New Mosquito for Old

dont they have a computer driven 3d modeling system for reconstructing human skulls that end up with resin copy of the skull using 3d lazer profiling- mite be good for single peice solid parts? just a thought

Beurling – Alternatively you could just build a new DH Hornet instead which is a little quicker!

Unfortunately I am already very conversent with AutoCAD, going from drawing lines to solids will require a bit of unlearning.

The suggestions point to a “parametric” modelling program being the best to use when the aim is to draw a computer model of an existing aeroplane. (Inventor, Solid Works, Pro engineer etc).

Is a home computer powerful enough to handle a solid model for a complete aeroplane (I am talking about a system with a Core 2 processor)?

AutoCAD I would definitely not recommend; there are so many far superior CAD systems for building planes like CATIA or Pro Engineer. The best part is with CATIA and the like you can wind tunnel test, stress test all without leaving your chair.

No body mentioned AutoCad…;)
Yeah, if doing a new design, CATIA would be a prime choice. But, I didn’t think we were talking design from scratch here, more new build sub-assemblies and/or individual parts for something that technically has already been designed…?
Autodesk Inventor is pretty good for that. Inventor isn’t AutoCad.

If you want to go Inventor I would learn straight 2D AutoCad first to get to grips with the functions and command lines.

As an experienced 2D/3D Autocad user, I found Inventor a little frustrating in that there was a dissimilarity in command function, so I’d be inclined to say that it would be better to just go straight in with Inventor and learn that as a stand alone rather than get involved with learning ACAD first, especially if you’re not actually going to use ACAD for anything…?

Missed a bit..Yeah I shoulda edited…

With Parametric we did up a Spitfire rudder pedal in 3D.Then we put virtual stresses on it and found that it would take 50 pounds of pressure on the top bar before it broke off at the pedastal.Material was 6061 aircraft grade Aluminium…. Try doing that with a real one.:diablo:

Swingin the thread….

Nearly derailed…..:D
I have never tried Catia but it is one of the worlds leading Programs in Engineering.If you want to go Inventor I would learn straight 2D AutoCad first to get to grips with the functions and command lines.Nothing beats Parametric though….:p We have the same problem with Experimentals as well.They can do just about anything they want but build a proven design that has been reengineered with new Technolagies and materials then it,s dramas,dramas,dramas.”It must be a bad design as they only built 22,000 Spitfires…”:diablo: Isn,t the saying goes the most dangerous men in the world are dreamers!!!!!
If I was emporer of Earth I would network all the Mozzie projects together.Everyone helping each other out…:D That way everyone wins….

AutoCAD I would definitely not recommend; there are so many far superior CAD systems for building planes like CATIA or Pro Engineer. The best part is with CATIA and the like you can wind tunnel test, stress test all without leaving your chair.

I think from my experience of building our Spit replica, I would start over and just use the outside dimensions of the mossie if I were going to build one. Over here under our experimental class it would be far easier to get a CAD designed replica out of carbon fibre and composites airborne than it would be to try building a new 1 off to every original detail. The ministry guys are bad enough without having to source the exact damn tree they used in 1943, although our supplier for plywoods for our spit did supply DH with their wood.

A neat challenge I think would be to build a “New” Mossie using composites and infusion molding for the whole thing (effectively cut the weight in half and make it twice as slippery in the air). Maybe stick a pair of turbo props or counter rotating griffons on it just for debate purposes and then take her to RENO to go beat up on all the P51 iron down there.

Just a thought since we are theorizing here.

Cheers

J

We have AutoCAD Inventor at work, my co-workers are still coming to terms with it so I don’t know how good it is.

It’s actually quite good by the accounts I’ve heard. I’ve only used it very briefly for a few weeks last summer, so can’t give an expert view on it, as it’s not really of much use for what I usually do on a daily basis, but for CAD -to – manufacture in one bit of kit it seems to be very good.

Cad software recommendation

Since this thread is sort of heading in the CAD software directions, can others advise what program(s) they are using for 3D solid modelling?

I have looked into Alibre designs free software (http://www.alibre.com/) but havn’t seriously played with it.

We have AutoCAD Inventor at work, my co-workers are still coming to terms with it so I don’t know how good it is.

good to know but i wouldnt mind having a crack at a mock up mossie bit at a time or at least some training better than making expensive kitchen doors that dont attract attention

in addition to this, there is the question of measurement in this case imperial, cad machines work on metric with complicates matters because you have to change the original specification to metric which is a feat in itself (unless there have been changes to programming coversions for metric to imperial)

CAD system software can work in whatever you choose…metric or imperial. Don’t forget the USA still uses Imperial, and most of the major CAD system software is written over there anyway…..;)

im a cabinet maker myself and ive worked with cad a few times and cad is an artform in itself, bending plywood is easy but keeping a mossie rebuild to original specifcation using original or near to original materials is someting else.

in addition to this, there is the question of measurement in this case imperial, cad machines work on metric with complicates matters because you have to change the original specification to metric which is a feat in itself (unless there have been changes to programming coversions for metric to imperial)

i dont claim to be an expert but ive used hand held routers been run off cnc made patterns ( this saves a considerable amont of cash) but the question i have is given all this know how and enthusiasm how can we turn exterior grade plywood and alloys, steel etc into a wooden wonder and then make it airborne?

Aircraft Grade Aluminium Alloys….

Haven,t got much into the theory of casting but from my holed memory some grades of Aircraft ally contain Silicon as an element…Instead of trawling through my old apprenticeship books found this site…http://www.luskmetals.com/basic_alloy.html

I wouldn’t have thought that would work very well.

I didn’t have much to do with casting alloys during my many years flogging aluminium, but IIRC, casting alloys are high in silicon to help the material flow. Wrought alloys aren’t…

Castings….

I agree this is one area we thought we would have troubles with.The Spit also contains quite a few of them.We are looking hard at a small CNC router to machine up “masters” for molds and such and a small foundry crucible and furnace to produce small parts.I,ve heard of guys saving their small offcuts from the guillotine,organising them into piles then melting them down to reuse in castings.Justa thought….:cool:

Mosquito

There was an amazing story in the Western Dailly press a whileback about a chap building a static mossie, the whole fusilarg was complete and fitted out, it looked superb , did anyone see it? I have a set of engine bearers for a mossie I am looking to swap for a hurricane engine bearer if anyone out there has one???:confused:

I always thought Kermit’s was a snip at £100,000.

Would that be 8 million NZ?

The biggest problem we have found so far at Glyn’s is the parts, like most aeroplanes you can build the hull given time and heaps of money but the components are hard to get especially the cast alloy parts ( the mossie has heaps of these, I think the designers were trying to prove something! ). These alloy parts don’t like 60 odd years out in the rain and thus turn into white powder. The engines are relatively easy to get but spinners for the props ( and the props ) are hard to come by. Probably the hardest items I can think of to get would be the glycol radiators for the Merlins we haven’t seen any of these for years, lucky we have four to choose from!
The wood is mega bucks, and a lot of it turns into sawdust on the floor as you work it. I estimate an airworthy mossie with a genuine identity to be worth as much as the P38 lighting Glacer Girl which sold for a cool 8.0 Million.

3D design and Cad…

Use it all the time for our project.It,s just another tool of the trade these days…