forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 17, 2021, 05:55:44 AM

Title: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 17, 2021, 05:55:44 AM: Hi all,
As I'm close to finishing the Hansa-Brandenburg W.20 float plane, I thought I'd start on a 'Planet Models' resin kit.
This model represents a Ponnier M.1 â€˜Le Vampireâ€™ of the Aviation Militaire Belge, as flown by Abel De Neef from the Ten Bogaerde (Koksijde) airfield in 1915.

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/header2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/ponnier5.jpg)

Before WW1, Louis AlfrÃ©d Ponnier was a Director of one of the companies of RenÃ© Hanriot.
In 1913 Hanriot decide to temporarily quit his interest in aviation and Ponnier took over the factory under his â€™Avions Ponnierâ€™ trade mark.
The Avions Ponnier company attempted to win a pre-WW1 contract from the French military with their 1913 Ponnier L.1 scout, designed by Alfred Pagny, but they were unsuccessful.
In 1915 Pierre Dupont was hired as an aircraft designer and in 1916 the Ponnier M.1 was tested by French â€˜Aviation Militaireâ€™ pilots, including Jean Navarre and Charles Nungesser.
During flight testing, Charles Nungesser was severely injured when the aircraft entered a flat spin.
In the ensuing crash, Nungesser had both legs broken as well as his jaw.
The crash was thought to have been caused by an incorrect centre of gravity combined with a rudder which was too small.
The French lost all interest in the aircraft after this incident.
However, the Belgian Air Force were desperate for fighter aircraft and so ordered the type.
At least twenty Ponnier M.1s were produced by S.A. FranÃ§aise de Constructions AÃ©ronautiques, Ponnier's successor company to Avions Ponnier.
Most of these, probably more than eighteen, were bought by the Aviation Militaire Belge.
However, the Belgian ace Willy Coppens found the aircraft to be ineffective, despite modifications, which included a larger empennage and removal of the propeller spinner.
The aircraft, like those remaining with the French, were rapidly discarded.
Those that were left had their lower wings stripped and were sent to the pilot training school in Etampes, where students used them to learn how to taxi.
As an aside, RenÃ© Hanriot returned to the aviation business and his designer, Emile Dupont was instrumental in bringing about the much better Hanriot HD.1 fighter.

Mike
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on May 17, 2021, 06:08:48 AM: Cool , I have only seen this one built once ...so this is a treat to follow .

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Manni on May 17, 2021, 04:23:59 PM: Very interesting subject. Nice to see that also unsuccessful planes are built here.
Thank you for the background information.
Bye Manni
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on May 17, 2021, 08:49:23 PM: And some have called Me a Building Machine ;D Looking forward to another Beauty Mike!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Fvdm on May 22, 2021, 04:13:43 AM: What a beautiful airplane. Have fun building this one.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 22, 2021, 05:10:24 AM: Hi all,
Some progress on this model.
Information on the cockpit detail is non-existent as far as I can tell, so I've built the cockpit as supplied.
All I've added rudder control lines and pipe to the priming pump.
Getting the two fuselage halves to fully close around the cockpit assembly required some fairly heavy scraping of resin from the cockpit side panels.
I also added 1.0 mm thick plastic card strips around one fuselage half to help positive alignment to the other half, as as usual being a resin kit, there are no locating pegs and receptacles.
The ailerons in the upper wing were cut out and pinned with 0.5 mm diameter rod, so that the ailerons could be positioned.
The tail plane, fin, rudder and elevators were all drilled and pinned with 0.3 mm diameter tube. The elevators are positioned down slightly.
As the engine can hardly be seen on the completed model, I decide to use the resin engine supplied in the kit, even though it's not the best representation of the Le Rhone 9c.
I've added 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes for valve push rods and tube with copper wire for spark plus and ignition leads.

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/fusprime.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/pit1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/pit2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/pit3.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/aileron1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/tail1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/engdone.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on May 22, 2021, 07:35:16 AM: Pit looks awesome Mike . :) Engine is basic , but opens up doors for those who want to super detail it and I look forward to your magic touch on this .

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on May 22, 2021, 02:05:41 PM: Well you made short work of that Now didn't you ;D Looks awesome Mike!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 26, 2021, 06:52:51 AM: Hi all,
The engine cowl and the two side panels have been added (the engine will fit inside the cowl).
Also the kit supplied resin carburettor air intake pipes have been replaced with chamfered 1.8 mm brass tube.
This was done as the tubes are angled downwards from the fuselage sides and have chamfered ends, unlike the kit parts.
Also added the filler cap as it needed to be sanded away during the fuselage assembly.
Finally the lower wings had just one small resin locating stub for locating against the fuselage sides.
I replaced them with 1.0 mm diameter rod - the front rod passes through the fuselage into the opposite wing.
The rear rods locate the wings at the correct angle to the fuselage, which was not feasible with the original single locating sub.

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/carbintake2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/fillercap.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/lowwing1.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on May 26, 2021, 07:03:12 AM: Outstanding Mike!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: PrzemoL on May 26, 2021, 08:10:06 PM: I love your care for details and immaculately clean builds. Another fine thread to follow!
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on May 26, 2021, 11:22:15 PM: Thumbs up Mike , those details are looking good !

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: gbrivio on May 26, 2021, 11:27:32 PM: Interesting and unusual subject, excellent start of your build. Thank you for sharing brilliant techniques.
Ciao
Giuseppe
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 29, 2021, 07:36:42 AM: Hi all,
The landing gear and wing struts supplied in the kit are molded in white metal.
Consequently the landing gear in particular bends extremely easily and I suspect may not even take the weight of the model.
Therefore I recreated the landing gear struts and axle using brass tube, rod and styrene sheet.
The struts are 2.0 mm tube formed around 1.mm rod and soft soldered then filed and sanded to shape.
The axle is 2.0 mm tube crushed flat on one aide around 0.8 mm rod.
Styrene strips off 0.5 mm thickness were glued to the front and rear of the rod, then sanded to an aerofoil shape.

I'm not sure yet whether I'll replace the wing struts - we'll see,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/gear1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/gear2.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on May 29, 2021, 10:57:29 AM: Might as well replace all the struts that are white metal Mike ;)

Nice work on the landing assembly 8)

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 30, 2021, 01:15:18 AM: (https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/geardone.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on May 30, 2021, 05:14:12 AM: Quote from: Alexis on May 29, 2021, 10:57:29 AM
Might as well replace all the struts that are white metal Mike ;)

Nice work on the landing assembly 8)

Alexis

You win Alexis ;),

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/strutsdone.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on May 30, 2021, 11:44:58 AM: :) :) :)

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on May 30, 2021, 11:15:32 PM: Terrific work on the gear mike. The struts will be an excellent enhancement to the kit!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 02, 2021, 03:17:46 AM: Hi all,
Just a few updates.
The kit supplied resin propeller was base coated with 'Tamiya' Buff (XF55) then had 'DecoArts' Burnt Umber acrylic brushed on.
Finally a sealing coat of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311) mixed with 'Tamiya' Clear Orange (X26).

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/prop1.jpg)

Forward fuselage and spinner base coated with 'Tamiya' black gloss (X18) then over coated with 'Alclad' Duraluminium (ALC-102).
Slot cut forward of the cockpit to house the 'GasPatch' Lewis machine gun.

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/metal.jpg)

The brass created struts were base coated with 'Tamiya' Buff (XF55) then had 'DecoArts' Burnt Umber acrylic brushed on.
The four interplane struts were then clear gloss coated to have 'Xtradecal' 1.0 mm wide black decals applied to represent the linen bindings around the struts.
Finally all of the struts were sealed with a coat of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311).

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/strutsdone1.jpg)

Now it's onto pre-shading the model prior to applying the CDL and plywood effect decals,

Mike
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Manni on June 02, 2021, 03:53:15 AM: Really fine work, the wood looks great and the metal parts, too. It is a pleasure to watch this build. Right decision to scratch the struts.
Bye, Manni
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on June 02, 2021, 11:59:11 PM: The painting of the cowling and struts is excellent. Really taking shape now Mike!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 03, 2021, 02:15:28 AM: Hi all,
I've pre-shaded the parts ready for applying plywood effect decal to the fuselage and linen effect decal to the flight surfaces.
The fuselage if the aircraft was covered in plywood but it's difficult to tell if the plywood was applied as single sheets or as separate panels.
One photograph seems to show a panel join, so I've gone for separate panels.
Panel lines scribbed with nail lines added each side using a 'Rosie the Riveter' (1.0 mm).

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/preshade1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/preshade2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/panelline.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/preshade3.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Rookie on June 03, 2021, 02:44:23 AM: Wow Mike, you have absolutely outdone yourself! Again!

Those flying surfaces and the fuselage look great with the pre-shading on.

Willem
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Matti on June 03, 2021, 03:51:27 AM: Very nice work so far, good craftmanship to make your own parts from brass !
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on June 03, 2021, 09:22:17 PM: Getting there ....looking good Mike :)

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on June 03, 2021, 11:02:07 PM: Your pre shading looks great Mike.
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Monty on June 04, 2021, 03:18:11 AM: Nice work, Mike! Some interesting and effective pre-shading and some lovely work! Regards, Marc.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Dave Brewer on June 04, 2021, 09:50:40 AM: Great idea to use Rosie for the nail runs Mike, I think they'll come up a treat.
Cheers,
Dave.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 05, 2021, 07:00:12 AM: Hi all,
I've applied the decals.
The Clear Doped Linen are the 'â€˜Aviatticâ€™ CDL aged varnish (ATT32094),
The plywood fuselage are the â€˜Lukgraphâ€™ Dark Plywood (DEC004) - from their Friedrichshafen FF.33L kit (32-30).
I still have to finish weathering and maybe darken the wood decals,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/decalsdone1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/decalsdone2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/decalsdone3.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on June 05, 2021, 07:22:41 AM: Nice!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on June 05, 2021, 08:30:17 AM: :) :) :) 8)

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RichieW on June 05, 2021, 09:00:42 AM: More magic from your busy work bench Mike.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Rookie on June 05, 2021, 03:54:14 PM: Looking sharp Mike.

Willem
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 07, 2021, 02:36:09 AM: Hi all,
Just a few updates.
I've applied and sealed the weathering ('Flory Models' Dark Dirt clay wash).
Also added the pilot's foot plate, made from spare photo-etch) to the lower port wing, which is not in the kit.
The replacement 'GasPatch' Lewis Mk.1 machine gun has been fitted.

Now onto the pre-rigging,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/weather1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/weather2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/weather3.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/weather4.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/footplate.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/gunfit.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: kensar on June 07, 2021, 09:56:44 AM: You're certainly not disappointing with this build, Mike. The fuselage looks perfect.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on June 07, 2021, 10:07:09 AM: Thumbs up Mike 8)

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on June 07, 2021, 10:57:42 AM: Excellent work on the markings Mike!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Rookie on June 07, 2021, 05:19:45 PM: Beautiful work Mike!

Willem
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RichieW on June 11, 2021, 02:54:56 AM: Another stunner taking shape at your bench Mike.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 11, 2021, 03:37:00 AM: Hi all,
All of the necessary pre-rigging has been done, using 0.12 and 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament with blackened 0.5 mm diameter Brass tube.
The wings were then fitted.
The ailerons win the upper wing were controlled from the cockpit by external rods and levers, similar to the French Nieuports.
The kit parts had rods that were way too short and would not reach the fuselage openings.
I cut the rods away from the levers and fitted 0.6 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes with 0.4 mm tube inside.
The protruding 0.4 tube fitted into holes drilled through the front end of the levers.

Now it's onto final rigging,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/wingon1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/wingon2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/cabaneon.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on June 11, 2021, 09:49:34 PM: Beautiful Little Bi Plane Mike!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on June 11, 2021, 10:28:04 PM: She looks good with the top wing in place , looking forward on seeing her all rigged up !

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Manni on June 12, 2021, 02:26:54 AM: Wonderful work, Mike. Everything is looking as I prefer it.
May I ask some questions about the Flory wash?
I would like to know if you apply the Flory wash by brush or by air brush? Do you let it dry completely and remove the wash where you don't want it by Qtips or a brush?
Bye, Manni
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 12, 2021, 06:08:10 AM: Hi Manni,

The Flory wash is fine clay suspended in fluid. You can airbrush or brush - I brush - brush heavily over the entire model and can break its surface tension by mixing kitchen washing liquid. Drys within an hour. Wipe off or brush off with slightly damp brush or paper roll. You can also dry wipe. Clay will grip more to matte surface, less to semi-gloss and even less to gloss. Six basic colours, most popular is Dark Dirt which I use,

Mick
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on June 12, 2021, 10:35:23 AM: Manni , I use Flory Clay washes as well and I highly recommend them . You can mix them with each other for varying in different shades . :)

Alexis , just wanted to share !
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Manni on June 13, 2021, 01:26:30 AM: Thank you for sharing your knowledge, Alexis and Mike. I have the Flory wash, too and like to use them, but I think I did something wrong. I didn't add the washing liquid with the result of spots where the water dried.
Thanks,
Manni
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 13, 2021, 02:57:42 AM: Hi Manni,
The washing liquid, just one or two drops in an amount of the wash will be enough.
Best to decant the wash into another container to use as it will get easily contaminated with brush residue from other products.
It shouldn't matter how much you apply or if it dries in dark spots.
It's water based so should remove with slightly damp paper towel or brush.
If necessary you should be able to remove it all and start again if you don't like your first results.
Really wet the dried on wash to reactivate it and wipe or brush it away.
You can even airbrush straight water over the surface to 'blast' it away.
Remember the more matte the clear coat applied, the more the wash will grip and the less you'll be able to remove.
I usually clear coat the painted surfaces with a semi-matte,

Mike
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 16, 2021, 06:36:10 PM: Hi all,
The rigging has now been finished, apart from painting the turnbuckles.
Still to do are the wheels, tail skid, windscreen, ailerons, engine assembly and the figure,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/taildone1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/taildone2.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/flywiredone.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/gearwiredone.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on June 16, 2021, 11:48:02 PM: Excellent job with the rigging Mike :)

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 17, 2021, 06:07:13 AM: Hi all,
Nearly there now.
Just the engine/prop assembly with propeller bullet deflector plates to do.
Plus of course the pilot figure,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/close1.jpg)

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/close2.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Rookie on June 17, 2021, 02:53:00 PM: I agree with Alexis, fantastic rigging job!

You delivered a fantastic model again Mike, and the engine and prop shouldn't pose any problem for you.

Willem
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Alexis on June 17, 2021, 09:51:26 PM: Finish line is close now Mike , xan't wait to see the figure posed with his craft !

Alexis
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on June 17, 2021, 09:53:24 PM: Excellent rigging Mike. Looking forward to the final shots!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on June 18, 2021, 02:36:33 AM: Hi all,
The model is now finished.
I'm just waiting for the display case to arrive.
The last shot for posting is the pilot figure.
The next shots will be the completed model, which hopefully will maybe at the weekend.

As usual, thanks to everyone for their encouragement and comments throughout this build,

Mike

(https://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/PonnierM.1/figurepost.jpg)
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: RAGIII on June 18, 2021, 04:19:39 AM: Awesome Pilot Mike! Looking forward to the Final Photos!!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Monty on June 23, 2021, 05:33:01 AM: Love the pilot, Mike! Lovely pose and quite authentic! A lovely Ponnier coming along so well! ATB, Marc.
Title: Re: 1:32nd scale Ponnier M.1
Post by: Fvdm on June 27, 2021, 04:28:57 PM: This is another great build Mike. Everything I see looks great and especially the flying surfaces and the wood on the fuselage.