Subject: Re: Modified ICM 1/72 Tupolev TB-3 / G-2 -Reloaded
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "claudio luchina" <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2011 11:54:40 -0800

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
ARC Air - Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.arcair.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: claudio luchina 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 6:08 PM
  Subject: Modified ICM 1/72 Tupolev TB-3 / G-2 -Reloaded

  Gallery Article Template

  "Modified ICM 1/72 Tupolev TB-3 / G-2
  -Reloaded-"

  by "Gabriel Stern"
  --------------------

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     A few years ago I survived my encounter with the ICM Tupolev TB-3 kit that I converted to a civil version (known generically as G-2):
  http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal5/4501-4600/gal4561_TupolevTB-3_Stern/00.shtm
     Since then three things happened: 
  1) I became more proficient making my own decals.
  2) I gathered a bit more references on the type
  3) The TB-3 model -a huge model with some serious mass- suffered a panne and was smashed.
     Considering all of the above I decided to "update" the model, although I usually don't particularly like to dwell on the past, and pretty much leave the models alone once built.

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

     The tasks at hand were:
  1) To remove the old -and therefore absolutely fused on the surface- decals.
  2) To design and print new (correct font) ones adding some lettering missed before.
  3) To build new skis according to better references (wider and wood-colored)
  4) To partially re-rig the model's wires in a darker-colored filament (I had used silver-colored ones which couldn't be told apart from the model background).
  5) To remove the cover of the cockpit area and make a new one, a bit more accurate -shallower among a few other things-.
      As you well know removing old decals can be challenging, more so if the surface of the model is finely corrugated. In the process -and although I don't consider myself clumsier than a Malabama Swamp Monster- I managed to knock off the four engines, the tail ski (yes, ski, not skid), the ailerons, the rudder and a few other miscellaneous bits.
      The new skis were carved from basswood, painted and varnished, and then a "metal" strip was added to emulate the original. A pedestal for the axles was then glued.
      The new decals were applied, a task always a bit tricky on a corrugated surface. After I took all the photos I realized that I didn't apply the AEROFLOT decals (in Cyrillic naturally). Those were added after the photo session (no way I was going to handle the beast again for another session).
      Then all the detached parts and small parts that were knocked-off during repairs had to be put back in place, carefully since the massive model requires attentive manipulation.

          
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     Under proper Aeroflot management, and now a bit more accurate thanks to the "accident", this dinosaur from another era is ready again for some serious load transport on the white expanses of Mother Russia.

  "Gabriel"

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  Photos and text © by "Gabriel Stern"