forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Trackpad on April 05, 2014, 06:23:46 AM
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Hi,
Well, truth to tell, the Biff still languishes in the holding case. Two contract builds, three computer simulation exercises, one command post exercise and the odd snow-shovelling epic at -30 degrees Celsius have seen to that. However, being well ahead of the power curve now (other builds completed), I'm embarking on a two-subject project: finish the Biff and get stuck into the Fokker DVII. Made the first cuts into the DVII yesterday, actually. So, as said before, the Biff will get finished! :)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0002_zps295fe95c.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0089_zps8a09a8ad.jpg)
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WellGary, you've certainly been busy!
I was wondering about the Biff. I can't wait to see it finished.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Thanks, Nigel,
It's good to be back here. It was a very busy time up to Christmas, then the roof caved in early in January. And I'm supposed to be retired! ;D
But I'll take my time, alternate between the two kits, and eventually get them both done. Also, I'll probably take photos of the DVII build for use in an article for our IPMS Canada journal, but the article can be written either during or after the build.
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Garry,
Great to have you back - this Biff looks bloody great (sorry it has turned into a long term project for you, mate) so far and it will good to it finished in all it's glory.
Regards
Dave
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Hello Gary and welcome back to the forum, it's great to see you back onto the Biff and I look forward to seeing her completed, you have done a beautiful job on ot so far.
Des.
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Thanks, Des and Dave. It's good to be back in harness again. Probably moving at a trot rather than a gallop, but we will get there! :D
I've heard rumblings about WNW strut problems - "Banana Disease," I think it's called. Seems to affect Albatros struts. I'm interested in that I have one to be finished as a captured machine. Has this been discussed on the Forum anywhere?
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BTW, this was one of the required builds that stalled the Biff:
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0071_zps6afa23ae.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0070_zpse93852ab.jpg)
Turretless "recce" Stuart V, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Italy, 1944. Full interior (resin set courtesy of Accurate Armour).
OK, 'nuff said: back to the WNW kits! ;D
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The strut issue has been discussed on Bo Monroe's topic, it starts about here http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=328.1260. Just to add my two cents worth, I have been building these 1:32 scale WW1 aircraft models for over three years now and I can honestly say that i have never had a strut issue whether it be be wing or undercarriage. Even under tension with the rigging the struts on my models have never had the banana syndrome.
Des.
Beautiful job on the Stuart V. :) :)
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Thanks, Des. I'll give it a look. Glad to hear your take on the subject!
And thanks for the Stuart comment! ;)
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The Biff looks gorgeous even in the unfinished state Gary. It will surely be a stunner when
you are done with it. Beautiful work on the Stuart as well. Some talent!
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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The Biff looks gorgeous even in the unfinished state Gary. It will surely be a stunner when
you are done with it. Beautiful work on the Stuart as well. Some talent!
Cheers,
Ernie :)
Thanks, Ernie, for your very kind remarks. The Stuart was a grind due to all of the interior bits and bobs. Just glad to get it done and get back to "unfinished business!" :)
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Welcome back Gary!
Lovely Stuart :)
FWIW The so-called Alby banana disease thread/hijack actually starts way back here: http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=328.1200
I think it is a bit unfortunate that it is getting called a WNW thing or "problem". My $.02 is we are dealing with the limitations of scale plastic. To their everlasting credit, WNW has given us nearly perfect scale struts (for the Alby anyway-- I did the homework). Anyway, lots of discussion rolling around, join in if you are inclined.
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Hi, Bo,
Many thanks for your kind welcome: it is good to be back on the Forum. And thanks also for your "Stuart comment." 8)
I've seen the "banana" comments courtesy of Des, and I'll certainly keep them in mind when comes time to open my Albatros. I still have a pack of Strutz, and might use that to fit the cabanes: we'll see on the day!
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Hey Gary,
How goes the Bif these days? I'm hoping to hear that you're working hard at it, at the expense of your D.VII project. That way I'll get out ahead of you again! ;D
Simply superb Stuart Recce my friend.
Cheers,
Chris
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Thanks, Des. I'll give it a look. Glad to hear your take on the subject!
And thanks for the Stuart comment! ;)
Welcome back, and like Des, I have had NO BANANA DISEASE warping on my Albatros built several years ago. I still tend to think that the major issue is carefully rigging the model. Make sure you keep the pressure even while rigging. I move from one side to the other trying to keep alignment and pressure equal during the rigging process. I also wonder how much of an effect transporting Models to shows/contests and the jarring have an effect? I have only touched mine about twice since putting it in the case? I am currently building a second WNW Albie and before rigging everything is fine! Lets hope it stays that way! On the other hand, the landing gear is certainly wobbly and could benefit from metal strut replacements! JMHO! Looking forward to your progress on your unfinished WNW kit!
RAGIII
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Taking a break from the Dolph, I've got just enough done on the Biff to possibly allow Des to move it back into the "Under Construction" folder! The major work was finally fitting the lengthened exhausts using the sprue from the Post War Biff (Thanks, Mark!). I then realized that I had totally painted the radiator in Battleship Grey rather than the brass that it should be. Fortunately, I had removed the front of the rad to replace the open louvers with the closed offering, and so could fairly easily mask off the rad and apply a thin coat of Alclad 2 Brass. So here it is as of today.
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0057_zpsygfixd6o.jpg)
I'll probably skip between the Biff and Dolph over the next while, hoping to get both finished before the Holiday Season is upon us. Thanks for visiting! 8)
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The brass radiator looks much better then the grey one. You just have to finish her some day...
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The brass radiator looks much better then the grey one. You just have to finish her some day...
Thanks for visiting, and for your kind comment. Yes, it will be finished eventually! ;D
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Great to see you back onto this one Gary, what you have done so far looks superb, I'm looking forward to seeing the next update.
Des.
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Great to see you back onto this one Gary, what you have done so far looks superb, I'm looking forward to seeing the next update.
Des.
Thanks, Des. I hope to get the Biff completed by year's end at the latest. I'm doing a few bits and bobs now (propeller, minor rigging, etc.) then heading into the major rigging using EZ Line. I can see the finish line in the distance! ;D
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She is already a beauty as she is, will be worth waiting till finished.
Giuseppe
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She is already a beauty as she is, will be worth waiting till finished.
Giuseppe
Thank you, Giuseppe. I very much appreciate your comments! :)
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The radiator color change looks great as does the entire model. Good to see you back on this one. I have one being delivered today and will watch your build closely!
RAGIII
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The radiator color change looks great as does the entire model. Good to see you back on this one. I have one being delivered today and will watch your build closely!
RAGIII
Thanks for visiting, my friend. Best of luck with your new Biff, even though, from what I've seen of your past work, I don't think you'll need "luck" to turn out a winner! ;)
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All good models take time to finish: this one just proves the point. This is going to be a winner when it is complete.
Stephen.
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All good models take time to finish: this one just proves the point. This is going to be a winner when it is complete.
Stephen.
Stephen, you've uncovered my diabolical and devious plan: take eons to finish the build. Forumites will then congratulate me for a phenomenal build just because I actually finished it! (Just kidding!). Thanks for visiting! ;D
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Beautiful work, Gary! So glad to see you back on this one. The extended exhaust and the brass radiator both look fantastic.
Cheers,
Bud
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Beautiful work, Gary! So glad to see you back on this one. The extended exhaust and the brass radiator both look fantastic.
Cheers,
Bud
Thanks, Bud. I'm glad to get back on the horse as well. Exhausts, brass rad, four bits of piping in the engine compartment and I'm now locked in mortal combat with the prop, the wooden two-blade Biff offering from Micro Group. After that it looks as if it's rigging time. Feels pretty good, actually. Thanks for visiting! ;D
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Hi, All,
Well, I had a real burst of enthusiasm yesterday and today, and I got the propeller sorted out. This is the two-bladed Bristol Fighter gloss varnished wooden prop from Micro Group. It comes with resin front and back plates. All I really had to do was to apply the Bristol prop decals, then paint the light grey coverings at the tips, paint two broad red bands closer in to the hub, and fit the front- and back-plates after sanding them off their thin backing sheets, painting them gloss black and dry-brushing with a bit of Tamiya silver. And here it is, individually and fitted in place:
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0048_zpssc989no2.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0050_zpsea6kgjby.jpg)
Now for a side-issue question: does anyone know anything about the significance and/or usage of those two red bands? I'm using Lance's build log as a reference and saw that he'd applied them. When I asked him offline what they were for, he didn't know either but he had noted them in a few of his build references. I checked in my Windsock issue and saw a few photos that seem to show them as well, but without comment. Best guess we came up with was that they might have something to do with the safety procedures for hand-cranking the prop on start-up. If anyone has the answer, feel free to post it here, and TIA for the information! 8)
Thanks for visiting. More in the next few days (I hope!).
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Beautiful work on the propeller Gary, and as far as the red bands go I can't help you.
Des.
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Beautiful work on the propeller Gary, and as far as the red bands go I can't help you.
Des.
Thanks, Des. And don't worry about the red bands: I'll still remain a Forumite! ;)
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Thank you for showing and building this plane. I think it is the most interesting plane in regard of the motor.
Just keep on modelling! You will finish it.
Manni
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Thanks, Manni, for your visit and for your confidence! :)
I managed to get a small start on the rigging last night, and that will be the main effort for now.
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Looking very fine Gary, that Micro Group prop is a real jewel and you've finished it beautifully. I'm leaning more towards our second guess on the red prop bands; possibly they were an earlier version of the later common yellow prop tips which made them more visible for ground personnel's safety.......
Cheers,
Lance
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Thanks, Lance. The prop is a very nice article. I have two others in the cache, aimed at both the Sopwith Triplane and the SE5a. But no side trips to those two until I finish the couple I'm travelling on now...!
We can hold on to our "Red Stripe" theory until someone comes up with another! :D
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That prop looks amazing, Gary, even with that inexplicable red blemish. ;) Where does one get those Micro Group props? Do they have a website?
Cheers,
Bud
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Hi, Bud,
The cards in my two unused props give an email address ([email protected]), and a phone number (253-854-3702). No website in evidence.
An Aeroscale Review: http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=9748
A Hampton Roads Review: http://hamptonroadsscalemodelers.com/product-news-handmade-wooden-propellers/
Hope this helps, my friend! 8)
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Another Aeroscale review on Micro Group propellers. Enjoy!
http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=7056
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Thanks, Gary!
Cheers,
Bud
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Thanks, Gary!
Cheers,
Bud
You are most welcome, Sir! 8)
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Hi, Just a short update to say that the EZ Line rigging has started. The initial attachments are shown with about 40% of the lines in place on the underside of the upper wing. With all in place, the Biff gets turned over and the lines are attached to the anchor points on the upper surface of the lower wing. It's slow going, what with a number of around-the-house chores to do, but progress is being made. And I'm still having fun!
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0001_zpspda7xp4i.jpg)
Thanks for visiting! 8)
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Really gorgeous, Gary! The underside looks spectacular! I need to build one of these.
Cheers,
Bud
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Hi, Bud! Thanks for visiting. Yes, the WNW Biff is quite a good model (aren't they all? :)) I'm sure that you'd enjoy the build. And thanks for your very kind support! 8)
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Really gorgeous, Gary! The underside looks spectacular! I need to build one of these.
Cheers,
Bud
I agree completely with my Amigo on all counts...and I have it in the stash now ::)
RAGIII
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I'm inspired to whip out my Biff!
Watch this space 8)
Lovely work, Gary :)
vB
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Finished yet or not, this is a very nice Brisfit! I like it a lot!
Best wishes for the last steps to finish it
Borsos
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Great to see you still chipping away with this model Gary, the underside of the model looks superb and the rigging is coming together beautifully.
Des.
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Gentlemen, All, thank you very much for your kind comments and for your very much appreciated support. I regret that there are many calls on my time right now, but I will give as much time as I can to this build. In my opinion, the levels of your interest and your support require it. Many thanks! 8)
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Well, whaddya know. Here I was then, whining and sniveling about calls on my time and going to do the best I can. And here I am now, announcing that I can pretty much move into the rigging attachment phase already. A block of time came up, a task got done faster than I thought it would, and "Hey, Presto!" here I am. I dunno: in future, you guys and gals just won't trust me any further than you can throw a Centurion tank (at 55 tons, it wouldn't be far!) ;D
So here's the Biff, all decked out in EZ line and securely mounted to my "Third Arm:"
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0001_zpssjoxk8ui.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0002_zpssdwe4wil.jpg)
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff205/29selley/DSC_0003_zpsckfzabvq.jpg)
As you can see, I put the Third Arm onto a rotating kitchen platform so that I can traverse the model through 360 degrees, the better to access the various attachment points. You may be interested to know that, as I was attaching the EZ line, I came across a mistake made almost two years ago: one of the cabane struts had completely missed its attachment point on the underside of the upper wing. Fortunately, I was able to reset the limb without recourse to local anaesthetic, and the patient is now more or less realigned properly. Ye Gods, the things that I completely miss! >:(
In any event, I'm glad to have bounced forward a bit rather than make the crawl through knee deep snow drifts, as I expected to do. I'll move on apace, happy to have inadvertently gained a bit of time. Cheers, All, and thanks for visiting! 8)