forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: gcn on January 10, 2013, 05:35:14 AM

Title: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on January 10, 2013, 05:35:14 AM
After finally completing the Bristol I’ve decided to stay on the RFC theme and have some fun rigging the DH2.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/boxart.jpg)

I thought long and hard about which scheme I wanted to do and finally plumped for Option B

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/PlanB.jpg)

Throwing the manual out of the window the first area I concentrated on was the wings and tail. Previous experience with WNW kits is that the ailerons need something a little bit more substantial than the standard kit lugs so I drilled some 0.8mm holes and inserted some 0.8mm fuse wire, this creates a much stronger joint, is relatively quick to do, and you can move them around to your hearts content without the fear of the sodding things snapping off.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/pins1.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/pins2.jpg)

The painting process for the lower sides was then undertaken once the wings were cleaned up, this involves:

·         Priming with Alclad primer
·         Base coat of 40|60 mix of Tamiya deck tan and White
·         Mask ribs and joints
·         Thin pre-shade of Tamiya Dark grey and smoke to create shadows
·         Tone down shadows with Citadel Bleached Bone thinned with Tamiya thinner
·         Remove mask
·         Further toning down with bleached bone to get desired effect
·         Blend with brown filter using W&N Oils

The wings are now ready for the gloss coat and decals.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/wings.jpg)

Back to the manual. First thing is to be careful when removing some of the more delicate parts from the sprue.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/Break.jpg)

The great thing about WNWs kits is that a lot of the parts are engineered such that you don’t need to fully remove the sprue prior to painting. I followed the kit painting instructions using Tamiya paints.

The seat after priming had a base coat of XF-60 mixed with their clear to gloss it up a bit and then a wash of burnt umber was added. The cushion was a mix of light brown, dark brown and red with a thin mix of black and brown adding shadows. I then with the aid of a toothpick added a desert yellow colour to buttons. To blend it all together a wash of Mig rust was added.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/seat-1.jpg)

The belts were painted on the sprue flat. Again a convoluted process but I like the effect.

·         Priming with Alclad primer
·         Base coat of 40|60 mix of Tamiya deck tan and White
·         Citadel Bleached bone to create a slightly warmer tone
·         Mask and apply Vallejo rust thinned with their own thinner
·         Liberal wash applied to accentuate shadows and grime
·         Couple of coats of future
·         Apply thinned Brown & smoke mix to the edges of the belt
·         Couple of coats of future.

The future is used because it enables me to form the belts to shape after painting without the paint flaking off. I just need to flatten the gloss to finish.

The Nacelle was painted using Deck Tan and bleached bone as before and I added the shadows of the frame using the frame as a mask.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/nacelle.jpg)

The cockpit frame has lugs in most places that can accept a 0.3mm drill bit for the internal rigging. Some lugs were deformed and some not present at all. Where they weren’t present I drilled a 0.3mm hole and inserted dome 0.2mm fuse wire as shown. I would have like to have seen the lugs a touch bigger to make the job a little easier.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/frame-1.jpg)

I can then thread a 0.5mm brass sleeve containing a length of thin EZ line over this wire and trim to suit. The bits and pieces were picked out and lowlights added via an oil pin wash.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/postframe.jpg)

The IP was painted and then future added to the faces in preparation of the decals. This had the added advantage of darkening the bezels that remained grey to create a contrast. Previously the IP decals on my WNW kits needed trimming otherwise they wouldn’t fit, this time they fitted perfectly on a base of wet future and patted down gently with a cotton bud. That clock that I’ve put upside down I couldn’t even read the detail on it with a mk1 eyeball.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/ip.jpg)

The only bit of bare wood in the cockpit got the normal treatment of base, oils, gloss, smoke and the floor was built up using 3 shades of grey. I’ve only rigged the foot pedals as the rest of the internal rigging cannot be seen. I tried colour modulation on some parts just to waste a bit more time, I’m not sure how worthwhile its been but it looks ok to the naked eye.

Its now on to closing up the fuselage and the engine.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/completedCockpit.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/comcockpit.jpg)
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: pepperman42 on January 10, 2013, 06:26:16 AM
Wow that looks amazing. Nice jump out of the gate!! ( For those that want Citadel Bleached Bone it is now called Ushbati Bone)

Steve
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Des on January 10, 2013, 06:31:13 AM
Looking absolutely brilliant, and talk about quick, you are motoring along at a fantastic pace. Everything so far is extremely well done (apart from the upside down clock  :D), I'm looking forward to seeing more progress on this beauty.

Des.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: lcarroll on January 10, 2013, 07:01:01 AM
GCN,
   Very impressive start, your cockpit is terrific and the panel very impressive. Don't worry about the clock, I'm sure there were some Aussies flying these little beasts so the clock is the "down under" version, at least that would be my story! ;)
   Looking forward to more updates.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: PrzemoL on January 10, 2013, 07:27:50 AM
Indeed, an impressive start. Fine shading and wash emphasizing the surface detail.
I will be watching it carefully because accidentally I have selected the same colour scheme for my DH2 I am going to begin later this year.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: andonio64 on January 10, 2013, 07:43:55 AM
Fantastic Gcn, I will look closely to your WIP in order to get some idea for mine!

Great start indeed

Antonio
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Epeeman on January 10, 2013, 08:58:33 AM
Brilliant work and very fast progress, mate!

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: GAJouette on January 10, 2013, 09:22:28 AM
   Gary,
Now that's absolutely outstanding progress my friend. She's well on her way to being a real show stopper. Can't wait for more.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: coyotemagic on January 10, 2013, 03:29:03 PM
You're off to a fantastic start, Gary.  One of my favorite subjects, too.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: kornbeef on January 10, 2013, 05:37:45 PM
That interior is just gorgeous.

Keith
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on January 10, 2013, 06:51:55 PM
Thanks folks your comments are appreciated.

I have to say I feel slightly short changed by WNW. It say 1/32 scale on the box but this thing is only 1/72, I can't believe how small it is.  :D
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Whiteknuckles on January 15, 2013, 05:07:14 PM
Lovely work Gary, great progress!!

Andrew
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: mgunns on January 16, 2013, 01:47:15 AM
Hello Gary:

Great start to this kit.  I appreciate your materials list and how you did it.  I will try that on the belts the next time out and your build up grays for the floor.  Like you say, it may not be seen once closed up, but it looks nice out of the fuselage and you know you did it.  I am looking forward to more as you progress.  Great idea using the frame for the internal preshading.  I too am pinning all the control surfaces, I got tired of re-attaching.

Best

Mark
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: uncletony on January 16, 2013, 02:29:47 AM
Just superb work gcn. You are really working the light. Thanks for sharing your secrets.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on January 30, 2013, 11:55:40 PM
Just to prove it’s still in progress I present a crappy iPhone photo. My camera is out of charge and I stole the fuse for the wife’s hairdryer when that went whislt I was putting the wing decals on and I've lost the replacement fuses.

I've no idea how this photo looks as work block photo links so all I get is a red x. I had to edit it on the phone but anyway here it is

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/9FC84763-C315-4203-B2B5-1A34088B74ED-3642-000003F2215A533D.jpg)

I will try and get some better photos by the weekend.

Nacelle and wings are fully painted  in fact everything bar the machine gun has now been completed. I've installed all the wing buckles for the rigging and I might regret it but I’ve decided to use knit in elastic rather than EZ line as I think it will look better, but it is thicker and trickier to loop through a brass sleeve twice although not impossible ( I’ve done two so far).

The nacelle went through several paint stages:

Prime
Base colour (Tamiya) from which I created a light and dark shade
Highlights on areas where the light would catch
Lowlights where it wouldn't
A thin oil wash (black with a hint of brown) to accentuate the lowlights

The upper wings call out for a PC8. WNW lists a FS number of which Tamiya XF-60 is the same all but the first digit which IIRC represents the level of sheen.

I used XF-60 as the base
Then masked the ribs
shaded the ribs with a thin brown black
over sprayed with the PC8 mix according to WNW
Removed the tape
more coverage of PC8 to blend
Oil wash of raw sienna to further blend
To further accentuate shadows the outer edges of the wing were sprayed with a thin black brown mix and the insides were given a light spray of Buff to lighten. In the flesh I think I went just a touch OTT on the buff.

Decals were sealed and weathered to blend in. Careful masking and lowlighting the shadows on the ribs followed by an overspray of buff to dull.
There was no lifting of the decals but it is always touch and go.

The seam where the cockpit combing ends was a nuisance to remove although the outside is covered by the ammo boxes the internal seam is visible, photo evidence that I could muster was inconclusive whether there should be one or not, my opinion is it looks better without. I think this part should have been a single piece rather than part of the nacelle halves and a further piece.

The build has been very enjoyable to date with no real gotchas in the construction. I have my rigging plan so I'm hoping I can get this finished before February ends.

Like I said proper photos to follow in due course
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: pepperman42 on January 31, 2013, 12:41:20 AM
Looks very sharp. Nice colour work and thanks for the painting steps.

Steve
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: GAJouette on January 31, 2013, 01:07:03 AM
  Gary,
That's one outstanding DH-2 in the works my friend. Excellent painting.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: coyotemagic on January 31, 2013, 02:14:16 AM
Excellent work, Gary.  Love the wing shading and color.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on February 03, 2013, 01:23:36 AM
Got a bit of daylight so I can post some better photos, well slightly better anyway.

The decal on the underside went down really well, I did spend quite some time sorting the seam out beforehand though

The mud is too red brown, what was i thinking. Some light earth will sort that out as will some more splashes

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/underneath_zpsd803bd60.jpg)

Topside and my box of bits up next for the paint shop

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/top2_zps79db053c.jpg)

top wing rigged, not sure i'll ever untangle this mess. I used knit in elastic and looped it through the sleeve. I didnt find one method that worked perfectly but the best advice is to split the thread in two for the loopy bits.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/spider_zps7a12a9eb.jpg)

Alclad, Mithral silver and a wash did most of the damage here. I may add some brown. fishing line was used for the engine wires.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/engine_zpsdcf295f9.jpg)

need to tidy up the leather painting on the straps and combing. Most of the subtle light effects have been toned down by the camera

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/left_zps9146cc41.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/top_zpsacfbf5b0.jpg)

Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: uncletony on February 03, 2013, 02:21:27 AM
That looks very nice....
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: coyotemagic on February 03, 2013, 02:24:05 AM
Very nice, indeed! 
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on February 03, 2013, 02:35:52 AM
couple more plays with the camera and RTFM

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/tank_zpsa3c3e23e.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/til_zpsde23c5f5.jpg)

that was in low light. I've learned about messing with the exposure today.  :D
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: pepperman42 on February 03, 2013, 01:36:22 PM
Good work. Its coming together nicely.

Steve
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Des on February 03, 2013, 02:33:02 PM
Taking shape very nicely Gary, all your shading looks extremely good, well done so far.

Des.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Chris Johnson on February 04, 2013, 02:23:47 AM
I don't know how I missed this thread, but you're doing some outstanding modelling here. I appreciate your step by step coverage on how you accomplish different aspects the build. The more detail, the better! Who knows, I may even work up the nerve to try some of your techniques myself.

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on February 04, 2013, 02:53:48 AM
Thanks gents your feedback is appreciated.

Now camera and Gary are in a little more harmony I will now post more pictures.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/dw_zps991296a7.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/dw1_zps074c969a.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/DH2/dw2_zpsfad9372a.jpg)

I managed to put the top wing on backwards TWICE. I have to say I was raging at this stage. Other than that it went on ok, in fact the engineering is so good it fits backward too. :-[
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: rhallinger on February 04, 2013, 05:10:34 AM
Great work!  You really nailed the color, and the overall finish is outstanding.  Makes me want to build one of these!  ;D

Regards,

Bob
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Chris Johnson on February 04, 2013, 05:15:22 AM
Backwards, eh?  :o And twice to boot!  :o :o Now there's something I haven't tried yet.  ;D

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on February 04, 2013, 06:38:56 AM
Chris I know, that takes some doing.

I'd even glued the cabana struts on the first attempt as well, still it's all ok now.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: lcarroll on February 04, 2013, 07:37:00 AM
Don't be too hard on yourself for the backwards wing trick; it was probably obscured by all the loose rigging, Man, that looks busy! Looking very nice so far.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: mgunns on February 05, 2013, 03:47:36 AM
Hello GCN:

Wow!  The rigging array, or disarray looks like my Gotha before it nosedived with the lamp.  It will all sort itself as you get underway.  I really like the color and the shading.  I like that lighter brown PC10 you and Dirk have on your models.  I will be taking a stab at that at the next PC10 Model I build.  I have this as well and will be watching as you progress.  I almost put a wing on backwards once, and read where a modeler put the upper wing on his Roland DVI on backwards as well.  Glad that this turned out well for you.

Best

Mark
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Dal Gavan on February 07, 2013, 03:33:47 PM
She's looking good, Gary.  But every time I see a build log for the DH.2, I put mine at the bottom of the build queue!  You're a braver man than me, mate, dealing with that mess of threads.

Have fun, Spider Man.  :D

Dal.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on February 18, 2013, 04:02:24 AM
98% complete, all the rigging is done anyway. Not sure whether i'll colour the EZ line silver or leave as is.

I need to fix the bits that fell off the gun
Pigments for the wheels
Add some mud splatters to the tail
Complete the painting on the tail, sodding oils won't dry
and thats about it.

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/final2_zps30c15e3d.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/final3_zps36813a12.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/final1_zps65b9e109.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/final5_zpsf76bee21.jpg)

(http://i569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/itreallywasntme/final4_zps4c401986.jpg)

For those that don't want to do one of these because of the rigging i'd say dive in it looks far worse than it actually is, the hardest thing is understanding where it all goes but the rigging guide on Bobs site is invaluable

Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: michael on February 18, 2013, 04:42:15 AM
that is simply fantasic craftsmanship

michael
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: coyotemagic on February 18, 2013, 04:52:43 AM
Brilliant work on the rigging, Gary.  In the photos, the color looks fine.  Personally, I'd be afraid of buggering it up while trying to color the lines in situ.  But that's just me.  Des has absolutely no problem with it.  He's got the touch.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: rhallinger on February 18, 2013, 05:57:12 AM
She's beautiful Gary! Very well done.  ;D  I really like the colors you used.  Glad to hear that the rigging is not as scary as it looks. ;)

Regards,

Bob
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Flip Hendrickx on February 18, 2013, 06:04:24 AM
Beautiful DH2 indeed! inspiring stuff!

Grtz

Flip
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: mgunns on February 18, 2013, 06:13:07 AM
Hello Gary:

Your DH2 Turned out mighty fine indeed.  I would be careful painting the EZ line.  If you do decide to paint it, use acrylics.  Non acrylic enamels can have a disasterous effect on EZ line.

Best

Mark
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Epeeman on February 18, 2013, 06:27:24 AM
Oh, very, very nice!!

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Ian from Doncaster on February 18, 2013, 06:51:04 AM
Super job Gary!  I now have one of these in my stash too.

I would leave the rigging unpainted.  In your pics it stands out well against the rest of the model, the rigging looks just the job.  I tried painting mine dirty steel acrylic on some models, but after a while the paint flakes off, plus there's a risk of splattering the model.  I think Des uses Mr Metal to paint his rigging, but I could be wrong (Des please correct me?)  I have a few shades of this paint so I may try it on my Roland.  However IMHO your spider web is best left as is.

What's next?
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on February 18, 2013, 07:26:44 AM
Thanks for the comments everyone it's much appreciated. I agree I will leave the ez line as is.

Up next is going to be Udets Eindecker.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: andonio64 on February 18, 2013, 07:33:42 AM
Fantastic gcn...
It's a jewel!

I agree with you about rigging, Bob's guide is invaluable!
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: uncletony on February 18, 2013, 11:59:34 AM
Really superb light effects in your paintwork, Bravo! A masterpiece.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: GAJouette on February 19, 2013, 08:48:47 AM
  Gary,
Absolutely Awesome project my old friend. Very impressive works indeed, from construction,fit and finishing. Outstanding and Well Done .
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Chris Johnson on February 19, 2013, 09:19:23 AM
Marvelous workmanship! She's a real beauty to behold. Makes me want to pull mine out of the stack.

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Chris Johnson on February 19, 2013, 09:49:41 AM
. . . the rigging guide on Bobs site is invaluable

Could I trouble you to point me in the right direction for that guide? I looked but I don't see it.

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Des on February 19, 2013, 01:58:34 PM
Have a look here Chris, everything you will need to know about rigging a DH.2

http://www.bobsbuckles.co.uk/dh2_rigging_guide.html

Des.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: Chris Johnson on February 19, 2013, 11:24:03 PM
Thanks Des.

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: gcn on February 19, 2013, 11:55:18 PM
Thanks for the comments everyone it is appreciatied.

Well it's now finished and safely installed in the display cabinet, as it has no fuselage there isn't anwhere to pick the thing up from so there was a few tense moments at the end.

This is probably my favourite WNW build to date alongside the Roland and LVG and I would definitely do another. All in it took about 8 weeks from start to finish with the rigging about 3 of those weeks.

Chris i'd thouroughly recommend building one of these.

I'll not be able to get the finished photos done until the weekend, but when I do i'll post it in the completed section, next step Eindecker.
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: GAJouette on February 20, 2013, 01:05:20 AM
  Gary,
Looking forward to seeing the finished photos my old friend. A real treat is in store for us all.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: WNW DH2
Post by: RAGIII on February 24, 2013, 02:48:54 AM
Gary,
A stunning DH to say the least! Beautiful work and to me the rigging looks fine as is!
RAGIII