forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Vacform Kits => Topic started by: djuggie on February 22, 2024, 12:36:40 PM
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February 21, 2024
Another Austro-Hungarian vacuform off the shelf and on to the table. The C1 went into service in 1915 but were withdrawn due to a weak wing design. This was corrected with subsequent aircraft. The swept back wing configuration of the wings gave this entire family of Lohner biplanes the name "Pfeifiegern" or Arrow Flyers. The arrow shape was very apparent when viewed from above by other aircraft.
This kit was molded by Joe Chubbeck, a master mold maker. His Formaplane name was taken over by MHW and they went on to produce some kits. This is one of their early offerings.
I will be building the early unarmed version although I have a photo of a very basic machine gun mounting of this plane. I may add a machine gun to the build. Another difference will be the wheels were open spokes but I have none in my parts box. So they will be solid.
I will not be showing all of the sanding details. I will leave that to Ian's excellent build of the Fe-8 with a step by step and well photographed build. I want to build like him when I grow up.
One thing I did do was to outline all of the parts with a black marking pen and I am very pleased with the results. Makes over-sanding less of a problem.
Since the model is going to be a early version, I cut off the engine cowling and will mount the engine exposed. At this point all cockpit work is completed and an engine from my scrape pile was slightly modified to look like a Hiero engine.
The fuselage will be next.
Dennis
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-01.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-02.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-03.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-04.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-05.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-06.jpg)
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Really looking forward to this one, Dennis, I recently gave Eric Hight’s 1:48 CSM version to No 1 Son since I’m only doing 1:32 from here on out. But it was a lovely kit, and you have to love those markings.
Dutch
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what a buetiful plane aand lovely marking
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Another interesting subject in colourful A-H markings. Nice start!
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It's great to see the old vacs coming back to life.
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An Austro Hungarian two seater vac in 1/72 scale?...
I'll watch this Pfeilflieger come to life with interest Dennis, It's a beautiful plane.
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Thank all of you for the positive comments.
Dutch mentioned he had a CSM 1/48th. Is there any way I can get a copy of the instruction sheet? It will have details that the 1/72nd doesn't have.
Dennis
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Hi Dennis, I just sent you a PM apologizing for my gaffe, Eric made a B.II, not a C.I. I hadn’t looked at the kit more than a half-dozen times in the twenty years since I photographed the parts and posted them to the old CSM website, and seeing the picture in Dr. O’Connor’s book you posted I got it in my head that we were talking about the same aeroplane! But like I said in my message, LMK if you still want the scans, Marty Digmayer did his usual lovely job on the drawings.
Dutch
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Dutch,
Not a problem. I was able to glean enough information from two photos that gave me a reasonable idea for the kit. The model is currently well along. I got crazy at the workshop yesterday and had to slow down so I could photograph my progress. Any model made by Joe Chubbock is good and this kit does not disappoint. I will have some progress shots later today.
Dennis
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I agree that JC made some of the best of the vac forms and they are a good starting point for the unkitted obscure types. Joe used to work for Airfix in his younger days! His friend and pattern maker Les Cooper also produced note worthy vacs.
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Hi Dennis, check your messages here on the forum, I sent you a PM this morning.
D.
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February 23, 2024
Due to the quality of this vacuform, progress has been rapid and there is not much to say. I added some frame work, inserted the cockpit assembly and then trimmed my engine to fit. Four tabs were added to aid with alignment and the fuselage was closed up. This took very little time and I had forgotten how good Formaplane quality was.
The model is now in the putty stage. The parts box is being raided for the little fiddy bits such as props, wheels, etc.
Dennis
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-07.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-08.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-09.jpg)
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Looking good Denis
(Got this one in the stash so paying special attention) ;)
Paul
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Good progress, another nice build coming together.
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Impressive progress!
Thanks for the comment on the FE8 build, much appreciated!
Be careful what you wish for though. If you build like me you won't get much done!
I need to buy another bottle or two of mojo!
Ian
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Excellent start Dennis. I know next to nothing about the Lohners but this looks like a neat design.
I need to buy another bottle or two of mojo!
If you could order me a case it'd be much appreciated!
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February 26, 2024
The fuselage was next with putty. I built up the rear deck as my reference shows a sloped surface to the tail. I use the Bondo as it never shirks, sands very easy and will take any color of paint over it.
After this step was complete, the fuselage was painted grey, then white and red section were added. The decals were found in the spare decal locker. (Everyone has one of those, right?) The beautiful part of this model, is that is all of the decalling I have to do. The control horns were attached and all tail surfaces were glued on. Not shown in the photos is the tail skip.
You would think after all of years I have modelling I would not attach the exhaust until after painting. Obviously that does apply me and the rear exhaust pipe left three times. Found it twice and made a new one when it left for the third time. Sigh.
Dennis
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-10.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-11.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-12.jpg)
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As Ron Burgundy said: "Well, that escalated quickly." Great progress Dennis!
The decals were found in the spare decal locker. (Everyone has one of those, right?)
Mine is a very secure Heller 1/72 Canadair CL-215 kit box which I believe is older than I am ;D
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Wow! Beautiful work Dennis. You are making quick work on this one. I really like the livery choice. I’m going to have to reference this build for my own.
What area of California are you in? I will be working in Fontana for nine weeks starting mid July.
All the best,
Tim
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Tim,
Right square in the middle of the state in Fresno. That would put you four hours from me.
I like to build unusual kits, often one of a kind. Like the Siemens Schurkert DDR1 and RAF AE3 (Bat). Both are scratch built but follow the pattern of vacuforms.
Dennis
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More good progress on this striking kit. I like the fact you build these unusual types, they are always great to see.
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February 29, 2024
Two shots of the undercarriage heavily modified from the kit. It probably should be a little more forward but there comes a time when corrections only lead to more serious problems. I can see that my decals are not reacting well but then, they are very old.
I will start the wings today. They will be painted and at least the lower wings installed. I foresee difficulties mounting the top wing due to its awkward configuration. More photos this weekend.
Dennis
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-13.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-14.jpg)
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The undercarriage looks great to my eye Dennis, lovely work!
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March 3, 2024
This is what I consider the most difficult part of the kit. Cutting the wings out was easy. Aligning the red and white strips so that both wings are the same, not so easy. After a great deal of measuring and re-measuring and then re-measuring my measuring, I am satisfied with the results. After everything was dry, the lower wing was attached. The top wing has three spars connecting the halves and it was delicate to say the least. The fuel tank does give it a little strength. The locating holes were drilled and it now ready for the jig. Should have some more progress tomorrow or Tuesday.
Dennis
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-15.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-16.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-17.jpg)
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That looks like a tricky job but hopefully it will look great when the top wing is on. More good progress here.
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Certainly colourful Dennis
Interesting to see how the national markings on the drawings are shown (Lined up with the leading/trailing edges on top wing and parallel to the rib line/airflow on the bottom; you'd have thought it would have been one or the other) ???
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Love those stripes, this is going to be really pretty when it's done.
Dutch
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Great looking paintwork Dennis. Very much anticipating the completion. I find building split upper wing biplanes to be very challenging.
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March 5, 2024
Into the Aeroclub jig and out appears an installed top wing. It went easier than I thought it would. The fragile top wing presented no problems and the alignment went very easy. The colors on the top and bottom wing even match. That was the most difficult part of this kit.
The second set of shots shows the radiator installed, also the cabanes. Most of what I am doing right is guess work due to the fact the kit is of a later version of the aircraft I am building. But they are close to looking right and I can live with that.
The final photo is the top wing supporting system, again estimating its position from the pictures I do have. The photo also shows the prop and radiator reservoir. All in all, I am pleased with the results. I should start rigging today with a completion date of this week.
Dennis
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-18.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-19.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-20.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-21.jpg)
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Really enjoying this build! :)
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Beautiful work Dennis! Red and white two of my three paint nemeses (glares in yellow's direction) and I admire anyone who can achieve such a nice finish.
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March 8, 2024
It is complete. I am pleased with the results especially with the ease the top wing installation. I had fears of this being a difficult area but there were no problems. Even my upper and lower wings strips match. That was shocking.
My main problem was the lack of clear reference material of this version of the aircraft. Only 5 of this version were made and they were withdrawn after the wings kept falling off. I am not a a flyer but I do think that is a bad idea. See how smart I am? So much of what you see is a guess based on my knowledge of other aircraft of this era. It may be wrong but it is the best I can do.
Dennis
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-22.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-23.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-24.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-25.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-26.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-27.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-28.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-29.jpg)
(http://priswell.com/djuggie/Lohner-C1-30.jpg)
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Congratulation! You now have a nice model of this rare bird.
Planes of the "Donaumonarchie" are always interesting and beautiful.
Ok, there are some exceptions regarding beauty. ;D
Greetings Joachim
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Very nice result Dennis, it looks great rigged. Well done!
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Bravo lovely rare bird! Looking forward to your next rarity.
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Congratulations Dennis, it looks great!
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Beautifully executed Dennis. I’m going to have to reference this build for a future project. What’s next?
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I can only echo what everyone else has said, it’s a beauty! A-H aeroplanes have always had a special place in my imagination, perhaps because so many of the types are shrouded in obscurity.
Great job, Dennis.
Dutch
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My thanks to every one who commented. The plane fits with my theme of unusual kits and it was a fun build.
Next up is a WNW Roland CII. It is for my customer and it will have an interesting color scheme. I will not do a detailed build as far better models of this kit are available to view. It will be a quick build as I have my next two models in my scale picked out and ready to go.
Thank you again.
Dennis
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Missed this one too. You have made a good job of that, especially with the split wing and aligning the stripes: neither particularly easy.
I too am a fan of the unusual types and have this somewhere on my to do list. Your inspiration may make me have a try to scratch build one.
Stephen.
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Same here, Stephen. Another nice one. Elegant and colorful!
Dan
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I seem to have made a Habit of missing this section all together :( Beautiful build all around!
RAGIII
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A truly remarkable build. Well done.
Alan.
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I've somehow missed the completion of this kit.
A great model of a beautiful aircraft, well done Dennis!
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Nice job on what appears to be a difficult project.
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Nice one, Dennis. Love those Austrian colours.
Sandy