forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Softscience on January 19, 2013, 01:51:00 PM
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Let me say upfront that what you'll see here is not going to be on par with some of the jaw droppingly beautiful models I've seen all over this site.
I've been building models for quite some time, but this is my first biplane (not counting a few false-starts over the last few years). I'm also not the world's most talented modeler, but that is neither here nor there. I aim to have fun first and foremost.
Without further delay then, the WNW Alby
I began construction several months ago and started with the wing. I made small eyelets for the turnbuckles from jewelry wire and screwed them into predrilled holes. Easy so far.
I'll probably be hitting up Mr. Bob's Turnbuckles Bob for the thin tubes though, as so far every attempt to scratchbuild them has failed.
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g140/FireflyRK/7F6F1994-79CE-4EA8-B094-3F4AD135A9AC-517-0000004FC2BFBC11.jpg)
Here is my take on the wood grain effect. Perhaps a bit dark for the type of wood used on these aircraft, but the color is really pleasing to my eye.
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g140/FireflyRK/666C4FFF-29D1-428D-AECF-A0333C1FFBB8-517-0000004FBCEEF201.jpg)
And some of the cockpit work. I have a few small bits to still paint. Also, I really beefed it on the seat, so I lifted up the PE belts and started rubbing the paint off.
I'm going to try simulating a stuffed leather cushion using painters' tape and a very fine foam I have laying around the house. More to come soon.
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g140/FireflyRK/6E718113-ECDF-48D5-887F-D1686396710E-517-0000004FC581AC63.jpg)
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Welcome aboard! We are all learning so don't be intimidated posting.
Looks great so far, wood grain is convincing. Nice work with the fiddly cockpit rigging...
Keep it coming!
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Excellent start, Ralph. That cockpit looks fantastic. Your 25+ years of modeling are certainly apparent.
Cheers,
Bud
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Very nicely done so far Ralph, hard to believe this is your first bi-plane. The wood grain is a great colour and suits the aeroplane, and your cockpit is great, keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to seeing your next step.
Des.
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Great start.
nice job on the woodwork.
michael
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Ralph,
Outstanding first progress my friend. Excellent wood work too. Keep up the great work.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Ralph,
Had you not said, I would never have guessed you have not built a biplane before - you work looks excellent.
Look forward to more
Regards
Dave
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Very good work indeed!! Keep us posted on this one.
Steve
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Beautiful start, my friend, I wish I was as good as you at my first attempt!!!
;-)
Antonio
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Welcome here.
Albatroses are my favorite planes, I will drop in here.
Adam.
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Nothing wrong with that! I see you were wise enough either ot prevent paint getting into the locations for the bulkheads or to clean them out if it did. I didn't & it resulted in a rather poor fit & a lot of extra work! By the way, that inclined bulkhead in the engine bay is a pane as the parts aren't engineered to allow for it. Watch out.
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Great start Ralph, just keep those location slots clean and you should have no trouble with the bulkheads, however some of the parts are very fragile and can easily break when you try to put the fusilage together, what I found helped, was test fitting the fusilage halves as you do each bulkhead.
Cheers
Pete.
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Hey guys. Thanks for the kind words. Some progress.
I finished the cockpit and improved the seat and harnesses.
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g140/FireflyRK/48C23F51-1BC4-49D1-82FA-F0C1E4AFB5E7-517-000001AF16142D54.jpg)
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g140/FireflyRK/AF2225C3-81AF-4D7C-B092-12F4603346E5-517-000001AF1F502C78.jpg)
Test fit the lower wing. If only all kits fit this well...
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g140/FireflyRK/598C9452-E5CB-48B4-8A67-FC8D95DD90A3-517-000001AF05D2E973.jpg)
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That looks great so far. You are already ahead of me :(
From what I understand there is a potential issue with the lower wings -- they tend to want to point down too much -- see comments in PrzemoL's build (toward the end) for more info.
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Hello Ralph:
Great job so far. The interior wood has a nice warm feel to it and replicates many of the builds done here and elsewhere. Looking forward to more as you progress through the build. You can't beat Bob's buckles for service and quality.
Good luck
Mark
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Ralph,
She's shaping up to be a real show stopper my friend. I'm looking forward to following your excellent thread. What's your choice of markings for this kite?
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Very nice work. Did the engine test fit work out ok?
Steve
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Looking very nice Ralph, what colour scheme are you doing, there are 100's to choose from, Pheon Models has a great range of schemes.
Cheers
Pete.
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Howdy guys,
Not sure which scheme I'll go with yet. I want to give the kit decals a whirl, so I wont be going aftermarket on this one.
I like all the schemes in the box except perhaps Udet's airplane which looks dull.
I'll have to choose soon, as version specific parts are coming up.
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From what I understand there is a potential issue with the lower wings -- they tend to want to point down too much -- see comments in PrzemoL's build (toward the end) for more info.
They indeed seemingly do so. Yet, one can view it differently. As far as I remember, in the instruction book for WNW Pfalz D.IIIa there is a photo showing the trailing edge of the lower wing which is clearly bent up. I suppose it maybe so with Albatros, too. And this is precisely what one gets, after pushing the tips of the lower wings up to close the wing cellule. Anyway, with rigging added it is all stiff and holds together just fine.
All this notwithstanding, I can report another small problem I had with the lower wings. Their fit to the slot in the fuselage/cockpit-underside is very tight. And pressing the wings home may rise one's blood pressure, if one thinks of a possibility to damage the delicate interior elements. I had to taper the edges of the wings location pins to slide them into the slots and then gently press praying not to destroy anything.
BTW, fine progress on your build, Softscience!
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Good info Prez, thanks for sharing...