forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Paper and Card models => Topic started by: NinetythirdLiberator on January 12, 2026, 12:12:26 PM
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All,
It's been a while, but I'm back...I'm glad that the paper models are still going strong here!
I am starting a new model with this guy. I got it for free at the paper model convention 2 years ago along with a 1/48th version. Loved the colors and I can't get enough multi-engine bombers with drag. I'm going to put it together as is but with some improvements (I hope). I have the Roden 1/72nd plastic kit built and displayed so it will be a nice comparison.
I taped off the rib tapes and fuselage longeron locations and airbrushed with Tamyia "Smoke". Looks ok but really only visible on the lighter parts. Breaks up the simple colors a bit. I also used some colored pencils to make some specks etc. to dirty up some parts especially along the fuselage and also opened the windows so I can add clear plastic.
I'm curious to see how it goes together as I've only built one Kampffleiger WWI plane successfully (A Riesenflugzeug SSW) and been bitten by an Re-8 and Nieuport, I really hope this one turns out!
Wish me luck...Dan
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:)
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Good to see you back. That's a very intriguing scheme - I've never seen that one before!
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My god Dan, when it comes to paper models you certainly don't take the easy options. You don't however need luck, I have every confidence in you.
Alan.
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Welcome back Dan, and what a neat subject for it!
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Thanks to you all! It's really nice to work on some Great War things again...
Surprisingly and after lots of head scratching and delicate maneuvering, I've gotten this far. The Gotha "tunnel" isn't in yet but the interior is in pretty good shape, it's actually square (which surprises me) and it's just steady and slow wins the race. I need to make a 3-D control wheel, add some seat restraints, finish off the front gunner's office and add the bottom. I'm really glad I made "real" glass.
That's all!!! Pleased so far.
Dan
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Ooooooo , tagging along Dan , looking good so far .
For shading the ribs , on darker areas add a touch of grey( light of course ) .
Alexis
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Thanks, Alexis...that's a great idea. If this sucker works out, the 1/48th version couldn't be far behind! ;D
Dan
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Impressive work for paper! Looking good so far.....
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Thanks, Nigel. Coming along pretty well and better than I expected!
Got the tails done, the Gotha Tunnel got added and now most of the fuselage is ready for adding the bottom wing. You can also see the top wing and the start of the bottom wing in the background. Moving along at a good pace...
Dan
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:)
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WWI People...
You probably already knew but I was just looking for pictures of the underside tunnel and I think that was a feature of a G-IV but not III. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
So this MAY be a G-IV build!
Nothing else to see here...move along.... :P
Dan
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Yes, the gun tunnel was introduced on the GIV, the GIII just had a hole in the floor. It does say it's a GIV on the pages of the kit in your photos........ ;)
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Hi Nigel,
I just saw that too. I guess I'm stuck on remembering my Roden example which IS a G-III! Thanks for the confirmation. Wanted to get it right.
As an aside, I also found out that the G-IV, because of the tunnel, was made of ply overall for the fuselage. So...my little longeron enhancements along the fuselage are also wrong. Moral of the story, actually research the model you are making before you start ruining it!
Dork-Boy out... ;D
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Got the nacelles done...well, one of them! They require slow and methodical care to get them together but they do seem to fit well and have the correct large volume. I'll work on the other one and then add the lower wing to the fuselage (this picture is just a mock-up) and the tails too. Starting to look like a Gotha! Thanks for looking...
Dan
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Looks good, this will be one colourful bird when she is done.
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Thanks so much, Nigel...that is what first attracted me. I do like the colors.
Got the tails on, horns installed and cables added. I finally did add my new and improved elevator control horns near the cockpit. I think this makes it look more interesting. I still need to touch up all the edges too.
Next will be the exhausts and some more fuselage detailing and then on to the wings!
Stay tuned...Dan
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Very impressive indeed! This one seems to be coming together very nicely without too many challenges...... (he says hopefully)
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Thanks, Nigel. I have a few cunning plans if things head south. I hope not!
Dan
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I got lots of little things done in prep for the top wing being added. Like the control wheel, the rear machine gunner's gun track (made it 3-D vs. drawn in the kit out of 0.5mm fuse wire), added all the cabane struts and an extra strut on the large Vs that I see in photos. I also made seat belts and added the wing gas tanks. I made the filler tops out of paper so they stand proud of the surface a bit. Finally, I made 3-D exhausts out of sprue, paper and brass wire. Looks better than the sandwiched thin paper I was supposed to add.
Really coming along and the top wing looks like it lines up too.
Tally Ho...Dan
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:D
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Got the cabane rigging and top wing installed!
Dan
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:)
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That's progressing really quickly! The exhausts look good and it all seems to be coming together nicely. Very impressive work!
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Thanks again, Nigel. It is going apace now.
I needed to make the interplanes out of sanded 1/32nd balsa as the double thick paper just bowed somewhat. First shot is balsa, second is all nice and painted. I also needed to add the aileron connecting struts as those were not in the kit.
Now I have a couple of "relaxing" nights rigging (after I get some new super glue) and then it'll be on to the landing gear!
Dan
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:D
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I got the rear gun finished and added the prop guards for the gunner as well. I need to figure out how to get the forward gun added as it's mount is..."interesting". I'll wait till I get this puppy rigged, though. I also tried to take a picture of the bomb sight housing under the commander's cockpit I scratched, but is was a terrible shot. It was just hinted at with ink so a 3-D option made sense.
Need to make wheels, props and aileron cranks and I think she'll be done! Soon, very soon.
Dan
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:D
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Coming along nicely, the combination of paper and 3D parts works well. Best of luck with the rigging.
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Thanks for following along, Nigel. I got all the rigging done! Well...almost. Needs the outboard aileron cables. I think I know where they go, but I want to make the bell cranks first to help with location.
Then it'll be wheels, props and scratch rock guards for the props and Bob will be your Uncle...Dan ::)
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Wow, nearly there! It seems to be going without too many problems...... (he says, hoping not to tempt fate!)
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Thanks, Nigel. Really close now. I'd hoped to have finished this weekend, but alas...real life got in the way. It'll be soon though!
Have a great week...Dan
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Wowzers Dan! That is some mighty impressive paper construction going on there. Very difficult to distinguish from a plastic kit. I?m really liking the color scheme. You might have convinced me to build up one of my Roden kits in that livery.
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Thanks, Tim. It does look nice next to the Roden kit. It's a nice one and you'd knock it out of the park. I loved the kit. It's delicate and looks scale. Weapons are really nice. The decals do the dreaded Roden disintegration act so I painted mine one.
Looking forward to yours!
On to more Gotha...
Got the wheels on last night. They are balsa as I like their shape better than the typical hockey puck style in the kit, although I think I made them a bit too thick. Oh, well.
Really only the front gun, bomb site, props and the dreaded rock deflectors behind the wheels and she'll be done!
Dan
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Just lovin' this one 8)
Personally I love the idea of mixing balsa and 3d parts with a paper construction because it adds a level of realism to the model that would otherwise be missing (Got a friend who only builds paper models and its always the things like wheels that let it down slightly IMO) I can understand the paper purists insisting everything is paper, but . . .
Sorry for the ramble - Really like the model which looks fabulous :)
Paul
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I agree, Paul. It's fun and a challenge to make it from paper as much as possible, but I use what works best and looks the neatest. Paper, metal, putty...you name it!
Part of the fun.
This guy should get finished this weekend. The rock guards are the next painful addition. We'll see how those go!
Thanks for looking and commenting!
Dan
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So here it is all done. I got the mud/rock guards done. They are paper for the main flat piece and thin stretched sprue for the connections. I also added the Commander's gun up front but ran out of room for his bomb site. I guess he'll just be joy riding above the Thames.
All in all a wonderful experience. The basic kit makes into an attractive model and with some imagination and alternative bits and pieces, one could really make this into a show stopper.
More shots over in the Completion area...Thanks for looking, one and all....Dan ;D