forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: martin on August 16, 2013, 10:42:58 PM

Title: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 16, 2013, 10:42:58 PM: (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8628755375_4d73f73c67_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/8628755375/)

Right a little bit about my present build, the Wingnut Wings Gotha G.IV.

This build is somewhat special not least because the kit was a gift to me from a very good friend and fellow modeller. It is a kit I have admired for a long time and one I thought would be out of my reach in my own modelling ability.

However I decided to bite the bullet as they say and crack the box open. Inspired by several built G.IVs I had seen it was time to put some faith and confidence into the mix and hopefully make something of it that I could be proud of.

With that in mind I wanted to put heart and soul into the build along with all the aftermarket goodies that are available.

Upgrade sets I shall use-

HGW 132096 Super Detail Set.

Taurus D3203 Cockpit Selector Switches.

Taurus D3206 Valves Lifters Timing Gear for Mercedes D IV.

Pheon 32028 Decals for WNW Gotha.

Master AM32024 Parabellum LMG 14 Guns (X3).

Reference material I shall use will include the following-

Albatros Productions ‘Building the Wingnut Wings Gotha G .IV’ (Ray Rimell and Harry Woodman).

Albatros Productions Windsock Special ‘Gotha’.

Air Modellers Guide to Wingnut Wings Volume One.

Paints used will be from the following-

Tamiya acrylics.

Revell acrylics.

Mr Color metalizers.

Misterkit acrylics.

Windsor & Newton Oils.

This is very much a long term project that I would hope to complete within a 12 month period. This also hopefully allows me the time to complete two LSK Pilot figures from Cockpit Wings sculpted by the amazing Steve Warrilow.
These will be what I would call my first serious attempt at figures……..I may well need the men in white coats at some point during this project!!!!

Prior to starting this kit on June 11th this year I have only ever attempted one other aircraft build, that being the WNW Fokker E.II/E.III Early. That came to a halt as I have really struggled to get the swirl pattern right on the cowling so it’s presently boxed away!

So then that’s the story so far……thanks indeed for looking in, all constructive comments, help, tips, etc much appreciated as no doubt I shall be calling on you experienced hands for a great deal of help along the way.

Photos and progress up to date will follow this post once I have figured out the photo upload procedures, regards to all,

Martin. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/8628755375/)
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 16, 2013, 10:45:05 PM: As you can see im no genius when it comes to posting lol.....for some reason i have lines under all my text! If someone can tell me how to amend I will do so, thanks in advance,

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Kreston on August 17, 2013, 12:34:18 AM: Good luck with your build and I look forward to watching it progress.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: uncletony on August 17, 2013, 03:02:31 AM: good luck with your build, sounds like fun.

As for the underlined text, somehow you inserted

Code: [Select]
[u] and [/u] around those lines -- look for those characters and erase them :)
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Gisbod on August 17, 2013, 03:29:04 AM: That's a lot of goodies! ;D
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 06:37:49 AM: So here are the first pics of my Gotha build. Started off with the cockpit build as per the WNW manual. The floor and pilots foot plate are a base coat of acrylics along with some pre shading. Followed up with coats of oils before sealing with satin clear. Then i have followed this with a light spraying of clear red.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/8961032852_bce500449d_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/8961032852/)

The next photo below shows three of the bulkheads painted in the same way as the other wood work.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/8961066344_4331166c2e_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/8961066344/)

the photo below shows one of the cockpit sidewalls added (dry fitted) again painted the same way except the bomb rack which is in Tamiya satin black with weathering.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/9220020229_2ecf451aa2_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/9220020229/)

For the internal bracing im using EZ line and turnbuckles from Gaspatch. The photo below shows just the start of the work ahead.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/9254271685_e736a7bd80_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/9254271685/)

Last photo for now is that of one of the bomb racks with bombs. Just a little scratch to add with a pulley system to do.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/9220026593_b42bcf23b7_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/9220026593/)

More photos to come, thanks for looking in,

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 07:36:41 AM: Started work on the spare magazine racks....painted just the same as all the other wood. Magazines have only received a coat of satin black at this stage, plenty more to do on the magazines yet.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/9220031077_691b763f5f_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/9220031077/)

The 3 magazine rack below.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/9222806794_251b165db9_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/9222806794/)

Work starts on the pilots side console and instrument panel. A lot of work needed on this to get it ready for the Taurus update set which does improve the overall appearance.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/8955648529_f9a4b3e7b8_c.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/8955648529/)

New dials and controls added along with the Taurus bezels.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/9521208531_bb1dff8d1e.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/9521208531/)

Final picture for today as this is now where I am at with the build.

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/9521208263_c595eb2dca.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/92940777@N05/9521208263/)

More progress hopefully soon, thanks for looking in, regards,

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Gisbod on August 17, 2013, 07:37:29 AM: Wow,

Great start Martin.. Looks cracking!

Guy
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: coyotemagic on August 17, 2013, 08:11:43 AM: Outstanding start, Martin! Your wood grain is perfect. Love the Taurus upgrades.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Des on August 17, 2013, 08:47:43 AM: An excellent start Martin, your wood grain is superb. I have this kit in my stash so I will be following your build very closely and taking notes.

Des.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 09:15:53 AM: Thanks all for the encouragement and kind comments, they are much appreciated.

I know this Gotha is one of the earlier WNW releases but it is still an utterly outstandingly well engineered kit.

It really is a tremendous amount of fun so far and I am loving every minute spent on it. The cockpit by the time its finished will be a build in its own right.

Im certainly taking lots of inspiration from other threads on the forum here, good to be amoung such knowledgeable and friendly folk ;-)

Matin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Ernie on August 17, 2013, 11:01:09 AM: Fantastic start, Martin! Your woodgrain treatment is a joy to behold.
I love the Taurus upgrade bits. This is going to be a major, long term undertaking
as you mentioned, but as you have shown already, you are definately up to the
challenge! Thanks for letting us come along on the ride. Looking forward to
the next update.

Cheers,
Ernie :)
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: mike in calif on August 17, 2013, 02:33:39 PM: OH doggies, I'm going to like seeing this one come together!
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Gisbod on August 17, 2013, 04:36:02 PM: Ps I thought you were meant to be a newbie Martin?

You could publish those pictures as a 'how to' manual.. Really excellent - have you got any other models to show?

Guy
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Andi Little on August 17, 2013, 05:53:44 PM: Very good - I'm liking the opportunity to see how all the upgrades and "aftermarket" come together with the kit, and what a difference it makes: and how?
.......................I also have one of these in the stash, so will be paying particular attention.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 05:56:30 PM: Quote from: Gisbod on August 17, 2013, 04:36:02 PM
Ps I thought you were meant to be a newbie Martin?

You could publish those pictures as a 'how to' manual.. Really excellent - have you got any other models to show?

Guy

Thanks for your kind comments Guy, they are much appreciated. I have no other models that are WWWI to show. I have only recently 'discovered' this genre so this is my first. I have found though that techniques used on other models can be carried over to these aircraft to good effect.
I wish I had discovered this genre sooner as I have fallen in love with it completely.

Regards,

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 06:02:36 PM: Quote from: Andi Little on August 17, 2013, 05:53:44 PM
Very good - I'm liking the opportunity to see how all the upgrades and "aftermarket" come together with the kit, and what a difference it makes: and how?
.......................I also have one of these in the stash, so will be paying particular attention.

Cheers Andi. Im afraid im a bit of a 'have to have it' person when it comes to all the aftermarket stuff.

The Taurus Cockpit Selector set used on the pilots side panel is well worth the extra work involved in my opinion. Sure it does take some considerable effort to get it just right but the results are definitely worth it....one of the cheaper upgrades too ;-)

Thanks for following along on the journey here, I will need all the encouragement I can get,

Regards,

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 06:09:47 PM: Massive thanks to Bud, Ernie, Des, Mike and everyone else who has replied and given such kind and encouraging comments. Its so refreshing to find a specialist forum where all things WWI can be truly appreciated.

Oh how I wish I had found this genre sooner, I have totally and utterly fallen in love with the whole era. I am slowly but surely building up a very nice stash of kits so there will be plenty more to come.

Thanks again to you all, have a great weekend one and all, fingers crossed for some modelling time ;-)

Regards,

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Mac on August 17, 2013, 08:59:46 PM: Beautiful work Martin a great start! :D
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 09:10:40 PM: Thanks Pam...its a learning curve for sure but a very enjoyable one.

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: RAGIII on August 17, 2013, 10:58:31 PM: Beautiful Start Martin! The wood grain is perfect and you are doing a terrific job with the Taurus updates!!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 17, 2013, 11:23:36 PM: Thanks RAGIII, I must admit I love doing the woodgrain, its really therapeutic and Im finding it addictive lol.

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Zabu on August 19, 2013, 01:54:54 AM: Your work it's quite amazing martin. There's so much in those little details and in the woodgrain effect... very convencing and yey catchy.

I'm looking forward ti your next update.

Cheers
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 19, 2013, 04:48:46 AM: Thanks Zabu, hoping to get some more work done on her this week.....im just looking for an excuse to get me out of the decorating ;-)

Martin.
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Rob Hart on August 19, 2013, 12:10:35 PM: Really nice work on the model and the photography. Where does 'Grandfather of the Sky's' come from?
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: kornbeef on August 19, 2013, 03:35:29 PM: Really nice work Martin. I'll watch enviously as you progress having no space to even contemplate a Gotha even as much as I'd like one. I really like what you are doing.

Keith
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: Whiteknuckles on August 19, 2013, 04:56:15 PM: This is looking superb Martin, you are producing a fine stringbag here!
I'd like to echo Rob's question:
Quote from: Rob Hart on August 19, 2013, 12:10:35 PM
Really nice work on the model and the photography. Where does 'Grandfather of the Sky's' come from?

Cheers,
Andrew
Title: Re: WNW’s Gotha G.IV “Großvater des Himmels” (Grandfather of the Sky’s).
Post by: martin on August 19, 2013, 07:51:21 PM: Thanks Rob, Keith and Andrew.

Your comments are much appreciated and will go a long way in helping me see this epic project through.

As for the title 'Grandfather of the Sky's' I like to make up a title to all my projects and this just seemed appropriate. The Gotha is such a huge yet graceful and aged looking aircraft the name 'Grandfather' kind of seemed to suit it. Once I finish I will put the model on a base with a brass name plate with this title.

Regards,

Martin.