forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Dekenba on May 06, 2012, 12:47:54 AM

Title: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 06, 2012, 12:47:54 AM
OK, here goes!

Two SE.5a's, Encore's McCudden - based on Rodens but with lots of goodies - and WNW's kit, together with 2 sets of PART of Poland kits.

(http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u451/Dekenba/Se5abox.jpg)

Lots of resin, including 2 props & resin pulley inspection windows. Also a fair bit of PE.

And here is the PART kit:

(http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u451/Dekenba/PART.jpg)

Makes up almost an entire cockpit with that lot!

I'm going to start on this one first, before moving onto the WNW kit at some point.

I'm going to start by constructing the cockpit area using the PART kit, before integrating it with the Encore plastic.

Should be fun!
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: RAGIII on May 06, 2012, 01:09:38 AM
I am looking forward to your build of this one. It is on my to do this year list which means it should be done by Dec. 2013....
RAGIII
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 06, 2012, 01:17:43 AM
For rigging, not sure whether to use Radu's PE rigging - which I've not used yet but have in my stash - or EZ Line.

May do one of each.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: coyotemagic on May 06, 2012, 02:09:27 AM
Brilliant idea, Dekenba.  I'm going to enjoy watching this build unfold.  I've got a similar build very slightly started in 1/48 scale.  Roden's Hisso kit in McCuddens '6' and the Viper kit in Grid Caldwell's markings.  I'll be looking to pick up some pointers from you as you go along.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Pete Nottingham on May 06, 2012, 03:12:01 AM
This should be a good one to watch, good luck with your builds.

Cheers

Pete.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 06, 2012, 05:35:49 AM
This will, I think, be the most detailed plane I've ever built.

As an example, to make the tiny little pistol for the box in the cockpit I used 6 PE parts. The cockpit frame is a box that has a floor, top and sides & extends to include the engine mounts. Every anchor point for rigging will use three separate PE pieces & the instrument panel alone uses about 50 PE pieces.

I've been crouched over my desk with my PE bending tool, a bright light and a magnifying glass. My back is killing me!

I'll post some more pics tomorrow.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Des on May 06, 2012, 08:15:23 AM
What a wonderful project you have taken on, this will be a topic that I will be following very closely, looking forward to seeing how all the PE turns out in the cockpit.

Des.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Chris Johnson on May 06, 2012, 08:51:24 AM
I'm looking forward to seeing all that PE take shape. You're a better man than me!  ;D

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: RAGIII on May 06, 2012, 09:11:49 AM
It is odd but the PE that comes with  the Encore kit seems daunting enough to me! Add the part PE, which I have in 1/48th, and It is beyond my imagination  :-[
RAGIII
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 09, 2012, 03:44:17 AM
Some progress!

I've completed the frame - shame it's going to be mostly hidden within the plane! I must open some panels or something:

(http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u451/Dekenba/WIPSE5aII.jpg)

The instrument panel has not been glued down yet, as I've still got a few bits to complete first, plus I need access to pop the floor in.

Another photo, showing the floor - just started - and the frame & panel again.

(http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u451/Dekenba/WIPSe5a.jpg)

The frame is a very, very tight fit in the fuselage, I may have to thin it a little or run a few channels for the frame to sit in.

I've mostly used WNW's instructions, plus The Vintage Aviator for guidance on the interior. Encore's instructions are a little thin, whilst PART's are even thinner with no painting guide at all!

It's pretty demanding work, some absolutely tiny pieces, including a few just too small to actually use.

Once I get the frame in and close the fuselage, the rest should be a lot bigger to work with in comparison.

So, finish the floor & instrument panel & close the fuselage next. After that, insert the resin pulley inspection panels in the wings, cut the control surfaces off & get started on the engine - I'll be using Des's brilliant guide on his site to help with that. I just hope the engine fits in the frame - I suspect some adjustment may well be needed!
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: GAJouette on May 09, 2012, 05:01:42 AM
   Debaken,
I am truly in awe of your outstanding PE work my friend. No doubt about it your SE.5a will be a far better model than straight from the box. Looking forward to seeing the next update.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: coyotemagic on May 09, 2012, 07:03:54 AM

Beautiful interior, Dekenba.  Now I've got a hankerin' to use a Part pe interior in one of my models.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Chris Johnson on May 09, 2012, 07:24:17 AM
Having tried to incorporate minor bits and pieces of PE in my models over the years without much success or enjoyment, I'm in awe of what you've accomplished here.

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Whiteknuckles on May 09, 2012, 10:14:40 AM
Looks great Dekenba, very fiddly!!

Andrew
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 12, 2012, 08:03:47 AM
No pics yet, still finishing the cockpit & starting doing the engine.

I'd highly recommend the Encore kits - they have very good PE included, decent resin parts that are a big improvement, excellent decals and they seem very well researched, a real step up from the Roden kits upon which they seem based.

I've picked up my SE.5a kit for £30. It's cheaper than WNW and is at least as good an option, if not better.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Des on May 12, 2012, 08:10:48 AM
The frame and cockpit look great, it must have been very time consuming fitting all those small PE parts, but the end result is excellent.

Interesting what you say about the Encore kit compared to the Wingnuts kit, I was overly impressed with the Wingnut Se.5a but not having built the Encore kit this will now be put on my  - to do - list.

Des.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: pepperman42 on May 12, 2012, 08:23:30 AM
Thats great detailing so far. Part can be daunting!! Combine that with Roden and theres going to be some fit fun!!!

Steve
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 12, 2012, 09:00:20 AM
Steve,

You are right, it's going to be a very, very tight fit from the dry run I've done so far to get the frame in the fuselage - at least without bending it.

I think I may be dremeling the plastic a little thinner in places!

Dean
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: lcarroll on May 12, 2012, 09:06:20 AM
Dekenba,
   You are a brave man indeed! Nice start on the Encore kit, I'll be very interested to get your perspective on the comparison when you start the WNW one. I just completed the WNW Kit a while ago in McCudden's 4891 "6" colours; the kit is an absolute joy to build. Interestingly I had the Encore Kit as well and had planned a dual build like you with the Encore version done in Rhys-David's scheme. In a fit of genius (or fear) I elected to limit myself to one, not sure I'd have survived the effort!
   I'll be following your build closely; with all the PE parts you're using I have to ask, "can I have your stash and airbrush if you don't make it to the end"?!? :) ;)
All in jest, nice work and looking forward to more.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: GAJouette on May 12, 2012, 11:47:21 AM
  Dean,
Excellent progress my friend. These are going to be awsome when they're completed. Looking forward to the next excellent update.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 14, 2012, 10:18:40 PM
Doing engine now - post pictures later.

I had to get the protractor out, as my angles were all to pot! First time I've used one since University.

I've also been stripping wires left, right and centre to get material for pipes and cables - nothing is safe in my house!
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 19, 2012, 08:25:38 AM
Working on completing the cockpit & engine to fit in the frame to get in the fuselage.

Using Radu's turnbuckle's for the control cables in the cockpit - very good.

Currently fitting the various tubing onto the engine, I've replaced the spark plugs and drilled the brass tubes to take the plug leads, just need to glue the tubes into places & run the plug leads through the tubes and onto the plugs.

I should be able to post some pics on Sunday, as I've cleared the day to get the "insides" of the plane completed.

In the meantime - slightly off topic - here is a picture of my desk:

(http://i1068.photobucket.com/albums/u451/Dekenba/DeskPic.jpg)

It's a mess! But it's my mess & I've got some sort of system going on, so I know where everything is.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: pepperman42 on May 19, 2012, 08:47:26 AM
I see we design our benches in a similar manner. The only thing I seem to lose are my glasses when I put them down. I may have to revert to .....the string..

Steve
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: coyotemagic on May 19, 2012, 09:17:54 AM
Dean, your bench looks a bit like mine, as well.  In fact, you gave me a great idea.  So as not to hijack your thread, I've started a thread in "Modelers' Lounge" where we can all share our work spaces.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: GAJouette on May 19, 2012, 10:10:49 AM
  Dean,
Heck I wouldn't call your desk a mess at all my friend. Looks a heck of a lot cleaner that mine at the moment. Looking forward to seeing those two SE-5a's.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on May 21, 2012, 06:19:22 PM
This is taking longer than I envisaged, probably because it's the first model I've made!

I'm enjoying it, but things like adding brass tubes & copper wires to the engine is taking simply AGES - I've had to learn how to drill holes in brass tubing, which although sounding easy is a lot harder than it looks. Painting 0.1mm solder wire red to represent spark plug leads took a while, before I realised that a good primer was essential before the paint would stick. Realising that I needed a seam of glue to protrude in order to sand it down to a smooth finish, after carefully doing all I could to ensure that glue was carefully laid down so that it did NOT seep out! Stripping wires to get lots of different types and sizes, then buying a cheap set of digital calipers to measure them all & finding that they are indispensable for all sorts of measuring & cutting.

It's great & I'm enjoying it, but I was very naive when I thought I could get a model done in a couple of weeks - more like months!

I've got a tremendous amount of respect for you guys who produce some amazing looking models & it seems that WWI planes are the most difficult to work on & get right, simply because of the open nature & small size.

Anyway, I'm a few days away from getting the engine completed. Once done, I'll post some pics of the engine sitting in the completed frame.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: lcarroll on May 22, 2012, 07:24:24 AM
Dekenba,
    Did I read your last correctly; "the FIRST Model I've made"!?!? If so you are certainly starting very strongly; your work is impressive for an experienced builder let alone a new one.
My sincere compliments Sirr, and I'll be following your build closely.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Chris Johnson on May 22, 2012, 10:18:38 AM
The first model you've ever built? I'm dumbfounded. I think I've wasted over 30 years of hobby time after seeing what you're accomplishing here. Outstanding work!

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Whiteknuckles on May 22, 2012, 11:22:27 AM
Surely you jest sir!! First model?

Andrew
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: GAJouette on May 22, 2012, 11:27:56 AM
 One thing for certain it's a darn sight better than my first effort,maybe the rest too. Way to go my friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Pete Nottingham on May 23, 2012, 08:12:59 AM
That framework looks very nice Dekemba, first build, no way, you cannot be serious.

Cheers

Pete.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Trackpad on May 25, 2012, 12:56:41 PM
Dekenba,

Your first build? C'est impossible, mon ami! Excellent work!  ;D
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Dekenba on September 11, 2012, 07:00:36 PM
Illness has brought this build to a temporary stop, but I'm hoping to get started again on Sunday.

Fingers crossed!
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Whiteknuckles on September 11, 2012, 08:46:51 PM
Good to hear Dekenba, hope all is well :)

Andrew
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: Des on September 11, 2012, 08:52:56 PM
I hope your illness is not too serious and that you recover quickly, looking forward to seeing more progress on your build.

Des.
Title: Re: Pair of SE.5a's.
Post by: mgunns on November 10, 2012, 04:46:48 AM
Hi Dean:

You have certainly chosen a difficult kit to build.  It appears easy but is very comlex and requires a lot of pre-assembly planning.  Your PE looks marvelous as does your lighter wood tones on the interior wooden portions.

Best

Mark