CCK Doc Koontz Build

[ACL1504]

I then glued the front windows in place and used weights to hold them flat while the glue dried.



While that assembly was drying, I turned my attention to the construction of the canopy.

Here is the diagram showing all the parts and assembly.

[ACL1504]

I built the canopy per the diagram and had no issues.

[ACL1504]

I fit the canopy into the openings on the front wall and made a test run for the canopy roof.

The canopy roof is made from the same thick paper as the turret top.

You can see in the next photo the canopy roof doesn't fit under the bay windows.



If I pressed the canopy roof under the windows, it caused the canopy to angle down which of course was unacceptable.

My choice here was to make a new canopy roof using a much thinner cardboard.

The next photo shows the original white paper cardboard and my thinner one ply cardboard.



Back in a few, Diet Pepsi time.

[ACL1504]

Prior to making a new roof panel, I wanted to make sure my cardboard was square.



I then place the white roof panel on the cardboard and noticed a slight angle on the end of the kit roof.



Assuming the laser cut roof panel was in error, I checked the other end and found it was cut at the same angle.



I then dawned on me the this angle was no mistake or error but was necessary to fit the canopy when the ends were folded down.

[ACL1504]

Due to my cardboard roof panel is less that half the thickness of the original, I added supports to the top of the canopy. I did this to support the thin new roof panel.

It also gave me more gluing surface to glue to the front wall.

[PRR Modeler]

Really good problem solving Tom. I'm sure it looks better than the original one.

[ACL1504]

I made a test fit on the new canopy roof and it fit perfectly with the thinner cardboard. I marked on the roof the location of the windows.

The new roof was removed and glued to the top of the canopy frames.




I painted the edges with Floquil Old Silver.

[ACL1504]

Really good problem solving Tom. I'm sure it looks better than the original one.

Curt,

Thanks Butty for the kind and generous comment.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Now the canopy roof is level and the panel fits tight under the windows.

[ACL1504]

[Pennman]

Tom,

As with all construction, problem solving is definitely a must. That canopy
will be thicker and sturdier now. Good work.

Rich

[Vietnam Seabee]

Tom...all in all this seems like a "well" engineered kit. Perhaps if someone like yourself had built this prior to release to the general modeling crowd, many of the problems/issues could have been resolved prior to release.

Well done...what I'm taking away from your modeling technique is that you think thru a step before "jump in with both feet"
terry

[PRR Modeler]

Outstanding.

[friscomike]

Howdy Tom,

The bay windows and canopy are top-notch.  I love it when folks show how they overcame problems with a build.  I appreciate the time you took to document the process.

Thanks,
mike

[Mark Dalrymple]

Your build is coming on very well, Tom.

I have been away on a pre Christmas holiday to the deeps of the south of South Westland - the home of my Shadowlands and Tellynott RR, and have been watching your progress, but not commenting. Your systematic approach is paying dividends.  Perhaps you will be asked to build an upcoming pilot model.  I'm sure we would all benefit if you did.

Cheers, Mark.