forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: MR Bentley on May 06, 2024, 03:23:07 PM

Title: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 06, 2024, 03:23:07 PM
As my half of the 1/144th scale buddy build with William Adair, (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14431.0) I will be scratchbuilding a Roland C.II (early). The Roland is one of my favorite WW1 airplanes and I built the WnW model a few years ago, which means I already have loads of reference. I also chose the Roland because of its lack of struts. I figured that sine this is my first scratchbuild, avoiding fiddling around with tons of struts was a good idea. I've only ever built a handful of 1/144th scale models, so this build will be a good challenge.

This buddy build is to promote Williams' book. He and I met when we were each given the opportunity to write a book on WW1 modelling. Williams book is titled First World War Aircraft In Scale - Scratchbuilding in 1/144th scale and is already available to preorder. My book is titled First World War Aircraft In scale - The Pfalz D.III and D.IIIa and is still a WIP.

(https://i.imgur.com/Fn51JUn.jpeg)
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 06, 2024, 03:59:57 PM
Unlike Williams Taube, my build (thankfully) started quite smoothly. The first step was to piece together a set of scale plans using profiles from both the Windsock Datafile and Roland Aircraft of WW1 books, pictured here with the customary coin for scale. The plans pictured are actually for a late-production C.IIa which I hope to build when the C.II is finished.

(https://i.imgur.com/LYWrex0.jpg)

The building started with the fuselage. I glued six layers of 0.5mm styrene together with the profile on top to guide the rough cutting. At the tail, the innermost layer is 0.25 styrene, rather than 0.5. This is because I wanted to leave a slot for the vertical stabilizer later on.

(https://i.imgur.com/A4o7TOJ.jpg)

An hour or so had the starboard half roughly shaped
(https://i.imgur.com/pNX4KrB.jpg)

One the exterior was roughed in, I began gouging and carving out the interior and windows.

(https://i.imgur.com/6dWNjcM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Kp2Gyl0.jpg)

After a few hours of work, the halves were mostly complete. There is still a little shaping work left to be done around the nose, but I will wait to do that once the fuselage is glued together.

(https://i.imgur.com/m02E1OT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GBVTuxi.jpg)

For the next Roland, I will definitely get either a solid block of styrene to carve or at least use thicker sheets to avoid splitting the layers apart during the carving stages.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: AngryJazz on May 06, 2024, 05:56:34 PM
You 1/144 scratch building guys are nuts  ;)

Im very impressed with your skills! Looks great already!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: andonio64 on May 06, 2024, 06:06:30 PM
Beautiful!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: NigelR on May 06, 2024, 06:42:48 PM
More tiny scale madness! And more amazing modelling skills.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: William Adair on May 06, 2024, 10:10:48 PM
Nice one Max, this is great to see!   ;D
I love the Roland C.II and have such fond memories of the Airfix kit.  Looking forward to seeing it progress!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: DaddyO on May 06, 2024, 10:27:08 PM
Wowzer. That's great progress - it's looking like a Roland already :D

Paul
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: ondra on May 06, 2024, 11:01:34 PM
Great, another WWI scratchbuilding project! Very nice so far, I will be following with great interest!

Cheers.

Ondra
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: macsporran on May 07, 2024, 01:12:16 AM
Another 1/144th crazy man - welcome, you'll fit right in here!
Great start.
Sandy
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: lone modeller on May 07, 2024, 06:15:31 AM
We now have three  Braille Scale scratch builders on the forum! Welcome indeed. Looking forward to seeing this one being built - you have made a really first class start.

Stephen.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: Flamingo on May 07, 2024, 06:34:59 AM
Three scratch projects in the tiny scale - how nice for us to follow!
144 the new 32?
Joachim
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: Dutch522 on May 07, 2024, 01:26:51 PM
The level of skill on this forum just keeps going up and up... it's inspiring stuff. Keep it coming!

Dutch
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: RAGIII on May 08, 2024, 05:14:50 AM
I am gobsmacked by the Sudden surge in Skillfully and Beautifully executed 1/144th builds!! Looking forward to more of your excellent build!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 08, 2024, 09:41:21 PM
Thanks for all the kind words, guys!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 14, 2024, 04:24:19 PM
Moving on to the interior bits. In general, the interior details only need to be suggestive as the pilot and observer figures will obscure the majority of the interior.

 I created the seats by carefully heating a small piece of 0.25mm styrene over a candle and then bending it around a 3.2mm drill bit. It wasnt the most elegant or consistent way of making this part, but it served the purpose.

(https://i.imgur.com/4wqMS2C.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dZCvD4R.jpeg)

The curved section was then glued to another piece of styrene and cut to shape.

(https://i.imgur.com/9o5CD1S.jpeg)(https://i.imgur.com/GZW7gkx.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UvfFeeI.jpeg)

The fuel and oil tanks were carved from several sheets of styrene glued together. I had to shave off the corners of the oil tanks for it to fit in the fuselage.

(https://i.imgur.com/RzGvZ6F.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/V8JWqpp.jpeg)

Unlike William, I made each engine cylinder individually as I've never tried casting and don't have the materials for it.
Each engine cylinder was shaped from 1.1mm diameter styrene rod. I drilled the intake/exhaust manifold holes before shaping the top of the cylinder. If I was satisfied with the piece, I cut it to length and repeated the process. As the rear portion of the engine is buried in the fuselage, I only made 5 cylinders.

(https://i.imgur.com/36yPS91.jpeg) (https://i.imgur.com/tCvbbmY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PF5FLbu.jpeg)

The cylinders were then mounted to a strip of styrene. I then added the various pipes using 0.3 and 0.4mm brass rod. The rocker boxes are 0.6mm cubes of styrene with a channel cut into them so they could fit over the 0.4mm timing shaft and the valve 'springs' are bit of 0.2mm rod. The water pipe on top of the boxes was fashioned from 0.3 and 0.5mm brass tube.

(https://i.imgur.com/f9bhUd1.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cbNPeJI.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wPBxUQx.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/p3cBVAu.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vEp49bq.jpeg)

The final engine:

(https://i.imgur.com/Kb35wD6.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/68ZzBin.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Xq1P0jG.jpeg)

On to painting!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: DaddyO on May 14, 2024, 04:59:37 PM
For 'Goodness' (Insert your expletive of choice here) sake  :o  My mind is suitably boggled

Paul
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: ondra on May 14, 2024, 07:52:41 PM
Brilliant work, sir! Nothing else to add.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: FAf on May 14, 2024, 08:25:37 PM
Brilliant post! Very fun to follow it step by step.
/Fredrik
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: William Adair on May 14, 2024, 11:49:49 PM
Wow, gotta be happy with that!  8)
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: KiwiZac on May 22, 2024, 01:27:03 PM
Oh, wow...the engine alone is a magnificent piece of work! I don't have a particular fondness for Rolands but I'm now eagerly awaiting updates on both builds!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 22, 2024, 08:55:14 PM
For 'Goodness' (Insert your expletive of choice here) sake  :o  My mind is suitably boggled

Paul

My friends and s/o have said that...


....and that I'm a bit crazy for doing this.

Brilliant work, sir! Nothing else to add.
Brilliant post! Very fun to follow it step by step.
/Fredrik
Oh, wow...the engine alone is a magnificent piece of work! I don't have a particular fondness for Rolands but I'm now eagerly awaiting updates on both builds!

Cheers guys! I'm glad you're all enjoying the process.

Wow, gotta be happy with that!  8)

Very much, your advice with tthe engine is very much appreciated!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: PrzemoL on May 22, 2024, 08:56:50 PM
Great, great, great... Especially the engine
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 22, 2024, 09:02:22 PM
Onto finishing up the interior and fuselage.

The interior bits were installed and painted as per the Wingnuts color guide. I forewent smoothing out and weathering the fuselage interior because most of it won't be visible

(https://i.imgur.com/OCRoD6n.jpeg)

The two halves of the fuselage were glued together carefully, and copious amounts of putty was applied to the central and dorsal seams. The whole fuselage was primed and then sanded down to even out the gaps, layer edges and file marks. This process was repeated between 2 and 4 times, depending on the area.

(https://i.imgur.com/CTRvzWE.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yHzDbfd.jpeg)

The final smooth fuselage (forgive the finger smudge in the first photo).

(https://i.imgur.com/YyKfVxU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gRtBqCP.jpeg)

And a quick test fit of the tail surfaces.

(https://i.imgur.com/RUW6u9t.jpeg)
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: William Adair on May 22, 2024, 09:32:40 PM
Saved the best image to last.  That looks fabulous!   8)
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: ondra on May 23, 2024, 12:12:40 AM
She is taking shape nicely, well done!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: WD on May 23, 2024, 01:20:07 AM
Wonderful work!

Warren
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: lone modeller on May 23, 2024, 06:16:03 AM
Your method of making the seats and engine is the same as the one I use in 1/72 scale, and I find that difficult enough....

Brilliant mdelling.

Stephen.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: NigelR on May 23, 2024, 05:58:43 PM
Excellent stuff, more amazing modelling skills.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: RAGIII on May 25, 2024, 11:39:44 AM
Another Tiny Masterpiece underway! Looking Terrific!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 28, 2024, 08:02:54 PM
Excellent stuff, more amazing modelling skills.

Another Tiny Masterpiece underway! Looking Terrific!
RAGIII

Thanks, guys! The comments sure help with the motivation

Your method of making the seats and engine is the same as the one I use in 1/72 scale, and I find that difficult enough....

Brilliant mdelling.

Stephen.

Yeah, there was a lot of trial and error and I'm sure I wasted a lot of plastic unnecessarily, but hey.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on May 28, 2024, 08:14:34 PM
The wings

The outline of the wing was glued to a 1.5mm piece of acrylic. Then, it was cut out from the acrylic and the corners were rounded out. Lastly, the outline was chiseled off

(https://i.imgur.com/1NIKVRs.jpg)

The curve of the underside of the wing was then made by scraping the underside with a curved blade. Thankfully, the bade I had was just about the same curve as the underside of the airfoil. I drew on the wing with a sharpie to better see where I was scraping.

(https://i.imgur.com/FJF5AE3.jpg)

The topside of the wing was then filed to shape. Note the washout at the ends of the wing. This process was repeated on the top wing, with the aileron sections being scribed in.

(https://i.imgur.com/zDkLrvx.jpg)

the airfoil guides I made to check the profile of the top and bottom curves of the airfoil. I carved an 'I' and an 'O' to the inner and outer airfoil profiles.

(https://i.imgur.com/9k9ge9E.jpg)

A quick shot of the Roland with the tail feathers and lower wing installed

(https://i.imgur.com/f0kyBt7.jpg)

Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: DaveB on May 29, 2024, 03:09:58 AM
Brilliant work in this scale!

Great progress

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: NigelR on May 29, 2024, 06:23:53 PM
Now that looks like hard work.... Scraping the airfoil shape with a curved blade! No way could I do that and get a consistent shape across the wing. More incredible work.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: William Adair on May 29, 2024, 11:10:00 PM
Great work! I especially like the washout to the wingtips.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: RAGIII on May 30, 2024, 01:06:48 AM
Simply Amazing!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on June 04, 2024, 09:22:23 PM
Simply Amazing!
RAGIII
Brilliant work in this scale!

Great progress

Regards

Dave
Great work! I especially like the washout to the wingtips.

Cheers guys!

Now that looks like hard work.... Scraping the airfoil shape with a curved blade! No way could I do that and get a consistent shape across the wing. More incredible work.

It took a looong time, a lot of scraping and a little sanding and it isn't 100% perfect.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on June 04, 2024, 09:46:47 PM
And now on to some paint prep

In general, I plan on making some of the raised details (panels, ribs, etc.) using a thick (for the scale) layer of white paint. This way I can create the raised detail and a white highlight layer at the same time, eliminating the need for masking and painting on the highlights later on

Before the paint prep itself, I had to file the upper slot to shape and dry-fit the upper wing.

(https://i.imgur.com/WJceK7j.jpg)

To make the front cowling, I glued a pair of hobby blades together using some styrene shims to give the correct spacing. I used this tool to scribe the panel line, then mask the front cowling. The panel was then painted white. I'll be repeating this trick to make some other panels around the airplane.

(https://i.imgur.com/UKBjl7K.jpg)
Before that, I wanted to get the worst part out of the way. This being the long, long process of masking and painting the wing ribs. The wing guide jigs I made came in very handy for this

(https://i.imgur.com/Vc0bqbn.jpg)

After an hour and a half, the upper side of the port wing was finished. A little sanding is required to sharpen the edges.

(https://i.imgur.com/imoCvkX.jpg)

One surface down, eleven to go.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: lone modeller on June 05, 2024, 03:06:15 AM
This is truly amazing modelling. I take my hat off to you 1/144 (Braille Scale) modellers.

Stephen.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: Thumbs up on June 05, 2024, 03:37:07 AM
We are blessed by yourself and William Adair showing us another dimension at least to myself of small scale genius!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: NigelR on June 05, 2024, 05:42:33 PM
Wow, more fabulous work. I hate masking in 1/32, I can only imagine how much I would hate it if I had to do it in 1/144!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: William Adair on June 06, 2024, 06:57:50 PM
Fantastic progress, congratulations!  The extra ribs are a pain but my goodness they look good  ;D
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: Dirigible-Al on June 06, 2024, 11:22:57 PM
Considering how good you are at making aircraft with clear plastic I would love to see you build the Link Hoffman R.I with it's transparent skin.
Alan
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: PrzemoL on June 07, 2024, 06:55:52 PM
Great, just great!!!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: WD on June 08, 2024, 05:12:13 AM
Wow, just wow!

Warren
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on June 09, 2024, 10:02:23 PM
This is truly amazing modelling. I take my hat off to you 1/144 (Braille Scale) modellers.

Stephen.
Wow, just wow!

Warren
Great, just great!!!
We are blessed by yourself and William Adair showing us another dimension at least to myself of small scale genius!

Thank you for the kind comments, guys!

Considering how good you are at making aircraft with clear plastic I would love to see you build the Link Hoffman R.I with it's transparent skin.
Alan

That machine is a behemoth! Dunno if I'll do something like that one day, but Im thinking about how I can use that transparency to my advantage with regards to rib/markings shadows.

Wow, more fabulous work. I hate masking in 1/32, I can only imagine how much I would hate it if I had to do it in 1/144!
Fantastic progress, congratulations!  The extra ribs are a pain but my goodness they look good  ;D

Yes, those ribs are a pain, but the results speak for themselves.
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: MR Bentley on June 12, 2024, 10:49:48 PM
Today's update is pretty short. I've just been masking and painting the topside ribs. Its a long and tedious process, but the results speak for themselves. The undersides and vertical stabilizer aren't as complicated to mask, so they shouldn't take as much time.

(https://i.imgur.com/2wM89kt.jpeg)

(https://i.imgur.com/KDN33ay.jpeg)

(https://imgur.com/2iEfyKF)
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: RAGIII on June 12, 2024, 11:04:49 PM
My Jaw drops every time I check in on this build! I would have difficulty doing that masking in 1/32nd scale! Terrific and inspiring work.
RAGIII
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: William Adair on June 12, 2024, 11:09:47 PM
This is perhaps the best update yet. Amazing progress and a fantastic result!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: Rookie on June 13, 2024, 01:12:11 AM
Very impressive work.

Scratchbuilding an engine in 1/144? Mind boggling!!!

Willem

Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: lcarroll on June 13, 2024, 03:37:41 AM
   Magic, sheer magic!!
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: NigelR on June 13, 2024, 05:59:44 PM
More amazing masking work!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: KiwiZac on June 18, 2024, 03:36:03 PM
Absolutely remarkable in so, so many ways!
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: WD on June 21, 2024, 04:55:17 AM
Amazing work as we've come to expect.

Warren
Title: Re: Roland C.II - A scratchbuild in 1/144 scale
Post by: lone modeller on June 23, 2024, 03:50:22 AM
This just gets better nad better - and more amazing!

Stephen.