forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: IFF1418 on May 02, 2014, 06:48:51 PM
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Hello,
I started the build of the SPAD VII a few weeks ago. I will probably choose the markings of Lt. Thaw of the SPA124, “Escadrille Américaine” or “Lafayette Escadrille”. When I heared the sad news of Gregory, I regretted a bit I had started the SPAD, but now I hope he will like it when done. The Roden kit is well detailed, but some parts are placed on the sprues on delicate places. I had a few fitting problems due to my own stupid mistakes :-[ but I had also a few structural problem fits :o. Here are a few photos I took along the way.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_03_zpsda32b733.jpg)
The first mistake I made was the rigging of the rudder bar. I did this exactely on the place were the beams supporting the seat and the engine are placed over the rudder bar. I rigged the rudder bar when not yet installed. I had all the trouble in the world to get the beams fixed.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_04_zps99f59ee6.jpg)
My second error. I made the engine and didn’t stop in time. This way the cowling parts can’t be installed. So I had to demolish the engine to a state it would fit.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_06_zps408698c2.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_10_zps843c4bef.jpg)
Opening of the vents
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_14_zpsb7ef8366.jpg)
The seat and control stick are installed. Cushion made of milliput. The seat belts are Eduard.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_19_zps5794f8b0.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_20_zps6c429dd8.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_22_zps2e230e87.jpg)
Dry fit of the instrument panel.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_24_zps282d5160.jpg)
Closing of the fuselage sides and installing the instrument panel.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_26_zps940a5147.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_29_zpsa1f8c7e9.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_31_zps3bf4d565.jpg)
Closing of the top deck and cowling parts. The top deck was to wide to fit on the fuselage sides. This is probably structural, because the width is determined by the width of the tank and the ends of the fuselage sides coming together.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_33_zpsd6aea3a0.jpg)
Radiator made of flywire. The grill is badly positionned. I will try to correct this later on.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_34_zps8c05c91a.jpg)
The cowling parts were very difficult to adjust. Next to were the gun will come there was a rather big gap. I had to file the tank down to obtain a decent fit of the two top cowling parts.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_36_zpsa40ceae3.jpg)
Filling the gaps and sanding
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_43_zps0ac9f601.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_40_zps76e74f38.jpg)
First I gave a white primer.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_46_zps9cb05135.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_47_zps1061964b.jpg)
The tailplane was to long to fit in the space for it, so I had to file again. It looks ike the fin will not be even with the tail plane and top deck. So there will be some work to be done.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_48_zps10168ca1.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_49_zps3d00712e.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_52_zps57f59ae8.jpg)
So that’s where I am at the moment, still a bit of sanding to do. Thank you for stopping by.
Kind regards
Patrick
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She is looking wonderful Patrick, you have done very well for only two weeks work, Gregory would be very pleased to see it. The opening of all the vents makes a huge difference and the interior work looks very good. I didn't even bother with the engine for my Spad. I will be interested to see how you tackle the complex wing rigging.
Des.
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A nice work Patrick. Looks very good.
Martin
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Thank you Des and Martin for the kind words.
Des I started it in the beginning of april, so it's more then 2 weeks. For me it's a rather difficult kit to build as I was used to the two WnW kits and the rather easy Nieuport 28 Roden kit. But I'm in no hurry and like you I'm interested how the difficult rigging will end :-\ As usual your fantastic build log will be (and was already) of great use. Thank you!
Kind regards
Patrick
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Very tidy, Patrick ;)
Looking forward to seeing more from this build.
Cheers,
BVB
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Thank you Bob! I think that there will be more than one banana peel along the way.
Kind regards
Patrick
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WOW Patrick! I am impressed greatly by the Terrific ... and FAST start! You have done excellent work with the vents and the fit of your cowl pieces!
RAGIII
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Hello Rick,
Thank you my friend. As always I appreciate your comments highly. I wished I had your painting skills and color making abilities.
Kind regards
Patrick
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Patrick,
This looks like quite a tricky kit to build and you've made a great start. I'm looking forward to seeing this one come together.
Tom
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Hello Tom,
Thank you for your kind words. Indeed this is not an easy kit, but I think that the detailing on the parts is rather well done.
Kind regards
Patrick
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Hello Patrick:
Great work to date. I know that this is a fiddly kit and offers its own set of problems that you are overcoming. I too am looking forward to seeing you progress through the build. I know the rigging has it's own challenges that Des overcame and execute in True Forum Fashion.
Best
Mark
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Wow! Patrick, my friend, you are really out-doing yourself with the SPAD.
Beautiful job, especially the time-consuming job of opening all the vents.
You have done that superbly. Excellent work! I look forward to the next
updates. :D
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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One of my all-time favorite aircraft. Watching and imitating!
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Looking very good Patrick. I really like the results you achieved by opening all those vents, great detail and beautifully done! Another "Winner" on the way from your work bench. 8)
Cheers,
Lance
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Patrick, PM
Thanks,
Ernie :)
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You're off to an amazing start, Patrick! The cockpit is first rate and the louvers look fantastic. I've seen build logs of this kit many times and everyone has trouble with the cowling. You seem to have a tighter fit than I've seen so far. Congratulations. Gregory would be proud.
Cheers,
Bud
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Hello Mark, Ernie, Rick and Lance,
Thank you all for your very positive comments. I appreciate very much!
Mark : I fear the rigging very much, I hope my eyes won’t let me down. Thank you Mark
Earnie : Opening the vents was very time consuming, but I am glad I did. Thank you Ernie
Rick : As long as you don’t imitate the errors that will certainly come! Thank you Rick
Bud : Your words about Gregory are very touching! Thank you Bud
Kind regards
Patrick
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Patrick:
Great subject, one we have not seen much of, so thanks for sharing this one. :D I will eventually get to mine from the stash, so I'll rely on you and Des to get me through it. ;)
Your progress is looking very sharp indeed! Kudos for taking the time to open all of the vents--what a big job! :P It looks great! I'm really looking forward to seeing this one completed in Lafayette Escadriile colors.
Cheers,
Bob
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Looking good Patrick. This is next on my list, so I will be paying close attention
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Hello Bob and Treadhead,
Thank you both very much for your kind comments. I must admit that I feel quite some stress now that you will be starting your SPAD after I did. Most luckily you will still have the wonderful build and log of Des. But I really appreciate your positive comments. That's were it is all about.
Kind regards
Patrick
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Hello, Patrick -
Only just catching up with your build log - very good progress so far - I like what you have done opening up all the vents.
I also made a start on this kit a couple of years ago but managed to drop it whilst rigging. That was the end of that!
From what I remember, there were a few fit issues here and so needs a bit more work.
Good luck with your build
Regards
Dave
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Hello Patrick
I'll really still in catch-up mode and really wanted to say, belatedly, what great start you've made. I've got a 1/48 SPAD tucked away, but I fear that I'll need an awful lot a rainy days to get it started. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy your larger scale build.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Wow, that cowling looks like it would have been a nightmare to get to sit right. You pulled it off nicely. Keep it coming.
Lindsay
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Hello David, Nigel and Lindsey,
Thank you very much for following the build and for your nice comments.
David : I know your sad story. Your build was magnificent, better then mine will ever be. I understand that you stopped for a while. But you are back and how!
Nigel : I understand that you have more important things to do at the moment. How is Ena? All well?
Lindsay : It was a tedious work indeed. The plastic was very soft and a nice cut difficult. But it makes quite a difference.
Kind regards
Patrick
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Ena's back home now Patrick, thanks, equipped with wheelchair and crutches.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Patrick, how did you open the vents? It makes a big difference and I would like to try it myself.
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Hi Rob,
I followed the advice of Des ( see his wonderful build log http://www.ww1aircraftmodels.com/page18.html ) and drilled holes and then cut out the opening. A tideous work, but it payed off.
Kind regards
Patrick
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Good morning all,
I made some progress on the build. I painted the lady and put the decals on.
CDL is Tamiya Buff with some yellow added
Darker brown is Tamiya Desert yellow with red-brown added
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_56_zpsf0196f97.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_58_zps57e0173f.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_59_zps917b056f.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_61_zps240b9bcb.jpg)
Exhausts and machine gun installed. Decals set.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_64_zpsfe089bc5.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_66_zpsa28cf337.jpg)
I now found out that the pilot's seat is to much in front of the cockpit. I will have to try to put it backwards.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_68_zps62785167.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_69_zps4a3583ca.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_70_zpse4bfde47.jpg)
I had a lot of trouble putting the decals of the rudder on. They come in three stripes and with the bump on it for the control lines it was a difficult job for me.
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_73_zps9fe6167b.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_75_zps85c180ce.jpg)
(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y385/IFF1418/sized_SPADVII_77_zpsa45c679d.jpg)
Thank you for stopping by
Kind regards
Patrick
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Very sharp Patrick
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Thank you Bo, coming from such a great artist it is quite a compliment. May I thank you also for the wonderful peace of art you made on our behalf for Gregory. All the work you did is much appreciated.
Kind regards
Patrick
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Great painting and work for this update Patrick.
Martin
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I agree with radio.
The two-tone camo has come out very well.
(as the rest of the work of corurse!!!)
Antonio
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I love your build Patrick! It's so nice to see a Lafayette Escadrille SPAD coming to life. :D The colors look just right--thanks for sharing your paint mix; that will be helpful in the future. :) She is looking quite sharp indeed. ;D Keep up the very fine work!
Cheers,
Bob
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Patrick,
Your Modeling skills have grown to an outstanding level! This is beautifully built, PAINTED, and the decal work is AWESOME! Your color choice and mixes are perfect!! Very well done so far! I am totally blown away!!!!
RAGIII
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Patrick,
Your Modeling skills have grown to an outstanding level! This is beautifully built, PAINTED, and the decal work is AWESOME! Your color choice and mixes are perfect!! Very well done so far! I am totally blown away!!!!
RAGIII
Patrick,
Very nice update and excellent work. I want to reiterate what Rick has said; the quality of your work and your skill level have improved at a most impressive rate! This is great modelling, and I think you should be extremely proud and satisfied with the tremendous progress you've demonstrated in such a very short time.
Congratulations!! 8)
Cheers,
Lance
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Hello Martin, Antonio, Bob, Rick and Lance,
May I thank you all for your very kind words. It is greatly appreciated and gives me the courage to try to improve my skills. I'm aware that the most difficult job is yet to come (struts, installing upper wing and rigging), but with your help I hope to succeed. Indeed during my one year stay on the forum, it were always the same nice people who gave me the courage to continue, and I am very grateful for that.
B.t.w. the decals are Pheon, forgot to mention that.
Kind regards and thank you!
Patrick