Author Topic: 1:32nd scale - Ansaldo A.1 'Balilla' (Read 15138 times)

Alexis · « **Reply #75 on:** January 14, 2021, 10:36:15 PM »

Nice !

Alexis

AndRoby67 · « **Reply #76 on:** January 15, 2021, 07:06:47 AM »

Hi Mike!
Great work until now, you're sure victorious over photo-etched "enemies"!
From my computer it seems that your CDL is too much on the white side, maybe the using of a flash to made photos?
Same as Ansaldo Baby and SVAs, Balilla too had central rudder not painted white but CDL as fin.
Another thing is that on original ones camouflage over main wing and tail was applied AFTER national insignias, so is good that we don't see camouflage "under" white ring of cockades, as I saw in other models in modelling meetings.
Keep up the good work!
Roberto

Mike Norris · « **Reply #77 on:** January 15, 2021, 09:03:49 AM »

Hi Roberto,
Yes the photographs were taken under daylight LED lights so the CDL appears lighter than it actually is.
It is light, but not that light.
Yes I remembered your advice for the rudder on my Macchi and 'Baby' builds, so this rudder is CDL also.
The camouflage decals for the upper wing have white circles printed for the roundels so that no colours shown through.

Mike

Mike Norris · « **Reply #78 on:** January 16, 2021, 03:06:21 AM »

Hi all,
Well that's the pre-rigging of the anchor points done now.

Mike

Fvdm · « **Reply #79 on:** January 16, 2021, 08:59:34 PM »

Looking good Mike. Are you using Gaspatch turnbuckles? Or maybe Bob's buckles?

Mike Norris · « **Reply #80 on:** January 16, 2021, 10:08:37 PM »

Quote from: Fvdm on January 16, 2021, 08:59:34 PM

Looking good Mike. Are you using Gaspatch turnbuckles? Or maybe Bob's buckles?

I use the metal 'Gaspatch' 1:48th scale turnbuckles as their 1:32nd scale seem a too large.
I use their metal versions, as although they are moulded better, the resin versions are a bit weak.
The tubing I use is 0.5 mm and 0.4 mm from 'Albion Alloys', blackened with 'Blacken-It' solution,

Mike

Monty · « **Reply #81 on:** January 17, 2021, 01:41:38 AM »

Very fine and beautiful work on the turnbuckles and anchor points, Mike...

Fvdm · « **Reply #82 on:** January 17, 2021, 03:44:52 AM »

Quote from: Mike 'Sandbagger' Norris on January 16, 2021, 10:08:37 PM

Quote from: Fvdm on January 16, 2021, 08:59:34 PM
Looking good Mike. Are you using Gaspatch turnbuckles? Or maybe Bob's buckles?

I use the metal 'Gaspatch' 1:48th scale turnbuckles as their 1:32nd scale seem a too large.
I use their metal versions, as although they are moulded better, the resin versions are a bit weak.
The tubing I use is 0.5 mm and 0.4 mm from 'Albion Alloys', blackened with 'Blacken-It' solution,

Mike

Thanks Mike.

Gisbod · « **Reply #83 on:** January 17, 2021, 06:26:08 AM »

Stunning Mike!

You’re bringing it to life...

Guy

gbrivio · « **Reply #84 on:** January 17, 2021, 06:41:17 PM »

Amazing work on attachment points and rigging connections.
Ciao
Giuseppe

Mike Norris · « **Reply #85 on:** January 18, 2021, 07:46:38 AM »

Hi all,
Just a few updates.
The lower wings with the twin flying wire anchors are fitted.
Also two 'plates' have been made from spare photo-etch and fitted to the wing roots.
These plates may have been step plates or access covers to the rigging anchors.
I've assembled the landing gear (wheels only test fitted), but its yet to be weathered etc.
The 'bungee' suspension cord is EZ white (heavy) line and bracing wires added but not yet tightened.
I've added between the front and rear struts the axle restraining cables, made from 0.4 mm annealed copper wire.

Mike

RAGIII · « **Reply #86 on:** January 18, 2021, 11:45:52 PM »

Really taking shape Mike. Rigging attachments, wings, gear and cables all look the Part!
RAGIII

Mike Norris · « **Reply #87 on:** January 19, 2021, 07:16:36 AM »

Hi all,
Unfortunately at this stage of the build I've realised that two of the four interplane struts have no reinforcing rods, which are needed as otherwise the resin strut will bend and break easily.
Normally I would make replacement struts from brass tube, but the end fittings of these struts are square in section, which would be difficult to replicate.
The customer service from Richard at 'Aviattic' is second to none so I'm hoping he'll be able to find replacements for me.
While I'm waiting for replacement struts I've started on the figures.

The pilot figure is the ‘Copper State Models’ Italian flying ace (F32-030).
The mechanic is the ‘Model Kasten’ mechanic from Set B., as is the ladder.
I've altered the mechanic figure from German to a more generic figure and replaced the head with head H1 from the ‘Hornet’ bare heads-mature faces (HH/8) set.
I may reshape the head as it seems rather tall?
To stop the figure from falling off the ladder, I've pinned the right arm into the ladder to plank.

Mike

Alexis · « **Reply #88 on:** January 19, 2021, 09:56:03 AM »

I like the pose of the guy standing on the ladder

Alexis

Mike Norris · « **Reply #89 on:** January 21, 2021, 05:22:49 AM »

Hi all,
All of the photo-etch rigging anchors (pre-rigged) have been fitted to the upper and lower wings.
Now comes the tricky part - fitting the upper wing onto its struts through the rigging anchors,

Mike