forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Scratch builds => Topic started by: Skyhook on April 08, 2023, 08:00:02 PM
-
Hi!
It was a nice, sunny day here, so i thought of photographing a finished model for you Easter enjoyment, for a change. This is a scratchbuilt SF-2, ”Sabi”. My special interest for this type is that it was one of the types the 20 Finnish volunteer pilots were trained on in Germany 1918. They got their basic training with FF 33s, but were given further training with Sabis before getting to fly the FF49s. It is a beautiful seaplane, but with alarmingly short fuselage. It had understandably very mediocre seaworthiness compared to Friedrichshafens, which were great also on rougher seas.
Cheers, Skyhook
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52801538496_61cffabba5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2orTFPo)3904B6A1-805C-4AE3-803C-28BBDC1D5B22 (https://flic.kr/p/2orTFPo)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52801934955_e08ffe72ea_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2orVHET)CDFB49DE-A98F-4983-B4C9-83D0FAC93FAC[/url
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2orUXct](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52801785349_6b062975b6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2orVHET)430DBE1F-3502-4E5E-B29F-9B63074E90EA (https://flic.kr/p/2orUXct)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52801981143_d595a2a0f6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2orVXpe)900A5ADA-3C15-45EF-ACF9-A7C5C556FE17 (https://flic.kr/p/2orVXpe)
-
Wow! That's a build. Can you fill in some details on construction?
Steve
-
Looks very good Skyhook! It's nice to see a lesser known type modelled, and in the right scale :)
-
Lovely bit of work there
Paul
-
Excellent scratch build. Not an aircraft type I knew at all and a nice little history lesson too.
Richie
-
Very, very nice! Thanks for sharing!
-
Thanks all for your nice comments, much appreciated!
Constructionwise, it is what I usually do; the fuselage is a plasticard box construction. I make the bottom first, then add the sides and bulkheads. The top goes on last. I usually construct it without the cockpit openings at first. It is easier to get the general outline right that way, in my opinion. I plan beforehand the areas where i will need putty and sanding…i try to make as much of the plasticard as possible. Easier to make holes and openings later, when the structure is not too thick. I sometimes leave the cockpit floor open, if it seems necessary to work it from there and cover it later on.
Wings are of the usual Harry Woodman method; sanded balsa core and plastic covering, with scored/embossed wing rib structure. I use clear plastic sheets intended for overhead projectors (just like the school days!). It is ideal for thin profiles and sharp edges. I use contact glue, often thinned with thinner. I glue the whole ”sandwich” together using sanded block of wood as the base. I have several types ready for different curvatures/profiles. Thicker profiles need variations to the method and materials, but possible too
I will post pictures when i do the next set of wings in the future…
Cheers, Skyhook
-
Superb scratch build, and has already been commented, in the Correct Scale. Another gem from your collection.
Stephen.
-
A real masterpiece. Nicely done!
-
Lovely model and great to hear the old Harry W method still used in 'real' modelling. I like your mirror base too. Great Stuff!
Sandy
-
Hi!
Thanks for your great comments, everybody!
I think the Woodman method is definetly the best and also easiest method for producing realistic wings with relatively thin profiles in 1/72. By using the transparent plastic for also to the core, instead of balsawood, it is also relatively easy to produce the translucent effect for CDL covered wings. Sanding plastic (other than polystyrene) is on the other hand relatively hard work. I have made my best ever wings for a LVG CII and a SIA 7 by using clear polycarbonate plastic for the core. It is very hard plastic, nearly like acrylic and was very time consuming to sand and scrape to shape, but worth it. The wings were so good in my opinion, that I haven’t actually built the models any further! They are just waiting for the right time :)
I usually paint the clear wings with a thin cdl color, then draw the structure with a permanent marker (usually grey or brown). Then i add the final color with another thin layer over the drawing to make it less prominent. Here’s a Lohner, that doesn’t have a clear plastic core, but balsawood. But the marker effect gives a pleasant result even with opaque wings.
Cheers, Skyhook
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52010337264_8a30da0c17_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2neYzfQ)8E898063-214B-40DE-83AD-8D41B77FDFD6 (https://flic.kr/p/2neYzfQ)
-
Clear plastic core for translucent wings, what a brilliant idea! I'm definitely trying that!
Richie
-
Here’s an Albatross B.II with a clear plastic core. This time it was just clear plastic from a commercial package of some sort. It’s original thickness was about 0,7 mm. I cut it into a shape of a wing panel (a 3 millimeters smaller chordwise than the wing) and sanded the leading and trailing edges to the correct shape. I skinned the whole thing with scored clear plastic (this time it was material for ink jet transparencies…one might still find it somewhere. It has a smooth and a little less smooth surface sides, ideal for contact glue).
beware the hun in the sun!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52804185600_ec6549757a_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2os8fH7)A734BEE3-59A6-4F78-870E-E1EF726465EB (https://flic.kr/p/2os8fH7)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52803224737_635cf14bfe_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2os3k5v)A674216C-E2EC-4FA0-8C1E-301103F4BE40 (https://flic.kr/p/2os3k5v)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52803224682_0f1f78b4cd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2os3k4y)40217FE2-20D1-49CB-80B1-564AC8599F2D (https://flic.kr/p/2os3k4y)
Sometimes the plastic of a kit can be just right colour and thickness and one just needs to add the underwing structure with a marker…. Here’s Roden’s great Albatross W4. in 1/72, basically an out-of-the-box model project.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52804185505_d27e10988b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2os8fFt)6159E9DD-86F8-436E-913B-656EC3F71D1A (https://flic.kr/p/2os8fFt)
-
Lovely models and most interesting ways of building, much appreciated!
-
Wonderful!
You need to show us your LVG C. II and your SIA 7, even if they are not finished yet! please!
Andreas
-
What a very pretty aeroplane, lovely work!
-
WoW Skyhook! How did I miss this one? What an outstanding scratch build. Never seen this aircraft modeled before. Thanks for posting.
All the best,
Tim
-
How the hell did I miss this? My apologies for the late catch up -
Wow - brilliant work on your SF-2 and all your others as well, just incredible work.
Regards
Dave
-
Wonderful!
You need to show us your LVG C. II and your SIA 7, even if they are not finished yet! please!
Andreas
I quite agree with Andreas, we need to see more of your amazing work!
Richie
-
Stunning Models to say the least! I Look forward to more!
RAGIII
-
Stunning models, some of the best I’ve seen! The wings are indeed fantastic, but I’d give an honourable mention to getting all other details to scale as well - in this scale one usually sees overscale details. The thin struts are marvellous - are they metal?