forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Paper and Card models => Topic started by: NinetythirdLiberator on March 05, 2026, 04:04:06 PM
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Good Folks,
Starting a new machine with this one. I've always liked it. No...I don't know why. I even built a Peanut Scale free flight model from Lee's Hobbies a long time ago. I guess it's the strut arrangement but I like the tiny finless rudder too. I suspect the deep thin edged rear fuselage was supposed to be a fin of sorts. Also, that darn gun 800 feet above the pilot in the "baby coffin". So impractical but so many attempts to make it stream lined as well.
Anyway, the kit looks great but I don't like the simple tan wings and the wood effect could look more convincing. So I'm printing it in black and white and will be airbrushing my colors. I'll also be modifying the rudder as the kit has the larger unit with the large fin. Can't have stability! No way...
Here are the beginning fuselage parts and some attempts at making wood with acrylic, oils and clear orange over spray. I also started the instrument panel with some plastic "glass" in there. This will be fun!
Stay tuned...Dan
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Great choice Dan, there is definitely something about a strutter . . . :)
Like the way you've chosen to airbrush the linen and woodwork rather than use the printed patterns which hopefully will look great
Pulling up a chair to watch
Paul
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Great choice, this is one of my favourite aircraft and we have a 1/32 kit from Copper State on the way later this year (hopefully!). Looking forward to this one, very interested to see how you approach the star struts..... Carefully, I would imagine!
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Thanks, Paul and Nigel. So far so good! Here is the state of affairs. Starting to get the fuselage skins together. I need to emboss some bits on the wood panels and I got the instrument panel done. I made the little Bosch twirly-electrical-thingy from balsa and some thin fuse wire and bezels are from paper. Looks pretty nice thus far!
Thanks for looking...
Dan
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:)
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Love that instrument panel!
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Thanks, Nigel! It turned out darn nice.
Tonight I started the basic skinning. I added joints for the plywood by embossing and, though I don't think you can see them, tiny impressions of nails along the fuselage. Did that with my plastic model riveting tool. Seemed to work out quite well and I tested it with a coat of primer. You can still see the nails so I'm chuffed.
More soon and stead as she goes...Dan
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If you can see them they are definitely there! Well worth that extra effort I think.
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Yes, Nigel. Once I start painting, I think they will stand out a bit more. We'll see!!
It's worth a try in this scale.
Dan
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Lovely work Dan, and representing the nails was an inspired move. Every little bit extra above and beyond card/paper makes it that much better.
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Thanks, Zac! Can't wait to see that Avro... ::)
I got a tad more done. The instrument panel is in and now I won't break it!
The fitment of the bottom skin and the cowling/cockpit is...interesting.
More soon once I get some more interior done and those other skins installed!
Dan
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That panel looks very nice in place. Sounds like you have some "fun" awaiting you......
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Thanks, Zac! Can't wait to see that Avro... ::)
One of these decades, Dan. One of these decades!
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Dan,
Very nice.
I on and off followed your Gotha build and that turned out very well as I well imagine that your Star Strutter will as well.
Is this the Models by Marek card model that I see on Ecard Models?
Ooops, silly question. I was just perusing the Paper Models forum and found you postings for this same build.
What paper or card do you print these on? Ink Jet printer?
I have tried my hand at using card in the past but never really found the ideal combination of card. Consequently my attempts were OK but uninspiring. Having used balsa and bass wood and plastic for many decades I found I very quickly fell back to those materials rather than developing the necessary skills or mind set to use paper and card to their best advantage. When something becomes frustrating or doesn't work the way you want or envision it is far to easy to fall back to what you know.
I do however follow a hybrid approach in that some paper and card bits find their way into my other builds. I frequently will use paper/card designs as a starting point but rather go immediately to to plasticard. There are a number of early armoured car models that I have done this way.
I will be paying closer attention and following you build with interest.
cheers, Graham
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Hi Graham...I too use a hybrid approach and it seems to work well. The paper for this model is an experiment as it's only 102 grams/square meter and I usually use 140-160! We'll see how it goes. I just have an old Brother printer. It's not great, but since I'll be painting this like a plastic model, it doesn't matter! We'll see how it all turns out. ;D
Here are some updates. I got the interior all done by adding the seat, control column, rudder pedals and head rest. I made the seat pillow from two part epoxy putty and used this to also give some contour and shape to the headrest. I scratched a throttle on the left side, made tape seat belts and stole a compass from another paper model and added it to the right side of the seat. Spartan, but busier than the stock kit.
On to the cowlings and bottom fuselage...Dan
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:)
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:D
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Nice! The seat and the control column both look great.
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.I too use a hybrid approach and it seems to work well.
Ah yes, I see what looks like balsa wood now in one of your last photos. Up til now I just thought it was thick laminated paper.
I marvel at some of the work by the masters on Paper Models using nothing but paper and card but they also pulp paper and mold it to shape and other such techniques with the occasional bits of wire and what not thrown in so even the masters use hybrid techniques too. Whatever gets the job done the way you want it.
cheers Graham
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Thanks, you guys. It is coming together pretty well even with a wavy fuselage skin.
Here is a little update. I got the wood painted with acrylics and oils and sealed by some clear orange as a sort of varnish. One picture shows the nails to good effect. I may add some more knots, but next will be the markings which will be fun.
More soon!
Dan
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:D
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The nail effect really adds to it .
Alexis
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That looks really good, the nails are showing through nicely.
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Thanks for looking, Alexis and Nigel! I think they look darn good. Now I'm trying to decide if I highlight them a bit...not sure.
I got the main crosses on the fuselage sides. Now I need to make the black number stencils next. Not looking forward to that! :P
More soon...Dan
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Question - how do you paint the paper? I assume you have to be careful not to make it too wet......
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Hi Nigel,
I just treat it like plastic and prime it first. That dries so fast, I don't think it has time to get wet. Then the acrylic paints spray on as normal. I have not encountered any paper issues doing this. Fingers continually crossed... ::)
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After some attempts at making tape masks, I just cheated and made home made decals for the ID numbers. Seemed to go on fine. I have a few more bits to add to the front cowling and the fuselage will be largely complete!
Dan
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Fuse is all finished. I did some washes with dark thinners in nail heads and panel lines, around the cowling connections etc. I also made up some little clasps on the forward cowling since there is something in the photos I see, but I'm not sure what they look like so my stuff is sort of gizmology. Busies things up, though!
On to the CDL parts...Dan
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:)
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Nice detail work and thanks for the painting explanation. I guess the primer kind of solidifies the paper. This one is looking very nice and making me want CSM to release the solid version in 1/32!
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Looking great Dan.
Really enjoying your creativity with this one and we all love a bit of 'gizmology' ;)
Paul
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Thanks, Paul. This one has been fun thus far!
Over the past couple of days of vacation, I tried to get the tails painted so they kind of resemble clear doped linen. I'm calling it done now. I may add some random spots on the bottom and top with a damp tooth brush to represent dirt etc. and this may help it look more translucent. I still need to mask off the rudder cross but this looks alright to me.
Now I just need to reproduce these colors etc. on the soon to be constructed wings. Oh, boy!
More soon...Dan
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;D
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Looks lovely with just the right amount of patina. Can't wait for the wings to be done as well 8)
Paul
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That CDL looks spot on to me! Nice work.
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Looks spot on Dan. I like the very subtle rib detail. Your wood effect is very convincing as well.
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I like it Dan , the effect turned out super , looking forward to the main wings now .
Alexis
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Thanks Tim, Alex, Nigel and Paul!
So here are the rudder markings painted on. I just used the kit parts to make the masks and for placement. Looks good. Then I glued on the stab. Struts next...
Dan
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;D
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Got the top wing assembled complete with separate ailerons. I'll prime and paint them after I get the bottom wings done.
More soon...Dan
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That is looking really good. The upper wing looks great. A bit worried about how you will handle those star struts though.....
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That is looking really good indeed.
Everything is falling into place as it should and the casual viewer would be hard pressed to tell if it was made of card or a modern plastic model kit.
cheers, Graham
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Thanks Graham and Nigel! I too am the tiniest bit concerned about those star struts. But I do think I have a cunning plan which can not fail.
(I just introduced my grown son to Black Adder and we are having a blast...)
Stay tuned...Dan
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I spent today painting the top wing, masking off rib tapes and painting my wing markings. The top underside is supposed to mimic a bit of the cross showing through. It'll look ok once it's all assembled. Right now, it's just balanced on top of the fuselage.
On to the bottom wing!
Dan
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;D
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Looking good Dan.
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Thanks, Mr. Nieuport! ;D
Bit more done. Fashioned the exhaust, added the cabanes and tacked the top wing in place. The dreaded star struts will be next...
Dan
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;)
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I started an attempt at adding the beginning of the star struts.
I'll go a diffuse a bomb now for some relaxation...holy cow. :P :P :P
Dan
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Looking good. And I thought those star struts would be challenging, looks like I wasn't wrong. And that's the easy part of the pair...... Best of luck with the rest!
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Thanks, Nigel. Here is some more struttery so tell me what you think...
Here is the state of affairs as of tonight...they need to be painted and metal ends added but they actually fit (with a little cutting here and there), it's square and the star part is even. One side down, one to go! It's amazing how this really stabilizes that top wing now. Almost like they knew what they were doing back in 1916...
Cheers,
Dan
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That looks pretty darn good. I was sure getting that second pair in place would be challenging as they are in two parts but I think you've done a great job!
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Great effort with the struttery Dan.
Certainly not the easiest of subjects to attempt and it's definitely looking the part. Once you've sorted that bomb out the rest of the struts will be plain sailing ;D (And there's no rigging which will be a nice bonus)
Paul
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Well Dan , really nice job on getting the struts in place on the right side , left side will go easier now .
Alexis
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Thanks Nigel, Paul and Alexis! Now I do hope the other side goes as well. Perhaps Alexis is right!
Dan
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Well...Alexis was right!
I got all the struttery completed. Not as bad as I'd thought. Now I'll paint them like wood with metal ends and that's out of the way!
Dan
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oooooh I really like that 8)
Planned to build a few more British types, but will dig out the old boxing of the Strutter I've got lurking somewhere just for a quick peek ;)
Paul
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Nice work, I'm glad the second side didn't throw out any unexpected challenges after all your hard work so far.
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Thanks Paul and Nigel. Check it out, Paul! Now I want to do one of the little sea plane star strutters. Too many planes!
I now got me some painted struts. I did the metal parts simply in aluminum paint and also added some little paper foot-fairings where the struts hit the wings. Needs a little touch up, but looks good. Making the radiator now and will start the landing gear next!
Dan
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That is properly cool Dan 8)
Looking forward to the finished article now
Paul
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That does indeed look very good, those struts look great. Very nice work.
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I'm following this topic closely, and I'm thrilled with your mastery in building and modifying this Marek model.
I finally printed out my drawings and want to build my Hansa Brandemburg D1.
I also bought Marek's model, especially to compare the assembly of the star struts.
For the assembly of the model I chose the 28/10 Brumowski aircraft.
(https://i.postimg.cc/LYk1Nvkf/IMG20260424110500-resize.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LYk1Nvkf)(https://i.postimg.cc/S2LMDVLM/IMG20260424110513-resize.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/S2LMDVLM) (https://i.postimg.cc/0MGwcZGS/IMG20260424110447-resize.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0MGwcZGS)
Soon
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Oh My!!!! THAT is the one I've been waiting for. I remember seeing your drawings at the beginning but thought that maybe the project was shelved. I was thrilled to see the new Marek design but also thought about what could have been using your design.
Oh, Man...SIGN ME UP FOR A SALE!
Looks amazing. Much better linen treatment than mine. And the translucence is top notch.
Please keep going.
Dan
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A little update: Here she is thus far. Added the rads, hoses, landing gear and tail skid. All it really needs is some rigging on the landing gear struts, bungees, a prop and the baby coffin/top wing gun. Oh...and a windscreen and wheels/tires. Really close now!
Thanks for looking, one and all.
Dan
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Looking good. I am really impressed with those struts, they look fantastic in situ. This really looks like a Starstrutter!
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Thanks, Nigel!
Wheels, tires and Baby Coffin installed. Just a couple of details, weathering and prop to go!
Dan
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That looks really good Dan , fantastic job on the struts !
Alexis
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Thanks, Alexis. It has really been a fun build and now I'm in the home stretch! Stay tuned.
Dan ;)
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Nearly there, a fab build all round.
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Looking great Dan 8)
Paul
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This is really good and inspiring work.
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Thanks, you guys. It's over in the completed section now if you want to take a look!
Dan