LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Aircraft Modeling => Topic started by: Second Air Force on October 21, 2016, 01:22:41 AM

Title: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on October 21, 2016, 01:22:41 AM
Time for me to get back into the model room again. Here's a project that I started several years ago and have put back in the box at least twice:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF091/IMG_4073_zpsfv48tl5n.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF091/IMG_4073_zpsfv48tl5n.jpg.html)

This is the first kit from the manufacturer Tauro that I have seen and it requires quite a lot of work. The plastic parts are of a definite short-run appearance with large tree attaching stubs and a lot of flash in certain areas. Here's a couple of photos of present-day progress:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF091/IMG_4074_zpsaumc49xm.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF091/IMG_4074_zpsaumc49xm.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF091/IMG_4075_zpstsqzxuja.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF091/IMG_4075_zpstsqzxuja.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on October 21, 2016, 06:11:53 AM
Tauro  :-love :-love That was dream kit when it was released almost three decades ago  :-tri
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on October 21, 2016, 11:16:46 PM
One of my very favorite airplanes from the WWII period, the 202 is just so sleek looking to me! I built one of these in 1/72 scale when I was young and roughly hand-painted the Italian camouflage. That model was my crowning achievement for a long number of years and my dad remembered seeing them when he was in North Africa.

I'm making the best of this one, but I will someday get a Hasegawa kit for a more relaxing build.
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: modellius on October 21, 2016, 11:48:25 PM
For me this aircraft always seems like a sport car among fighters :-) lot work still to do, but looking forward to see it done !
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: draken35 on October 24, 2016, 07:40:04 PM
Nice work Scott!
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on October 24, 2016, 11:22:01 PM
Thanks for the encouragement, friends--there is much filling and rescribing needed on this one.

I couldn't agree more on the shape of the MC 202, Modellius. This is perhaps the finest looking WWII fighter in my opinion. I had a customer many years ago who was a fighter pilot with the USAAF in Italy and he felt the same way. He never got a chance to fly a Macchi, but he thought it was prettier by far than anything in the Allied inventory.
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Jicehem on November 03, 2016, 11:38:30 PM
Hello :-salut

Beautiful work for one of the most beautiful fighters of the WW2. Good projerct.
I got one many years ago and didn't finish it... Too much difficult to build at the time. But some years later I started to build the MC 205 and finished it...

Jicéhem :-wave
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on November 04, 2016, 09:25:19 AM
I've put this one back in the box often because of the difficulty, too........but now I am committed to at least finishing it. I truly wish to build the Hasegawa version some day for a bit more enjoyment!
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on November 22, 2016, 02:26:28 AM
Some time has passed.......and a lot of putty has been applied on this little Macchi:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF096/IMG_4079_zps9k1nuioe.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF096/IMG_4079_zps9k1nuioe.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on November 22, 2016, 05:50:38 AM
Old kit, no wonder of that ;)
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Jicehem on November 22, 2016, 08:31:48 AM
Hi, :-salut  :-salut

Good work. Bravo !
I've a question to ask : Is the right wing longer than the left one ?

Jicéhem :-wave
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: draken35 on November 22, 2016, 05:26:13 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on November 23, 2016, 12:02:25 PM
Hi, :-salut  :-salut

Good work. Bravo !
I've a question to ask : Is the right wing longer than the left one ?

Jicéhem :-wave

I hope not! (I'll have to measure this tonight......)
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Jicehem on November 23, 2016, 12:26:58 PM
Hi, :-salut  :-salut
Good work. Bravo !
I've a question to ask : Is the right wing longer than the left one ?
Jicéhem :-wave
I hope not! (I'll have to measure this tonight......)

If wings have the same length, it's an error...
To counteract the engine torque (due at first to the rotation of the propeller) the right wing was a little longer. About 2 mm in 1/48 scale.

Jicéhem :-wave
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on November 23, 2016, 11:45:24 PM
Aha! This is great to know!!
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: modellius on November 25, 2016, 01:19:46 AM
Now very nice build and excellent  informations gathered here, must follow gopic indeed !
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on November 29, 2016, 01:35:06 AM
Thanks all!

Jicehem: I did some research and the left wing was actually the longer one, and Tauro accurately molded the model to this dimension. On the real airplane the left wing was 21 cm longer.

Here's a photo of the little machine getting close to beginning of painting. I've still got some rescribing to do and another light coat of primer first......
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF097/IMG_4095_zpsilmeqrit.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF097/IMG_4095_zpsilmeqrit.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: draken35 on November 29, 2016, 06:23:52 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Jicehem on December 04, 2016, 11:19:49 AM
Jicehem: I did some research and the left wing was actually the longer one, and Tauro accurately molded the model to this dimension. On the real airplane the left wing was 21 cm longer.

Hi mate,

It's not logical. To counteract the natural tendancy of the plane to turn to the left with a engine (propeller) running to the right, the right wing should be longer than the left one... There is something that I don't understand  :-think

Jicéhem :-wave
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2016, 03:00:52 PM
Actually, as I think of it, the Macchi designers were attempting to counteract the torque of the propeller and engine which would tend to cause a left-wing heavy condition. Their solution, rather than offsetting the vertical fin like some others did, was to extend the left wing, giving it a little more lift. I don't suppose the designers (this was used on the MC 200 also) thought to change the camber of the left wing for added lift but rather just extended it. In essence, they were simply trying to "pick up" the left wing by adding lift. I'm guessing they used their slide rules to determine if adding wing span caused less drag than offsetting the vertical fin.

As to this model, I've begun painting and will get a photo or two posted soon!
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on December 04, 2016, 03:49:01 PM
Now I see what I miss :( ... I could send you 1/48 belts for Italian fighters, it would work nice with kit and it will result in nice review... :-wall
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2016, 04:53:48 PM
Well.....sure, if you wish to send 'em over I'll do a review! I've not put belts in this one yet as a matter of fact. I thought I had an extra set of Italian harness here but I can't find them.
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on December 04, 2016, 05:16:32 PM
Well, I will send it... hope tomorrow :))
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2016, 05:19:00 PM
No hurry, mate!!
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on December 04, 2016, 05:19:52 PM
Well, kit is progressing, you need to be inside ;) Do you have any other kit of Italian plane?
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: draken35 on December 04, 2016, 05:29:51 PM
Scott, I'seen that Italeri will release soon a Macchi c.205, with the "green mottles" furnished on the decal sheet...
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2016, 05:35:29 PM
No.1, I've also got the M.C.200 to build now, and I can also still fit the belts on this 202 easily. I'm still trying to find a couple of "inexpensive" Re.2000/2001 kits also..... I have a strong urge to build either a Hungarian (maybe even a Heja conversion) or Italian Reggiane!

That M.C.205 sounds excellent, draken, and a Hasegawa 202 is also on my wish list.
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on December 04, 2016, 05:37:22 PM
Then we go ;)
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2016, 05:40:36 PM
I just wish I had been smart enough to purchase some of the Classic Airframes Regia Aeronautica kits back when they were reasonably priced! Our little hobby shop here had some but his prices surpassed my ability to pay several years ago........
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Jicehem on December 04, 2016, 06:05:27 PM
Actually, as I think of it, the Macchi designers were attempting to counteract the torque of the propeller and engine which would tend to cause a left-wing heavy condition. Their solution, rather than offsetting the vertical fin like some others did, was to extend the left wing, giving it a little more lift. I don't suppose the designers (this was used on the MC 200 also) thought to change the camber of the left wing for added lift but rather just extended it. In essence, they were simply trying to "pick up" the left wing by adding lift. I'm guessing they used their slide rules to determine if adding wing span caused less drag than offsetting the vertical fin.

OK. But if it's really the case the uppersurface of the left wing must be more rounded (convex). This is the only effective factor that gives more lift.

Jicéhem :-wave
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2016, 07:12:36 PM
Yes, I agree with you totally, Jicehem. I would (though I am not an aerodynamic engineer) have done just that, added camber on the left wing rather than more span. Of course, with added area over the right wing the longer wing would have more lift, but also more drag. I'm not sure why the designers went this route, but it is an interesting bit of information!

In fact, I have "real world" experience with changes in wingtip camber as a I once inspected an older Mooney that had a repair to the left wing near the tip that increased lift. The repairman then adjusted the right flap to overcome the extra lift on the left wing and the airplane flew crooked for years. The new owner (who I had done the pre-purchase inspection for) re-repaired the wingtip and rigging then went back to completely normal.
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 04, 2016, 07:30:16 PM
Theater markings applied:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF099/IMG_4109_zps530pluaq.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF099/IMG_4109_zps530pluaq.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Jicehem on December 04, 2016, 08:11:09 PM
Really well built.

Jicéhem :-wave
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: draken35 on December 04, 2016, 08:47:49 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: modellius on December 05, 2016, 10:07:13 AM
Excellent build, waiting for the paint, which will be superb also, no doubt !
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 27, 2016, 06:18:47 PM
Here is a small update on the MC.202, it is nearly in complete state right now and a few days since this photo was taken.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF101/IMG_4114_zpsm3lyg5sc.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF101/IMG_4114_zpsm3lyg5sc.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on December 27, 2016, 06:32:35 PM
Wonderful!!!
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: draken35 on December 28, 2016, 06:57:15 PM
Wonderful!!!

Same comment in mind... :-ok
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 29, 2016, 08:39:38 PM
Thanks for the compliments!

Here is the finally completed model, proving that determination can help you finish almost anything. I can't remember exactly when this was first started but it has been several years of start-and-stop because of the difficulty. Tauro is to be commended for producing these kits, but the quality of the engineering on the molds makes for a hard build. I'm actually looking forward to building another 202 but will go for the newer Hasegawa version when I do.

The kit shown here represents the airplane of Tentente Giorgio Solaroli, commanding officer of 74th Squadriglia, taken from a photo shot in January of 1943 in Tunisia. Thus, it is possible (though probably not likely) that my father may have been in the general area at some point during his time in North Africa. The decals are a combination of the Tauro kit national insignia and various others from the spares box. One problem here is that the numeral 2 in the tail triangle should really be red but I had nothing at all close and felt lucky to find the black numbers of the correct style. If ever I get some red ones this will be easily corrected.

(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF103/IMG_4121_zps0xzi5esm.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF103/IMG_4121_zps0xzi5esm.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF104/IMG_4124_zpsqi6cxrik.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF104/IMG_4124_zpsqi6cxrik.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF105/IMG_4127_zpsjln1vfne.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF105/IMG_4127_zpsjln1vfne.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF105/IMG_4128_zpsjrnm9zzk.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF105/IMG_4128_zpsjrnm9zzk.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/2AF106/IMG_4130_zpsez6ms0um.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/2AF106/IMG_4130_zpsez6ms0um.jpg.html)

I have to admit that this turned out rather poorly--I simply lost the excitement on this one.......
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: No.1 on December 29, 2016, 09:00:47 PM
Look great!!!!
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: modellius on December 30, 2016, 01:31:45 PM
Superb mate, superb !
Title: Re: Tauro Macchi C.202
Post by: Second Air Force on December 30, 2016, 03:12:55 PM
Thanks friends! A Hasegawa kit has been purchased and is on the way here........