forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: RLWP on October 28, 2017, 08:13:04 PM

Title: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on October 28, 2017, 08:13:04 PM: I bought this cheap off Ebay as a started kit. I have dismantled it as far as I dare.

Reading the reviews, it seems the kit fuselage is too short for the production machines, being the correct length for the prototypes. There is a lovely resin fuselage by Brian Fawcett which I did consider. Instead I'm going to model the prototype that became N500. There are some lovely picture on the WNW website:

(http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/v16B75742/www/products/model_kitsets/32008/archive_photos/Sopwith%20Triplane%20N500%20Prototype%20(0305-03).jpg)

(http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/v16B75742/www/products/model_kitsets/32008/archive_photos/Sopwith%20Triplane%20N500%20Prototype%20(0655-025).jpg)

Here's the state of play:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/Progress-1.JPG)

I have done this with a Roden kit before when building Josef Jacob's DR.I. On the left are parts to be modified, on the right are parts that are ready to use. At the bottom are parts that are rejected. The process is to move everything from the left to the right, or the bottom, modifying as I go according to whatever reliable information I can find.

These early Tripes seem to use parts from the Pup, including the tailplane, rudder and fin. I have a fin for an adjustable tailplane from a WNW Pup, I'm not going to rob the tailplane and rudder from the WNW kit, so I am making those

The engine was damaged, not well constructed and the cam box is rather too small for the 110hp Clerget, so I've ordered a WNW one.

The top wing had a transparent panel, so the kit wing is cut and the spars and ribs are being modelled

So far, so good

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: Juan on October 28, 2017, 09:00:39 PM: Looking good Richard, wonderful start to this interesting kite.
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RAGIII on October 28, 2017, 09:54:22 PM: A terrific start Richard. I am looking forward to your progress!
RAGIII
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: dr 1 ace on October 29, 2017, 02:38:34 AM: Will be a worthy addition to any collection !

d
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: GAJouette on October 29, 2017, 03:45:42 AM: Richard,
Sounds like an awesome project in the making my friend. Excellent progress to date and I'm looking forward to following along with this thread.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on October 29, 2017, 05:43:57 AM: Tail feathers!

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/empennage-1.JPG)

A pleasing mix of Roden, WNW and scratchbuilt

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: GAJouette on October 29, 2017, 06:01:39 AM: Richard,
Pleasing mix indeed! Well done my friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: pepperman42 on October 29, 2017, 06:18:30 AM: Nice work!!

Steve
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: rhwinter on October 29, 2017, 07:51:49 AM: LIKE!
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RAGIII on October 29, 2017, 09:32:39 PM: Quote from: GAJouette on October 29, 2017, 06:01:39 AM
Richard,
Pleasing mix indeed! Well done my friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

I agree completely with Gregory!
RAGIII
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on November 10, 2017, 08:30:37 AM: A tale of three engines. This is how I got the kit, with the engine already built up:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/Roden-Clerget-1.JPG)

There are a few things going on here. Clearly, three pushrods have gone missing. Also, the builder has left lumps of feed sprue on the end, which meant the engine didn't fit inside the cowl

I chopped the pushrods off, I didn't like the result much:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/Roden-Clerget-2.JPG)

The cambox isn't really much like a Clerget 9Z. So I ordered a WNW Clerget, which arived today (I got mugged by Royal Mail this time)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/WNW-clerget-1.JPG)

A much finer engine. Only....

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/WNW-clerget-2.JPG)

It won't fit inside the Roden cowl. Checking the dimensions, the outside diameter of the cowl is fine, the walls are much too thick

I didn't want to chop the WNW engine about, I did consider using the WNW 9Z cambox on the Roden engine, leaving me with a WNW Clerget 9B for future projects. I also considered vacuum forming a new cowl from thin styrene that would clear the rockers on the WNW engine

Then I remembered I had a HobbyCraft Clerget from a stalled project:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/HobbyCraft-Clerget-1.JPG)

And it fits the Roden cowl!:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/HobbyCraft-Clerget-2.JPG)

So, I'll use that. That leaves a WNW Clerget for future projects and a Roden cylinder set for the parts bin

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: lone modeller on November 11, 2017, 03:25:21 AM: Just caught up with this - a really good start to this project. The engine looks very good, and worth the effort of trying three times.

Stephen.
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RAGIII on November 11, 2017, 04:59:26 AM: Your final choice for the engine looks superb!
RAGIII
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: GAJouette on November 11, 2017, 07:44:23 AM: Richard,
Your engine looks fantastic my friend. Keep up the excellence!
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: xmald on November 11, 2017, 09:20:03 PM: A very good progress and an extremely interesting subject ( I simply love the Triplane).
Keep it up!
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: jeroen_R90S on November 12, 2017, 06:34:35 AM: Looking good -I like your organized way of building too. I'm still trying, I got from a bunch of parts mostly loose in the box to several zip lock bags for different areas... still looks like a mess on my bench...! :)
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on November 12, 2017, 10:06:05 AM: Quote from: jeroen_R90S on November 12, 2017, 06:34:35 AM
Looking good -I like your organized way of building too. I'm still trying, I got from a bunch of parts mostly loose in the box to several zip lock bags for different areas... still looks like a mess on my bench...! :)

Ahh, yes - well. It looks like that when I take pictures

The rest of the time I lose track of bits in the pile of tools, brushes, styrene strip and drawings on my bench

The only 'organisation' is in modifying parts before I stick them together (when it's often too late), essentially making a kit of modified parts

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: Iancshippee on November 12, 2017, 11:11:52 AM: I'm enjoying your build as I plug away on my own! nice choice for your engine. The tripe is my all-around favorite, always good to see it get some attention!
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: jeroen_R90S on November 13, 2017, 06:44:46 AM: Phew -and here I was thinking I found an organized modeller! ;D ;D
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on November 18, 2017, 08:12:34 AM: I seem to have spent a lot of time getting not very far:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/Progress-3.JPG)

This is what happens in the middle of most builds

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: Gilly on November 18, 2017, 08:32:43 AM: Outstanding work Richard, I have this model in my stash so I will be following your build closely and taking it all on board for that day when it hits the bench.
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RAGIII on November 20, 2017, 09:11:17 AM: Excellent wood tone on the coaming Richard. Looking great!
RAGIII
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on November 20, 2017, 07:50:44 PM: Quote from: RAGIII on November 20, 2017, 09:11:17 AM
Excellent wood tone on the coaming Richard. Looking great!
RAGIII

You wouldn't believe how simple that was...

More progress:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/Progress-4.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/Progress-5.JPG)

That's one of the lovely Gaspatch Vickers guns again. What is shown is my interpretation of what's in this picture on the WNW website:

(http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/v16B75742/www/products/model_kitsets/32008/archive_photos/Sopwith%20Triplane%20N500%20Prototype%20(0655-025).jpg)

The Vickers here would probably have the Sopwith Kauper gear, so I've cut the trigger motor off the top of the Gaspatch gun. The picture seems to show the top cover open, which doesn't help! There is no disintegrating reel chute on the left side, this 'plane would probably have used a belt instead going to a reel behind the dash, so that's what I have medlled. The back of the gun is a bit of a puzzle. It may be it had the Sopwith windscreen removed in this picture, I've chosen to show the four handle brackets with wooden handles installed like the ground gun. The handle brackets are what the Sopwith screen was attached to, probably without the wooden handles

All good fun

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on October 02, 2019, 05:41:57 AM: Hmm, nearly two years...

I finished this one!

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/n500/DSCF9941.JPG)

:D

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: bobs_buckles on October 02, 2019, 07:22:35 AM: And finished beautifully ;)
Well done, Richard!

von B
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: kensar on October 02, 2019, 09:41:02 AM: Well done, Richard. Where have you been? Hope everything's okay.
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: Juan on October 02, 2019, 10:08:46 AM: Outstanding Richard! Glad you got her finished, congrats.
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: Alexis on October 02, 2019, 11:15:34 AM: She is a beauty , most excellent Richard ! :) 8)

Terri
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RLWP on October 02, 2019, 06:11:04 PM: Quote from: kensar on October 02, 2019, 09:41:02 AM
Well done, Richard. Where have you been? Hope everything's okay.

I flit between two modelling hobbies, and tend to get obsessed by one to the exclusion of the other until I get sort of stuck. Then switch back. So I've been busy modelling trains

For instance:

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/cadfan/DSCF9199.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/cadfan/DSCF9201.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/motor-rail-simplex/DSCF9311.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/vans/DSCF9593.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/vans/DSCF9656.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/secundus/DSCF9926.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/torrington-marland/DSCF9938.JPG)

(http://www.primrose-engineering.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/sentinel-6412/DSCF9936.JPG)

The vans are scratchbuilt as is the double Sentinel loco and Secundus. The Hunslet and the Simplex are modified kits (there's a surprise!)

Richard
Title: Re: N500, Sopwith Triplane prototype from the Roden 1:32 kit
Post by: RAGIII on October 02, 2019, 11:00:34 PM: Your Triplane came out Fantastic! Your work on both Hobbies is outstanding!
RAGIII