ArBiTeR1400
Member
A fellow Aussie. 
Imma give ya a follow.
In seriousness, you should show this work off at conventions!
Imma give ya a follow.In seriousness, you should show this work off at conventions!
Builds By Baz - Full scale MKII Colonial Viper
- Thread starter BuildsByBaz
- Start date
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
A fellow Aussie.
In seriousness, you should show this work off at conventions!
I will be, once the thing is finished. Money will be the limiting factor - I'm not made of it - so it's going to take some time.
Baz.
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
VIPER IS IN IT'S HANGAR!!! Thanks to my mates Alex , David, Garry, Joe and Patrick, for the muscle!
Now is to the opportunity to remove the rotting plywood from the landing gear and replace it with steel cladding, while also installing axles at the base of each foot for built in wheels. Can't wait!
There are some repairs to do to the polystyrene, which has been damaged in the constant moving over the last year or two, but this is minor. I will reinforce, solidify, seal and fix gaps, get the canopy frame welded up and polycarbonate windshields cut and fitted. The electrics in the cockpit need tidying up and fixing. Sound systems for the engines can now be brought in and experimented with, then fitted. Wings still to be framed and fitted, followed by the cannons, complete with 15 rounds of 30mm link each wing.
Avionics and engine access panels will be back in tomorrow and the whole ship given a clean, de-cobweb and remove a couple of wasp nests.
Full build on Builds by Baz
Cheers!
Baz.
Now is to the opportunity to remove the rotting plywood from the landing gear and replace it with steel cladding, while also installing axles at the base of each foot for built in wheels. Can't wait!
There are some repairs to do to the polystyrene, which has been damaged in the constant moving over the last year or two, but this is minor. I will reinforce, solidify, seal and fix gaps, get the canopy frame welded up and polycarbonate windshields cut and fitted. The electrics in the cockpit need tidying up and fixing. Sound systems for the engines can now be brought in and experimented with, then fitted. Wings still to be framed and fitted, followed by the cannons, complete with 15 rounds of 30mm link each wing.
Avionics and engine access panels will be back in tomorrow and the whole ship given a clean, de-cobweb and remove a couple of wasp nests.
Full build on Builds by Baz
Cheers!
Baz.
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
Article uploaded.
www.buildsbybaz.com
New Hangar for Viper MK II
23 May 2020 My old shed and carport was messy, substandard and degrading as large tree roots had got under the slab and lifted and cracked it. They had also pushed in the retaining wall between my …
www.buildsbybaz.com
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
Now that the Viper is happily protected in it's new hangar, it's time to clean up, realign the modules, get the wheel carts out from under it and give it all a good once over.
There's quite a bit of warping from being left in the weather. The tarpaulins only did so much and it's very good they were there. Most of it is fine, but pretty dirty. Cobwebs, dirt, dust and wasp nests inside the cockpit. The plywood cladding on the legs is totally destroyed by the weather, peeling and rotting. Easily fixed and I was going to change them for steel cladding anyway. If anything, the rotting wood is easier to remove now.
It was tricky levering the weight of the viper up high enough to remove the trolleys, but I got it down nice and gentle.
The electrics seem mostly intact and after a quick start-up, all works well except for a couple of twitchy lights which are easy enough to rectify.
I've given the cockpit a thorough brush, vacuum and wash down and it's looking good. Time to start building!
Baz.
There's quite a bit of warping from being left in the weather. The tarpaulins only did so much and it's very good they were there. Most of it is fine, but pretty dirty. Cobwebs, dirt, dust and wasp nests inside the cockpit. The plywood cladding on the legs is totally destroyed by the weather, peeling and rotting. Easily fixed and I was going to change them for steel cladding anyway. If anything, the rotting wood is easier to remove now.
It was tricky levering the weight of the viper up high enough to remove the trolleys, but I got it down nice and gentle.
The electrics seem mostly intact and after a quick start-up, all works well except for a couple of twitchy lights which are easy enough to rectify.
I've given the cockpit a thorough brush, vacuum and wash down and it's looking good. Time to start building!
Baz.
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
Had a bit of fun up the ladder with the wide-angle lens.
The hangar work continues, with dividing walls, electricity, 10A, 15A and 3 phase circuits, natural gas heating, insulation, machinery and ongoing tool/floor-space optimisation, mezanine storage on the other side of the dividing wall and more.
Just a few more $$$ and I will get to work on the Viper again.
The hangar work continues, with dividing walls, electricity, 10A, 15A and 3 phase circuits, natural gas heating, insulation, machinery and ongoing tool/floor-space optimisation, mezanine storage on the other side of the dividing wall and more.
Just a few more $$$ and I will get to work on the Viper again.
3DVagabond
Active Member
The fact that you are making a larger replica of this fighter is astounding!
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
BOOYAAAAHHHH!! FRAK YEAH! Finally back to the Viper build!
My other major projects are all but done, so it's time to get stuck into it.
Last night I started by pulling all the plywood cladding off the landing gear and started to replace it with steel. I am also fitting concealed axle mounts in the skids, so I can put temporary wheels on each one, for moving the ship when needed.
As I go, I am repairing all the damaged polystyrene, caused by moving it around the property. I've already spent some time realigning modules that have shifted, so the fit is flush.
When I can, I will look at getting the canopy along to an aluminium welding service to get it solidified, positioning brackets removed, then get some polycarbonate windows fitted into it.
The turbines, front and rear need to be tuned and joined with through- driveshafts, then belted to a clutched, central drive motor. I've pulled out the front turbine fans to get a clear look through the nacelle and plan it out.
I repaired the wiring of some of the cockpit instruments last night. The sound system needs more work.
The wing frames need to be welded together, fitted then skinned, then fit the cannons.
Plans for an 8 metre low-rider trailer are in the works, with fold down sides and removable roof, for weatherproofing, security and transport to shows.
Lots to do.
Baz.
My other major projects are all but done, so it's time to get stuck into it.
Last night I started by pulling all the plywood cladding off the landing gear and started to replace it with steel. I am also fitting concealed axle mounts in the skids, so I can put temporary wheels on each one, for moving the ship when needed.
As I go, I am repairing all the damaged polystyrene, caused by moving it around the property. I've already spent some time realigning modules that have shifted, so the fit is flush.
When I can, I will look at getting the canopy along to an aluminium welding service to get it solidified, positioning brackets removed, then get some polycarbonate windows fitted into it.
The turbines, front and rear need to be tuned and joined with through- driveshafts, then belted to a clutched, central drive motor. I've pulled out the front turbine fans to get a clear look through the nacelle and plan it out.
I repaired the wiring of some of the cockpit instruments last night. The sound system needs more work.
The wing frames need to be welded together, fitted then skinned, then fit the cannons.
Plans for an 8 metre low-rider trailer are in the works, with fold down sides and removable roof, for weatherproofing, security and transport to shows.
Lots to do.
Baz.
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
Some stolen time last week, gave me a chance to get a little work done on the front landing gear. I replaced the plywood base plate on the bottom with 10mm thick plate steel, welded solid to the foot and leg. Also added some extra bracing at the top for lateral movement. I plasma-cut the holes in the side panels of the landing strut, then framed them with strips of sheet-metal, welded in.
It needs a quick clean-up with a flap disk, but I must say, even without paint it looks much better. It will certainly last a lot longer than that horrible plywood.
It needs a quick clean-up with a flap disk, but I must say, even without paint it looks much better. It will certainly last a lot longer than that horrible plywood.
Sean Anwalt
Sr Member
- Member DIN
- S530
I can never get enough of this build. That landing gear looks legit!
3DVagabond
Active Member
Very Impressive. How many are neeeded for it to "stay off the ground"?
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
3DVagabond
Active Member
Yeah, I should of mentioned how many of legs were needed.
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
2021 has started out hectic, with no leave left as I've used it all up for health reasons, so a very short shut-down at work over Christmas then straight back into it. I've been teaching a lot of knifemaking and blacksmithing courses, including groups of teenagers which really tests me as an instructor, but also grows me as an artisan.
At home, I've been coming home so tired, but still try to get a little bit done at night.
An old army mate dropped in a motorcycle helmet for me to pull apart and use the inner lining for the Viper pilot helmet. After a few mods, it fit in quite well and feels snug and comfortable enough to stay on my head if I was pulling some G's. I may even pull out the old perspex visor I made and re-shape the motorcycle helmet visor to fit. It's thickness and surface are a lot more consistent than the one I moulded with a heat gun. I think I'll put in a de-fogging fan too. I have one in the Iron Man helmet and it is very effective.
Continuing with the landing gear, the top pivot pin and surround made of plywood is now in the bin, with sheetmetal cladding replacing it. Not only does it look better, but it will last forever. I ran out of welding gas, so the top bit is just nasty spot-welded in position for now until I can afford more gas to finish it.
At home, I've been coming home so tired, but still try to get a little bit done at night.
An old army mate dropped in a motorcycle helmet for me to pull apart and use the inner lining for the Viper pilot helmet. After a few mods, it fit in quite well and feels snug and comfortable enough to stay on my head if I was pulling some G's. I may even pull out the old perspex visor I made and re-shape the motorcycle helmet visor to fit. It's thickness and surface are a lot more consistent than the one I moulded with a heat gun. I think I'll put in a de-fogging fan too. I have one in the Iron Man helmet and it is very effective.
Continuing with the landing gear, the top pivot pin and surround made of plywood is now in the bin, with sheetmetal cladding replacing it. Not only does it look better, but it will last forever. I ran out of welding gas, so the top bit is just nasty spot-welded in position for now until I can afford more gas to finish it.
PapaBraus
Active Member
Mate, you just got linked on the RFP Facebook. I redirected them here.
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
BuildsByBaz
Sr Member
Update:
I love checking on your updates. Truly fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
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