forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: lone modeller on December 28, 2017, 07:48:13 AM
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Evening All,
Here are some more pictures of the completed model and some notes on the type. I apologise for the backgrounds but the weather and light are very poor at the moment. I will take more pictures in better light when I have completed the base for this model: this will be my next project. I did not know of this machine until I came across it by chance about 15 months ago. The build thread is in the scratch builds section of this site.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4731/38630875684_7a04a9ff77_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFksL)
Claudius Dornier had joined the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin (Zeppelin Airship Works) in 1910 where he worked on a number of technical problems associated with airships. He was transferred to Zeppelin’s private design bureau in Friedrichshafen to work on an 80,000 cubic metre steel airship capable of flying across the Atlantic in 1913. Following the outbreak of European war in August 1914, Zeppelin established the VGO-Staaken venture to build giant wooden bombers, but Zeppelin was convinced that the future for aircraft was in all metal construction, so Dornier was sent to an old airship shed at Seems near Friederichshafen on Lake Constance to design a giant flying boat. This became known as the Rs I and was the first all-metal aircraft to be built. It was a huge biplane with a 143 ft (43.5m) wingspan which carried out extensive taxiing trials on the lake in late 1915 but was wrecked in a storm in December of that year before it could fly.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4592/27561667609_8f3494d8ce_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HZwKxF)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4592/27561666539_2d038719b5_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HZwKee)
While the Rs I was undergoing trials, Dornier and his team were working on a second project which was of a totally different design. This had a very broad hull which gave it inherent stability, with a high mounted wing with a broad low aspect ratio, open tail boom and unusual biplane elevator. Small wings were fitted to the rear of the hull to support floats, but the latter were found to be unnecessary and were never fitted. It was built from duraluminium and steel and covered in sheet duraluminium on the hull and fabric on the flying surfaces. It was powered by three engines buried in the hull driving pusher propellors via drive shafts. It made its maiden flight from Lake Constance on 30 June 1916. In mid - July an accident occurred which caused the aircraft to land on the water. On attempting to take off the middle propellor transmission shaft broke which severely damaged the tail boom.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4680/27561666009_15e9ca0e93_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HZwK56)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4597/39309036782_09f91ef12b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/22TB68u)
It was decided to completely rebuild the aircraft and work was completed in early November 1916. The hull was redesigned with the step moved further back but more importantly a fourth engine had been added and all had been moved to a position between the hull and the wing. They were mounted uncowled in tandem pairs and drove tractor and pusher propellors - a feature which was to be used by Dornier on his flying boats until 1945. The wing was lowered and balance horns were added to the ailerons. The massive V struts which supported the wing were altered so that they now attached to the hull sides and the boom attachment to the hull was changed so that the rear propellors had clearance. The biplane elevator was retained, but the stub wings were reshaped to have rounded tips and a decreased chord. Materials shortages and poor quality fuel retarded testing, with constant problems being experienced with the engines. The engines were found to be too cold so very neat cowlings were fitted, following which the radiators were found to be too small as the engines overheated. In May 1917 during landing practice, the machine came down hard on the water and the central boom of the tail broke. The pilot did not notice and tried to take foo, with the result that the sagging tail dragged the aircraft back on to the water and the whole unit broke away and sank to the bottom of the lake.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4739/39309037352_0146a1e3d5_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/22TB6ij)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4684/27561665029_b3faff2d8f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HZwJMc)
In July the machine reappeared with a new tail unit this time with a simpler pair of fins and rudders and single elevator. Flight trials resumed and it was shown that it could take off and climb on 3 engines. It was also found that the pusher engines were more efficient when working alone than were the tractor engines. It reached a level speed of 128kph over the lake. In August it was carrying out a 6 hour trial flight prior to being sent to Norderney seaplane base for trials by the Navy when number 4 engine backfired violently. No 1 propellor disintegrated as a consequence, so both engines were shut down and the aircraft was put back down on the lake. The damage was found to be extensive and is was decided that it would have been uneconomical to rebuild it as the Rs III was near completion. Instead the airframe was broken up and the parts used for further tests and experiments.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4692/38630876894_f16f820146_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFkPC)
Dornier and his team learned many valuable lessons from this prototype. The broad inherently stable hull, tandem mounted engines, all-metal construction, high wing with low aspect ratio, all became characteristic features of later designs, but above all reliability and flexibility were to be hallmarks of the Dornier company.
Do you remember the Avro biplane that appeared in the build thread for scale? Well here it is next to the completed model:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4592/38630874544_6365b524f7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFk87)
And because you cannot see everything from a distance, here are some close ups:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4728/38630873134_f00993a656_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFjGN)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4679/38630868314_fc777f6a66_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFigG)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4727/38630869894_e44801c4e5_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFiJW)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4647/38630871624_51e59ec1bc_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFjfL)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4687/24474549677_533f9efaeb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DhJsWr)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4680/38630870434_274d15aea2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/21RFiUf)
A happy 2018 to one and all.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
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Bravo Stephen, this has been an excellent build. I learned stuff which is always a bonus
I'm attaching an image of the original, it's hard to appreciate just how big this aeroplane was:
(http://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/Putnam/German_Giants/66-1.jpg)
http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft31363.htm
Scratchbuilding is the best way of publicising these machines, I doubt one will appear as either a kit or a replica from New Zealand
Once again, congratulations and well done
What's next?
Richard
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Stephen,
Just beautiful, what a fine model this turned out to be! I know this one tested your resolve and sense of humor a bit but your modelling and improvisational skills and your determination brought you to a successful and quite spectacular completion. You can be extremely proud of this one, truly a great Scratch Build!
Cheers,
Lance
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A magnificent looking model of an unusual type, your brilliant modeling skills really show through in what you have produced, congratulations on a superb model.
Des.
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Des took the words right out of my mouth! Magnificent was the first thing that came to mind when I saw this beauty. I believe this is your best yet, Stephen.
Cheers,
Bud
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Congratulations of finishing this beauty, Stephen! I was following the build with great interest and my hat is off to your scratchbuilding skills on this very complex subject!
Cheers
Ondra
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I followed your construction thread on this model and enjoyed it. Beautiful model thanks for sharing it.
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Truly amazing build and finish, loved the log. Now WnW will release this beauty thanks to you. :o
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Des took the words right out of my mouth! Magnificent was the first thing that came to mind when I saw this beauty. I believe this is your best yet, Stephen.
Cheers,
Bud
I agree with Bud and Des on ALL counts! Your problem solving and results are truly Magnificent! Watching this one come together from blocks of wood and sheets of styrene was a joy to behold!
RAGIII
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Wow, what a model, built out of nothing! And how huge it is! My most sincere congratulations!
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My congratulation on that spectacular model, bravo!
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Very nice! Ditto on what everyone else said. I'm going to have to go back and read the build thread.
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What a huge plane (and model)! Really unusual type.
You have done here a fantastic scratch work, thank you also for your build report.
Cheers,
Frank
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Wow Stephen! This is just magnificent. You are a true artist and scholar. Plus a man after my own heart!
Fabulous and what does 2018 hold in store for us?
Cheers,
Dan
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I said it on the UAMF forum, and I'll say it here - that is absolutely bananas, the level of skill and effort you put into this! Top notch stuff!
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A huge beauty and the the build log is a scratchbuilding manual in itself. Congratulations.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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My apologies for not responding earlier but I have been away visiting a member of my family over the New Year.
Many thanks to all of you who have left such generous compliments: I greatly appreciate them all.
The next project will be to build a base on which I can display this model. I have bought a base and perspex cover: all I have to do now is build the scenery which will represent the turntable at Seemoos on Lake Constance in May 1917 - I will post a log in the diorama section of this site if anyone wants to follow. It will be my first serious attempt at a diorama type base so it will be a new challenge: wish me luck because I am going to need it!
Stephen.
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Wow, Stephen! This is so great, the plane looks so interesting. Prfect, thank you for sharing this build with us.
Bye,
Manni
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Superb modelling skills on display.
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What can I write that hasn't been already but my admiration for your modeling skills, patience and determination to build this incredible model of an obscure subject. The workmanship is flawless and the finished product absolutley outstanding. Outstanding all around.
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I missed this, it's an impressive plane! Fantastic scratch build Stephen!
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My thanks gentlemen for your very kind remarks which I really do appreciate.
Stephen.