forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: Brad Cancian on October 24, 2013, 02:34:12 PM
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Hi folks,
Here is my latest model off the bench – only my second for this year (with the last one being way back in January – slow year…) – the Revell 1/72 Sopwith Triplane. This kit dates back from the mid 1960s and suffers from the traits of the era – no cockpit detail, some rough / blobby and exaggerated mouldings, rough ‘textured’ flying surfaces, and chunky attachment points for struts and undercarriage (to be fair, it was designed for kids to build). Surprisingly though, the wings were spot on in dimensions, and the fuselage basically good in dimension, save for the nose.
So I had to do some work. In short, I scratchbuilt the cockpit, re-skinned the fuselage sides and bottom, re-contoured the cowling cheek panels with putty, replaced the engine and cowling using items from the Roden Sopwith Camel, scratchbuilt the undercarriage, new wheels, extended the elevators, and sought to refine or add other details here and there. Rigging was added from various types of elastics. Truth be told, the wing alignment isn’t as perfect as I would have liked, and is a compromise in a few areas, but it isn’t too bad all in all. Some details do look a bit blobby in the photos… :) Progress pics can be seen here:
http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=1744
I painted the model in the markings of N5493 of F/Cdr Robert Alexander Little, 9 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service, Spring 1917. Though he flew for the RNAS, Little was an Australian, and was (and remains) the highest scoring Australian born fighter pilot of the war (and in fact of any war), with an official score of 47 victories. He was shot down and died of his wounds on 27 May 1918. Little scored quite a number of victories in N5493, which he nick-named “Blymp” – I nick name he had given his baby son. N5493 went through a number of marking changes whilst under Little’s charge, and after – I went with the earliest markings of this aircraft and so kept weathering to a relative minimum.
Anyways, here are some pics:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri28_zps62fadc94.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri29_zps4a71f695.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri30_zpsb7352ab1.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri31_zpse9303210.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri32_zpsadaf3913.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri33_zps73d1c34d.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri34_zps5c841847.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri35_zps47d79a4a.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri36_zpsa9eb3f54.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri37_zps6262c0ee.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri38_zps252da85b.jpg)
Here are some pics of some of the details / modifications:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri04_zpscd03b2bd.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri08_zps99e1a6bf.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri17_zps1ae0dfcb.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Triplane/STri21_zpsd864742a.jpg)
Anyways, glad to finally have something off the bench…! All comments / criticisms / feedback welcomed!
Cheers,
BC
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Truly astonishing work from beginning to end, Brad. When I consider how small she is and how detailed, well....my mind is blown. I was fiddling with some of the kits in my stash today and pulled out my Eduard 1/48 Triplane. Moved it a little closer to the bench. If I can get mine to turn out half as sweet as yours, I'll be totally chuffed.
Cheers,
Bud
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Absolutely brilliant Brad, in all honesty it is very hard to believe that this model is only 1:72 scale. Your building and detailing skills are beyond belief and the painting of this model is superb, you are a true master in small scale modeling, congratulations on an excellent build.
Des.
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Very nicely done model. Perfect shading and color !
Congratulations!
Jacek
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Hello Brad,
This is an astonishing build. Are you really shure this is 1/72 ? Can't really imagine I could do this in a thousand years. If I had one I would take off my hat for your wonderfull work. Congratulations!
Kind regards
Patrick
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The Master returns :o Truly stunning work, Brad - well done!
VB
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After reading the description of build this model, I am full of admiration for your skill level, you have done a great job.
Adam.
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I can't believe its 1/72! Really fantastic stuff - the shading for this scale is incredible (and I love the interior, esp the seat!)
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Wonderful work! This just shows what a skilled and dedicated modeller can achieve with this old, old, old and lacking kit!
Best regards,
Sasho
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You've made an absolutely stunning model, Brad. Your attention to detail,
especially in the teeny scale is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Well done,
my friend and thank you for a wonderful build log! I'm looking forward to
your next project.
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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Beautiful work Brad. Congratulations.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Gorgeous model and superb craftsmanship. Excellent photography too. Inspiring!
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Brad:
You have achieved an absolutely amazing finish and level of detail on this 1/72 wonder, and from a vintage kit from my childhood no less! Extraordinarily well done. ;D ;D The overall appearance of this beautifl model is that of an extremelyu well done 1/48 or 1/32 kit. Way to go!
Regards,
Bob
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I can only echo the previous comments: stunning work Brad, one of the best Tripes I've seen in ANY scale! Thanks for posting the build, there are a few techniques I may well steal form you when I get around to building mine...
Ian
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Awright, Brad. Do admit, that the photos, except for the three last ones, present a WNW Tripe you built in secret. ;)
Very fine small scale modelling! Maybe there is still hope for that Revell Tripe sitting somewhere in my stash...
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Brad,
All I can say is "WOW"!! Masterful work top to bottom.
Cheers, :)
Lance
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Brad,
Fantastic workmanship!
I've built this myself in the recent past (not to your standard though) so know what you mean about getting the wing struts to line up correctly.
Regards
Dave
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Hi Brad.
What a huge revell tin!
No one would tell that we're seing a 1/72 model. Awesome work and overall look. It's a master piece! ;D
Cheers
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I am truly staggered at the amount of detail that you have managed to get in to this tiny model. Like the others if you had said that this was 1/32 scale I would have beleived it: that it is God's Own Scale is simply awesome. Very, very many congratulations.
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Thanks for the really kind comments folks, very much appreciated! ;D The more I build 1/72 the more I like this scale. That said, I am not sure my eyes will keep liking me if I keep sticking to the small stuff...!
Cheers,
BC
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... The more I build 1/72 the more I like this scale. That said, I am not sure my eyes will keep liking me if I keep sticking to the small stuff...!
Your eyes will not mind it. There is still a possibility to use a magnifying glass or other optical equipment! Do stick to this small scale - it pays back every effort one puts in the models. And you are the master in this category, Brad!
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Very nice indeed Brad
Love the colour scheme, my 1/3 scale versionwill be Blymp too. Still can't work out whether to do the early scheme or the later one although like you, I'm tending towards the early one with the painted cowl.
Anyway, very nice work!
Alan
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I just finished drooling over this at HS. Holy Cow, Man!
All those comments about it being WNW are wrong. It's got to be a 1/8th flying model. ;D
Fantabulous... ;)
Dan
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I can add nothing, superlatives are redundant! ............. Awesome, truly awesome.
Huzzahs that man!!.
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Hi Brad:
Hard to believe it is 1/72nd. You certainly packed a lot of detail into that cockpit. Very clean and nice, truly outstanding workmanship through out.
Best
Mark
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Brad,
I somehow missed this.. (I tend to overlook 1/72.. ::))
But, really, when I saw the photo - I honestly thought it was 1/32! And was impressed with the finish.. Then I saw it was 1/72... :o
Just incredible.. You must have bionic eyes..
Guy
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Mate oh mate I don`t beleive it`s 1/72nd! You simply have an extremely big tin of Revell`s paint and WNW Tripe here :o
I`m trully speechless my friend. I`m in deep admiration of your skills and precision.
This is one of the best models I have seen lately!
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Been a while since I visited the site - thanks guys for the nice words!
BC