Scratchbuilding from zero.

[blubasso]

Hello, i'm asking help to you all: i'd like to try to build an airplane starting from just the drawings but since it should be my very first time i have no idea which build should be good for a complete (noob) beginner...

I will accept all suggestions and if someone has any "easy" build drawings can send them to me via mail. Or he could tell me what airplane is easy to build and i will download the drawings to the site that he will say to me. It will be good in both the solutions.

I am not scared about the difficulty and i can make several tryes. I saw here and in the Net, for exemple, that i can "divide" the plane building into several sections such as "nacelle" or "tail" or "wings" and concentrate myself one block at the time. This is a very good start because i don't need to think in several directions, all together.

However, i accept any kind of suggestions...

P.S. The scale: 1/48 or 1/32 are both ok

[Des]

I have completed five 1:32 scratch builds and thoroughly enjoyed all five of them, each had their own challenges but with a bit of forward thinking and planning any challenge can be overcome.

Scratch building is a whole new ball game when it comes to modeling, every single part of the model has to be hand made, not just a simple matter of cutting it off the sprue and fixing it to your model. A large assortment of materials are needed and sometimes specialist tools are required to complete certain tasks, a small lathe comes in extremely handy. You need the ability to resolve fit issues, this is where the pre-planning is important, when scratch building you always have to be at least three steps ahead of your building process.
 
There is an enormous number of aeroplanes you can choose from and all have their difficulties in a scratch build, but for your very first I would recommend building the very basic and easy to build Bleriot X!. It has a plain box section fuselage which is only partly covered, very simple tail plane, the wings are straight forward and the rigging is quite easy and not overly complex. The main issue with this build is the undercarriage but if attacked methodically it all falls together quite easily. I have plans for this model in 1:32 scale plus a heap of photos of various variants of this plane, please have a look here for my full build log;

 http://www.ww1aircraftmodels.com/page46.html

If this plane does not interest you scroll through the other scratch builds I have done which are all on my website as full build logs.

Des.

[blubasso]

I have completed five 1:32 scratch builds and thoroughly enjoyed all five of them, each had their own challenges but with a bit of forward thinking and planning any challenge can be overcome.

Completely agree: with a kit you can just follow the instructions, maybe a little scratch to improve the beauty of the model but starting an airplane to 0 needs big aumont of time just to plan it...

Scratch building is a whole new ball game when it comes to modeling, every single part of the model has to be hand made, not just a simple matter of cutting it off the sprue and fixing it to your model. A large assortment of materials are needed and sometimes specialist tools are required to complete certain tasks, a small lathe comes in extremely handy. You need the ability to resolve fit issues, this is where the pre-planning is important, when scratch building you always have to be at least three steps ahead of your building process.

Well, i think that thinkning in blocks, as i in my previous post said, you can make a list of tools just looking the drawings and try to figure out how to solve "that" problem.
For exemple:
i could write down a list when i need to do the fuselage. In that list i could write what i could use to build the truss: plastic tube and/or metallic one, and the diameter.
And so on.
So i can buy exactly what i need in that moment and not buy 2 millions of useless stuffs, all together...

So, as you said: plan, plan & plan before doing a single action. You have to finish your model in your head before to start to phisically do...
 

There is an enormous number of aeroplanes you can choose from and all have their difficulties in a scratch build, but for your very first I would recommend building the very basic and easy to build Bleriot X!. It has a plain box section fuselage which is only partly covered, very simple tail plane, the wings are straight forward and the rigging is quite easy and not overly complex. The main issue with this build is the undercarriage but if attacked methodically it all falls together quite easily. I have plans for this model in 1:32 scale plus a heap of photos of various variants of this plane, please have a look here for my full build log;

 http://www.ww1aircraftmodels.com/page46.html

If this plane does not interest you scroll through the other scratch builds I have done which are all on my website as full build logs.

Des.

I saw the Bleriot you made: she's a beautiful machine (and you made it perfectly) and i think i can start with her. This will be a very long process so please don't aspect nothing for a long time, for i have to understand how to solve problems with my "tools", both material/mental. And last but not least, i have to find the drawings...

Thanks a lot for your help!

Stefano

[Des]

If you are quite happy to start with the Bleriot XI I can send you the plans in 1:32 scale and other information I collected if you wish. If you want to go down this road just send me your mailing (postal) address and I can send the information to you, send your information via my email or PM.

Des.

[ALBATROS1234]

i have been doing scratch built additions for years and have recently started scratching some projects. what i learned is the squared off fuselage type seems easier. like on an eindecker/fokker e series. the fuselage is basically a bunch of squares and rectangles in a row with long strips connecting each corner. the more curves the harder. i am doing a 1/48 pfalz d.viii which is an odd rotary engine fighter. this was very hard to get the fuselage shape especially since the wing roots are faired into the fuselage. i have to use many files and sandpaper wrapped around dowels and such to get in there. for wings i have been doing similar to what des did on his voisin as i like a bit of sag in btw my wing ribs,and although many guys swear that the real aircraft had flat wings with just paper thin rib tapes i have seen many period photos where there is a noticeable dip in btw the ribs. do you intend to scratch everything? even engines,guns etc? the best tip would be to read harry woodmans book.its the best book for scratching this period of plane and it goes over every technique.

http://www.amazon.com/Scale-Model-Aircraft-Plastic-Card/dp/0852424353

[ALBATROS1234]

oh i forgot to describe what i did for my pfalz. i took all of the scale "slices" provided in the pfalz drawings, i traced a side view from the drawings and i made a skeleton of split formers placed along the length. i then strengthened with so 90degree triangles hear and there to hold it true. next i took epoxy putty and smashed it into the skeleton segments leaving a bit beyond the perimeters. next i sanded this down until it was right. my next step is to vac-u-form each side and i will end up with a shell. inside the shell i will install framing from strip stock then cast the refined halves in resin. it was a long tedious process but i am happy with the result. otherwise guys will use balsa and shape it with sandpaper then vacu-form it.

[blubasso]

Thanx Albatross for the tipps and the link!
I think i will, as my very first time, to start to building airframe trusses, to understand how to build a Warren Truss with plastic and little copper tubes. When i will more expert i will try to build maybe some tail parts or undercarriages, just to have some hours of experience "under my finger".
My goal will be the Bleriot XI but i think that without any kind of experience it will be harder, so my idea to start slowly, building some trusses alone, just for experience and to understand how a Truss works.

I have time on my own, no hurry in this hobby. Hurry is an enemy... King Hurry I is my enemy