forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Chuckt5 on February 23, 2013, 03:35:37 PM
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I have scratch built an 1/32 Albatros W.4 float that I hope to detail, then resin cast for use in my D.II to W.4 conversion of the Roden D.II kit. I have the basic shape of the float done and am working on making the other details needed to add to bring it all to completion to then cast. I will of course also be making the wings and other flying surfaces, extended struts... everything needed to convert the D.II to W.4, but I've just started with the floats.
What I'm looking for is honest feedback on the look and shape of the float. I can already see I need to fix the angle on the bottom (as it isn't even) but is there anything else I'm missing?
Feel free to be honest. Thanks in advance, Chuck.
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0533.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0532.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0529.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0527.jpg)
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Possibly a case of one being one's own worst critic ... Your prototype looks excellent to me so far... honest ;)
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Thanks. ;)
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its hard to tell from looking at pictures on a 2-d screen but they look good to me. what did you use for plans? when i hold up my 1/48 gavia w4 float they seem to be close in overall shape. so i would say you are on the right track. i have been messing with the gavia kit a bit lately so i will be interested to see your scratched conversion take shape.
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I re sized some plans from the W.4 data file and found a couple set of plans off the internet. I also used a number of pics that I found online. There were slight differences between them all, but I was able to make some sense of it (I think ;)).
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That float looks very good to me, most impressive.
Cheers
Pete.
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Chuck, I would be very happy with that float. It looks very well executed and convincing to me. The W.4 has been a favorite of mine, and I have contemplated the conversion you are doing. I will go to school on your build, and if your casting goes as well as the master fabrication, and you feel like making extras down the road when the project is all done, I would be happy to buy an extra pair from you. I will likely get around to this project in 2016 or so. ;)
You're off to a very fine start! Well done. I look forward to the rest of this conversion with great interest. :)
Regards,
Bob
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Looks excellent to me. Now just cast a bunch and offer them as a conversion kit! I am game for one :-)
RAGIII
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Thanks everyone for the feedback. :) I still need to make strips aroound the exterior sides, wear strips on the bottom, strips on the top for walking on... I would be happy to offer any W.4 parts if they meet your standards and your interested in the future. Here's what else I have done so far:
first fixed angles (still needs a bit of cleaning up)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0536.jpg)
then made some little details
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0525.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0523.jpg)
the cap and suround are not glued down, so they are not centered yet. The cap also needs the handle added which I think I'll make today.
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0535.jpg)
Let me know how its looking thanks.
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Hello Chuck:
It all looks good to me. Not having any reference material to compare it to, it looks like you are taking the time to make a good representation as close as humanly possible in model form. If you go ahead and make a conversion, I would be game to purchase one.
Good Luck
Mark
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Hello Chuck:
It all looks good to me. Not having any reference material to compare it to, it looks like you are taking the time to make a good representation as close as humanly possible in model form. If you go ahead and make a conversion, I would be game to purchase one.
Good Luck
Mark
Me too; and I'm looking forward to watching this project move along.
Cheers,
Lance
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Very nice work Chuck. The shape and details look great! ;D Sounds like you have a ready market for these! ;)
I forgot to ask---what material did you use for the base float? You have done a bang-up job on the finishing. The surface looks very smooth and the angles look very convincing. I can tell that this will be a fantastic model when completed. :)
Regards,
Bob
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Thanks. I was made from plasticmcard and filler. I'll see if I can post some in progress pics later on today.
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Wow Chuck, the round surround pieces are fantastic, how did you made the screws on them?
:o
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I made a super tiny punch and die set which uses a number 80 drill bit to punch out those bolt heads. I then punched the heads from .02" card and glued them down. The smallest Waldron punch and die set size was just too big, so I made my own. (http://)
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It all looks great and would be well received by the WWI builders as a conversion kit. Count me in.
Steve
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Thanks again everyone for the encouragement.
Someone asked how I made it. I used the data files plans (enlarged to 1/32) and cut out profiles from thicker card including bulheads. From there I applied a skin from .02" card. From there I did lots of sanding and used filler as needed. The most complexe shape to capture was at the rear (pointed end) of the float which was filled with balsa, then filled with bondo and filler. After much sanding, priming, sanding, priming... I ended up with the basic shape which I shared at the top of the thread. Just installing the strips along the bottom sides and bottom right now. Then will come the drain port surrounds and walking strips on the top. Shes getting closer!
Here are a few earlier shots:
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0406.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0407.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0408.jpg)
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This is a fine, thoughtful piece of modeling Chuck! ;D Thanks for sharing it with us. Well done!
Regards,
Bob
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This is a fine, thoughtful piece of modeling Chuck! ;D Thanks for sharing it with us. Well done!
Regards,
Bob
+1
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Man, I'm going bugg eyed with all this riveting! :o
Ended up working on the trims that go on the exterior of the float both top and bottom. Boy that thin CA is tricky to work with!
Took a while to install and then rivet the strips with a pin. I would have used my BR production riveter but didn't think I was skilled enough to keep it running down the center of the strip which is only .02" wide. I put a little wash into the nail holes so they show up better in the pics.
I was also hoping to also install the wooden wear strips on the bottom and walkway strips on the top but I discovered too late that I didn't have the right size of strips in my stash. That coupled with the fact the hobby shop was closed means this is all I get done tonight.
Heres a couple of pics. It needs some cleaing up but I like how its coming.
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0720.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0717.jpg)
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Chuck,
Outstanding work on your W-4 float my friend. Looks absolutely perfect from here.It must have been a real you know what to place all those many rivets in such a straight line. But details like these realy make this one stand out. I'm realy looking forward to watching this awesome project play out.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Outstanding detail work on the floats, Chuck. I'm looking forward to watching this project unfold.
Cheers,
Bud
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Thanks again guys. I have done more but won't be able to post pics until my shift is done (working the old 24 hr shift!) :o
Until then, Chuck.
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Sorry for taking so long to post any updates. Family, work, travel... it all seems to take up so much time and leave so little for the hobby bench, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who knows about all this! ;)
I have been able to install the walkway strips on the top surface from .02" by .02" strip. Pretty finicky, but I think it turned out pretty good.
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0797.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0798.jpg)
I then installed the remaining walkway strips and threw down a coat of primer. What do you guys think? It just needs the drain caps finished up and installed, then I can move onto the wings or maybe the engine.
Not sure what I'll do next, but I have a yearning to get to something that I can paint and finish. :D
Feel free to post your comments.
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0801.jpg)
(http://i1253.photobucket.com/albums/hh588/chuckT5/DSCN0804.jpg)
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Fantastic piece of modellng Chuck! ;D Is this your master, or were you adding details to a resin casting? Whichever, it looks great! :D Keep going!
Regards,
Bob
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Gosh darn, that's beautiful!
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Lovely work Chuck, great job.
Cheers
Pete.
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Thanks guys. This is my master that I'll copy in resin once done.
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looks great and i think you have a product you could cast and sell. i would be in. this is very nice work and will look fantastic on the 1/32 w4. you may know this already if you cast regularly. you have to be careful casting a part that is primed. the mold release will soften the primer and cause it to stick fast to the silicone mold material. i lost a cockpit decking i scratched to convert a 1/32 roden d.iii albatros into a d.iii oeffag. when i went to demold the part it stuck to the rubber so tight i destroyed both the original and the mold trying to get it free. it caused me to become frustrated and loose interest in the project. anyway point is i dont prime parts i want to cast. i imagine if you envelop it in an acrylic primer it wont melt with the solvent based mold release. or perhaps dont used mold release or maybe use some sort of dish soap based lubricant to insure the rtv wont imbed itself. you may know all this if so i apologize. but if you didnt i posted this in hopes that your cast went well. sorry to drone on.....scott
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Thats going to be a fair chunk of RTV and resin. Are the floats "handed" or both the same?
Looks great!!
Steve
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I didn't know this so thanks for mentioning it! :o
I will see how I can get around this before it comes time to cast a resin copy.
Thanks again, Chuck.
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The floats are not handed but they do of course have attachment points on different (the inner) sides. I don't know yet how I will get around this but I'm open to suggestions. Any ideas?
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If theyre just for yourself I would go ahead and make each float as complete as possible. If you want to market them I think manufacturing the "common" float is the way to go then either cast or p/e the various add ons.
Steve
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Chuckt5, I can assure you that your floats are absolutely perfect. After the prototype, they experimented with numerous designs and yours are right on target. Pietro
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Those floats look absolutely magnificent!!!!
Lukas
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Are the resin copies still for sale?
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The floats look fantastic! Beautifully rendered!
RAGIII
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Chuck:
To echo everyone else I am interested in buying a set if you decide to sell them. I have toyed with doing the same but using the floats from the W.12.
Thanx,
Carl
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Chuck:
To echo everyone else I am interested in buying a set if you decide to sell them. I have toyed with doing the same but using the floats from the W.12.
Thanx,
Carl
I'd be all over that opportunity as well!
Cheers,
Lance
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the problem chuck is that the hansa w.12 floats are diff shape and a tad larger. imho that wouldnt work. it would be like taking an albatros d.ii upper wing to put on an albatros d.v. they are both top wings but the shape and size is noticeabley different.it would be better to scratch build or buy if they go for sale here.
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Hi Guys. Sorry for not being on here for a while!
I haven't done anything with these floats (as I've been tinkering with other subjects) but the good news is I'm now set up for vacuum degassing/pressure casting! Once I get the floats finalized, I will be sure to post my progress here.
Sorry for the delay in replying, Chuck.
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The other good new is I have figured out how to make much smaller raised rivets for use on this and other projects. I may scrape off the raised rivets I have currently on the float and replace with the new and improved versions.
Stand by for any updates (which may take a while).
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the good news is I'm now set up for vacuum degassing/pressure casting! Once I get the floats finalized, I will be sure to post my progress here.
Responding in reverse order, by all means, please keep it going...this is a neat project to follow!
As for degassing....there're a few blokes on this website who could use some......not that I'm pointing any fingers West...I'm just saying......
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Glad to hear I'm not the only one who suffers from "gas" issues! ;)
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Wonderful! I can't wait to see more of this!!!
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Great news. Thank you for the update.