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This is my Academy Spitfire MK XIV
and Tamiya's V-1 Buzz bomb. This was a very enjoyable project to build, both
kits fell together. I thought of the this idea after reading about anti
-diver patrols the RAF conducted over London in 1944.These patrols were
designed to intercept the German V-1 Buzz bombs. The MK XIV very
successful in downing large numbers of V-1's. The preferred method was to
shoot the bomb down, unfortunately that did not always work. The pilots
realized that if they were to fly along side the bombs and lift or tilt the
wing of the bomb, it's guidance system would fail and the bomb would fly into
the ground, but lifting the V-1's wing caused damage to the fighter wing.
Later it was discovered that by placing the fighters wing over the V-1
wing....the V-1 wing would lose lift and cause the V-1 to crash.
Both kits
are built out of the box with the exception of the pilot for the Spit. I
posted an article in Feb 2003 on ARC depicting a F4U Corsair in flight. I
received several e-mails asking questions about the blurred prop and the
acrylic rod that I used to achieve the illusion of flight. I will
start with the prop. The prop is no more than clear sheet stock cut to size
and to the shape you want. I use the kit prop as a guide to determine the
diameter of the blades. I will say that it is easier with an A/C that
has a propeller hub rather than just the end of the shaft. I paint the
blades, then attach to the hub.
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Click on
images below to see larger images
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Next the acrylic
rod. I found mine at a local plastic shop some time ago. I got such a small
quantity that the salesman gave it to me. You can find these shops in
the yellow pages under plastics or acrylics. The easiest way to me to
bend the rod is to place it in a pot of BOILING water for a few minutes
until it becomes flexible. Use tongs to handle the rod with. Once you take it
out of the water you will have 10-15 seconds that it will remain flexible.
Bend it a little bit, then stick it back in the water again. Repeat this until
you have the desired shape. Once you have it, run the rod under cold water and
this will lock it in that shape.
I attach
the rod to the A/C by means of small pins that are drilled into the end of the
rod and matted with corresponding holes on the A/C. The rod can be
polished by the same means a builder would do clear parts.
I hope this has
answered some questions about the methods that I use, good luck on you next in
flight project.
Mike
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