From ugly duckling to swan: Fairchild F.91

Roland Sachsenhofer
In view of the start of this build, I was tempted by the following motto: "From ugly duckling to swan": the kit offers a number of interesting challenges, but gives an idea of the potential both as a model and as a representation of a true aircraft beauty! I will try my best to make the swan appear....
A first challenge: roughly moulded parts, poor fit and a wing that wants too much in a positive V-position.... A second challenge will follow in the form of a Vacu canopy that has turned yellow with age; this will give me the opportunity to try out the doing in Vac-canopy myself. More of that next time...

Robert Podkoński
Taking a seat here, too 🙂

Roland Sachsenhofer
It's a pleasure!

Transall NG
Nice aircraft !
One was used in the last phase of the New Guinea gold rush in the 30's...
Good luck !
@+

Cuajete
Great, Roland!
I would like to see the steps you follow when making the Vac-canopy.

J35J
Very intresting project! Taking a seat.

Alex K
In...

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your interest, I appreciate it!
Cuajete, I'd be happy to show you a few photos of the progress of the construction and application of the self-moulded Vac canopy. It seems to have produced a reasonable result so far....

Erik Leijdens
An unusual subject Roland! No doubt you will end up with a fantastic result

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your trust and encouragement, Erik!

Cuajete
Many thanks, Roland!
Great job with the putty party and vacuum canopy 👍

What thermoformer did you use?

Thomas Kolb
This look like an intriguing project, but she's definitely a putty queen! I am super impressed with the vac-forming!

Łukasz Gliński
Can't miss that swan

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you very much for the answers, mates! I'll show you a few new pictures from today: the surfaces have been reworked with 2000 grit sandpaper (even if it may not look like it, dusty as the "duckling" still is) to prepare it for a first coat of paint. This will certainly show the need for correction! 🙂

Nicolas
I'll grap a seat. Nice work so far.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Feel very welcome, Nicolas! 🙂

Roland Sachsenhofer
New pictures of the current state of construction: the 'Baby Clipper' still looks very dark, but in the next step it will get an 'Azur' blue underside, which will be completed by 'Middle Stone' and 'Dark Earth' on the upper sides. Since prototype photos already show this machine with heavy signs of use and weathering, I will endeavour to achieve a similar look here.

Finn
Looking good indeed

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you Finn!

Cuajete
Nice preshading, Roland 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you mate!

Roland Sachsenhofer
The 'Baby Clipper' has lost some of its elegance with all the rods and struts, but has gained in authenticity. A certain amount of effort is required to reconstruct the entire antenna equipment - not exactly a small amount - but also the structurally necessary struts: the kit manufacturer Azur does not provide any information here, let alone that it would put material for this in the box. The entire superstructure at the top of the engine nacelle is the result of own research. Everything was made from wire, cable insulation (exhaust pipes) and MG muzzles joined together (pitot tubes). The floats under the wings are braced with super-fine steel wire, which, by the way, is a very versatile material. The instructions also make no reference to the tailplane struts, which were also made by the builder.
However, most of the work has gone into the undercarriage! This was, to summarise, so heavily modified that it can actually be described as newly constructed from etched parts and wire from the leftover box.

So, I've already written a lot, but there's one more point: I'm particularly curious to see how my first self-built Vacu canopy performs on this project. I'm a bit anxious, but also very excited to see what the unmasking that will soon follow will show!

Marko
interesting to see how you build such a great model from a challenging kit.👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Glad to hear it, thank you!

Cuajete
I agree with Marko.
A challenge with great resolution. Great job so far, Roland. And very nice painting job 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for these motivating words, quite appreciated!! On now to the final act of this project...

Thomas Kolb
I agree with all comments above. I must say, I like way you attached the wires and struts - usually there is a bit of a lump of superglue where they attach to the fuselage, but you managed to make the connection points very neat.

Mike Montgomery
Cool plane. I had not even heard of this one before.

Mr D
Coming along really well 👌
Like the seats and engine 👍👍 nice project

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thanks mates for all the motivating responses! Thomas, I try to solve the problem of gluing in wires by always drilling holes at both ends, into which I then 'clamp' the wire that has been cut off a little too long. Before gluing, I let some glue into the opening via a wire tip and then insert the wire within the time that the glue remains liquid. This usually works more or less well, I'm glad you like it.

Roland Sachsenhofer
From ugly duckling to..... well, the Fairchild F.91 is now finished! I am pleased to be able to present it to you - also because it was not an easy build in some parts. One of the new features is the use of a deep-drawn cockpit canopy for the first time, as you can see in this build report. Incidentally, the windows on the fuselage are not from the kit, but clear film cut as accurately as possible - at least it looks better.
Thank you for your interest and your comments, mates!

Robert Podkoński
Great job, Roland. Chapeau bas!

Nicolas
Congrats. Great modell. 👍

Transall NG
Nicely built !
@+

Mr D
Very nice 💯% well done 👍👍.
Really like it, Do you have a vacform?? Or did you make something up ?
Nice kit/subject 👌

Łukasz Gliński
True swan - outstanding job, out of those soap-ish parts 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for your comments, which make me happy and motivate me! Mr D, I've actually had a small thermoforming machine for a few weeks now, which after a bit of testing has been used here for the first time in 'live action'. It's interesting to note that there seems to be some interesting equipment and techniques for modellers in the dental field.

Mr D
Thanks, l think I've seen the one you mean, be handy item.
I broke the canopy on my little 1:144 mig-23 polishing it !!
I had to make one best l could with toaster n paintbrush end.🙄🤣
Not perfect....but at least l could finish the model." Disclaimer .. not recommending this technique" 🤣
Thanks for advice.👍

David Taylor
Nice.

Marko
Became a great model.👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Mates, thank you very much for the comments! Mr D, you were successful and didn't give in - congratulations!

Cuajete
Very nice job and fantastic result, Roland. The pics are great. I like it so much. Congrats!
Unfortunately I have several kits with the transparent parts in vacu yellowed by time. What dental equipment did you use as a thermoforming machine? Thanks!

Ronan
Very nice, as always 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for the positive feedback! Really appreciated! Cuajete, I'll send you a link to the machine I'm using
cncest.com/at/produc..j1T5cXBoCL0cQAvD_BwE

Neuling
Wieder ein Knaller. Bei Roland wird es nie langweilig ....... 👍👍

J35J
Another great one! Congrats 👍🏻

Cuajete
Vielen Dank, Roland! 👍

Roland Sachsenhofer
Your comments are really appreciated, mates! 🙂

Mr D
a.aliexpress.com/_EH8p4pT

Above is a link to small beginners vacuum form machine.
I've been considering one 🤔🤣

Roland Sachsenhofer
This is exactly the same make in almost the same design as the one I have. I've had good experiences with it - you need time to experiment, especially when it comes to the material used (not all too thin), but then you can get perfect results.

Rick Ellis
Just read your review on Hyperscale. End result looks nice. You have more patience than I.

Roland Sachsenhofer
I say thank you very much, Rick!

Clement
Impressive craftsmanship and dedication. Many of us (myself included) would have sent it to the bin instead.

Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you for this encouraging answer!