Ki-43 Oscar – From ARF to one-of-a-kind showstopper
When you hear the title “Chuck Hamilton,” you could consider his plans-built SBD-3 Dauntless mannequin, with which he positioned within the Expert class on the Top Gun Scale Invitational. So after we noticed pictures of his newest creation, a Ki-43 Oscar, and heard that it was initially a Hangar 9 ARF, we knew we needed to discover out extra. Here’s what Chuck needed to say about his warbird makeover.
Model Airplane News: How did you get began in radio management and constructing scale fashions?
Chuck Hamilton: I grew up with mannequin airplanes, as my dad was at all times into it from the beginning. I used to be at all times the little child enjoying within the grime with my toys whereas dad and his associates flew. For the primary 5 years of my life I believed was a bloodhound, as each time a airplane went into the corn I jumped up and fetched it! But as soon as I hit my early teenagers I turn out to be concerned in bike racing and pursued that till my mid-thirties. After an accident and shoulder surgical procedure I drove straight to the interest store and purchased a Top Flite equipment. I by no means regarded again!
I actually get pleasure from scale plane and modeling is simply my means of staying related to it, plus as soon as I discovered the competitors aspect of scale modeling I actually grew to become hooked. I dwell in Bremen, Indiana with my spouse of 32 years and do belong to some space golf equipment however I actually get pleasure from going to new occasions throughout the Midwest and assembly new those that share the identical ardour as I do. Plus in some small means, I get to remain related with my dad.
MAN: Why did you select to present this specific ARF mannequin a facelift?
CH: My motivation was to make the Hangar 9 Ki-43 Oscar, with its lovely strains, one thing particular. I additionally needed to indicate the native RC guys you can make an ARF your dream plane.
MAN: Tell us in regards to the course of of remodeling the Oscar.
CH: I stripped off the masking in about an hour with little or no to wash or restore. I need to admit, the masking was very effectively executed and sturdy. If I needed to do it yet again, I might paint proper on prime of the masking. It’s that good! I glassed the airframe in a weekend utilizing Zap Finishing Resin and 0.73-ounce Sig material. I primed it the next weekend and spent a day sanding all of it off. I spot-puttied any areas that wanted it and primed once more and sanded.
Next, I drew the panel strains on in pencil and utilized Chartpak tape over the strains. I added a couple of coats of primer, and when that was dry, I simply peeled off the tape for a pleasant, crisp panel line! I burned in all of the rivets with my modified soldering iron which took about 8 hours in complete. Add a couple of particulars after which it was prepared for paint!
MAN: How did you create the brand new scale scheme and all the size particulars?
CH: I like to construct, however now and again I’ll take an ARF and experiment with paint and weathering methods. I’m a latex paint kinda man, however on this mission, the entire paint job except for the weathering is rattle cans! Even the primer is rattle cans. The outcomes converse for themselves.
The little extras just like the pretend exhaust, gasoline caps, antennas, and nav lights are comprised of simply scrap gadgets laying round. Nothing particular however slightly elbow grease and good documentation.
MAN: How lengthy did the transformation take?
CH: Full disclosure, I glassed and primed the Oscar within the fall however didn’t begin doing the small print, paint and closing meeting till the Christmas vacation two-week break. The closing meeting was very fast and I applaud Horizon Hobby for the design and ease of meeting.
MAN: What energy and radio system did you put in?
CH: I just about assembled the plane identical to Horizon Hobby advised, proper all the way down to the Spektrum servos and FG90 radial engine. I need to admit, that engine is the right combo for this dimension plane. I broke the engine as described, set the needles as per the guide and haven’t touched it but. By the way in which, I usually fly this plane twice on the identical gasoline and air fill! The gasoline consumption is so minimal I’ve to look twice at it. And the sound is simply excellent. I didn’t use any particular muffler or exhaust, simply what got here with it the engine. All in all, it took about three weeks to get it executed and able to fly after it was all painted.
MAN: How is the Oscar’s flight efficiency?
CH: In the air, she flies like a P-47 however higher and extra nimble, and landings are very predictable with the flaps. I did couple slightly little bit of down-elevator with the flaps as she’s going to pitch up a bit. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!
MAN: Thank you for taking the time to share your ARF transformation with us, and we stay up for seeing you each on the flightline quickly!
How fairly is that! The Saito FG90R simply appears to be like the half within the cowl and the efficiency is right for a warbird of this dimension.
Rivets, rivets, rivets! The Oscar, like most Japanese plane, used flush rivets. Chuck merely burns the rivets into the primer utilizing a 10-watt soldering iron with a brass tube mounted to the tip.
An all-silver plane actually stands out on the area, and the weathering makes the entire particulars bounce out much more.
All of the paint, together with the markings, are off-the-shelf rattle cans.
The pretend gasoline caps are simply scrap ABS plastic. This is the place good documentation pays off.
On most ground-based plane, the grime and dirt is from the flying surfaces they fly from. My method is a mix of airbrush and brush work. Good reference as soon as once more is the important thing.
The Oscar has a couple of totally different exhaust types, and the plane I represented makes use of the flat model. Using a very good 3-view, I minimize the exhaust out of signal board and sanded it to form. Because the fabric is slightly porous, it appears to be like the a part of a solid merchandise. A bit of Zap cover glue for the pretend weld and paint makes the exhaust actually stand out.
How are you able to not just like the strains of an Oscar! With the Saito radial engine, this factor simply begs to fly!
By DEBRA CLEGHORN
Photos by Palmer Johnson & CH:uck Hamilton