forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: lone modeller on December 17, 2014, 08:00:58 AM
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Evening All,
Here are some pictures of the completed model - build thread is in the scratch-build section if you missed it.
Maurice Farman was one of two brothers who each established aviation companies in France in the first decade of the 20th century and who went on to become important pioneers in the years immediately before 1914. Maurice designed a number of machines before the successful pusher layout with a front elevator was adopted. Looking a little like the Wright brothers "Flyer" and its derivatives, Farman followed an idea that was fashionable at the time that connected front and rear elevators helped with horizontal stability. This was M. Farman's first truly successful design which gained a number of records including a distance record of 350 miles in a closed circuit in 1910, and successive duration records between 1911 and 1913. (The Bristol Boxkite was a copy of this design, built by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company from 1910 until 1914).
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4321/35154680553_d14320ba49_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VyuVKX)
It was a robust, reliable machine which was relatively easy to fly and this, combined with its flying record meant that it was entered for the British Military aircraft trials held on Salisbury Plain in 1911. Following success in these trials a number of machines were ordered for the RFC and RNAS in 1911, and it was used for reconnaissance by 2, 4 and 6 squadrons RFC (where it was known as the S7), and training in the years leading to the First World War.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/35575689640_0d61c8f73e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WcGH6j)
Following the outbreak of hostilities a few went to France where they were used for reconnaissance but they were quickly withdrawn and from then on only used for training. However at least one machine found its way to the middle east where it was used for reconnaissance in the campaign in Mesopotamia against the Turks that led to the siege at Kut in 1916.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/35575688620_9461ef5a9b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WcGGMJ)
The French continued to use the type for reconnaissance on the western front until mid-1915 when they too withdrew it from front line duties and used it for training purposes. Most machines were built in France and equipped with 70 hp Renault engines, but some were built under licence in Bradford which were powered by 100 hp Sunbeams, and 47 others built in the UK were powered by 75 hp Rolls Royce Hawks. One aircraft was sold to Norway and this survives in a museum in Oslo: other machines are preserved in Paris and Brussels.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4303/35575687370_d805bc81ba_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WcGGqb)
Individual aircraft varied from each other as these were hand built, so the exhaust systems of the engines varied, and some later aircraft had fold-down extensions of the upper main-planes, while others had narrow chord lower planes. I have seen photographs of RFC machines with rudder stripes but have not found any with other markings except for the number 12 applied in chalk or white paint on the rudders of the machine at the trials in 1911.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/35154669043_71d19fee08_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VyuSkv)
I assume that serial numbers were carried on RFC and RNAS machines as was customary prior to August 1914 and possibly Union Jacks were carried on the underside of the lower wings on machines sent to France. However I have tried to represent a machine in early 1914 and because I could not find a photo of one with a serial I have omitted the latter detail. The model represents a "standard" RFC machine with a 70hp Renault engine with one of at least two exhaust systems for this engine. No armament was carried by MF 7's unless the pilot or observer took up a personal weapon.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4296/35575701730_e4daab3aa9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WcGLFL)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/35964579645_81b6d04cd8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WN4Sxp)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4292/35964578495_9db9985869_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WN4Scz)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/35154587043_27037ca62d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VyurXH)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4312/35154588593_1f8a4f37a3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vyusqr)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4316/35154589753_1a562a116a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VyusLr)
It is said that riggers in the RFC and RNAS used to release a pigeon inside the airframe to see if it could escape - if it could a wire was missing! Has anyone got a 172 scale flying pigeon that I could use to see if I have missed any wires? There are just under 200 on this model - more even than the Etrich Taube!
Now we just need Bob Hallinger to build one in 1/32 scale: are you ready Bob?
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Truly astonishing work, LM! This is, without a doubt, your very best yet, and that's saying a lot! Again, Wow!
Cheers,
Bud
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Truly astonishing work, LM! This is, without a doubt, your very best yet, and that's saying a lot! Again, Wow!
Cheers,
Bud
I completely agree with Bud, LM. The only thing I would add is thanks for
the interesting history of the aeroplane. Amazing talents shown here. :D
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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Wow! Simply wonderful.
I'd be glad to send you one of the zillion pigeons here in NYC but I am afraid they are all 1/1 scale.
Can't wait to see what you come up with next, Kimosabe.
Cheers,
Michael
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amazing ! wonderfull work! very impressiv!
the french called it "la planche à pain", the breadboard.
I will have to do a Farman MF-11 at 1/48, I will need your help surely!
Xan
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LM,
All I can come up with is a very impressed "Oh my"!! Simply incredible, and definitely the best you've posted here to date, and that's no small feat given your previous Builds. Confidence builder for me as well; after seeing this rigging my DH2 seems like it's going to be a "cake walk"!
Congratulations on some very fine work.
Cheers,
Lance
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Such a wonderful piece of work LM. Just beautiful.
Warren
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An absolutely amazing build LM, the model itself is quite an achievement but the rigging is beyond belief especially in 1:72 scale, congratulations and well done.
Des.
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Fantastic work, very, very impressive! 15 out of 10!
Ian
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I'd like to add something else to my previous comment, and I surely do not mean to offend any of the other members of the forum by my statements.
LM, this represents, to me, what scale modeling is really all about. You are truly a scale modeler in the truest sense of the word, and as Sir Harry intended it many years ago. I, and a lot of others here, are little more than kit assemblers. We glue the pieces together, add some bits and bobs from the aftermarket boys, and then paint by numbers and decal. You and others who scratch-build, on the other hand, have truly created something beautiful and unique.
Warren
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I'd like to add something else to my previous comment, and I surely do not mean to offend any of the other members of the forum by my statements.
LM, this represents, to me, what scale modeling is really all about. You are truly a scale modeler in the truest sense of the word, and as Sir Harry intended it many years ago. I, and a lot of others here, are little more than kit assemblers. We glue the pieces together, add some bits and bobs from the aftermarket boys, and then paint by numbers and decal. You and others who scratch-build, on the other hand, have truly created something beautiful and unique.
Warren
Warren,
I agree wholeheartedly and also hope no one is insulted! LM just an Awsome and Stunning build from start to finish! Brilliant work
RAGIII
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Floored. Intimidated. Amazed. Intrigued. And more… thanks for both the photos and commentary. Gives me more appreciation of the machine, the model and the modeler.
Warren has a point about "assemblers" and modelers. I think the term "modeler" applies to both. I am a kit assembler, modifier, tweaker, adder-onto, occasional make-the-damned-part myself, painter and weatherer-effects department. And, I cannot separate the aircraft from its history.
Modelers all, I say!
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Marvelous LM, simply marvelous! ;D You have built a model which evokes emotion in the viewer and captures the feeling of this early era of flight--not an easy task, but you have surely achieved it with this model. She is magnificent!
Now we just need Bob Hallinger to build one in 1/32 scale: are you ready Bob?
You are a great motivator for me, LM, and I am honored and humbled by your suggestion. However, I would really love to see what Des would do with this one in 1/32. I will give it some thought, but a Belgian Air Force F40, MF11 or GN2 will likely come first. Your wonderful work on the Longhorn has moved one of the above onto my short list, although I have a few projects preceding it, so it will be off in the future a bit. :D
Outstanding job with the Longhorn my friend! Thanks for sharing the build in such detail.
Cheers & huzzas,
Bob
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This is absolute amazing. I love it. I love these planes from the beginning of age of flight. I would love to see them as model kits in 1/72.
You showed us that it is possible (at least for you) to built such planes from scratch. Truly inspiring.
What is absolute beyond my imagination is how to do such a rigging. Do you own a drilled Spider? ;)
Thank you for sharing your work with us.
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What a fantastic piece of work LMCI. Just how you 1/72 people manage such wonders is beyond me!
Best wishes
Nigel
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Hello, LM -
Outstanding - I've said it before and I'll say again - I really admire anybody who can build from nothing - hard enough from a kit let alone a scratch build ...............
Look forward to seeing this in the flesh. Are you bringing this to the model club this coming Saturday?
Regards
Dave
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Thank you everyone for the very kind, not to say overwhelmingly complimentary comments. I have really enjoyed building this model and am very pleased that you all like it.
Currently I am not planning anything as the holiday season is on us and as I will be away from my modelling desk during that time I will wait until the new year before I decide what to tackle next.
Are you bringing this to the model club this coming Saturday?
Dave
Yes Dave I hope to be at the meeting on Saturday and I will bring it along in the perspex box.
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I'd like to add something else to my previous comment, and I surely do not mean to offend any of the other members of the forum by my statements.
LM, this represents, to me, what scale modeling is really all about. You are truly a scale modeler in the truest sense of the word, and as Sir Harry intended it many years ago. I, and a lot of others here, are little more than kit assemblers. We glue the pieces together, add some bits and bobs from the aftermarket boys, and then paint by numbers and decal. You and others who scratch-build, on the other hand, have truly created something beautiful and unique.
Warren
Thank you Warren for this comment, I really appreciate it and the spirit in which it was made. I wholly agree with you that this is the sort of model of which H. Woodman would have approved, but I do not think for one moment that the very real and considerable skills displayed on this forum by you and very many others should in any way be compared with my efforts. They are different: in my humble opinion there is more to the models displayed on this and other forums than just gluing together and painting by numbers - I regularly suffer from jaw ache as it hits the floor when I look at the paint finishes alone on models shown on this site - something I simply could not achieve because I have never been able to master the techniques required. I am also regularly amazed at the quality of the tiny details shown on very many models in all scales - I frequently wish I could do the same. I agree with Eindecker - we are all modellers, we are all doing it for fun and the excitement of the challenge - we just do things differently and to the best of our ability. And as our French modelling colleagues would say: "Vive la difference!"
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Well, as I stated in my post, my intention was not to offend or denigrate the efforts of others. I hope everyone understood that.
Warren
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Well said LM ... and a fantastic scratchbuilt MF7. Bravo.
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What they said! An inspiring piece of work. 1/32 would be a challenge for this plane; scratch in 1/72 is fantastic.
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Spectacular, LM. Amazing web of rigging lines. Congratulations on a great scratch build!
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Thank you again for the compliments. I really am honoured by these comments from modellers for whom I have the greatest respect.
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that is a sweet longhorn, very nice.
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Superb craftsmanship! My favorite model for 2014. How will you top yourself?
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Thank you again for the kind remarks gentlemen. I am not sure what to attempt next - will be visiting family over the next few days so will have time to think. A scratch build is certainly on the agenda but just what I have not yet decided. I am not sure that I can top this one, but I will give it a try.
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I just found this post.....
Really incredible work. Congratulations :o
I take my hat off to all scratch model builders, this is the true model making art.
But ........................ please allowed one question: How does the pilot found the way to his office, without hanging the rest of his life in the wires? ???
Servus
Bertl
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Kind of speechless, LM. :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
What a piece of work that is. Exceptional and we're glad you did it!
Cheers,
Dan