1:32 Fokker Spinne (Spider)

[Des]

A small update with my progress, just cruising at the moment.....

I made and added the seat, as can be seen it was a very basic seat with little comfort. I also added some rigging to strengthen the frame assembly, these few pieces of rigging have made all the difference and added a lot of strength. I also made the control wheel, this was made with 0.65mm copper wire and brass tube, once made the wheel was wrapped with 0.18mm copper wire, a small button was also added to the right side of the wheel with an electric cable (don't know what it was for). I added the ignition leads to the plugs and magneto, I made the plug lead connectors from 0.4mm brass tube flattened at one end and drilled to fit the plug.

Des.

[LindsayT]

Great work, Des!

How do your drill such precise holes in the brass tube?

Lindsay

[Des]

Thanks Bo and Lindsay, your comments are much appreciated.

The little button is probably an engine kill button.  I drill the brass tube using new tungsten carbide drill bits, they are extremely sharp and will drill through brass tube with just half a dozen twists between the fingers, but they are very brittle and will break easily.

Des.

[LindsayT]

Interesting that you don't use a jig. Thanks for the explanation.

LT

[Des]

A trial fit of the propeller, this is a Doug Craner laminated wood propeller. I also made the fuel tank today, it is made from two left over bombs cut in half then joined together, still needs a bit of a tidy up and paint. I made and fitted the cable brackets which are now fitted to the top of each mast, they are made from brass sheet.

Des.

[IvotB]

Nice progress, Des,

You forgot to mention your excellent woodgrain on the fuselage frame. I like the control wheel a lot. Will be difficult to reproduce in 1:72.

regards,
Ivo

[Ernie]

Absolutely beautiful, Des! The steering wheel is a joy to behold.
anxious to see the next updates.

Cheers,
Ernie

[lone modeller]

This is simply an amazing project - an absolute joy to watch one so skilled in a large number of different techniques.

[Zabu]

Very nice updates.

Cheers

[mike in calif]

Nice work Des. Sort of gives me something to work towards. Long way to go.....

[Andrew H]

Hi Des - I am as much in awe of your wonderful work on this project as I am in all your other builds. Something to aspire too.
Regards - Andrew

[Des]

I have taken a few more small steps, this time with the radiators. I used guitar strings for the radiator cores, this is the phosphor bronze wound wire string, the centre wire is stainless steel. The first photo shows the radiators compared to a match for size, the next photo shows a trial fit and the final photos show the radiators painted and fitted to the airframe, plumbing will be fitted next. Note also that the control wheel is fitted and the seat is painted.

Des.

[IanB]

Gorgeous as usual Des!
 That's a very laid-back pilot's seat - maybe to lull him into a false sense of comfort and take his mind off what may happen to him if his radiators sprung a leak....

Ian

[Nigel Jackson]

This is just breathtaking  Des.

Were Anthony Fokker himself alive today then ........

Best wishes
Nigel

[pepperman42]

Just catching up on this amazing build. It still reminds me of the guy tying a bunch of ballons to a lawn chair but there is far more thought in your project.

Steve