forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Brad Cancian on January 24, 2016, 11:39:01 AM
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Hi everyone - started work on the Flashback 1/72 Sopwith 1 & 1/2 strutter. This is a multimedia kit (plastic, resin and etch), which is quite lovely for its age (~15 years). I plan to build it out of the box as a standard two seater.
So far I have completed the cockpit. The kit comes with some lovely etch, including great sidewall pieces. I did have to cut these slightly to get these to fit, as the coaming over the observer's cockpit wouldn't have fit properly if the etched piece sat any higher than the level of the cut out in the fuselage sides, and fixing the complete side pieces at that level would have meant they were too low in the front cockpit.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter01_zpswo7edd6w.jpg)
The floor, tank and seats are all a single resin piece, which is very well done all things considered. the piece has some fine detail for the wicker seat which, given the age of this kit, is a great effort. It looks great under a wash. Belts, control column and rudder pedals are added to this piece. The rudder pedals even come with foot holds which is neat.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter02_zps1ufoqkbc.jpg)
The kit comes with a lovely instrument panel, to which a clear piece is fixed to the back to represent the dials (I then added blobs of white glue on these to represent the glass faces).
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter03_zpsks8mpctk.jpg)
Together:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter04_zpscl6e5rv8.jpg)
Sadly, most of the detail in the front cockpit won't be seen due to the position of the top wing, which obscures most views except for from front on. Oh well, at least i'll know it's there ;D
Feedback always welcomed!
Cheers
BC
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Your usual very high standard of modeling skills Brad, the interior work is excellent and the instrument panel is superb.
Des.
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You're off to your usual brilliant start, Brad! As the Strutter's one of my favorites, I'm gonna relish every step of this project.
Cheers,
Bud
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Great work especially in that scale. Tbh I'd never heard of this manufacturer before. Are they still in production is some shape or form?
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Unbelievable that that's 1/72.. great work.
Toby, Flashback were around in the late 90s, some very unusual types too. Kingkit have a couple at a reasonable price but some, like their 1/48 Etrich Taube, are rarer than hen's teeth. One day.....
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Great start so far Brad on a classic kit 8)
Terri
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Brad,
I will follow this closely as I will use your build to help me when the inevitable 1/32nd kit arrives 8) Your usual gorgeous work!
RAGIII
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Lovely work as usual Brad. Good to see this one being built as I have both it and the Pegasus Strutter in my stash. I'll be taking notes!
Ian
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great to see you back to the bench brad,great work
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Very great work Brad.
Cheers
Martin
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It's been a while, but some slow progress....
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter05_zps0naxatwj.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter06_zpsr5ug5mtg.jpg)
The wings took a little bit of fiddling and filling to get right, but nothing too crazy. Still thinking about markings for this beastie... maybe Belgian...?
BC
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Great to see more progress on this build Brad, looking good.
Des.
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Looks terrific of course 8) I am looking forward to the painting and weathering!
RAGIII
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Good to see this one back. Belgian would certainly make it a little different!
Ian
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Brad,
Outstanding model artistry my old friend. As always looking forward to following along.No doubt learning plenty from the Master.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Great work so far Brad. I've got one of these I started some years ago and stalled out on it when I buggered up the ribbing on the spine. >:( Still haven't figured out how to fix that yet. I planned on making mine a French machine, have you decided on yours yet?
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Hi Warren - I am thinking in light of recent events that a Belgian machine might be apt.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/Sopwith-Strutter-S07_DBx_coll_zpslhe7nlbu.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/12-011-1000x1302_zpsaieaadmf.jpg)
BC
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cheers to that
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Looks great so far Brad. I always liked the look of the Strutter, and your Belgian idea is terrific. Looking forward to more.
Chris
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The Belgian scheme will make for a stunning and apprapos model! Looking forward to your next update Brad!
RAGIII
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Belgian is a great choice of schemes Brad, gets my vote as well. I know we have several Belgian Members and my thoughts are with them.
Cheers,
Lance
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Great choice Brad! We, who love the Strutter, do not lack for interesting schemes, that is certain. I'm looking forward to seeing this one grow.
Warren
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Hi everyone - been a while between drinks with this little fellow. In any case, I now have some paint on the strutter.
First up was the base coats of paint, a gloss coat, and decals:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter07_zpsknkzn7bd.jpg)
The major decals came from the Blue Rider sheet BR-236 "Royal Belgian Aeronautique Militaire 1914-1918".
Then I masked the ribs and frames ready for some shading:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter08_zpsqpelwv4n.jpg)
I then oversprayed around the masking with a combination of thinned black / brown, to create some shading. I then did some paint chipping on the cowls, followed by an oil paint panel line wash, a flat coat, and some additional shading / staining with more oil paints. Here's how she looks at the moment:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter09_zps2b10k4ub.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter10_zpspf3ei0wj.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter11_zpsx7lxbioz.jpg)
Some of the shading still needs to be toned down slightly, and i'll do this with some more oils.
Next up, another flat coat and onto mounting the top wing...
Cheers!
BC
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Brad, it's gorgeous! I'm really glad to see you coming back to this build as I not only want to finish my Strutter, but I want to see how you progress with this.
I have that decal sheet, and I love the schemes on it. How did the decals behave?
Warren
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Very nice Strutter you have build. The paintjob is terrific , thank you for showing.
Manni
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Thanks guys :)
Warren - the decals performed well without any problems. A little thick though. They have a matt finish and benefit from a gloss surface. They cut fine and respond well to decal softener.
Note that the yellow writing had a white underlay which was very slightly misaligned - it's only noticeable when you look hard though.
Cheers
BC
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Great to see you back to the business, Brad. Absolutely top notch progress on the Strutter! I am looking forward to see more.
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Brad,
i really love the way you paint your aircraft. Do you mind showing a photo of the underside (the Strutter's, of course)?
Stefan
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Thanks Brad, and yes, I too want to see the underside.
I take it there are several coats of Future/Klear so that the tape doesn't lift off the decals?
Warren
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Gorgeous painting and decaling as always Brad! Very impressive work, especially in 1/72nd scale!
RAGIII
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Thanks again folks. Yes liberal coats of future are used to make sure the decals don't lift. That being said, it still can be decal brand specific - i've had plenty of trouble with other decals lifting in the past. I usually test on a spare decal first, or use very low tack masking tape over the decaled areas.
I'll post some pics of the underside tomorrow, as the build is nearing completion now, despite some challenging hurdles...
The upper wing didn't want to fit properly; initially the inter-plane struts seemed to be too long, which threw the top wing out of whack. The "W" cabane struts were around 2mm short of their mounting holes. In this scale, I rig before adding the top wing, which meat that when it all didn't come together, I had to do most of the work again. So, I think there's either an issue with the angle of attack that the lower wings are mounted, an issue with the kit inter-plane struts, or the "W" cabane struts (or possibly a little bit of everything), or I am just a poor builder (the latter is most likely!). The inter-plane struts are all the same length in the kit - to get the correct stagger I think one set needs to be a little longer than the others, but if you do that, with the lower wings at the angle of attack the kit has you put them, then that reveals some issues with the "W" cabane struts - either the locating holes or strut lengths are off to get it all to sit at the correct stagger, and angle of attack, relative to that lower wing. As I wanted to keep this OOB, I didn't scratch build new struts or modify them other than trying to trim the kit parts until I got it all to fit - and by fit I mean go together with all points touching their mounting holes with the wings level and at the same angle of attack. The upper wing still doesn't sit right, it's all too far aft (and thus all of the struts are at the wrong forward / aft angles), but the wings are level so it will do... it's only really noticeable when viewed from side on.
In any case, should hopefully finish this one in the 'morrow.
Cheers,
BC
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Brad, I am sorry to hear about your problems with upper wing. If I may, I would suggest the way I am following in this small scale. I usually start with the outermost interplane struts, which length I try to estimate from scale drawings. When they are glued with the correct geometry (usually I use some cardboard templates for this) I attach the upper wing. Only then I try to fit the cabane struts and (if present) the remaining interplace struts. The rigging is the last step.
BTW, the BE2c I am currently completing was treated differently, but only due to the fact, that the cabane struts were integral parts of fuselage assembly in that kit.
Anyway, I am sure you are making a jewel model and I am looking forward to see some more photos.
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Many thanks for the tips Prze - you would have thought i'd have figured struts out by now, hey... silly me for thinking it would fall together without hassles. A good lesson to remember the basics ;D
By the way, she's finished!
http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=7677.0
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/bradcancian/1-72%20Sopwith%20Strutter/72strutter19_zpsb69ssjrn.jpg)
:) BC
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Awesome work as always, Brad! Great to have you back!
Cheers,
Bud
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Just gorgeous Brad. Not only one of my favorite a/c, but one of my favorite color schemes.
As to your struts, you certainly aren't a bad builder. :o I do want to recall hearing someone tell me that the cabane struts are *off* on the Flashback Strutter, so I bet that's where the problem sits.
Still, a wonderful build!
Warren
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Brad, another question, if you'll indulge me please:
How in the world do you rig the kit before the top wing goes on?
Warren
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Superb modelling. Modelling at its very best actually - a wonderful thread too.
Stephen.