forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Scratch builds => Topic started by: RichieW on July 11, 2023, 07:08:45 PM
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I have recently become obsessed with the fate of Charles Nungesser and Francois Coli who vanished on May 9th 1927 in a bid to win the 25,000 Orteig prize for the first non stop Atlantic flight between Paris and New York. Twelve days later Charles Lindbergh achieved immortality in the Spirit of St. Louis while Coli is largely forgotten and Nungesser is remembered as a heroic ace of WW!.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53036416416_8bb79d2072_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oNDuQG)Carte_postale-Oiseau_blanc-1927 (https://flic.kr/p/2oNDuQG) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53036902143_ef70e84563_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oNFZei)Levasseur PL.8 L'Oiseau Blanc (https://flic.kr/p/2oNFZei) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
L'Oiseau Blanc was a modified naval biplane built specially for the attempt and carried Nungesser's wartime emblem on the fuselage.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53036901988_bbef60d030_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oNFZbC)train-oiseau-blanc-920-720-001 (https://flic.kr/p/2oNFZbC) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
All that remains of The White Bird is the undercarriage which was designed to be jettisoned after take off to save weight and aerodynamic drag. It is seen here on display in the Musee de L'Air et Espace in Paris.
I am in touch with an organisation, TIGHAR, which is dedicated to finding L'Oiseau Blanc. Their website has much useful information and even detailed 3 view drawings.
I am still at the research stage and hope to make a start soon while I also limp through the final stages of my BE2c project. I will stick to simple methods and will not be making the engine so hopefully this won't turn into a marathon!
Richie
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Great project! What scale are you going to work in?
I have a friend who was an enthusiastic member of TIGHAR in the early days of its activities and went into the woods in Maine on a couple of their expeditions looking for the remains of the White Bird. I'll check with him to see if he has any refs that aren't on the website (he's got a vast collection, he actually owns Nungesser's wedding album!). I'll also check my back issues of Skyways magazine, I seem to remember a couple of photos in there.
I was supposed to go on that first expedition too, back around 1988, but my son, who was two at the time, got sick and I had to cancel out. By some odd coincidence, I just had a gallery opening this past weekend outside Machias, Maine, which they think was where the a/c came down, and which was TIGHAR's base of operations up there.
Dave V.
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Great project! What scale are you going to work in?
I have a friend who was an enthusiastic member of TIGHAR in the early days of its activities and went into the woods in Maine on a couple of their expeditions looking for the remains of the White Bird. I'll check with him to see if he has any refs that aren't on the website (he's got a vast collection, he actually owns Nungesser's wedding album!). I'll also check my back issues of Skyways magazine, I seem to remember a couple of photos in there.
I was supposed to go on that first expedition too, back around 1988, but my son, who was two at the time, got sick and I had to cancel out. By some odd coincidence, I just had a gallery opening this past weekend outside Machias, Maine, which they think was where the a/c came down, and which was TIGHAR's base of operations up there.
Dave V.
Yes please Dave, anything at all would be of great help to me. I have asked TIGHAR if they can help with bigger files of their 3 view drawings. I posted this early in the hope that somebody might be able, I am so excited that you have replied. What a shame your son was ill and you were unable to attend the first expedition. Family always must come first, especially when they are tiny.
The White Bird, as you probably know, was a massive biplane. In 1/32 it would be a foot long with a wingspan of 18 inches. Ever the fool, that's what I'll go for!
Your friend is clearly an avid fan of the great Nungesser!
Many thanks!!!!
Richie
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As am I! My avatar here on the forum is actually one of my paintings of one of Nungesser's N.17s (unfinished, at the moment).
Two modeling pages you may have already seen:
https://la1ere.francetvinfo.fr/2015/03/24/l-oiseau-blanc-ressuscite-par-un-passionne-d-aviation-241309.html
https://1-72.forumgratuit.org/t6696-mach-levasseur-pl8-oiseau-blanc
Plus I found these, which again you may already have:
(https://i.postimg.cc/J440C3gm/BA12-B704-AE4-C-4-E5-A-A7-E6-630-FDF3-DB75-E.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nz4rp3pV/3-B0976-FF-1978-4-A12-A339-AF9-B7-A35610-D.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/DzYd1yX4/106063-FD-51-E6-4486-B4-A2-7-E4-A74-D122-C6.jpg)
I contacted my friend, who I have to see this week anyway. I'll let you know what he has, if anything.
DV
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That's great, thanks Dave. I'll add a link to an album I created on Flikr which contains what I have so far.
I hope you will be posting a photo of your completed painting when it is done. It looks absolutely wonderful in your avatar!
Richie
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Good to see another less well known but still extremely interesting type being built. The informaton that you showed me recently was already pretty comprehensive - I wish you luck in getting more. I will of course be following with interest (even if it is in the wrong scale!)
Stephen.
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This should be quite a challenge Richie. Lots of compound curves 8) I am looking forward to seeing you conquer this one!
RAGIII
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Thanks for you interest Stephen and Rick. I am nearly ready to make a start. My model making life has been taken up by wing making of late so I might just as well continue a little longer and start with them.
Yes Rick, the hull looks intimidating with all those compound curves. I have a few options for how to make it, none of which strike me as being very straightforward!
Will have something to show in a week or so and will tell a little more of the story of The White Bird.
Richie
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Will follow this with great interest!
Greetings Joe
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Will follow this with great interest!
Greetings Joe
Thanks for your interest Joe, great to have you on board.
I got a tip off from a modeller on another forum about a book, Atlantic Flyers by Kenneth McDonough, that had a lot of information and 3 view plans. I managed to find a cheap second hand copy online and it is brilliant, anyone interested in the conquest of the Atlantic by air would do well to seek out a copy.
The plans of L'Oiseau Blanc are in 1/72 so I visited a local print shop and got them enlarged to 1/32. I have said before that the White Bird was massive. Here is a copy of the plan with my 1/32 Scratchbuilt Bristol Scout and a 30cm ruler to show just how enormous it was.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53042122242_4586b4864f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oP9JZ1)20230713_113806 (https://flic.kr/p/2oP9JZ1) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
Clearly the first step of this build is to clear a big enough space.
Pierre Levasseur took just 6 weeks to build L'Oiseau Blanc, it will probably take that long just to clear and organise my bench.
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Well this is going to be a very different project, Richie!
Looking forward to seeing how you pull this one off mate.
Regards
Dave
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Hey Richie, I just sent you a PM, I heard back from my friend.
Dave V.
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Hey Richie, I just sent you a PM, I heard back from my friend.
Dave V.
Thanks Dave, have replied. Modellers United!
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Hi Richie!
It's such an interesting and historic subject!
You can find a topic on this French-speaking forum, with detailed photos of the real aircraft and a nice 1/72 scale build.
https://master194.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=114104
Arnaud
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Hi Richie!
It's such an interesting and historic subject!
You can find a topic on this French-speaking forum, with detailed photos of the real aircraft and a nice 1/72 scale build.
https://master194.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=114104
Arnaud
Arnaud, you gem! Thank you so much, I will have a good read through the thread later.
Well this is going to be a very different project, Richie!
Looking forward to seeing how you pull this one off mate.
Regards
Dave
Thanks Dave, I've made a start already. It's certainly a departure for me. I can't help wondering if there will be a 1/32 kit released in the next few years. ;)
Richie
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What an impressive monster! But I am sure you‘ll build a wonderful model!
Andreas
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I did not realise just how big she was. Quite the graphic illustration. I'm very keen to follow along with this one.
Pierre Levasseur took just 6 weeks to build L'Oiseau Blanc, it will probably take that long just to clear and organise my bench.
;D
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What an impressive monster! But I am sure you‘ll build a wonderful model!
Andreas
It's colossal, a single engined, single bay biplane with a 15 metre wingspan! I really hope I can nail this one as a tribute to the illustrious Frenchmen and to repay the tremendous amount of help with research I have received.
I forgot to mention, a big part of the reason for setting the BE2c aside is that I have finally quit smoking and need to keep my hands and mind occupied. It being the weekend (a dangerous time) I made a start.
Due to limited space caused by my work place being littered with BE2c parts I decided to make the tail plane first. There was something I was keen to try too.
I cut the outline from styrene sheet then made 2 more progressively smaller shapes and stuck them together.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53047348157_be766330a1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPBwsZ)20230714_111958 (https://flic.kr/p/2oPBwsZ) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
The same was done for the elevator flaps. To make life simple and help with symmetry I made this as a single length. The separate flaps will be cut out and shaped much later. It's a big single piece and harder to lose!
The steps were then fill with UV resin
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53048420638_c05bd49a26_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPH2h3)20230715_094236 (https://flic.kr/p/2oPH2h3) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
With the elevators I was trying to achieve a thin trailing edge and the shape hinted at by the feint shadow halfway along the flap in this photograph. This is why the thickest styrene layer sits on top and ends at the midpoint from the cut out. This is where I am guessing a spar would be. Sorry for the rubbish little photo, if you can zoom in you might see what I mean!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53047977851_9af331291b_m.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPEKDM)lOiseauBanc (https://flic.kr/p/2oPEKDM) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
After curing, a spot of filing, sanding and a little filling later the elevator segment looked like this;
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53047347917_6861794ac8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPBwoR)20230715_131656 (https://flic.kr/p/2oPBwoR) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
Much careful measuring and drafting onto 0.13mm styrene later the rib details were embossed with a ball point pen.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53047931281_46ebfa06da_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPEvNR)20230713_224414 (https://flic.kr/p/2oPEvNR) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
The top side only is skinned because the ribs do not tend to protrude on the lower wing surface surface of fabric covered wings, if anything I have noticed that the covering usually sags between the ribs.
I checked the symmetry of the wing tips by simply drawing round the wing, turning it over and drawing round it again. This revealed a little segment that needed refining.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53047930851_9689699ae6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPEvFr)20230714_231005 (https://flic.kr/p/2oPEvFr) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
A shot of car primer later shows nice thin trailing edges and very little more touching up to do.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53048116644_9cb684e4d9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oPFsUL)20230715_192511 (https://flic.kr/p/2oPFsUL) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
That's as far as I got today. There was a lot of touching up and filling of dimples in the skin caused by too much solvent but it kept my hands occupied and my lungs smoke free. Best of all I've had great fun and feel very motivated by this aircraft and the mystery of where the last flight of Nungesser and Coli's ended.
Many thanks for looking in.
Richie
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What a super start to this ambitious project Richie. That tail really does look very realistic and already gives an idea of how large this model will be.
Great news about giving up smokoing - I hope that you can keep it up in future.
Stephen.
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Congratulations on kicking the habit - quite aside from any health benefits you'll now have more money for models and supplies!
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Beautiful, Richie, and congrats (on the progress and the other thing too!). I need to look into this UV resin thing, another innovation that came sneaking along, apparently, while I was letting the spiders have free run of my workbench!
You're out of the starting gate, have a good run!
Dave V.
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I fought against this bad habit so many lost battles. I finally quit then before my 2nd child was born. Two great things at a time… :)
I keep my fingers crossed for you!!
Andreas
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Hi Richie,
This is a very interesting aircraft, more so with the history of Nungesser and Coli attached.
It has a serious footprint, and you’ll need some serious space on your workbench, and a place to display it when it’s done. I’m sure, with the experience of the BE2c, you will make this one too into a stunning model.
You are making good progress already. It’s funny to see you starting with the tail plane too. Looks like top notch work so far, and sandwiching the thinner styrene sheet between two thicker styrene sheets to get a nice thin edge for the elevators makes perfect sense.
Good to hear you quit smoking. I’ve tried several times, but haven’t succeeded so far.
I’ll be following this build closely!
Cheers,
Willem
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Thanks so much Dave, Stephen, Zac and Willem. This quitting smoking is going well my lungs have been smoke free (if that's possible in London) for 12 days and yes I have saved well over £100 to spend on modelling stuff. That won't be possible for a few days because I lost my wallet in the park after playing cricket yesterday.
Well enough of the smoking update, I got a little bit done today. I had to cut the little scalloped notches in the elevator trailing edge. To do this accurately and evenly I needed to make a very complicated tool dedicated to the task. I'll show you that bit of complex engineering shortly.
I taped over the ribs and masked a boundary edge 1mm from the edge. The mid point of each section was then marked and a triangular file used to make a starting cut.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53052445522_0a03a6d9c8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oQ4DJA)Trailing edge notches (https://flic.kr/p/2oQ4DJA) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
The new tool consisted of a Tamiya paint jar with sandpaper CAd to it. Like most simple solutions it worked a treat.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53053509473_17829b6af7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oQa71z)Trailing edge notches (https://flic.kr/p/2oQa71z) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
I thought I had the surface ready for paint but a coat of white Mr Surfacer 1500 revealed a few horrors that needed work so that's where I have left it for tonight. I'm wondering how others get a perfect painting surface. I'm beginning to think the best way for me to do it is to take off my glasses and look at my work in dim light. Despite this I am having so much fun with this project already and have learned so much about aviation history from it.
Thanks for dropping by, Special thanks to Dave V for helping with the research.
Richie
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First Congratulations on the Smoking thing. Hang in there and don't give in!! I quit One year and almost one Month ago.
As for the Model that was incredibly Fast and Really well done on your start! Excellent skills!!
RAGIII
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Your off to a good start already, Richie -
An interesting (and very different) project too.
Regards
Dave
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First Congratulations on the Smoking thing. Hang in there and don't give in!! I quit One year and almost one Month ago.
As for the Model that was incredibly Fast and Really well done on your start! Excellent skills!!
RAGIII
Thanks Rick, 2 weeks today since my last cigarette. Keeping occupied seems to be the key and a new project like this is just the ticket.
Your off to a good start already, Richie -
An interesting (and very different) project too.
Regards
Dave
Thanks Dave, I'm having great fun with it. It's a perfect subject for a scratch build although rather massive!
Richie
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Keep up the good work on the smoking Richie - we are all supporting you.
Excellent piece of high tech engineering for sanding the elevator - just the sort of thing that scratch building is really about! It looks as though you are going to finish this one before the B E 2.
One answer to the surface problem is to use lots of coats of thinned paint - applied with a brush of course (forget those d...d spray gun thingys). I do this regularly now and find that it works really well.
Stephen.
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Great start on this ambitious project! Looks like you're moving along nicely.
What ideas do you have about making the fuselage (if you won't be divulging any trade secrets ;D)?
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Very nice start to this most interesting project. I wasn’t aware of this flight and the fate of the crew.
Good luck with the Be2 completion and of course, kicking the cigarette habit!
All the best,
Tim
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Thanks Stephen, still off the fags and finding it easier now.
I ended up using semi matt varnish to fill the little surface imperfections. Worked a treat.
Very nice start to this most interesting project. I wasn’t aware of this flight and the fate of the crew.
Good luck with the Be2 completion and of course, kicking the cigarette habit!
All the best,
Tim
Thanks Tim, I wasn't aware of this flight either until recently. I think that's why I find it so exciting.
Great start on this ambitious project! Looks like you're moving along nicely.
What ideas do you have about making the fuselage (if you won't be divulging any trade secrets ;D)?
Thanks Ken, I'm not sure exactly how I will make the fuselage. The lower boat shape might have to be carved out of wood. There will need to be a lot of vac forming too which suggests I will end up carving the entire nose section. The windscreen looks 'fun' too. Like everything else I will throw myself off that bridge when I come to it.
Richie
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Evening all, shortly after my last update I had a bit of a mishap that involved spilling Mr Levelling Thinner on the tailplane. The damage to the surface shows up as yellow car primer. Not as bad as it might have been and easily remedied but deeply annoying.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53058426978_569ba18614_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oQAiP9)Setback No. 1, thinner spillage. (https://flic.kr/p/2oQAiP9) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
After a bit of gentle sanding, micromeshing and a bit of white Mr Surfacer 1500
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53061494205_44f844897b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oQS2An)20230721_133655 (https://flic.kr/p/2oQS2An) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
The tailfin and ruddder gave me a lot of grief. I tried to use the same method as I used for the tail plane but it all went horribly wrong.
It looked so promising after a quick check on the drawings;
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53061494595_be40d25797_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oQS2H6)20230721_092655 (https://flic.kr/p/2oQS2H6) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
What I should have realised is that where the yellow car primer still shows represents low spots. These became very apparent once I skinned the part and I had to start again. The second attempt failed because I made the decision to cut out the rudder and skin the parts separately. Somehow I managed to misalign the ribs so a third attempt was made which finally proved successful.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53072914387_6a965f5c1a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oRSyq4)20230726_213408 (https://flic.kr/p/2oRSyq4) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
So here are all the tailplane components together.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53073491056_3ee0c7fc94_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oRVvQC)20230726_213539 (https://flic.kr/p/2oRVvQC) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
I need to learn how to draw the Levasseur anchor emblem on the computer so I can make a decal next.
It doesn't look like I have done much so far but much time has been spent remaking and attempting to rescue failed parts. Despite the problems I remain cigarette free and cheerful!
Many thanks for reading, I must get back to mt BE2c soon or it will never get finished!
Richie
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Per ardua ad astra, Richie... through spilled thinner to the stars! Glad to see your progress (and preserverance!), that's some beautiful work going on. And I haven't forgotten about the search for refs, just having trouble making the connection with Harlan... forgot it was a big race weekend just past :-/
Dave V.
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Extraordinary what you do here! Those parts look even better than kit parts.
Andreas
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Excellent progress on both the model and the smoking!
Keep up the good work Richie.
Stephen.
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Thanks so much for your generous comments Dave, Andreas and Stephen, it really does help keep my enthusiasm high.
I've been a bit distracted recently but have a small progress update. Firstly I have now been a non smoker for 4 weeks and secondly I couldn't help but apply the first splash of colour to the rudder.
This was followed by a first go at printing my own decals. I spent many hours mucking about with various ways of drawing the anchor but in the end just downloaded a French Aeronavale roundel and a friend isolated the anchor for me. While I was at it I managed to find a picture of Nungesser's skull,coffin and candles emblem.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53087312124_f5d51ce690_c.jpg) (http://httpshttps://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/Themes/actualism_202/images/bbc/img.gif://flic.kr/p/2oT9mmU)20230801_210101 (https://flic.kr/p/2oT9mmU) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
These have just been applied so will need a clear coat, I'm a bit concerned about how thick the decal paper is but maybe they will dry nice and flat by the morning. Not a huge step forward but if the decals look OK tomorrow it is a new string to my bow.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my project.
Richie
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Looks great from here, Richie! I was wondering how you were going to do them. What did you print them on? I remember back in the day on the WW1 List the hot setup was the ALPS printer, but no doubt those have gone the way of the Baluchitherium by now.
Dave V.
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Great work Richie, I may not always comment but I read and enjoy every update on this build.
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Thanks Dave, it's a Lexmark MS310 laser printer I've had for years. I just typed it out as a word document, couldn't have been easier!
I tried using letraset but lining up all those letters was too much of a pain. The decals seem to have settled down really well overnight, I'm pretty pleased with that!
Richie
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The decals look perfect Richie! Oh yeah, the fin, rudder and Tailplane look Awesome also!
RAGIII
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Many thanks Rick and Zac, sadly the feeling of triumph I got from my decal printing was rather short lived. The decal paper was rather thick and there were very obvious raised edges. Treatment with Micro Sol didn't really help and neither did a few layers of varnish. I didn't take photos to show you before removing the decals but I did put one on the shiny side of a fresh piece of styrene. I ran a little oil wash along the bottom which I hope enables you to see what I mean.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53090106083_576b8c290b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oToEUB)20230802_220705 (https://flic.kr/p/2oToEUB) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
I really hate this kind of thing, not even Tamiya decals are this thick.
I have some Experts Choice decal paper on order and will see how that works out. If all else fails it will be back to the Letraset and masks or, even though it goes against the grain, I may get the decals printed.
Sadly removing the decals and varnish caused a little surface damage which meant a little primer and filler so it really isn't looking very well at all.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53089044767_23159ec6c1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oTieq4)Back to square one. (https://flic.kr/p/2oTieq4) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
Nothing that can't be fixed and a very minor setback compared to many of my modelling misadventures. I'm away for a few days so at least the primer and filler will be fully cured when I get back.
Richie
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Time away may give you the opportunity to look at the problem with fresh eyes. Good luck, Richie!
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Time away may give you the opportunity to look at the problem with fresh eyes. Good luck, Richie!
....and get back to the BE 2c and finish that first!
Stephen
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;D ;D
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Can you cut the decal film so it lines up with the rib lines? This is what I am planning for my Strutter.
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Can you cut the decal film so it lines up with the rib lines? This is what I am planning for my Strutter.
Was pondering that Ken. I have some new decal paper and a quick trial run suggests it should be OK. I suspect the one I used is more for adding designs to mugs and plates rather than scale models. I may go belt and braces and use your idea too. Thanks for the suggestion.
Time away may give you the opportunity to look at the problem with fresh eyes. Good luck, Richie!
....and get back to the BE 2c and finish that first!
Stephen
Thanks Stephen and Zac, I'm going to finish the tailplane components of this one then the BE2c will have my full attention. I have a top wing to make for the 3rd time! 😔
Richie
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A small setback but I know you will get it done to your satisfaction!
RAGIII
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A small setback but I know you will get it done to your satisfaction!
RAGIII
Thanks Rick, in the words of Monty Python 'Tis but a flesh wound'. :)
I printed a new set of decals on Expert Choice laser decal paper, before applying them I need to repaint the rudder. By some outrageous stroke of ill fortune I ordered paint which got delivered to my neighbour while I was out for the day. My neighbours then seem to have gone on holiday before I got home.
Here is one of the new decals on my BE2c awaiting a clear coat.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53112662142_6077c211eb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oVoh3b)20230813_151021 (https://flic.kr/p/2oVoh3b) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
These are so much thinner, cutting them out with scissors helps to avoid a raised edge too. Once the paints are in my hands I hope to finish this part of the project before focusing my attention fully on the BE2 in a bid to finally finish it.
Richie
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I could've sworn that was one of Jamo's TVAL photos, wow!
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Thanks Zac, I should have posted this in the other project really. I hope you noticed I used the correct spelling of St. Catharines and didn't copy the TVAL mistake! ::)
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You're my hero, Richie! If my N.16 comes out 25% as good as your work (I was shooting for 30%) I'll be a happy camper.
Dutch
(AKA Dave V.)
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You're my hero, Richie! If my N.16 comes out 25% as good as your work (I was shooting for 30%) I'll be a happy camper.
Dutch
(AKA Dave V.)
Oh Dutch, that's very kind but you have to set your sights higher than that, I'll show you a horror story when I update my BE2c thread! :)
Well I have blue paint, this is MRP true blue. Not quite what I wanted (my package is still with my holidaying neighbours) but it will do and nobody can prove that the White Bird's fin flash was a different colour.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53118219942_8d725bd136_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oVSLbj)20230815_203736 (https://flic.kr/p/2oVSLbj) by Richard Williams (https://www.flickr.com/photos/187004837@N07/), on Flickr
The decals are much thinner than the first batch I printed although you can still see the edges if you look but like the blue they will do.
I came to the conclusion that the rudder is just a small part of what will be a truly massive 18 inch wingspan model. The decals are just a small part of the rudder so it's time to stop torturing myself and move on.
Speaking of moving on I need to put this to one side for now while I try to finish my BE2c in time for my club show at the end of September.
Thanks for dropping in
Richie
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Looking great, Richie -
Your rudder and home made decals really look the part, mate.
Regards
Dave
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Superb rudder transfers Richie. I agree that you should stop torturing yourself and just move on - no model is perfect as I should know!
Stephen.
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The decals look awesome!
RAGIII
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This is a great build Richie, very fine craftsmanship and great looking decals!
Gives me something to ponder about...
Cheers,
Willem