1:32 Fokker Spinne (Spider)

[Des]

Ivo, the tail is made up of steel tubes and bamboo rods then covered with linen, the edges appear to be thick because there is frame right along the edge so the fabric can be wrapped around it.

Bob, the wings are made from two layers of 0.25mm styrene sheet cut to shape and glued together, the leading edge curve is done by wrapping it around a length of brass rod, once the glue is dry the wing retains its shape. The ribs on top of the wing are done with 1.0mm half round styrene strips while the bottom ribs are 1.0mm rond styrene strips. The simulated leather reinforcing patches are painted on using Humbrol No.62 Leather.

Des.

[lone modeller]

If I can add my six-penniworth.....well...... Amazing and wonderful are not adequate.

Very many congratulations on your sheer ingenuity at solving the many problems that you have had to deal with. Makes having a wing and booms drop off seem like a walk in the park.

[Nigel Jackson]

An image of this magnificent Fokker Spinne would make a great logo for the website/forum Des (a bit like the penny farthing bike for the iconic  television series, The Prisoner) . Presumably some of the 25 Spinnes built were in service at the start of the war?

Best wishes and in awe.

Nigel

[GAJouette]

  Des,
Like Nigel I'm in absolute awe my old friend. Surely makes me think about trashing my progress to date on my Voisin. Building the fuselage framing from brass would surely be better than my efforts in plastic. Before I forget again,excellent process of the wing construction you've used too. Looking forward to the next oustanding update.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[PrzemoL]

Every single update in this marvelous thread makes my jaw drop deeper and deeper. It is one of the best WW1 builds I have ever seen. Breathtaking, Des!

[Zabu]

It's hard to find words that make any justice your model.

This is the very top of modeling made by one of the skilled modelers that i know. The quality of the build and the beauty in those pics are breath taking (at least for me).

A real pleasure to see this build taking shape. I can't get tired of looking those pics. Fantastic Des.

Cheers.

[rhallinger]

Gaze at those photos a bit.  It really does look like the real thing, doesn't it?

Cheers,

Bob

[pepperman42]

Great progress Des. She looks fragile but your construction looks very sound and will keep her nice and straight. Drag a guitar pick across her and see if you get a tune!!

Steve

[Gisbod]

Just stunning Des..

You really ought to enter this in a major competition.

Guy

[Des]

Thank you for all the very kind comments, I really appreciate them.

The wings are now fitted, fitment was extremely easy and the wing assembly is quite strong. As you can see, the wings are just a big flat slab with a curve at the leading edge, no ailerons or wing warping but plenty of dihedral, wing sweep and lots of rigging to come.

Des.

[Ernie]

The Spinne looks amazing with the wings attached, Des!  Wonderful work and
excellent progress on a lovely little aeroplane.  I didn't realise that she had such
a pronounced dihedral.  Do you think that for an inherent stability or easier maneuverability?

Cheers,
Ernie

[coyotemagic]

Truly remarkable, Des!  Just when I think it impossible to top your last project, you prove me wrong!  This belongs in one of the Great technology museums of the world.  Here, it would be the Smithsonian.
Cheers,
Bud

[Des]

Thanks Ernie and Bud for your very kind words.

Ernie, Anthony Fokker was very much ahead in time with his thinking of flight characteristics with his early aircraft designs. This particular Spinne had a very pronounced dihedral and wing sweep both factors which improve aircraft stability in flight, he must have experimented quite a lot with these early Spinne models as each one was slightly different to the next. He had a brilliant mind in the very early days of manned flight learning from practical experiences.

Des.

[lone modeller]

I agree with coyotemagic - this really does stand with the finest of scale models.

[IFF1418]

Hello Des,

This is modelling which only the very best can produce. It is awesome in detail and finishing. In one word : amazingly beautifull!

Kind regards

Patrick