forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Nigel Jackson on August 08, 2017, 01:33:58 AM
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Hello All
I have just finished a major project I have been working on since the beginning of the year - the Airfix 1/24 Hawker Typhoon. It has had it's moments along the way, but the outcome is stunning. So now it's a return to the Great War and 1/48 scale where I want to try something.
The Copper State Models Caudron G.IV is clearly a carefully researched and magnificently engineered kit - I think the new generation Copper State models are doing for 1/48 scale what WNW has done for 1/32. Hugely talented friends on this forum have shown just what can be achieved with what appears to be a very complicated aircraft. So, where does that leave the rest of us with ambition, but more limited skills? What of the average modeler whose eyes and fingers are not what they were? Well, I want to give it a go. As ever, I'll work at a snail's pace and may often be seeking advice. I'll keep you posted.
So here we have the box top, which will be familiar to most and the cover page of the superb instruction booklet. The white box contains some of the pieces that make up the two-man crew pod.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4329/36289911435_afc6afd70f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XhPhmc)Copper State Models Caudron G.IV (late version) (https://flic.kr/p/XhPhmc)
And here, in a closer, later photo some of these same pieces, prepped and not too far off being ready for some paint, with a number of photo etch pieces already added. On first impression, the plastic parts are a delight to work with. The photo etch parts are beautiful too; some are very tiny, but my message is that they are manageable. At the top right of the right hand white sheet, for example, we have the control column and the rudder controls. The former has two pieces of photo etch which are set in line and each has holes to accommodate four cable controls; at each end of the latter are pieces of photo etch which wrap around and have two holes.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4385/35618509143_02be4b132a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WguaQB)IMG_2345 (https://flic.kr/p/WguaQB)
Another thing that struck me was the amazingly comfortable looking chair for the pilot. Very nice; very Wacky Races! There are no seat belts provided; it would appear that we have no evidence as to what was fitted. The Caudron instrument panel was clearly, well, basic. Here we have two instruments set in the vertical plane and a horizontally mounted compass. So, I will need to make a timely decision on the seat belts, as well as fitting any necessary rigging etc. and sourcing the instrument dials.
As for that Typhoon. Well here is a taster of the beast; it is enormous! With the very scantest of weathering it's not for the purist, I know, but it suits me.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4314/36306825915_5043750333_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XjiYra)IMG_2330 (https://flic.kr/p/XjiYra)
Best wishes
Nigel
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Nigel,
Very much looking forward to following your Build of this magnificent Kit. As for the Typhoon, I hope you plan more photos in the "Time to Relax" Thread, she looks like a magnificent model!
Cheers,
Lance
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I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with this. Nice Tiffie!
Ian
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Looking forward to your build Nigel.
Very smart Tiffie! I would also like some more pix please. :)
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Nigel I would also be more than happy to see some more of your Tiffie!
Caudron is a lovely model and you will not encounter any difficulties along the way. I will follow closely my friend cause I'm sure you'll turn it into a true gem!
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Excited to see you tackle this one, Nigel! I have it in my stash, awaiting an improvement in my rigging skills. Will follow closely!
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The Typhoon looks amazing. I hover around the Cauldron "buy now" button as it is an extraordinarily stunning plane. I look forward to how it unfolds in your hands.
Best wishes for the construction,
Alistair
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Hello All
Thank you so much for the encouragement on this project and the kind words about the Typhoon. For those interested in the latter I will post a few shots in the "Time to Relax" section of the forum.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Really looking forward to see your build of the Caudron, I have the same kit so will be very interested to see how you tackle it.
Des.
PS, beautiful looking Typhoon.
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I am looking forward to seeing your build! Average Modeler, questionable. As for the Typhoon why not post a boat load of photos in the time to relax section? I would Love to see More of this beauty!
RAGIII
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Well here we go. A start has been made and the crew pod is nearly finished and ready to seal up. How has it gone so far? The kit is a very high quality product and I’m pleased with the outcome so far. I have certainly enjoyed these first stages of the build. Patience is a virtue and, for me, a magnifier/lamp has been essential.
This first photo shows the major crew pod components, including the struts. All that I have done is to fit a couple of etched metal shelves to the starboard side and attach the horizontally mounted compass to the instrument panel. I have found the etched parts to be excellent and easily cut from the frame, if sometimes very tiny. (Try to spot later what I take to be a Morse tapper.)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4384/36778386765_02f7d22817_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Y2YR3D)
The next photo shows some of the preparatory work I like to do. I often forget how I mix certain colours, so this time I have tried to be more systematic. Here are some numbered wood effect colours created using oil paints mixed with white spirits to fasten drying time, with the surplus paint dry-brushed away with varying degrees of vigour.
1. Basecoat, Tamiya XF 59 acrylic desert yellow; topcoat, Rowney Georgian burnt umber oil paint.
2. Basecoat, Tamiya XF 59 acrylic desert yellow; topcoat, Rembrandt burnt sienna oil paint.
3. Basecoat, Tamiya XF 15 acrylic flat flesh; topcoat, Rowney Georgian burnt umber oil paint.
4. Basecoat, Tamiya XF 15 acrylic flat flesh; topcoat, Rembrandt burnt sienna oil paint.
5. Basecoat, Prince August Air, 074, beige radome; topcoat, Rowney Georgian burnt umber oil paint.
6. Basecoat, Prince August Air, 074, beige radome; topcoat, Rembrandt burnt sienna oil paint.
7. Basecoat, Prince August Air, 074, beige radome; topcoat, Rembrandt burnt sienna oil paint.
8. Basecoat, Prince August Air, 074, beige radome; topcoat, Le France and Bourgeois raw sienna oil paint.
After experimentation, I went for number 7.
The other thing in the photo is a Victor Frankenstein style creation. It is built of various non-matching bits from an Eduard 1/48 RFC personnel set. My purpose was to keep a sense of scale when completing what seems a tiny crew pod. A later photo shows this to good effect.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4416/36778455315_5ae6821c39_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Y2Zcqx)
Here we have the internal fittings applied to the port side of the crew pod …
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36732566496_b771d2754d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XXW1h1)
… and the starboard side. You’ll notice what I take to be the small Morse tapper just behind the forward strut. Despite appearances to the contrary, the two sides are very closely colour matched. Eagle eyes will notice two rigging holes at the base of either side of the rear struts. The colour coding in the instruction booklet suggests that these are for control cables which run out to the inner rear interplane struts. I’m not quite sure what they might connect with internally and did wonder if they run from one interplane strut through the cockpit to the other; but never mind.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4412/36732682506_fe79033e92_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XXWALb)
Frankenstein’s creation appears in the next photo to give a sense of scale. It seems remarkable that two crew could fit into that pod. The seatbelts are speculative. Edgar was kind enough to respond to my frequent questions and noted that there is no information available for those on the pilot’s seat. The only way I could see anything fitting there was between the seat sides and bottom. I trimmed some belts from an Eduard set – FE852 Seatbelts France WWI. I have not cut off the business end of the starboard belt by mistake; it is simply hanging down out of sight for the moment. The seat itself certainly looks luxurious and, once fitted, will have a nice little shelf to the pilot’s right.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/36609860922_354ffe0976_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XM67bE)
Here is the first glimpse of the cockpit floor, observer/gunner’s seat and the control panel. The seat bears some comment. Beautifully reproduced and very much on view when looking down into the crew pod, care is needed. I annealed mine to try and get the smoothest curve possible. It is a very tight fit on its bench and in trying to get the curve right, I managed to break one of the tabs which folds from the side and is glued underneath the seat itself to keep it together. I improvised by trying to reproduce, if well over scale, the interior L-shaped brackets shown so clearly in a photo of the Smithsonian’s beautifullyrestored Caudron on page 1 in Windsock Datafile 96.
The seatbelts again presented a challenge for me. It took Edgar to point out to me that of the holes drilled in the seat, two – one each side are larger than the others. Again, this is exactly as shown in the Datafile photo. As Edgar explained it is hard to say what type of belts were used but they presumably passed through these holes. Given that the small belts I wanted to use from the Eduard set were still too large to pass through the holes, I bottled out and fitted them over the sides of the seats.
The rigging cables emerging from each side of the flooring are control cables which connected to the rudder bar. I’m not sure how much of the bar will be finally be seen, but the etched metal fittings at each end which accommodate the cables are French field blue. The four cables stretching out to the left hand edge of the photo link to the control stick via a very delicate piece of etched metal. A similar piece of metal is also fitted near the bottom of the stick, outside the crew pod for four more cables.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/35971049243_5ff78eb5ae_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WND2Jc)
The next photo is included to show the instrument panel, the control stick and the rudder bar. Do bear in mind that this photo is a high magnification of a very small piece and warts and all are clear. Work has not been finished; the rubbing caused by pilots’ boots etc on what I guess may be some form of anti-slip surface on the port side needs to be sanded down smoother.
Three instruments are on view, including a horizontally mounted compass. Chatting with Edgar, it was felt that of the others, one was definitely a clock and the second possibly an altimeter. Decals had to be sourced from my collection of odds and ends remaining from other builds. Apologies, here, but I went for general effect. Mounted centrally is what I take to be a map on a roller. For this I miniaturised a section of some Great War topography/trench plans I found. Bear in mind too that the pilot would also be able to view some instrumentation placed on the engine panels.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/36732828896_1d49786f64_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XXXmh9)
Just one last shot which I include as a health warning about colour and the tricks of light. I took all the photos included here outside on a sunny day, though at different times. On the colour card in this photo, number 7 is almost an almost exact match for the wood interior!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4354/36732885016_6c95ba9c58_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XXXCXJ)
I’m sorry to be so long-winded in this build, but I’m trying to capture my feelings as an average modeller embarking on what looks like a frighteningly complex aircraft. My thoughts so far? Well it has its challenges but the kit is an absolute beauty and I am really enjoying it. It is definitely one to have a go at.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Great results thus far Nigel. Your detail and paint work is well above the standard of that anonymous "average modeller" you keep referring to! This is a superb Kit and I believe you'll more then do it justice; I'll be following your progress with great interest.
Take your time, it's a Kit deserving of the best of efforts which we know you'll provide. 8)
Cheers,
Lance
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I am still looking for the "average" aspects. This is first rate!
Borsos
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I am still looking for the "average" aspects. This is first rate!
Borsos
Agree 100%, outstanding.
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Superb work thus far Nigel, your modeling skills are very evident in what you have achieved so far, I can see this ending up as being a real show stopper.
Des.
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Dear Lance, Borsos, Juan and Des,
Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. It is very much a learning process. As ever, Edgar has proved such a generous source of ideas. So one thing I will be doing is using wire rod to replicate the metal rods that emerge from the crew pod and run to the engines, controlling the throttle and carburetor.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Sorry to be a bit late. Exceptional work to date! Your wood tones and interior work are gorgeous. The work on the pilot is outstanding!
RAGIII
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I too have missed this one Nigel. Your work is not by any stretch of the imagination average - far from it. The interior looks absolutely superb in every way and the level of detail is truly stunning. With regard to seat belts many pilots did not like them and they were more often than not, not fitted to early aircraft. I do not put them in on my representations of pre-1916 machines for that reason, and I have read that even in 1918 some pilots refused to use them.
I will be keeping an eye open for this one in future - the rigging can seem daunting but if tackled systematically it should be well within your level of skill.
Stephen.
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RAGIII and Stephen, thank you so much for your generous words and encouragement.. I'm pretty much ready to seal things up now and touch up the odd blemishes, here and there.
Thanks too, Stephen, for the information on seat belts. I have to confess that it didn't occur to me that some air crew would avoid them. But isn't learning and sharing such information one of the great strengths of this wonderful forum.
Best wishes
Nigel
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You've never been an average modeler, Nigel. I reckon you were born with the gifted modeler gene. Your paint work on the interior is second to none. This is going to be a real beauty and I'll be following along closely. And, Nigel? That Typhoon is really lush, mate!
Cheers,
Bud
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Hi Bud,
Thank you so much. I've been overwhelmed by the kindness and encouragement of modellers like yourself for whom I have such great respect. I'll continue to plough my best into the Caudron, certain in the knowledge that there are challenges ahead.
Next on the list will be a CS Dolphin (knowing that there will be some re-working to do on the tail surfaces) or their FK.8 before embarking on a big Airfix Mossie or maybe something like a 1/350 HMS Hood. What a butterfly!
Best wishes
Nigel
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Two thumbs up mate! I really like the woodgrain colour you`ve chosen for the cockpit and struts. Everything looks top notch with no signs of anything "average".
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The concept that you rate yourself as an "average modeler" is starting to make me feel a lot less than that...You are a very good if not an exceptional modeler - please accept that accolade otherwise the truly "average modelers" will feel so much less so - that is me included.
Your work is brilliant. Please don't pretend to be average anymore. There is always a better model maker out there and you are one of them! :)
I still covet this plane and its rendition by CSM but my current stash of unfinished models moderates my "Buy Now" finger.
Wonderful work by you and I look forward to more!
Alistair
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Dear Filip and Alistair,
Thank you very much for your generous and kind words of encouragement.
Filip, it was reading your commentary on the same kit build - where you wrote about your use of a beige acrylic and raw sienna - that prompted me to experiment and then become more systematic in what, for me, had previously been a hit and miss approach. I don't know what beige you used as a base, but maybe the only difference was my use of burnt, rather than raw sienna; a decision which left me in fear for some time that it might turn out too orange.
Alistair, your words and those of others here have certainly boosted a self-confidence which normally crawls along at street level, thank you. I don't belong to any local modelling group or attend any shows, apart from Telford (which sadly I can't get to this year), where the standard of competition entries is, to my eyes, unbelievably high. Apart from Telford, my yardstick then is what I see online, most particularly on this wonderful forum and Des' website where I have seen, and try to learn from the work, of so many talented people. Finding the website and joining the forum, I count as one of best decisions of my life outside work.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Well done, Nigel. I've just caught up to your Caudron build and it's going very well, IMHO. Best of luck with it! 8)
BTW, when will we know the identity of the "average modeller?" ;D
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Well done, Nigel. I've just caught up to your Caudron build and it's going very well, IMHO. Best of luck with it! 8)
BTW, when will we know the identity of the "average modeller?" ;D
Hi Gary and thanks for the good wishes. As to when the identity will be received - probably when I try to sit the top wing in place and/or embark on the rigging!
Best wishes
Nigel
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Wonderful work so far Nigel, I'm following you and I know I will learn a lot from your build.
I like very much the wood tone you selected, No.7, but on your description it appears having the same "ingredients" of No. 6 which appears to me a lot different...
Keep on going this way, you'll reach a tremendous result!
Antonio
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Beautifully shaded wood Nigel!
I've got one in the stash, but the rigging in 1/48 still scares me... will look forward to see how you tackle this..
Guy
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Cool another Caudron!
good starting , very good job!
thanks to share your wood paint tests.
i find them usefull and kept them in my archive.
I did this prhaps it will interest someone...
(http://nsm07.casimages.com/img/2017/11/09//17110910560422623415360521.jpg)
wich decoration have you choosen?
i will not be far if you need documentation ;)
Xan