I've always wanted a PA-ABBA set, but all that I have is 3 PA A's and 1 PA B with an extra B shell.  So, I am converting an A to a B frame.  The PA A is different on one end and is curved, so I am making a mold of one of the ends of a B unit and then attach it to the A frame.  Rather than cutting off the section of the B frame, I am making the mold without cutting the B frame.  Took me awhile to figure out the method, but I think I have it, won't know until the first half of the mold is made and then I will go from there.  Here is what I have so far and will continue the post when the silicon sets up on the first half of the mold.

Great work as always

Thanks Ray. The only reason that I am doing this is that I couldn't find a B unit frame anywhere. More to come.  Bob.

Ready to pour the other half of the mold, waiting for silicone to be shipped. The chimneys are to let the air out when pouring, I hope.  My original shipper, Brick in the Yard mold supplies went out of business, probably because of covid. I was able to get it from the manufacturer.  Bob.

Hey Ray, I forgot to ask.  Do you have any PA A or B shell parts to sell? I should have asked before I started this project. Bob.

I now remember that I used a PA fan shroud on one of my P42s.  So, I have to make one, here is the start of first half of the mold. Bob.

Poured the first half of the shroud, and the second half of the frame section. Bob.

nice work on the molds!

He's back .... 😎

Thanks guys.  I disassembled the frame mold and it came out perfect.  Today I will make a part.  Still waiting for more silicone for the shroud mold.  It should come out well.  More pictures later. Bob.

Here is the mold full of poured plastic.  You can barely see the liquid plastic in the straws, (chimneys).  Hopefully that would mean that the cavity is full with plastic and not air.

The frame end came out good except for one bubble, but it can be fixed. Bob.

On 4/16/2025 at 7:34 AM, rbrown7713 said:

Hey Ray, I forgot to ask.  Do you have any PA A or B shell parts to sell? I should have asked before I started this project. Bob.

 

Sorry on the delayed reply.  I dont have any B units.  I do have full complete PA A units that I have listed for sale, but probably not what you are looking for doing a project like this.

Thanks Ray.  I guess I am good now. Bob.

I now have two B unit frames. Bob.

Nice work as usual 😎 

Thanks Sean, I appreciate it.  If anyone is inclined to take up mold making, I will be happy to answer any questions you have. Bob.

Here is a rotating cradle that I built about a year and a half ago for a tugboat and now I am using it for the PA-B unit for body work and painting. Bob.

Edited April 26, 20251 yr by rbrown7713
mispelled word

Here is a video of the rotating jig update for stopping the rotation, a disc brake.  Much better than the holes, faster. Bob.  https://youtu.be/prllYvhS_H0

It is done. PA B unit.

Wow, very nice.

I have tried to build custom stuff and I appreciate what you did here. This hobby can require skills in so many different areas. I appreciate you sharing your work.

Thanks Joe. My next project is to restore two RC aircraft that I built many years ago to submit them to the Lakeland Air Museum. One is a VTOL called the Vertigo, built from plans by Tom Hunt, a designer employed by Grumman aircraft and advertised in Model Airplane News.  Probably the first model VTOL that has flown. I only hovered it, never transitioned it to horizontal flight, but I am sure it could have. The video of first hover is on my Youtube channel, omiateeful. The second is a quarter scale Burt Rutan design, the Long EZ.  This model has an historical background, as Bury, himself actually held this aircraft one day a Mojave airfield, Scaled Composites while evaluating the possibility of it being able to fly.  He showed me the results of a 1/3 scale flown in a wind tunnel and concluded that it would. This model is remarkable because the motor, a Webra, at 1 horsepower and at the weight of 12 lbs. actually was able to get off the ground and fly one circuit at Miles Square in Orange co. California.  Because that it was an acual scale of 1/4 scale, the control surfaces should have been larger, as control was sluggish.  Never flew it again. Bob.

Outstand as usual 

Thanks Sean, and here is my next project.  After 45 years hanging in my garage, will have to make it look new for the museum. First 1/4 scale model Long EZ to fly in 1980.

How often you run your trains , with all these projects ..😎