hillflyer Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 StLCPfan, Thanks~ I knew that day was coming and I could have kept it in a safer location. I tried that once, but was then unable to work on it at all, some reason I need to close by. Dennis is disabled and prone to serious panic attacks, especially when it comes to abandonment. I'm scheduling an attorney appointment to have him removed from my house as he refuses to go anywhere on his own. Anyway, here are a few photos I originally intended to post before the unfortunate incident. It does not hamper my drive to complete this model, which by the way, I have set the completion date as April17th, 2015 - Three years after this post was created! BTW, I LOVE your idea. I just might do that! This shot reminds my of a Pisces. This is the second spiral and the home-bound track that wraps around it A near pov angle Construction begins on the third-highest climb up towards the second spiral. Again, anything white will be trimmed away after I place on all the ribbons and lateral cross bracing support. Top view of the above section, I find that the horizontal "X" braces really sturdies up this piece so I can fit it in to the rest of the spiral with minimal bendage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 Nothing much to report...another shot of the spiral, I've built-up, painted, and completed the track that comes down after that small hump. The piece in the next photo will be placed over that. The area of progress, inside the white box is some of the track I've completed. The section pictured below will cross over this part. This is the climb up into the second spiral. The area in the white box will be all cut-away so it will fit over the area in the white box pictured above. So if people ask, "How did you build the track all the way in there" you'll know! I like building my tangent areas like this because it's easier to manage and handle for touch up painting and other detailing. And it pretty much guarantees it will line up perfectly straight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamez Posted December 4, 2014 Share Posted December 4, 2014 I'm sorry to see that this happened again to you. That said, I'm really happy to see that you're doing whats necessary to remove yourself from that situation. Stay strong friend. In other news, this is still my favorite project on the boards. Its also probably the one I comment the most on, keep it up! It looks fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted December 8, 2014 Author Share Posted December 8, 2014 This weekend I added both the entrance into the spiral (green arrow) and the exit. I dropped my camera last night and now all my pictures area tad blurry. Now that the top of the 2nd spiral is in place, I can top it off by weaving more track up and over. I need to order more 2x2s. LOTS more. Just for fun, here is the Airplane being converted into an RMC creation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted December 12, 2014 Author Share Posted December 12, 2014 100 view update: STILL working on this here spiral. I was crazy to think it would only take me a month (started 9/16). I'm not too crazy about the shape of the curve up into the top though, I'll have to reanalyze it. You can't see it from this angle, but...it doesn't look right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 100-view update. Motivation to get my ass in gear! So...I had to rip out 27 ledgers (yellow Y's) because they were too high. The headers that hold up the scaffolds above were 5' lower than I thought which had the distance between that and the track far, far, far too minimal (keep your hands in the car and DUCK!!) In spite of a lot of them being difficult to get to at this stage, it wasn't all that hard to unsnap them from place and reposition. With that done now, I've trimmed off some more "overstructure" so the true shape of this turn is brought out. (see before and after). I think I'm ready to continue running the track over the top of this hill. Before: The starting frame for the 2nd spiral (as of 10/2) After: The 2nd spiral, bare of any track to make it easy to concentrate on checking all connections and re-gluing if necessary. The 2nd spiral is the least-documented section of the Airplane. When all the sections are finished, I will take photos from all different angles of partial assemblies so that all the great elements of this ride can be appreciated on its own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted December 23, 2014 Author Share Posted December 23, 2014 100-view update: Inching the sub track up the climb leading to the 2nd helix. In real life, these strips of wood are 20' long 2x2s, just like on both California Dippers and the Rye Dragon coaster. The underside of the same climb after adding the 8' long 2x8 track ties. Adding 'feelers' ahead of the track progress to make sure my curves are generally free of kinks before further advancement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 100-view update: The frame for this turn is 95% finished. I am out of supplies (mostly 2x2s) for the sub track so I'll have to work on something else while I wait. Ready to fill in the gap over the top of the hill. linking the two ends together is much easier than one would think. After I add the spine of ties. A view from underneath Still need to lay sub track on last half of the lower run. But the shape looks nice I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 One of the unusual characteristics of the Airplane structure, or any wood coaster for that matter, was the use of what I call outer facade columns. If you look at photos of the Airplane on this site, notice that there is a 2 x 8 plank connected from ground level all the way up to the track with the cartouche on top. Nearly every upright had one. The Dragon had these at one time, at least up until its latest paint job. These planks certainly gave the Airplane that "finished look". They were decorative for the time, and possibly served some structural support around the corners, keeping other connecters from breaking free from the uprights from the stress. In my case with the model, putting them on earlier (than I had been) is a good idea for it prevents MY glued joints from popping free while I'm continuing work on track et al. It also hides some of my more sloppy connections (circled in RED). The verticals with the red line are the 2 x 8 planks nailed on the OUTSIDE of the ribbon boards. This is very unusual on a coaster. Joint exposed Joint covered by outer facade column. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterB Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 This is amazing. and the joints on the frame are so clean and exact, I know how difficult and time consuming it is so well done. can't wait to see more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 Whoops, I almost forgot to add the intermediate bents (blue arrows) at the bottom of the second spiral where the coaster train shoots out and up towards the mid-course brake. I'm waiting for more plastic to arrive for the track, so in a relatively short amount of time, I was able to build the mid-course brake run. More detail will be added to the brake mechanisms. Whoops, I almost forgot to add the intermediate bents (blue arrows) at the bottom of the second spiral where the coaster train shoots out and up towards the mid-course brake. I'm waiting for more plastic to arrive for the track, so in a relatively short amount of time, I was able to build the mid-course brake run. More detail will be added to the brake mechanisms. Mid-course brake goes in for a fitting. POV for fun. I haven't railed the track yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Latest progress report on exactly where I am with this project. In my head, I was a little further along than what I just revealed to myself. The thought of starting to connect sections together and place them on a permanent pre-landscaped base is now in my head. In the end, I plan to have the model separate into THREE sections. I already have a primary plan as to where I'm going to have the cuts. Wanna offer an idea, you're more than welcome to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterB Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 firstly the track in the previous pictures look incredible. still having issues with mine but il get there. And i think it could possibly be easier to have it in 2 sections rather than 3. Straight through the middle so the spiral at the top is separate from the other 2?? But Im looking forward to seeing your base and the landscaping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 While I'm waiting for more supplies so I can continue the spiral, i decided to bring out the lift hill and begin repairs. In the past year it's been handled too much from moving it around and using it in photos, and showing it off. The red markers are the joints I have to replace or reglue depending. It is worse on the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 Clamping on the top player of the track bed. Then I'll add more skinnier strips on the sides for detail, then I'll paint. Should look great, I can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Updates: I finished doing the main layers of track all the way down the spiral. I have to add some more minor strips such as what looks like the under-grip parts on the inside of the rails. I also started the area I call "The Runway" because there is about a 30-foot stretch of track that is flat and ground-level as you leave the interior fan curve. The Runway This was a rare opportunity. The white plastic piece is the ledger laying on top of a photo of the one it will actually be representing! This is a photo of the real "Runway" part of the Airplane, taken as the coaster was being dismantled in 1957. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 This piece is about making the subtrack for three sections that are shaded green in the diagram below. Of course, one of the parts is curved. A challenge that I had a few options to meet is installing the track in a really hard to get area, there at the bottom of the spiral. I tried one idea that worked great, and I'm sure it saved me several days of sub-track weaving. The second area is the stretch I earlier referred to as "the runway" and the hill leading up to the mid-course brakes. Details in the captions below. The green areas are what is being discussed. Using the same measurements to calculate the circumference and the banking, I made a jig to build the subtrack outside of the structure. This tunnel represents a small part of the area I needed to get inside to build the track. Due to overall structural stability, exposing this part by removing pieces was not an option. This jig I made to mark 2.5 foot marks for staggering the sub-track saves me a ton of time as well! Marked and ready to stagger! And it worked. I was able to install and stagger the subtrack quite easily. I wish I had thought of this idea before. Now to make one more and then I'll install into the turn. Both rails installed. Adding track ties later. NO this is NOT a Flashback Friday photo of a party at Stevie Nicks' house lol. It's subtrack for the straight areas! Laying out and marking materials I'll need to make the track ties and 3rd track layer assembly. There will be four runs 60' done in this one template. Ties are spaced 3' apart. Next adding the 3rd layer of track. Completed straight track grid. There are four runs of track - each 14" (60' scale). I score and break each one off. The pre-fab track grid up against the two sections they'll be placed on. I laid the staggered subtrack on the structure and tied it down to hold the curve. Then I put the most recent assembly of ties and layer # 3 on top of that. And that brings me to where I am today. After an initial paint job, I will add more layers of track on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgiumcoasterfreak Posted January 31, 2015 Share Posted January 31, 2015 Just amazing! Can't wait till it's complete! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Looking good! As always! This project has come so far. I can't wait to see more progression. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted February 4, 2015 Author Share Posted February 4, 2015 Wow. it's getting to that point where I'm thinking about the base for this model. The initial base will be 2 layers of 1/8 thick foam-core board, cut in three pieces. I'll do some landscaping under and inside where the coaster will be. Once the basic large sections of the coaster are merged together (off the base) it will be divided up again, this time in three main sections, each one having its own base. Landscape complete. Together, I hope to get a model display table to serve as the one-piece solid base. The acrylic cover I'm afraid to inquire about prices... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Lots of progress since just the last post as I've accomplished near impossible feats. First photo is a new angle of the Airplane Coaster never seen so clear. I've taken the liberty of outlining the trackage if you want to connect the dots! The Airplane was truly a wood craftsman coaster, fantastic and disorienting. I've started making bents for the final leg of the journey. The conjoining of pieces is starting to happen. Here I connected the flattish area off the internal fan curve I call "the runway" up to another section I call "Fun Dip" I'm test fitting the multi- layered cross overs to make sure everything lines up. Attentive followers will remember that I stack my track layer by layer over the mold (ledgers/headers) and it will hold its curved shape. So once I had the track already molded inside an almost impossible area to get at, It was also almost impossible to paint and I can't paint the track before its layered so... I knew this was going to be an issue so I already had an idea one how to make it easy to paint. I didn't think I would actually do this or if it would work, but I uncoiled the spiraled track out of the structure. This will save me IMMENSE time and it will be a better paint job as well. First photo is a new angle of the Airplane Coaster never seen so clear. I've taken the liberty of outlining the trackage if you want to connect the dots! The Airplane was truly a wood craftsman coaster, fantastic and disorienting. I've started making bents for the final leg of the journey. The conjoining of pieces is starting to happen. Here I connected the flattish area off the internal fan curve I call "the runway" up to another section I call "Fun Dip" I'm test fitting the multi- layered cross overs to make sure everything lines up. Note the runway leading to fun dip is subtracked now. BEWARE the track snake! This will save me IMMENSE time and it will be a better paint job as well. I knew this was going to be an issue so I already had an idea one how to make it easy to paint. I didn't think I would actually do this or if it would work, but I uncoiled or "dialed" the spiraled track out of the structure. This will save me IMMENSE time and it will be a better paint job as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Photo 1: Starting to extend the track out from what I call the "2nd Spiral Wrap-around" Photo 2: Preparing to link together the track exiting the spiral and entering the hill up to the mid-course brakes. Photo 3: First time I've added catwalk before I stack the tracks. Seems straight forward. Starting to extend the track out from what I call the "2nd Spiral Wrap-around" Preparing to link together the track exiting the spiral and entering the hill up to the mid-course brakes. The two structures are not joined yet. First time I've added catwalk before I stack the tracks. Seems straight forward. ~ha~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted February 25, 2015 Author Share Posted February 25, 2015 The cross over update. Before permanently fusing large sections together, I thought it wise to detail my cross over/pass under beam arrangement while it was still easily accessible. By studying the overhead plan and carefully garnering clues off of photos, these cross over beams and supports should replicate the real coaster. Heading north-east - exiting the flat runway and heading up over Happy Hill crosses over the track that exits the 2nd spiral and heads towards the mid-course brake. The East - to- West short run I call Happy Hump as it crosses over the lower north-east heading Runway The Happy Hump also crosses over the first drop POV of heading through the runway under Happy Hump and lift hill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 This was a model I built of the Belmont Park Giant Dipper - it was used for display during my Save the Coaster days. This was a model I built of the Belmont Park Giant Dipper - it was used for display during my Save the Coaster days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillflyer Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 A photo of another well-done model of The Airplane. I think it is 1/8 scale A photo of another well-done model of The Airplane. I think it is 1/8 scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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