forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Brad Cancian on July 06, 2021, 08:01:29 AM
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Hi everyone!
Some of you may remember a year or so ago I posted a WIP thread called “Tribute to a Simple Time”, where I tackled the venerable old 1/72 Airfix Albatros DVa from 1957. The aim was a simple and fun build, to rekindle that nostalgic feeling from many years ago when one didn’t really care for accuracy. The WIP thread was here:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11345.0
(https://i.imgur.com/EMnfZnU.jpg)
Well, I’ve decided that I’ll continue this theme with another Airfix WW1 stalwart, the 1/72 DH4. This kit was first released in 1967 (10 years after the Albatros), making the moulds 54 years old. The kit was only re-released a few times, the last (from what I can tell) being the Vintage Aircraft Special Edition boxing from 1987 (which is the date on my kit's instructions). For whatever reason (sales, probably?), the kit was never re-released in any newer boxings. Here she is in her in-box glory:
(https://i.imgur.com/lQA1fYI.jpg)
So, like the Albatros, I’ll be adding some details but otherwise keeping this build relatively simple. The Airfix kit is typical 1960s fare – minimal cockpit (two seats and two pilots), grossly exaggerated ribs on the flying surfaces, and struts held in place by gates that slot into the upper wing. These will all need attention. That being said, the old Airfix kit still has a couple of nice surprises. The radiator has some nice grille detail, and there are some nice little details on the fuselage exterior here and there.
Most surprisingly though, and unlike most of the Airfix WW1 kits of this era, the DH4 is actually generally accurate in outline. I compared the kit to the plans in the Flying Machine Press Great War Aircraft in Profile #5 “De Havilland Aircraft of World War 1, Volume 1: D.H.1 – D.H.4” by Colin Owers, and all of the major components scale pretty well correctly. The wings are thin in chord by about 1mm, and the tips aren’t quite the right shape, but they have the correct number of ribs. Stabilisers and vertical tail / rudder aren’t too bad either. The fuselage is the right length and depth, cockpits are in the right spots, and the nose, though shallow by about 1mm, is generally good in dimension. The tail is about 1mm too far aft. All of this I can live with.
(https://i.imgur.com/7j08ybL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/V2sH1UM.jpg)
The cowling shape is set up for a Rolls Royce Eagle engined aircraft, or potentially a US built Liberty DH4, but either option will require adjustments of the cowling louvers (as the kits lovers and fairings aren’t quite right for either aircraft).
(https://i.imgur.com/0lBZMHV.jpg)
In all, the kit will form the basis of a generally accurate DH4, with a few modifications.
(https://i.imgur.com/O4m7vJh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mL0X90H.jpg)
Though I am yet to start, and intend on going a bit slow on this build, I am enthusiastic about getting stuck into this one. Wish me luck as I delve into another time capsule…! 😊
Cheers,
BC
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I'll be watching with interest! :D
Regards
Paul
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I'm looking forward to see how you progress on this one Brad!
On a related note, what did you use on the base underneath your Albatros? I can see you used the kit box on the sides, but I can't make out the base underneath the a/c.
WD
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Hi WD - the answers you seek are here - https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11390.0
I created and printed the images for the base myself - no kit boxes were butchered (as I had to match the image to the model, in true airfix palatoy boxing style ;D )
Cheers,
BC
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Watching this with much interest Brad. I made the Airfix WW1 kits a lifetime ago and I recall the DH4 being an especially satisfying build. Mine was finished as a NZ Permanent Air Force machine A7929 (below)
(https://i.postimg.cc/WzMFCZFN/cropped-dh4.jpg)
It's wonderful to see new life being breathed into these classic kits.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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This will be very interesting :)
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Brad,
Great theme, and one I know I'll enjoy following as much as your DVa. These "oldies" from the past of our hobby still offer a lot of potential and enjoyment, and the memories are an added bonus! So many of us here started with kits of this vintage and here we are still involved in the hobby decades later. Enjoy!
Cheers,
Lance
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I will definitely follow along - this kit has really great potential! Sure, there are some issues, but they can be overcome! Great to see this being built, Brad! Regards, Marc.
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I have this exact boxing too Brad.
I will be following this build with great interest!
Willem
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I'm looking forward to this!
I have an MPC boxing which includes the most garish "bird wing" decals for a US Postal Service machine! It won't be built as a 4 though, I have the Pegasus kit for that. Instead I will use the Blue Rider DH9 conversion on it.
Your notes on the general sizes are certainly useful.
Ian
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I made the Airfix WW1 kits a lifetime ago and I recall the DH4 being an especially satisfying build. Mine was finished as a NZ Permanent Air Force machine A7929 (below)
(https://i.postimg.cc/WzMFCZFN/cropped-dh4.jpg)
It's wonderful to see new life being breathed into these classic kits.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
Dave, that's possibly one of the best kit builds of a DH.4 I've ever seen. ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
WD
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Hi WD - the answers you seek are here - https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11390.0
I created and printed the images for the base myself - no kit boxes were butchered (as I had to match the image to the model, in true airfix palatoy boxing style ;D )
Cheers,
BC
Thanks Brad! While I certainly enjoy realistic basing, I do like the idea of basing a kit on a blueprint, map, photo, etc. It's a chance to get creative when telling the story.
WD
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Great research and development Brad! You are off to your usual outstanding start!
RAGIII
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Very interesting subject, Brad. I love these old kits. I remember when I went shopping with my grandpa, he sometimes bought me such a 72nd kit. But he tended more to the German planes. Now as I am older, I think I know why :-\
Bye, Manni
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I'm looking forward to seeing this Brad, these lovely old kits are starting to appeal to me after seeing what can be done to bring them up to date.
Richie
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You can not not follow a build that has this kind of introduction!
It'll be fantastic, I'm sure, and the base, I assume this will get a similar one, is just amazing.
/Fredrik
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Looking forward to this.
Steve
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Hi all! Some basic but important work has begun.
Firstly, I tackled the most annoying job; the flying surfaces. Like many Airfix kits of this era, these were quite overdone in terms of exaggerated ribs, textures, and mould release holes. The underside of the upper wing also had slots cut into them to take the struts (great if you're building this kit for simplicity, but not accurate). I filled the slots in the upper wing, and sanded back the flying surfaces (wings and tail) to get rid of the oversized ribs and overdone textures. I also sanded off the incorrectly oriented bomb racks (i.e. slabs of plastic). Lastly, I repositioned the ailerons for a more dynamic look. Here you can see the comparison of one wing sanded back, and one not:
(https://i.imgur.com/9oGeNu7.jpg)
Now both:
(https://i.imgur.com/2tS11iR.jpg)
Though quite hard to see in the pictures, there are still rib impressions present, but very much toned down. Painting will be used to help highlight the ribs, once I get to that stage (that's quite a long way off!):
I've also built the foundational structure for the interior. I sanded off the interior pegs for the pilots, cut off the gun ring to the rear cockpit, and built up the fuselage sides with some superglue and filler to get the sides of the rear cockpit straight as per the drawings. I have added some bulkheads and frames, plus a rough approximation of the fuel tank that sat between the two cockpits.
(https://i.imgur.com/Ya37SSX.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/VVMtmuo.jpg)
It's not entirely accurate due to the lower wing attachment, but at this scale, for this kit, and for what will be seen on the finished model, that's good enough. As far as I can tell, not much will be seen of the front cockpit, at least. But hey, accurate or not, the foundations are there for the rest of the detail.
As I said, not much of a start, but it's a start at least!
Cheers,
BC
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As I said, not much of a start, but it's a start at least!
Well, I suppose the first foot in a 100 metres race isn't much of a beginning either, but still quite necessary in order to reach the finish line... 😃
I think it looks great! Wings definitely better with the reduced ribs and the interior is just so much better!
/Fredrik
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This " Tribute to a Simple Time" thing then
I cannot understand why this is taking so long to build! A much younger me would have had this built in an afternoon
OK, it would have had styrene melts, fingerprints in the paintwork, wonky decals and every possible piece of armament fitted. However....
;D
Richard
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OK, it would have had styrene melts, fingerprints in the paintwork, wonky decals and every possible piece of armament fitted. However....
You're describing how most of my models turn out anyways Richard...! ;D ;D :P
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Happy days. Loosely follow the instructions then use every bomb, rocket and drop tank on the sprues
I'm getting Airfix nostalgia
Richard
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Lovely Brad!
I do love these old Airfix kits. It doesn’t look that bad either. I recently built their Demon from 1957 and had more fun with that than a lot of fancy modern kits.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4xL5ZBfx/8-C3030-E5-2-BCC-45-BD-8-B01-7654-C82588-FA.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/75z7n1JF)
The interior work is stunning already!
Guy
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Great work Guy! I'm guessing you also had to do a bit of sanding on those wings.
Out of interest, does anyone know if there are any photographs around of the Airfix kit subject, DH4 serial number A8032?
Cheers,
BC
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Brad, The DH4/DH9 File, by Sturtivant and Page, towards the bottom of page 47. Dark band and letter 'C' benind rear cockpit, some sort of star shaped light marking on the wheel covers.
Paul.
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Thanks heaps Paul - unfortunately I don't have a copy of the DH4/DH9 file, is someone able to PM me a copy of the picture? (I figure sharing it here would probably breach some kind of copyright...)
Thanks again!
BC
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The interior work is Fabulous Brad! I am sure the wings will be equally so!
RAGIII
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Great stuff! I really enjoy seeing these old kits getting brought up to date. This is going to be something very special.
Richie
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Nice tweaks Brad :)
Alexis
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Great progress Brad, I'm enjoying this thread.
Guy, that a/c is simply gorgeous!
WD
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Hi everybody - some more progress. Interior is now finished. Not much can be seen of the interior when done (that, and I didn't have too many references), so I didn't go to town too much. The pilot's seat is from Barracuda and is an absolute beauty. Seatbelts are Eduard, and the rest was scrounged from the spares box. Oh, I did use the observer's seat cushion from the kit :)
(https://i.imgur.com/30vPHe7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cc3p7Zo.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/n4yYPE5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/k81gMOV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1MJJirm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xqS3HoM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/W3M6pK1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kf9PqMd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SRnEs7P.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hs7vynV.jpg)
I also have a prop painted up (this is the kit prop, sanded back a little, with an etched PART hub):
(https://i.imgur.com/UrF9MH3.jpg)
Next is to getting the fuselage together!
Cheers,
BC
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Stunning cockpit, Brad
Regards
Dave
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Lovely details Brad :) Love the prop !!!
Alexis
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Amazing detail in scale. :o :o
Bob
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I agree with Dave, Alexis, and Bob. Amazing and Beautiful work!
RAGIII
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Impressive cockpit and instrument panel!
This is never ever 1/72! :o
Cheers,
Frank
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I agree with Frank, so much fine detailing in this small scale. This is real craftsmanship and there is so much to be learned here!
You are doing an incredible job Brad! Is that prop really painted plastic?
Willem
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Great detail work, Brad. This will be a beauty.
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I agree with Frank, so much fine detailing in this small scale. This is real craftsmanship and there is so much to be learned here!
You are doing an incredible job Brad! Is that prop really painted plastic?
Willem
Willem says it all Brad, great modelling, and in a scale that defies the level of detailing. Lovely work!
Cheers,
Lance
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Looking great! Fantastic propeller!
/Fredrik
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Thanks everyone!
Willem - indeed the prop is plastic; it's the kit prop. Like many surprises with this kit, the shape and dimensions are reasonably accurate. I did sand off the poor hub detail though. The prop was painted gunze 'sail colour', and some laminations done in pencil, before streaking burnt sienna oil over the top. The laminations didn't quite pop out as much as I had intended, but it'll do :)
Fuselage is now together, I just need to do the clean up before I can start to add a couple of exterior details and corrections to the cowls.
Cheers again,
BC
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amazing interior details in such a small scale
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Slow but steady progress. Modified some aspects of the cowls, and added a few things here and there to the fuselage. Lower wings are now on also. The scarf ring is from Eduard, but I had to 'thicken' it up using strip styrene. The guns are from Model World, and are just lovely. Here she is dry fitted to her legs (the kit has the mk.1 shorter undercarriage. Wheels are from the spares box).
(https://i.imgur.com/VV1nJQ7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7J0ZTiP.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iqMaQGY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PAgeyFF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/raAFzNf.jpg)
Cheers,
BC
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that's looking very impressive
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Nice job on the louvres and guns!
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Brad
You just keep getting better - you'd rightly be proud of this in 1/48 - In 1/72 that's an outstanding job !
regards
D
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Wowzers!!!
Steve
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The added louvers , radiator grille, and guns are amazing. Stunning work as always Brad!
RAGIII
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Lovely out come on those details Brad :)
Alexis
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Thanks all - this is the point where I realise I left off a few bits and bobs (fittings for control cables, etc)... better add those on before I forget again!
Hopefully should get some primer on this in the next few days, as well as hopefully the guns and exhausts painted.
The next challenge... what colour scheme....? Any suggestions?
Cheers :)
BC
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This is just beautiful. I've wanted one for a while and I've saved this thread for inspiration.
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Stunning! Nothing more to say!
I do love those Mini World guns, I use them exclusively on my builds. What did you use for the instruments though, they are very impressive.
Ian
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Painfully slow progress (thanks to work...), but I at least have some pre-shading done...
(https://i.imgur.com/L1bazvu.jpg)
Hopefully some colour coats to follow over the weekend!
Cheers,
Brad
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Works for me, Brad.
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/ygx6guQZ3kxF8A80bC/giphy.webp?cid=ecf05e47dgetcu1xm6pst7hbv1sfg4f4nrggqqftx2yb2ddl&rid=giphy.webp&ct=g)
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The pre shading looks terrific Brad!
RAGIII
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Awesome detail work on this old kit!
Andreas
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This is turning out beautifully. Wonderful cockpits. No one will be able to tell that model was built from a half-century old kit.
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As much as I want a 1/32 DH.4 I'd still love to get the Airfix (or Pegasus) kit, and this build goes to show what's possible with a kit that's two full decades older than I am! It's absolutely beautiful!
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As others have said, excellent details, and the wood grain is exceptional.
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Sucks when work gets involved with play time , looking forward to the colours now :)
Alexis
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I do not know how I missed this thread. I have just passed through it with great interest and admiration for your resolution to build a model from the vintage kit, as well as for your skills to do it. Just amazing!
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As always, I am in awe of your work sir.
WD
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Thanks all! I got some colour coats on yesterday and prepping for decals. Will share progress pictures once I get past decaling :)
It's a slow journey, but getting there....!
Cheers again
BC
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Right, colours are on. This one is A7422 of 110 Squadron, 1917. The SQN marking (the dot) and aircraft letter were masked and sprayed. Rest of the decals were from the spares box.
(https://i.imgur.com/BTsABgr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Fj8LBza.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7beXxKU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GiG1PAX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/LeT715j.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SKr3NUs.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HAmaBIy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/54cNH8u.jpg)
Now the fun really starts... working out how best to mount and rig the upper wing...
Cheers,
BC
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This looks really fantastic! I have also always liked the Airfix DH4 and have built a couple and converted a third into DH9. It is a great kit, the main components are still quite OK and most of the rest tweakable to a great model. This looks to be on its way to excellence!
Cheers, Skyhook
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Wow - for a plain old PC10 green RFC machine you have achieved a wonderfully varied finish - really well done
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Like always your paint work is Stunning Brad!
RAGIII
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Oh my god!
My myopia is crying out just thinking of the magnification I would need to accomplish even half of this level of detail!
Stunning work as always Brad!
Cheers,
Hugh
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What a looker! Fantastic detailing in that scale!
/Fredrik
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It is stunning to see what you accomplished with this relatively crude kit Brad!
Looking at what you've already done, the mounting of the top wing and the rigging shouldn't be a trouble for you.
Thanks for the great build log!
Willem
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Thanks all! :)
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Really beautiful Brad, as I expected.
WD
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This is again an impressive example for what is possible in the smaller scale and how important such a perfect paint job is for overall impression.
Wonderful!
Cheers,
Frank
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Fabulous work. Your models always have incredible character. Anyone not interested in "ho hum" allied paint schemes just has to look at this to realize how much intricate paint work can go into these subjects - that on top of a magnificent build!!!
Steve
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Magic!
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/5dd57c2cb2e5801f662bf8c8a7fa91ab/c073e7987cb0c13a-be/s500x750/4919f4c52044d0e2654f92f6fc28c190c1ac8f52.gif)
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Top notch work, Brad. Following this with interest.
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Magic!
(https://66.media.tumblr.com/5dd57c2cb2e5801f662bf8c8a7fa91ab/c073e7987cb0c13a-be/s500x750/4919f4c52044d0e2654f92f6fc28c190c1ac8f52.gif)
This pretty much sums it up !
Alexis
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Thanks all - about to head out of town for the next 10 days so that top wing will have to wait...
Cheers,
BC
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that paint and decals have really brought it to life, awesome job 8)
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This build is so great it simultaneously makes me want to:
- Get back to the modeling bench pronto and try it, and
- Sell off all of my kits and find another hobby because I know I'll never be this good.
;) ;) ;) ;)
WD
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The detail in the paintwork is stunning. I wish I could be bothered to try and emulate it, but mine will stay plain. :-\
Ian
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Wonderful paintjob, so vibrant and colorful. Superb!
Bye,
Manni
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Progress has been slow due to being away, and work being quite busy, but I have managed to get the hard part done.... Top wing is now on. I had to carefully measure and cut the struts to make sure they were the correct length, as I did the bay rigging prior to mounting the top wing. Luckily, it worked out ok in the end despite having to try and line up 12 struts... :o
(https://i.imgur.com/BWRFQES.jpg)
Getting close to the home stretch now...
Cheers!
BC
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Hi Brad,
I've just caught up with this build and wanted to say that it is absolutely stunning throughout. I'm bowled over by the pre-shading and the tonal variation you've achieved on the fabric surfaces.
The cockpit interior is excellent - I've had a look at the MiniWorld guns on Hannants' website and I now want to do a build just to add the twin Lewis and Scarff mounting!
May I ask how you built the instruments for the IP?
Kind regards,
Mark
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Thanks Mark, you are very kind!
The miniworld guns really are lovely; I recommend you pick some up.
The instrument bezels are HGW instrument bezels - some are small enough to pass for 1/72.
https://www.aviationmegastore.com/world-war-i-instrument-besels-hgw-webgarten-hgw132030-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=104613
Cheers!
BC
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Thanks Mark, you are very kind!
The miniworld guns really are lovely; I recommend you pick some up.
The instrument bezels are HGW instrument bezels - some are small enough to pass for 1/72.
https://www.aviationmegastore.com/world-war-i-instrument-besels-hgw-webgarten-hgw132030-scale-modelling/product/?action=prodinfo&art=104613
Cheers!
BC
Hi Brad,
many thanks for the link, its really appreciated! I'd have discounted those as being way too big for use in 1/72nd scale.
Cheers,
Mark
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Stunning work as always Brad! The rigging looks amazing.
RAGIII
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And she's done! :)
(https://i.imgur.com/6Ws7KwB.jpg)
Thanks to all for your great support during this build. For more pics, see the thread here -
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12604.0
Cheers again!
BC
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Absolutely beautiful work, Brad, out of this world!
Cheers,
Mark
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Both Part I and II of your tribute are masterpieces! Not really a simple time!
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the final result is epic, thoroughly enjoyed seeing this come together, thanks for sharing this build with us
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Simply Incredible!
Cheers,
Hugh
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Thanks all!
All in all, this was a fun build. I might have gone a little further with this one than a simple OOB build (which 10 year old me definitely would have ham-fisted together), but to my mind, it still shows that there's life in these older kits.
Cheers again!
BC