done. It remains from the outside to seal the hole in its center and paint the wheel.
I cut thin strips into struts from a 0.5 mm plastic plate. I sharpened the edges on the struts.
I ground the ends of the struts into a shape according to drawing.
I made the attachment for the struts on the wings and fuselage from the sheet metal of a beer can.
I cut the pulley for the steering cable from a round plastic rod, I made the pulley and control cable holder from a thin wire. I flattened the wire with a hammer.
The strut holders have not yet been painted and the control cable has not yet been glued to the sash.
The wing struts are complete
The main (long) struts are made of a 0.5 mm plastic plate, the auxiliary struts are made of hard wire
The main (long) struts are made of a 0.5 mm plastic plate, the auxiliary struts are made of hard wire
I added pulleys and control cables for the control surfaces to the front struts. I added wires to the wings to control the control surfaces of the aircraft
I added wires to the wings to control the control surfaces of the aircraft
New rear wheel
New rear wheel
The new rear wheel is glued in place
The new rear wheel is glued in place
New parts of the main landing gear
New parts of the main landing gear
The strut of the main landing gear is painted.
Main landing gear holders on the underside of the fuselage.
the main landing gear is ready
the main landing gear is ready
the main landing gear is ready
Komentarzy
39 24 February 2021, 21:17
Boris BI have a Free French L4 build in my projects based on the same kit. Your build looks very promising so far. I will definitely follow it !
26 February 2021, 22:24
Ludvík KružíkToday I made a new fuselage and modified the shape of the wings.
28 February 2021, 23:29
Sergej IAmazing, rescaling and scratch made add-ons, following with great interest! 👍
3 March 2021, 15:38
Gordon SørensenGreat scratchbuild work on the Cub! Not sure how much of the original kit you are actually going use...
3 March 2021, 15:50
Ludvík KružíkSo far, I used the wings, the front of the fuselage and the fixed part of the rudder from the original kit ... and engine cylinders. 🙂
3 March 2021, 23:53
Boris BDid you look at the HobbyCraft kit ? It should be closer to scale, even if it would need modifications too.
4 March 2021, 12:21
Ludvík Kružíkto Boris Belay:
I chose the Směr kit because I have it available. The main reason why I chose this kit was that I participated with it in the group construction of Směr Kits at the Czech Modelforum. The condition for participation is the construction of any kit of the Směr brand. The scope of adjustments is not limited. 🙂
5 March 2021, 11:23
Ludvík Kružíkto Alec K:
Yes it's right. The Piper kit is a cover of the Heller kit with new decals for the Czech versions.
5 March 2021, 11:29
Ludvík KružíkPiper's adjustments continue. I added details to the surface of the fuselage and wings and sprayed everything with surfacer.
12 March 2021, 10:19
Alec KWow, this is very good work indeed, a superb kit correction with some serious scratch building. I really like the surface detail work (ribs etc) 👍
12 March 2021, 12:53
Ludvík KružíkYes it's right. I like modifications of old kits. It's the right modeling for me, which brings me joy 🙂
28 March 2021, 21:33
Alec KComing along great 👍. Cool modeling stand - is that commercially available?
29 March 2021, 12:20
Ludvík KružíkThank you, Alec 🙂
The model stand is made by one modeler in the Czech Republic in his free time. I discovered the stand on the website of the Czech Modelforum. I am attaching a link to these pages here: modelforum.cz/viewto..?f=1016&t=136206
At this link it is possible to get more information about this modeling stand and agree on the production and delivery of the stand directly with the manufacturer.
29 March 2021, 21:26
Ludvík KružíkA small shift in work on Piper. I continue to produce small details. I added some pictures to the photo album.
11 April 2021, 19:54
Boris BVery nice detailed work ! I will keep your build as a reference (even if personnaly I don't mind building a 1/50 scale kit instead ot 1/48). Very nice techniques for scratch-building.
13 April 2021, 11:05
Ludvík KružíkIf the kit was without big mistakes, I wouldn't mind the 1:50 scale too much. But there are so many things to fix that adjusting to a 1:48 scale isn't that much extra work. :-D
13 April 2021, 19:32
Ludvík KružíkTo Alec K:
There will be something to it. When I put the finished parts together without sticking together, it starts to look like Piper. 🙂
29 April 2021, 20:42
Ludvík KružíkThere was a small problem with spraying letters and numbers on the side of the plane, but I'm already working on fixing it.
4 May 2021, 19:16
Alec KThose engine cover are genius! Rotten luck on those numbers, but looks like you are on the road to recovery 😉
5 May 2021, 12:57
Ludvík KružíkRepair of markings on the fuselage was successful 🙂 After repairing the marking, I continued to work on the tail surfaces ...
6 May 2021, 19:40
Ludvík KružíkI haven't had much time for modeling lately, and work on Piper is progressing slowly. However, some progress has been made. As time allows, I work on the wing struts and landing gear.
6 June 2021, 21:18
Bruce HuxtableOpravdu jste šikovný 🙂 I am so impressed with your skills and dedication to getting everything 'just right'.
6 June 2021, 21:52
Ludvík KružíkThank you for the compliment. It's a little skill to make model details, but really a lot of patience 🙂
7 June 2021, 20:59
Ludvík KružíkAfter a long break, I continue working on Piper. He completed the wing struts and the assembly of control wires on the wings. I added photos from the work process to the photo album.
11 July 2021, 21:09
Alec KVery nice progress, it's almost done! I like those struts, a lot of great craftsmanship there 👍
11 July 2021, 21:42
Ludvík KružíkI'm glad you like the model. Until the finals, it remains to make a landing gear and a few details.
14 July 2021, 20:45
Robert PodkońskiI admire your determination and fantastic skills, Ludvik. I have the same model in my stash and now I know it has to wait for a loooong time to be assembled...;)
15 July 2021, 07:36
Ludvík KružíkThanks to Robert for the praise! I believe that when you build your Piper, it will be even better than mine. 🙂
16 July 2021, 21:52
Ludvík KružíkI added new photos to the photo album. Today I made parts for the landing gear.
16 July 2021, 21:59
Robert PodkońskiYou are welcome, Ludvik - your modelling skills are beyond my natural possibilities...and patience 😉 Your detailing is over the top, absloutely.
17 July 2021, 13:15
Ludvík Kružíkto Alec K:
You are right, the rear wheel consists of 7 parts. ... and the complete main landing gear is composed of 20 parts. 🙂
17 July 2021, 15:25
Alex KStill calling this a "Směr" model must be the overstatement of the year! 😄 👍 👍
17 July 2021, 15:52
Ludvík KružíkThank you Bruce! The original set is really bad. A lot of adjustments were needed to get a nice model. I really enjoy this way of building models. It's relaxation for me. In addition, I get a model that (in some cases) no one makes.
18 July 2021, 09:39
Ludvík KružíkPiper is ready, photos of the finished model are in a separate photo album here: Piper L-4H, SMĚR 1:50 - Czechoslovak Air Force - COMPLETED | Album by KLuK (1:48)
18 July 2021, 10:12
bughunterWow - what a huge amount of effort to convert a crude kit into a nice model of a Piper 👍
5 October 2023, 07:08
Ludvík KružíkThank you, Frank!
At the time I built my Piper, the SMER kit was the only kit available. I tried spray masks for the first time to create matrix markings. It didn't turn out quite right, but for my display case the result is sufficient.
If I were building a Piper today, I would go the same route as you. I would buy a kit from Special Hobby.
5 October 2023, 07:26
Album info
Although the scale on the box is 1:48, the kit is actually made in 1:50 scale. In addition, this kit is very inaccurate. A lot of the credit for this goes to the hull. It has the wrong shape at the bottom, too short transparent cabin parts, low fuselage between the end of the cabin glazing and the rudder...).
That's why I decided for a challenging rebuild with lots of sktrath - buil parts.
In the end, I used only the wings, the front fuselage, the upper transparent part of the cabin and the vertical tailplane to build the model from all the kit parts. And I modified these parts so that I could use them. All the other parts I made from scratch new.
And when I started such a demanding modification, I also adjusted the size of the model to 1:48 scale. With such a large scale of work, it wasn't even much extra work.
