forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Scratch builds => Topic started by: Bolman on June 03, 2014, 11:13:56 AM
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Like lone modeler, I do favor the pushers.
I've wanted a Fee for some time and looked for several years to find a kit for one. I finally came across a vac kit made by Formaplane and picked it up for probably too much. What I found inside was some strip stock for struts, a sheet of plastic with bumps in it which were supposed to be the parts and two sheets of drawings.
After looking at the sheet of styrene bumps, it occured to me, that I might be able to actually make all of the parts. I have some scratch building experience from my railroad modeling days, and I have made a few parts to replaced broken or missing parts for kits, I should be able to scratch an entire plane. So, at this point, the most valuable thing in that vac kit to me, was the three view drawing. I know there are a few publications out there that I could have gotten instead to do the same thing and I would have had more information too, but I was looking for a kit and this was a choice made on the fly. I grabbed some sheet stock and jumped in.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/100_3397.jpg)
After checking the above drawing for scale, and deciding it was accurate enough for my purposes, I began with attempting to make the fuselage nacelle.
I started with the floor. Seemed logical, most kits tend to have you start with the cockpit floor and add all the goodies, so following this, I decided I needed to make the nacelle, but I had nothing for forming sheet styrene and decided to attempt a different approach. Laminating and carving. I laminated rectangles of 0.040" sheet stock just large enough to be bit bigger than the section I was attempting to make and once I had a solid block of styrene, I began carving out the inner curve of the front half of the observers cockpit. After finally getting this half circle shape cut into my block, I turned to the outside to begin shaping the nose. Using sanding sticks, it took me a couple hours to shape my first piece.
3 more sections over the next 3 days found themselves carved and shaped in the same manner and on the 5th day, I assembled these parts to make what my wife dubbed 'The Shoe'.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/100_3391.jpg)
Satisfied that 'The Shoe' was good enough for now, I attempted the next hurdle. Wings.
The cross section of the wing is what seemed to purplex me and I didn't want to have them end up being flat pieces of plastic.
So, I turned to the laminating idea again to try my hand at wing making. Starting with a narrow strip of 0.040" sheet stock, I cut another strip twice as wide from 0.020" sheet stock and laminated it on top of the 0.040' strip slightly offset by about 0.020" or so. Then, adding another strip of 0.010' sheet stock laminated on top of the 0.020" strip offset about 0.040' making the assembly slightly wider than the overall wing on the drawing from front to rear. This is to allow for sanding and shaping of the wing from this laminated stock material.
Starting with the wing root sections of the lower wings and the lower starboard wing, I ended up proving to myself that I can make wings with the desired cross section.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/100_3398.jpg)
The rudder was simple enough, so I thought. I made 2 attempts at it. My first one was too thin. I ended up making another one with 0.020" sheet stock and scribing along the inside to allow for the brass wire I wanted to use for mounting it to the tail. Then, I added the old 0.010" rudder I had made to cover the scribed side capturing the section of wire between the two pieces. I then shaped the rudder edges to make the thickness less noticable. The number in the picture actually represents the date of completion of the model, so at this point, I have a deadline to meet. April 2012.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo02281754.jpg)
The boom section was a concern for me. My model is intended to be used as a game piece and will be subject to a lot of handling during game play. So, it has to be durable. Making my boom from styrene and in scale is obviously not an option. My most available option is brass wire. So, off to the soldering iron I went and with my trusty wire cutters, some tape, a sheet of glass over my drawing, a couple asprin, a bandaid, some not repeatable expleatives, and vola! A brass boom any mother would be proud of having his son make.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo01212044.jpg)
OK, so... back to 'The Shoe'. I had a few details I needed to add in order to get this nick name changed by the wife. I dug around in the spares box since I didn't want to spend the time fabricating the seat or all of the engine parts. I found some select pieces which would work for me and I made a sad attempt at carving the exhaust but with all that is going on with the overall plane, I hoped no one would even notice... the real eye candy is the rigging... right? ::crossing fingers::
Once I added a few of the detail parts and my sad little engine, I painted it to at least attempt to make it all look like part of a plane and not a shoe with stuff on it.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo01011402.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo01011402_2.jpg)
You will also note in the above pictures that the wing roots were ribbed and added. I was most concerned with the placement of these two parts because if they were even slightly out of place, the whole plane wouldn't look right. This was my most critical step in the assembly.
So, now moving along. I found a prop in the spares box (nevermind it's the wrong pitch and is from a tractor type plane, no one will notice that except the very first person I showed the finished model to and who promised he wouldn't tell anyone) and added it to the metal shaft I had mounted into my engine. The shaft coming from a paper clip that wandered into my modeling area by mistake I'm sure. (Thanks who ever left it there) Since we are moving into adding parts to each other in un-like materials, I should mention that I am a avid user of JB Weld epoxy. I've never had a joint fail, so far. Adding the prop with JB Weld and then wiping away the excess before curing allowed me to set it in place by then adding ACC and accelerator. Once that JB Weld sets, it's not coming off. Then, the next critical step in the assembly. Adding the boom assembly to the wing roots.
Now, I should mention that while all the above painting and such was drying, the boom assembly was worked on with getting the struts cut and placed around the wire uprights and then the rigging. The struts were cut from 0.020" sheet stock and scribed on one side. Then, two pieces were then glued in place around the upright wires scribe side against the wires. After curing, the struts were sanded to shape. After all them dang struts were done, then the rigging and the tail planes were added. The rudder wires were then bent to 90 degrees and JB Weld did the final attachment to the boom. Here you see the boom ends have been dressed to match the angle of the wing roots and JB Weld has been applied and clamped into place.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo03021737_1.jpg)
So, I took a break at this point for a few days to make sure that everything was dry before removing those clamps (which were quite expensive since I paid for it when they were discovered on my model) Here is a shot of it after removing the clamps and placing it on my drawing to check the alignment.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo03032013.jpg)
Next, the adding of the top center wing section. I had made some of the struts I needed for this step in advance by scribing the strip stock as before and just sandwiching in the solid brass wire core. If you recall, I am after duribility and with the brass wire passing completely through the struts and even through the wings, I am able to ensure that I will never have a strut pop loose from handling. With a few of the struts in place to help with alignment, I epoxied the top wing section into place on the boom ends and used my very expensive clamps once again. After allowing to set for a couple days, the remaining struts were added and the rigging completed for this picture:
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo03192247.jpg)
So, as far as the painting has gone, I actually wanted a darker version than as it turned out, but I'm happy with the overall look of it. I actually painted it entirely black and dry brushed the olive drab from testors over the surfaces. It didn't give me the color I wanted, but it did give an effect that I am happy with.
Next, I chose to make this as hard on myself as possible and decided to go with the Oleo style landing gear since the little wheel looked cute (says the wife. Who says our spouses don't guide our craft?)
Then, after making the little wheel and digging out the bigger ones from the spares box since I didn't want to have to make two identical wheels, I managed to make a passable attempt.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo04121908.jpg)
It's all down hill from here. After adding brass pins to the wing ends and making all of them struts with the brass cores, it was just a matter of assembly and rigging to get to this point:
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo04230724_1.jpg)
And then, all that is left is the adding of decals, some sad excuses for guns since I didn't have any lewis guns, and the tail skid.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/Photo04242247.jpg)
I was able to meet my deadline and actually completed it before the last weekend in April and take it to it's first game convention. Aside from all of the errors I made since I didn't do enough research and 'winged it' from a 3 view drawing, it didn't turn out too bad and works for what I intended it for as a game piece.
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/DSCN1016a1x.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/DSCN1018a1x.jpg)
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/FE2b/DSCN1019a1x.jpg)
Thanks for looking!
John
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John, In spite of your self perceived errors this is a magnificent scratch build! Looks Gorgeous to me!!
RAGIII
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Excellent job! Interesting technique for the nacelle - sorry, "shoe"! ;)
I'm guessing you had a newer version of the kit. I have both that and the original issue, and the original is MUCH sharper in detail. So much so that it's almost like a differant kit. Needless to say I'll use the early one when I get around to it!
Ian
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Truly gorgeous, John! Your technique on the shoe is interesting and obviously worked beautifully.
Cheers,
Bud
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Impressive!
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Excellent piece if modelling there. A very different approach to the one which I used but you have still built an impressive model and certainly one which is stronger than mine.
Great to see another modeller tackling a pusher.
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@ Rick: Thanks, as always, you're too kind.
@ Ian: I'm not sure which one I have, but I still have the complete kit all wrapped up in it's original bubble wrap that it was in when it was sent to me. I just borrowed the drawings and made copies, then wrapped it all back up. I might re-sell it, or hang on to it. Not sure yet.
@Bud: Interestingly enough, I almost had a pair of shoes since I had cut enough parts to make 2 nacelles. At this point, although I'd love to have a second Fee, I'm not interested in completing it just now. I have several to get completed before I can even think about doing that again. One of which is the AGO C.I I had started. ;)
@Bo: Thank you sir, I'm glad you approve!
@lone modeller: Thank you too Sir, glad to be in your company in regards to scale and preferences. As I mentioned above, I have another pusher I am in the process of scratch building which I don't believe you've tackled just yet. The AGO C.I. Once I've cleared my bench of some current projects, I'll get back to that one and start a thread on here for it. I have the wings and tail pieces done for it so far and left off during the fabrication of the booms. I'm looking forward to sharing this one with everyone :)
As for the strength of my Fee, one does what one has to do to meet the requirements set before them. Some smart person once said "Necessity is the mother of invention". Being model makers, we are constantly beset with the problems of scale vs full size and in many cases, have to settle with 'good enough'. As our skills progress, our inventivness increases in how we can go about making what we are building look more and more like the real thing.
My Fee, though unique in it's strength, is far from a complete representation of the real thing. You may note there is none of the control rigging on the plane at all. Details that would not survive handling such as the control rigging were intentionally left off. A sacrifice I had to make. Perhaps some day when all my planes are retired from the game circuit, I will go back and add all those details I left off. :)
John
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I am in awe of people who can build 1:72 scale models, but to build one from scratch is totally amazing. Congratulations on completing a very good representation of the F.E.2b, and to rig the model as well is just incredible, well done John and I look forward to your next pusher build.
Des.
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I really like this, John. You have managed to combine and display such a range of excellent sills.
Best wishes
Nigel
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Thank you Des and Nigel. Hopefully I can find my muse once again and begin completing projects instead of allowing them to collect dust!
Actually, I have been working on completing one and once it is done I should be back into the swing of things.
John
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John it is an exellent work.
Martin
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Nothing wrong with your skills John , this build proves that . Well done !
Terri
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Thanks Martin and thanks again Terri, I know you followed this build when I posted it on Hyperscale. Great seeing your support.
How's your S-S coming along Terri?
John
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The SSW is coming along quit well , have a peek http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3554.0 (http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3554.0)
Terri ;)
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Hi John,
Very impressive job! 8)
This Vac Kit took you on quite a journey. ???
Makes me want to grab a Formaplane and go to town on it. ;)
Thanks for sharing, Jay
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Thank you for your kind words, Jay.
Although I did start this project with the Formaplane kit, I didn't use any of the parts from the kit. Just the drawing. I still have the kit and may actually use it some day :)
I would be very interested in your work if you were to give it a go!
John
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Absolutely stunning work John. I can't get over what can be done
in the teeny scale by a talented modeller. Well done!
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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Thank you for your kind words, Jay.
Although I did start this project with the Formaplane kit, I didn't use any of the parts from the kit. Just the drawing. I still have the kit and may actually use it some day :)
I would be very interested in your work if you were to give it a go!
John
You are very welcome John. You earned it! 8)
Thank goodness that many of the Vac Kits have good 3-View Drawings, as that is often the only real value there.
Of course the better quality Kits often have decals, White Metal Parts, etc..
Some of the Vac Kits I have are no more than a series of blobs on a sheet of plastic, others are very well made.
I look at many of these kits as a Blank Canvas. Some are more of a challenge than others. I've picked up several when they have presented themselves.
Now a real challenge and some kits severely more frustrating than others are the "Slush Mold" produced kits by MERLIN.
I had hours of fun thinning down the wedge shaped wing on a Nieuport 11. IIRC, the wing was 3/16" thick at one end and tapered to 1/8" at the other end. I cut new ribs and they moved on occasion until I had them where I wanted them. I think the top wing finished out at 0.050" thick or less, about 3/64ths. The top was fun, but the bottom surface required making up a jig to hand drum sand it.
The tail plane went fairly smoothly, but I about lost it when I was "Fixing" the fuselage and got down to the finish to have the plastic start to peel and disintegrate on me! >:( :( :-\ I should have just scratched a new fuselage!
The nice thing about extra thick wings in a kit, on German machines, is that you can add the "Wash-Out" to the ailerons when they are absent and necessary for that build.
Off the top of my head, the KOSTER, SIERRA, and many others make respectable Vac Kits.
Cheers, Jay
P.S. I haven't played with plastic in quite awhile for reasons untold, but I do feel the urge building up! 8)
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Now a real challenge and some kits severely more frustrating than others are the "Slush Mold" produced kits by MERLIN.
Jay,
I have done a few Merlin Models kits for others (Pfalz Dr.I, Fokker D.VI, Fokker D.VIII) and still have a few yet to do, so I know what you mean.
Lately, I've been favoring the art of scratch building over kit building since some kits ARE actually more of a challenge than making it from scratch. For example, the aileron in the the following picture was a challenge, but not all that difficult. This shot is of one of my in progress scratch build projects; The AGO C.I
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/AGO/100_3718_zps82c57df6.jpg)
What was difficult, was making the mirror image of it for the other wing!
I plan to post the build log for the AGO soon, as I am nearing the end of a project and wish to get back on it.
Thanks again!
John
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Absolutely stunning work John. I can't get over what can be done
in the teeny scale by a talented modeller. Well done!
Cheers,
Ernie :)
Thanks Ernie, I hope I can continue to amaze ;)
John
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Now a real challenge and some kits severely more frustrating than others are the "Slush Mold" produced kits by MERLIN.
Jay,
I have done a few Merlin Models kits for others (Pfalz Dr.I, Fokker D.VI, Fokker D.VIII) and still have a few yet to do, so I know what you mean.
Lately, I've been favoring the art of scratch building over kit building since some kits ARE actually more of a challenge than making it from scratch. For example, the aileron in the the following picture was a challenge, but not all that difficult. This shot is of one of my in progress scratch build projects; The AGO C.I
(http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww267/lodanmar/AGO/100_3718_zps82c57df6.jpg)
What was difficult, was making the mirror image of it for the other wing!
I plan to post the build log for the AGO soon, as I am nearing the end of a project and wish to get back on it.
Thanks again!
John
Exactly! 8)
People might wonder why I would spend several hours carving and whittling down on a MERLIN Nieuport 11 wing when there are much nicer Nieuport 11 kits available. I not only enjoyed this, but it gave me experience that should lead me to Scratch Building someday.
I have most of the MERLIN WWI Kits in my stash and some are pretty respectable looking as a 1/72" kit goes and quite buildable. Then there's the few that have sent some over the edge! :-[ Friedrichschafen(?), among others. :(
When I was building two or three Pfalz D.III/IIIa's in tandem Out of the Box, I wasn't satisfied with the tail skid in one or two of the kits (I like to build a few kits at the same time, because of all of the research that is involved is fresh. I also like to build a few from different Makers at the same time for comparisons. ). For me it was easier to make two tail skids than one because of my process. By the time I was done, I liked mine better than the "Nice" ones supplied. :)
Your AGO wing work looks fantastic! Familiar too!
Sometimes I would think that my wing ribs look too pronounced and then I would realize that I did not need to strive for perfection and I wanted it to show what I had done. I learned this on a used kit that I purchased that the previous owner had got "Knife Happy" when cleaning up the sprues and flash on the aileron of a DFW, Halberstadt, or some desirable 1/72" German CL. model that was rare to me. I spliced in some plastic after I had brought it close to size when I realized that if I fixed it to perfection that I would not even know which tip it had been. So I left it slightly larger than the stock one. My explanation is that the Mechanics grabbed a spare off of a Winged Wreck as they were in a hurry! ;)
So if my exhaust pipes come out a little flaired at the tips and or a little Hot Rod looking, I'll know who made them!
I look forward to seeing your AGO Build Thread. 8)
Cheers, Jay