forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Squiffy on June 03, 2015, 03:20:51 AM

Title: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Squiffy on June 03, 2015, 03:20:51 AM
Evening all,

It is around 18 months since I built my first WWI aeroplane, and just over a year since I joined this forum. Since learning how to do rigging I've not looked back and I can't now imagine building them without. Recently I've been going back through some of my early efforts and adding rigging but some, however, need more than rigging to put them right...

The kit that started it all off was a Revell Sopwith Triplane, built after a visit, with a friend, to the RAF museum, at Cosford. Back at his house, a few too many beers, some old paintbrushes and whatever colours of Games Workshop paints he had lying about and it was pitted in battle against his equally poorly-finished Albatros.

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36191/Tripe-003.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36191/Tripe-003.jpg.html)

It is truly awful!
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36191/Tripe-005.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36191/Tripe-005.jpg.html)

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36192/Tripe-004.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36192/Tripe-004.jpg.html)

So, Gentlemen, for my next trick I shall attempt to polish a turd!  ;D (and I will also be starting a new build alongside, hence the Tale of Two Triplanes)
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes
Post by: Ian from Doncaster on June 03, 2015, 04:43:38 AM
There's no such thing as a bad model, just a "practice" one... :)

And, if you watch the right episode of Mythbusters, you can actually polish a turd, of sorts...
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes
Post by: Squiffy on June 03, 2015, 07:12:25 AM
Polishing in progress...

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36191/Tripe-009.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36191/Tripe-009.jpg.html)
The rear end is being changed for the wider version, as provided in the new kit. This kite will become N500.

Some of the exchange parts.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36193/Tripe-006.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36193/Tripe-006.jpg.html)
Yes, the wheels are from something German but they look a lot better than the kit parts that I have hacked off. The Vickers gun is a spare from some kit or other and, likewise, looks much better (although the kit part was rather squashed in removal). The engine will go in the new build.
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes
Post by: IanB on June 03, 2015, 09:26:03 AM
Interesting renovation, Squiffy! I have similar plans for at least 5 of my early builds, but I'll start from scratch with a replacement kit!

Ian
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes
Post by: RAGIII on June 03, 2015, 11:01:46 AM
Squiffy,
This is going to be fun to watch! I might add that you have come a long way in a short time frame. I am looking forward to watching this re-build!
RAGIII
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes
Post by: Des on June 03, 2015, 11:03:29 AM
This will be an interesting rebuild, I will be following along.

Des.
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes
Post by: Alexis on June 03, 2015, 11:52:30 AM
Not bad actually after having a few pint's




Terri
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Squiffy on June 04, 2015, 04:49:11 AM
This ebay purchase had arrived by the time I got home from work today.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36194/Tripe.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36194/Tripe.jpg.html)
Looks like I'm starting a production line...

Rather than do it as N5492 I have a pair of spare Vickers guns so will do it as Raymond Collishaw's other "Black Maria"; N533.
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: coyotemagic on June 04, 2015, 05:07:44 AM
Cool!  Really looking forward to this one, Squiff!  I've got a JMGT resin Hanriot that I built over 25 years ago in dire need of a reboot, so I'll be following very closely.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Squiffy on June 04, 2015, 07:39:57 AM
The old kite.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36195/Tripe-012.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36195/Tripe-012.jpg.html)
Sanding down the ribs behind the cockpit opening, as per N500.

Comparison of new and old kits.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36195/Tripe-010.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36195/Tripe-010.jpg.html)
The kit from the current boxing is the buff colour and the pink coloured parts are from the original 1966 kit. It really shows how much wear the moulds have had over the past 50 years.
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Squiffy on June 11, 2015, 05:28:11 AM
N500 with the beginnings of rigging.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36196/Tripe-001.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36196/Tripe-001.jpg.html)

"Blymp" with some filling needed.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36196/Tripe-002.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36196/Tripe-002.jpg.html)
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: radio on June 11, 2015, 07:31:37 AM
It will come very good together.
Martin
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: RAGIII on June 11, 2015, 07:52:02 AM
Your re-builds and builds are looking great squiffy!
RAGIII
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Squiffy on June 13, 2015, 12:30:07 AM
Thanks, chaps.

Comparison of engines:
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36198/Tripe-005.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36198/Tripe-005.jpg.html)
The one on the left is a spare from another kit, a Roden Camel, I think. The one on the right is the kit engine. To fit the Roden engine I had glue a length of plastic rod to the back of the engine and open out the hole in the mounting plate in the fuselage. Obviously, the kit propeller will no longer fit, so I'll sarch my spares box for something suitable.

The production line.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36198/Tripe-008.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36198/Tripe-008.jpg.html)
Does anyone know where I can find clear pictures of the set up for a two-gun Tripe? I just need to know how they were spaced - close together, or as far apart as the overhang of the centre pair of wings would allow?
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: radio on June 13, 2015, 03:12:00 AM
They look are very nice.
Martin
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: RAGIII on June 13, 2015, 11:21:21 AM
Looking really terrific Squiffy! As for the twin gun lay out look up the instructions for the WNW Tripe on their site. Should cover all you need and more for 1/72nd.
RAGIII
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Des on June 13, 2015, 11:38:08 AM
You are doing a marvelous job Squiffy.

Des.
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Cajun on June 14, 2015, 12:55:48 AM
Looking Great!!!

 Curious to what you are using for rigging?  Im still using Stretched Sprue for 1/72
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: WarrenD on June 15, 2015, 12:20:38 AM
That's a real labor of love Squiffy!

Warren
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Squiffy on June 18, 2015, 06:42:41 AM
Looking Great!!!

 Curious to what you are using for rigging?  Im still using Stretched Sprue for 1/72

Black Nylon 0.13mm monofilament, sold as "invisible thread". When I first started building WW1 aircraft I was told about stretched sprue but, fortunately (as I now see it) I couldn't get it to work. Monofilament is much easier and actually adds strength to the models.

If only I'd had some masking tape to hand on the original build...
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/Stuff/Tripe-005.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/Stuff/Tripe-005.jpg.html)

All three are now at similar stages - assembled and painted, bar undercart, and with most of the rigging in place. On comparing the original model with the others I have realised that there is too much forward stagger on the wings. I'm not sure if this was down to the beer, or the slow-setting polystyrene glue, which allowed them to lean forward before setting. Either way it's staying as it is now.
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: RAGIII on June 18, 2015, 11:08:55 AM
Squiffy,
This continues to be a real treat to follow! Looking great!
RAGIII
Title: Re: A Tale of Two Triplanes... No, Three, Three Triplanes!
Post by: Squiffy on June 23, 2015, 01:48:48 AM
Quite a jump from the last photo to completed but completed they are. http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=3517.210