forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: cruiz on December 23, 2025, 12:11:33 PM
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Hello all, this is my first post on the forum; the subject of aviation in the WWI era is of great interest to me, for the last years I lurked in the shadows admiring the great builds shared here by other members and getting inspiration from them.
The time has come for me to share my first build on the subject, still not brave enough to tackle a biplane rigging, but a start nonetheless.
Please feel free to share any critique, comment, or advice about my work; your feedback is appreciated.
Carlos
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Starting with the engine, refining the kit parts, and adding other details.
(https://i.imgur.com/UJZr46q.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uP2dPtN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xtOzuxo.jpg)
First coat of paint, using primer and metallics from AK Interactive.
(https://i.imgur.com/ANTu6TK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/syxzZlv.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4DJsIEO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dJ7RLsg.jpg)
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This is the current status of the build. Engine details are painted, next will be a clear coat, and further weathering.
(https://i.imgur.com/PhP8LVA.jpg)
The bulkhead behind the seat must be covered with fabric, done by using facial tissue paper soaked in Paper Shaper from VMS.
(https://i.imgur.com/OdIJvjY.jpg)
The engine's supports are carved for added detail, and the pilot seat was stretched with a slightly oval shape.
(https://i.imgur.com/oVCXugJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RdjsBh9.jpg)
The instrument panel got extra details in plastic and photoetch leftovers; reference pictures show the arrangement of the instruments is mirrored, but I decided to leave them as they came in the kit.
(https://i.imgur.com/ndz6sAq.jpg)
The cushioning of the seat was added using Tamiya's Epoxy Putty.
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Wow, amazing first post! The detail work you are doing is Awesome!
RAGIII
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Great start.
I've got this in the stash so I'll be following along. Waiting for Lone Star to redo his J.1
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Welcome Carlos! Some wonderful work there, looking forward to seeing more!
Cheers,
BC
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Welcome! Sadly I am afraid I can't comment on your work because you are using Imgur and it doesn't let users in the UK view images.
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Same here - sadly, I can't view your photos, either, and I've got one of these in my stash so could do with seeing how its done properly!
Good luck with your build,
Mark
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Nice progress with the details !
Alexis
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Thank you all for your kind words and warm welcome.
Welcome! Sadly I am afraid I can't comment on your work because you are using Imgur and it doesn't let users in the UK view images.
Same here - sadly, I can't view your photos, either, and I've got one of these in my stash so could do with seeing how its done properly!
Good luck with your build,
Mark
Just now became aware of the issue with Imgur in the UK, living through the Photobucket disaster, I feel your frustration; here is an album with the pics using another service. If this works, I'll use it for the next posts.
https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCEE4L (https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCEE4L)
Regards
Carlos
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Flickr works fine, and I'm glad you shared the photos because your work is amazing! Really looking forward to seeing more.
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The engine is now fully painted, and the weathering is done with enamel panel liner. I'll add some more effects with oils.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55024184108_0ae83c9226_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijVs)DSC_0303 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijVs) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55024254059_f817855d62_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rQiFHv)DSC_0304 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rQiFHv) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
The exhaust stack got a rusted effect with oils; I'm not quite happy with the results, particularly the color. I'll try to improve this later.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55024322265_d0e640279e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rQj2Zt)DSC_0310 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rQj2Zt) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Started work on the wings; the fit was less than optimal, but I managed to get a somewhat finer trailing edge.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55024184088_19bfed772d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijV7)DSC_0306 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijV7) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
The corrugations on one of the wings aligned nicely between the upper and lower parts, but in the other one, they only aligned partially. You can see here the ongoing work of reprofiling the corrugations one by one.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55024329855_e39e20dd97_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rQj5fk)DSC_0307 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rQj5fk) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Since the engine turned out half decent, a panel was cut out to show it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55024184098_5505a59fa1_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijVh)DSC_0314 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijVh) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Whenever possible, I try to refine some details, like this vent cover that was carved open.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55024184078_1609745dfd_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijUW)DSC_0312 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rQijUW) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Thanks for following this build.
Carlos
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Nicely done improvements!
RAGIII
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I can see those pictures now, thanks! Lovely work, that engine is looking fantastic.
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Nice progress
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Welcome!
A nice entry, to say the least. I like very much your mods to the kit. Looking forward to see the continuation.
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Thank you all for your kind comments. I?m glad you are finding this build worth watching.
Small update: the engine is now complete, including the weathering.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55074634307_5f8643737f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1t)DSC_0324 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1t) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Changed the colors used on the exhaust for a mix of dark mud and rust oils.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55074634312_2547610d12_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1y)DSC_0327 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1y) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
The work on the wings is continuing with the spar's detail carved and holes drilled; far from a perfect job, but hopefully not too noticeable after the ailerons are installed.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55074634292_6b81153a4c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1d)DSC_0320 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1d) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55075792479_d26f00c196_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rURQhX)DSC_0321 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rURQhX) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Hinges were added along with the corresponding slots in the ailerons.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55075899430_8afdc76d08_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rUSo5W)DSC_0323 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rUSo5W) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
The work on the wings' leading edge is complete; let's see how it looks once painted.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55074634302_40d3919535_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1o)DSC_0318 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rUKU1o) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
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The engine looks fantastic, and I love that spar detail. I'll have to do that on my WNW DI! Nice prep work on the wings, they should look good when they are painted.
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This is shaping up to be a fantastic build. Great craftsmanship!
Warren Q
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You either love them or hate them, these flying boxes made of corrugated shed roofs, and I love them!
Nice work and I hope to see more soon.
Willem
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Thank you, Nigel, Warren, and Willem, for your kind words.
I agree with you, Willem, there's something special about these birds; I recently learned that Junkers still makes airplanes with corrugated skin, and they are beautiful.
Changing focus to the build, lots of work but little progress in the cockpit. The parts require cleaning; there's not too much flash, but the misalignment of the molds needs attention.
A new panel was added to the firewall to make space for the feet of the pilot; the control column and the rudder pedals got some scratchbuild details.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55111237096_6db4c41557_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rXZuK3)DSC_0329 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rXZuK3) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Currently working on the magazines and empty belt chutes of the guns. I try to use the kit's parts whenever possible.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55111444303_cd9bb53665_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rY1ykz)DSC_0334 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2rY1ykz) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
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Nice work, and definitely worth the effort because there's no upper wing to hide the cockpit opening.....
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Those wing edges are really nicely done. No hint of a seam to be had.
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Thank you, Nigel; indeed, the cockpit is a focal point in this plane and worth the effort.
Thank you, Tim; let?s hope it will look good once painted.
This is how the section of the magazines and empty belts chutes is integrated; it required several cycles of dry fitting, trimming, and gluing until the parts matched the position between the guns, fuselage sides, firewall, and the instrument panel. I expect more adjustments for the guns to be needed at the end of the build.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55137408164_3dea492dda_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2s1iCum)DSC_0336 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2s1iCum) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
As you can see, the ribbing at the sides of the cockpit was scratch-built; the kit?s original ribbing molded on the fuselage sides was nice but lacked the corrugation detail on the interior. I was undecided at first whether to integrate the new ribbing into the fuselage or into the cockpit structure. I chose the latter because it allowed me to solve how the seat will be attached; you can see a new structure made for this purpose.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55137170616_819256cb03_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2s1hpSG)DSC_0335 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2s1hpSG) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
Finally, the work in the fuselage interior, recreating the corrugations, has begun; it?s time-consuming, but hopefully will add interest to the model.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55137170601_5de3049eb8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2s1hpSr)DSC_0338 forum (https://flic.kr/p/2s1hpSr) by Carlos Ruiz (https://www.flickr.com/photos/204005105@N03/), on Flickr
That?s all for now, thanks for watching.
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Lovely work, and it was definitely worth adding the corrugations on the cockpit interior. They look really good and will be visible on the finished model.
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>Lovely work, and it was definitely worth adding the corrugations on the cockpit interior. They look really good and will be visible on the finished model.<
Yup. Didn't do it on my 1/48th one, and the lack is obvious. Did it (albeit poorly) in 1/72nd, and glad I did because it makes a difference. This one is very nice
Paul.