HIC SUNT DRACONES -Parchment II
(Here be Dragons)
(The step-by-step building article is here:
(The companion Dragon is here:
This second conversion of a Dragon Rapide to seaplane
configuration in Canadian registrations sprouted from the first one, which used
(refurbished) EDO floats for an Uruguayan
conversion.
In this case, Fairchild Canada floats were needed, and
those were procured from an Execufom Fairchild Super 71 vac kit I build long
ago on skis.
The floats needed detailing, but the general shape was
there.
As with the other seaplane mentioned above, these are the
needed mods:
1) Getting or fabricating the floats
2) Modification of the bottom of the engine nacelles,
removing landing gear and it's fairing, then fairing again the bottom according
to photos. Beware that these modifications differed from one plane to the next,
depending on the float used and particular machine.
3) Reshaping the fin extending it as per photos of the
original plane.
4) Researching and fabricating all the associated float
struts.
5) Adding a mirroring door on the other side.
6) Deleting/painting over back windows, depending on model.
7) Reducing the number of seats.
8) Modifying exhausts to match photos (they vary)
9) Modifying props as needed (some were metallic
Fairey-Reed, others seem to be wooden ones. The kit's prop spinners are the
wrong shape for any version and need correcting.
The decals were commissioned from Arctic Decals, and I used
also their "metal" window frames set (self-adhesive pre-cut chromed
vinyl) and their painting masks.
I have built a few Dragons before from the venerable Heller
kit, but was taken by the photos showing them on floats, where it looked so
smart. I had to build them!
Now, being these floats also used by other planes (and
kits), would we at some point be graced by some cottage industry-fabricated EDO
Yd-6470 / Ya-6235, and Fairchild 5500 floats? Some (nice, please, not
ridges-ridden trash) 3D printed ones? Or resin?
Very nice indeed!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Mark