forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Mike Norris on October 06, 2019, 05:53:38 AM
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Hi all,
I thought it was about time I took on another resin kit, as the last resin model I built was the DFW T28 'Floh' from 'Planet Models'.
I've had the 'HPH Models' 1:32 scale Aviatik 'Berg' D.I in my stash for quite awhile, so thought it was about time I gave it a go.
Already I've encountered a couple of things that may cause problems.
1. The instruction manual, normal I think for 'HPH Models', consists of a small booklet with photographs and arrows showing where parts fit.
However these illustrations leave a lot to be desired, especially those for assembling the engine, which has many parts and the smallest in the entire kit.
Some of the call out illustrations for parts are not the same as the actually resin parts supplied in the kit, which is a bit confusing.
2. More of a concern is that the kit is supplied with mask sheets for painting the lozenge - not the easiest route to take.
So I ordered the optional decal sheets.
These arrived in polythene bags and without the normal tissue paper protection sheets. Consequently the bags stuck to the exposed decals and despite being careful extracting the decal sheets, some were chipped where they's stuck to the bag. Also the bags had left an imprint across every decal, which I'm not sure will show after the decals are applied.
Thinking this might have been a 'one off' I ordered another set of decals, but these packaged the same way and in the same condition.
I emailed 'HPH' and suggested they revise how the package these decals - I haven't had a reply!!
I see that our very own 'Des' built his 'Berg' as the prototype and without any lozenge camouflage. Maybe he encountered the same problems?
Anyway we are modellers, not assemblers, so on I go.
I decided to work on the engine first, contrary to the instruction manual.
Unless I'm very carefully, some of the tiny engine parts may end up feeding the 'carpet monster' - we'll, but at least the kit is supplied with some spare parts.
I'm using 'Alclad' lacquers on the engine and have dulled down the copper water jackets on the cylinders and the intake manifolds by applying 'Tamiya' Weathering Master (Set D - Oil Stain), which gives the copper an older, heated look.
Long way to go on this one I think,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/hphscheme1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/hphscheme2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/hphscheme3.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/paintedeng1.jpg)
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Great start on a kit not often seen! Looking forward to your build as always,
RAGIII
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I watch and give the page, it may be useful
https://www.aviattic.co.uk/hph-aviatik-berg-d1.html
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I am with this one...!!
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First time I see this odd colorful lozenge scheme...it looks spectacular!
I look forward to see this come together. :)
Robin
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I watch and give the page, it may be useful
https://www.aviattic.co.uk/hph-aviatik-berg-d1.html
Thanks,
Mike
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Mike,
I guess the fun never stops around your work bench.
I'll enjoy watching this one.
Kevin
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Pulling up a comfy chair to enjoy this one.
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Looking forward to watching you work your magic on this one, Mike!
I watch and give the page, it may be useful
https://www.aviattic.co.uk/hph-aviatik-berg-d1.html
Thank you for posting this, I have the 1/48 version of this and will use both this, and Mike's build as guides.
Cheers,
Bud
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wow! this is one of my favourite planes (ihope CSM will make one sometimes.... ::))
in the meanwhile p, i’ll njoy watching your build!
ciao
edo
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Hi Bud,
Here's a couple more links that might be of use:
https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.com/2017/11/18/austrian-aviation-heritage-aviatik-berg-d-i-a-hidden-treasure-from-world-war-one/ (https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.com/2017/11/18/austrian-aviation-heritage-aviatik-berg-d-i-a-hidden-treasure-from-world-war-one/)
http://www.idflieg.com/aviatik-berg-di.htm (http://www.idflieg.com/aviatik-berg-di.htm)
Not log to SMW,
Mike
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Hi all,
The basic engine build is done.
This involved assembling the engine block, cylinders' cam shaft, overhead valve gear housing, magnetos and drive shaft, ignition rail and the carburettor housing and intake manifolds.,
The paints used were primarily 'Alclad' lacquers (Duraluminium, Aluminium, Steel, Copper and Brass).
The only weathering applied so far is the 'Tamiya' Weathering Master (Set D - Oil Stain), which was sponged onto the copper cylinder heads and intake manifolds, in order to give an old, heated look.
There will be more weathering applied once the engine is complete.
Now onto the fiddly bits - support frame, pipe and water pump, timing handle assembly, valve gear, spark plugs, ignition leads etc,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/engbuild1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/engbuild2.jpg)
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Wonderful painting, chapeau! I‘m looking forward to your next update.
Jörg
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This will be again a beatiful model, very interesting Lozenge colors. Against this info my 1/48 decals for this plane looks some how strange ???
I will watch!
Cheers,
Frank
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Excellent start, Mike. I'll be following along.
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Excellent work on the engine Mike!
RAGIII
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Got my chair and Pepsi ...I'm all set :)
Terri
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My you have got off to a flying start! The engine looks most impressive and certainly looks as though it has had a few hours in the air. The problems you listed at the start are mere trivia for a modeller with your skills.
Stephen.
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Wonderful start, Mike,
I am very happy to see this kit made by you. Allways straved around this one but first wanted to see it build by someone with good skills.
I think this will be an absolute stunner....as allways by you ;-)
Bye,
Manni
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Great start, and a great, captivating subject. Will follow with interest.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Hi all,
The engine is now completed.
I've added the ignition leads and spark plugs, timing mechanism, oil filler caps, water pump and coolant pipe, vale levers and springs and carburettor lever.
I've also made the exhaust pipes from 1.8 mm diameter brass tube mounted onto 1.4 mm tube - the kit items had 'solid' bores.
Test fitted into its mounting frames.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/engdone1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/engdone2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/engdone3.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/engdone4.jpg)
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What a great and promising start!
Andreas
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Mike! It's not really sportsmanlike to post photos of a real engine and claim that it's your 1/32 scale model. Honestly, I expected so much more from you.
(magnificent work as always, mate)
Cheers,
Bud
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Whoppingly good this.
Robin :)
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Mike! It's not really sportsmanlike to post photos of a real engine and claim that it's you 1/32 scale model. Honestly, I expected so much more from you.
(magnificent work as always, mate)
Cheers,
Bud
Bud has point , thats cheating !
Terri
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Hi all,
Thanks.
Bud-Terri:
Not the first time I've been accused of that ;D
Mike
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Mike! It's not really sportsmanlike to post photos of a real engine and claim that it's your 1/32 scale model. Honestly, I expected so much more from you.
(magnificent work as always, mate)
Cheers,
Bud
If that actually is the case, then I'm more impressed by the enormous white paper on which the real engine rests...
/Fredrik
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;D ;D
Mike
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Simply Gorgeous engine Mike! The different tones are beautifully rendered!
RAGIII
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Great looking engine, Mike.
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The painting of the engine makes it a work of art!
What confuses me is the light gap under the valve actuator. Looks not that big on the real one. Hope it will fit below the cowling later.
(http://memorial.flight.free.fr/gallery/albatros/20.jpg)
Source: http://memorial.flight.free.fr/
Cheers,
Frank
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Hi all,
Contrary to the models instruction manual, I'm making a start on some of the internal fuselage details, as I need to see how the completed engine sits in the nose.
The reason being I want to cut out the engine access panels from the one piece fuselage halves, so more of the engine can be exposed.
After removing the various parts from their resin backing and base blocks, I spent a few hours cutting and sanding away the residue resin, which is normal for resin kits,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep2.jpg)
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The painting of the engine makes it a work of art!
What confuses me is the light gap under the valve actuator. Looks not that big on the real one. Hope it will fit below the cowling later.
(http://memorial.flight.free.fr/gallery/albatros/20.jpg)
Source: http://memorial.flight.free.fr/
Cheers,
Frank
Hi Frank,
I can see your point, although that engine is I think is the 200 hp version, whereas this model has the 160-185 hp engine.
For example the carburettor intake manifolds are different.
Also the cylinder exhaust ports, cam shaft and valves are not fitted, so it's not that easy to make out the gap, although the cam shaft location does seem to be closer.
'HPH Models' 1:18th scale model of the engine shows a similar gap, but then it's a scaled up CAD version of the same model - so who knows.
I'll find out soon enough but so far the engine look to fit in the fuselage,
Mike
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Nice work Mike and a super interesting subject.
Guy
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All of your work is a master class, Mike, and thanks so much for the extra effort you take to present it here and on your site....and this one is indeed super interesting. Rock on. -DM
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Mike, the finish of your Austro Engine is breathtaking beautiful, the pipes are suberbly coloured!
Very convincing mix of metal differentiations.
Cheers
Hans
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Hi all,
Just a quick one.
I'm working my way through the fuselage internal detail.
The seat belts I'm using is from 'HGW Models' (Set 132543).
If you've used these you'll know they are a 'fabric/paper' material, that when rolled between the fingers creates a crumpled texture to the belts.
I tried a way of creating that dirty seat belt finish by brushing 'AK Interactive' enamel filter (Wood - AK261), thinned with White Spirits.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/beltsdone.jpg)
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Excellent dirty finish on those belts! Excellent finish on everything actually! Keep up the good work!
/Fredrik
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Those belts look fantastic, Mike! How difficult is it to thread the belt material through the hardware?
Cheers,
Bud
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Hi Bud,
In a word 'tricky'.
Threading the belts through the various photo-etch buckles and fittings is not easy, but I think worth the effort.
When assembling the seat straps, use CA adhesive.
To avoid the adhesive soaking through the seat belts and sticking to the working surface, assemble the belts on a shiny surface, such as tile.
When holding down the belt joints to allow the adhesive to set, keep the belt moving over the shiny surface, which should stop the adhesive sticking the belt to the working surface.
Mike
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Thanks, Mike. I'll have to give 'em a try.
Cheers,
Bud
Only 24 days till SMW!
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The problem with modellers like you is that I turn around for five minutes and you have built half of a model! That engine just need some oil and fuel and then you can bench test it before fitting to the airframe.... Those seat belts also look real - you must stop taking photos of the real items and then trying to pass them off as your model.
Stephen.
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Fantastic results on your dirtied up belts! I have a set of HG belts somewhere so will give them a try someday 8)
RAGIII
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Hi all,
I've been hammering away at the fuselage internal details.
Everything is fitted to the right side of the fuselage with regular testing for the fit of the left side.
Included are control lines, trigger cables, control rods to the engine etc.
I still have some bits to do, like the two machine guns and final weather etc, but I'm getting there,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep6.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep7.jpg)
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Looking good Mike 8)
Terri
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yeah!
really beautiful!
ciao
edo
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Fantastic progress, great weathering and perfect build. Unbelievable in this short time.
Bye,
Manni
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Fantastic progress, great weathering and perfect build. Unbelievable in this short time.
Bye,
Manni
I was thinking exactly the same. :o
Robin
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Great job on the interior!
I also have this kit in my stash, so: How’s the fitting of the parts?
Andreas
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Great job on the interior!
I also have this kit in my stash, so: How’s the fitting of the parts?
Andreas
Hi Andreas,
Many resin kits are labelled 'short run kits' so you expect problems with finish and fit.
However given 'HPH Models' don't really fall into that category and given the price of the kit, I'm finding fit problems with internal fuselage parts, which is the stage I'm at right now.
Also the lacks some details that were on the actual aircraft.
The assembled engine including its support frames would not allow the front of the fuselage to fully close. I had to scrape the sides of the frames and the nose of the engine quite heavily to get a good fit as well as thinning the fuselage internal surfaces.
Also the two machine guns would not fit on their mounting frame inside the fuselage. That's required heavy scraping of the fuselage internal surfaces, removal of parts of the mounting frame and slight modification of both guns.
I've found that the machine gun barrels were located inside blast tubes that spanned the engine sides and into the apertures on the radiator - neither tubes are supplied in the kit.
The ailerons on the actual aircraft had pronounced upward 'wash-out' at the outer edges and although this seems to have been presented on the kit parts, the 'wash-out' is barely noticeable.
There's no wind screen supplied in the kit, which I believe this version of the Aviatik appears to have had.
The kit rigging diagram doesn't specify cross bracing between the rear cabane struts.
I see from other modellers that there could be shape accuracy issue with the fin and rudder.
'Des' noted that he suffered wing sag towards the end of his build of this kit - we'll see.
So to answer your question, yes there seems to be fit issues, at least for me on this kit and the fuselage is not even closed up yet.
However it's a challenge so I'll soldier on,
Mike
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Hello Mike,
thank for your detailed answer which is really valuable. I didn’t find the right ‚mojo‘ to start the Berg yet and your build log is actually worth waiting for and following with great interest instead. I remember Des‘ issues with wing sag, I think he solved the problem with strong structural rigging. I cross my fingers foryour build although I know you will master any problems that might come.
Best regards
Andreas
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Spectacular progress, Mike. And that engine is a jewel in itself. Watching with great interest!
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Hello Mike,
thank for your detailed answer which is really valuable. I didn’t find the right ‚mojo‘ to start the Berg yet and your build log is actually worth waiting for and following with great interest instead. I remember Des‘ issues with wing sag, I think he solved the problem with strong structural rigging. I cross my fingers foryour build although I know you will master any problems that might come.
Best regards
Andreas
Hi Andreas,
It's a nicely moulded model, it's just the few omissions and fit issues that are a nuisance.
'Des' got over his wing sag I think by heat bending the wing and partly rigging with mono-filament, which is what always use anyway.
So we'll see.
Mike
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Hi all.
I forgot to take shots of the internal fuselage before closing it up.
I still have a few bits to do - windows in the front decking, rear cabane cross bracing, top rear engine pipe, blast tubes for the machine guns and crash padding on the breech blocks.
Also seam filling and checks,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/test1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/test2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/test3.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/test4.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/test5.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/test6.jpg)
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great interior work, Mike. The exhausts really finish off the engine nicely.
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Simply Gorgeous! The exhausts do look fantastic!
RAGIII
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Shaping up nicely so far Mike . Like the others your exhaust really set off the engine .
Terri
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Hi all,
Thanks, much appreciated.
It's strange how the exhausts grab the attention.
I've used this method before and it seems to work:
Brass tubes (in this case 1.8 mm diameter).
Prime the tubes by airbrushing ‘AK Interactive’ Primer and micro-filler (AK-758).
Airbrush the tubes using ’Tamiya’ Rubber Black (XF85).
Lightly dry brush the tubes with ‘Tamiya’ Hull Red Deck Tan (XF9).
Lightly dry brush ‘Tamiya’ NATO Brown (XF68) sporadically along the each tube.
Lightly sponge the pipe open angled end of each tube with ‘Tamiya’ Weathering Master (Set B-Soot).
Lightly sponge the base ends of the tubes with ‘Tamiya’ Weathering Master (Set D-Burnt Blue).
Lightly sponge along the centre areas of each tube with ‘Tamiya’ Weathering Master (Set B-Rust).
Mike
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This is as ever up to your extremely high standards Mike. I have written before that it would appear from the photos in your log that you are just sailing through this kit, but clearly they do not tell the whole story. Excellent detailing is clearly a serious part of this build.
Stephen.
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Hi all,
The basic fuselage is now completed, with the addition of the blast tubes for the two 'Schwarzlose' machine guns, crash pads and top rear engine pipe.
I also added lead wire to represent the pipes/wires connected at the back of the instrument panel, although its virtually impossible to see them and worse once the upper wing is fitted.
There's a lot of photo-etch detail to be added to the fuselage and another engine pipe, but those will be left until later in the build to prevent the getting damaged,
Now it's time to move onto the wings and tail unit,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep8.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep9.jpg)
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Take the aviatik to the next level, beautifull..
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Take the aviatik to the next level, beautifull..
I think it should be me saying that for your 'Berg' build,
Mike
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Hi all,
Well, starting on the tail unit there are a few areas that needed to be addressed:
The 'Berg' had pronounced 'wash-out' (upward flare) at the outer trailing edge of the ailerons. Although it looks as though this was attempted in the kit parts, the 'wash-out' was nowhere pronounced enough. This required careful bending after heat soaking in hot water (boiled).
The combined fin and rudder had a few areas that I felt needed to be re-profiled after comparing the kit part to drawings in several notable publications.
The tail planes and elevators, when laid together with the rib tapes aligned were found to be off-set to each other. I also felt these parts needed re-profiling.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/photo.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/hphscheme1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/ailwashout1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/ailflared.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/cent171elev.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/elevprofiled.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/cent171rudfin.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/rudfinreprofiled.jpg)
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Outstanding work on the corrections, Mike!
Cheers,
Bud
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Hi all,
The more I get on with this kit and its 'instruction manual', the more problems I find.
Here's a classic.
Resin undercarriage struts - note they have solid moulded axle ends with the bungee suspension cord.
The undercarriage fairing has, for strength, a 'solid steel' pin moulded into the fairing.
The 'instruction manual' has a small photograph showing the parts with a hole in the undercarriage struts, which I assume is for the pin in the axle to fit through.
The steel pin can't reasonably be drilled to insert a smaller diameter rod which could then be inserted into a hole drilled into the axle ends.
Therefore I assume they expect you to drill out the moulded resin axle ends (same diameter as the pin in the fairing) to accept the steel pin, leaving just the moulded bungee cord intact.
Someone didn't think this one through.
Option 1 - remove the axle ends and bungee cords from the struts, epoxy glue the fairing pin ends to the struts then replicate the bungee cords with wire.
Option 2 - file the pin ends small enough to fit into a hole drilled into the moulded axle ends.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/UCbits.jpg)
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Option one Mike , would be the best way to go . Option two , to many variables . Or at least for me to make a mess out of option two . It is a head scratcher though .
Terri
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Option 3, a variation on 1, would be to just drill through the axle ends/bungees the same diameter as the axle. That's the way I would go. More strength and less labor.
Cheers,
Bud
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Option 4 - cut off steel axle flush with fairing. Drill 2 small holes adjacent to the steel axle end, in front and behind the axle in both the fairing part and the LG parts. Glue in metal pin to reinforce the joint and glue it all together.
Just thinking out loud. Depends on how much of the original kit you want to preserve.
Option 1 is good, too.
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Hi all,
Thanks for your inputs.
I'll have a crack at it later.
Just a shame they didn't mould the undercarriage struts without the axle ends included - it would have been to easy then,
Mike
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Hi all,
Before starting on the undercarriage changes, the lower wing need to be prepared.
The front spars of the lower wings were connected by a steel bar, which was located on the bottom surface of the fuselage.
As such the leading edges of the lower wings sat slightly below the fuselage.
This is different from most aircraft of the time where the lower wing front spars were integral to the fuselage construction.
To locate the lower wings to the fuselage, 1.0 mm diameter holes needed to be drilled into the wing roots and one hole each side of the fuselage.
Metal rods were inserted into holes in the wing roots.
When test fitted, the wing root rear rods insert into the fuselage holes and the longer front rod against the underside of the fuselage.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/wingbar.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/wingbar4.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/wingbar2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/wingbar3.jpg)
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Hi all,
Well I went for option 1 in the end.
It seems to have worked although these shots are test fitting only and I've yet to create the bungee suspension cords from wire.
I replaced the kit supplied bracing bar with 0.9 mm diameter tube, as the kit part was too short,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/UCprep1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/UCprep2.jpg)
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Thumbs up Mike ! :)
Terri
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Exceptional progress Mike!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The undercarriage assembly is completed.
Struts modified by removing the pre-moulded axle ends and bungee suspension cords.
Cross bracing anchors points added to the bottom front of the forward undercarriage struts.
Axle secured to the undercarriage struts and 0.4 mm diameter lead wire used to replicate the bungee cord suspension.
Bracing bar in kit replaced (too short) with 0.9 mm diameter brass tube,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/UCprep3.jpg)
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Superb!
Robin :)
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Good work on solving the issues!
Those anchor points for the cross bracing, are they kind of common? Would for instance an Albatros D.V have anchor points in the same place?
/Fredrik
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Hi Faf,
The cross bracing on this aircraft was between the top of undercarriage front struts to the bottom of the of the struts.
However, as I had to heavily 'modify' the undercarriage assembly I could only fit the bottom bracing anchors to the outer edges of the axle fairing.
Certainly cross bracing was fitted to aircraft of WW1, sometimes only between the front undercarriage struts and sometimes between front and rear struts.
The Albatros D.v had cross bracing fitted but only between the rear undercarriage struts,
Mike
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Hi all,
I've been working on preparing the wings, fin/rudder, ailerons, tail planes, elevators and their associated support struts.
The struts should, I think, have steel reinforcing pins moulded through them, but I found the 'Z' shaped cabane struts had ends without pins.
Also the fuselage indents for locating these struts had no locating hole.
The single piece fin and rudder had no locations for attaching it to the fuselage and neither did the tail planes.
The separate ailerons and elevators also has no locating pins/holes.
Therefore I added support pins of 0.6 mm diameter for the wing struts and ailerons and 0.4 mm diameter pins to locate the fin/rudder, elevators and tail planes.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep10.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep11.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/fusprep12.jpg)
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Hi Faf,
The cross bracing on this aircraft was between the top of undercarriage front struts to the bottom of the of the struts.
However, as I had to heavily 'modify' the undercarriage assembly I could only fit the bottom bracing anchors to the outer edges of the axle fairing.
Certainly cross bracing was fitted to aircraft of WW1, sometimes only between the front undercarriage struts ans sometimes between front and rear struts.
The Albatros D.v had cross bracing fitted but only between the rear undercarriage struts,
Mike
Thank you so much for your answer. I know I'm sort of stealing space here in your thread. So normally the anchor point would be on the actual struts... that makes sense I guess. /F
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Continuing to be a lesson in Modeling Excellence!
RAGIII
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I look at kits as just raw material to start with and embellish. This kit clearly fits in that category and is a kit you have to build - not just assemble.
You are doing it justice, Mike.
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Hi all,
On the top of the fuselage and to the rear of the radiator is a condensation matrix for cooling radiator steam back to liquid and returning it back into the cooling system through a pipe connected to the rear of the assembly.
Apparently this avoided a build up of steam pressure being lost through the filler cap and losing coolant.
Anyway I wasn't happy with the resin one piece part in the kit.
I felt it was too large at the base and anyway the top was slightly off centre with the bottom.
Also the kit doesn't appear to have the 90 degree pipe at the back of the assembly.
So I cut the part in two, re-shaped the base, connected them with brass tube and added the rear pipe using annealed 0.8 mm brass rod.
Strangely the photo-etch in the kit supplies only one 'matrix' disc for the condensation matrix, which presumably like a radiator, would have the matrix from front to rear?
I used the photo-etch from the front of the matrix (as that will be more visible) and drilled 0.3 mm diameter holes in the rear face to replicate the matrix,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/coolermatrix.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/cooler1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/cooler2.jpg)
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most excellent Mike ! :) 8) 8)
Terri
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Outstanding Mike, your details really shine.
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Stunning work!
RAGIII
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Getting along very nice..!!
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Hi all,
Things are progressing slowly right now until I receive some decals I need.
I've applied small serial number decals to the struts and fuselage and painted the condenser assembly on the forward, top fuselage.
The fuselage underside has had wood decals (HGW Models) applied. Very thin and fragile!! Weathering and joint seams yet to be applied.
Tail skid painted and under surfaces pre-shaded and prepared for CDL decals.
In the meantime I'll crack on painting the figure,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/underpreshade.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/wooddecs.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/tailskiddone.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/figure1.jpg)
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Just catching up with this one - some absolutley superb details being added here. It may be a kit but you are turning it into a semi-scratch build with all of the extra details.
Stephen.
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Really taking shape now. Looks Fantastic!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
Austro-Hungarion pilot completed
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/pilotdone.jpg)
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The figure looks good !
RAGIII
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Hi All,
The 'Aviattic' CDL decals have been applied to the under surfaces.
Weathering still needs to be applied,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/CDLdone.jpg)
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The CDL decals and pre shading look Fantastic!
RAGIII
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Austrian pilot and CDL look great.
Can't wait (well, I can of course ;D) to see this come together.
Robin :)
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I like it ! :)
Terri
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Hi all,
It's been a few weeks now since I last posted on this build.
I took two weeks out for a holiday break and this last week or so I've been fighting off a recurring cold (wide spread in the UK it seems).
However I'll be getting back to this build and the Macchi M.5 now.
Mike
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Hi all,
The Aviatik 'Berg' D.1 was an aircraft that had many and varied camouflage schemes that were applied.
They ranged from plain varnished wood to streaking, sponged colours, solid colours joined by zig-zag borders and lozenge.
The Austro-Hungarian applied lozenge was much larger than the German equivalent and was either uniform shaped hexagons or 'squashed' hexagons.
This particular aircraft was manufactured by the 'Aviatik' Company, so had their standard uniform sized hexagon lozenge.
The decals supplied in the kit are not the best and have thicker than normal backing sheets.
Also they are not 'cookie cut' and need to be accurately cut out from the backing sheets.
They are thin and care is needed when applying them as they are easily torn.
I've primed the surfaces with white as this brings out the colours more accurately. 'Tamiya' Smoke was used (thinned 50/50 with X20a) to apply slight pre-shading before the decals were applied.
Here's the lower left wing as an example. Post weathering will be applied later in the build.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lozon1.jpg)
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Looking good, Mike :-)
Cheers,
Gary
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Great result with the tricky decals. Keeping on watching with great interest.
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that colour scheme is one of the ones i like best and it makes the Berg so iconic....
plus, you are modelling it in its full glory!
great results, indeed!
ciao
edo
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The pre shading and lozenge application look amazing! Well Done!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The remaining Lozenge decals applied.
To say these particular decals were a challenge to apply would be an understatement!!
They are not cookie cut so have to be accurately cut out from the backing sheets.
The backing sheets are thick so extra soaking is required to release the decals.
The marks from the polythene bags they were delivered in (including a second set I had delivered) are still evident, although hopefully weathering and sealing coats will cover them.
The first set of decals (in the delivered kit) had small areas pulled away with the packaging.
The cut out decals for the ailerons, elevators and rudder were oversized and had to be trimmed to shape before applying.
The fuselage lozenge comes in 6 separate pieces (two for the fuselage sides, one each side of the fuselage rear decking (the faired 'hump') and one for each side for the tricky area between the fuselage side and base of the rear decking panel).
As you can imagine the lozenge hexagons need to be accurately aligned, but even so I found that I had to cut and add thin strips to the front of the fuselage sides decals, as they didn't reach forward far enough.
The colours for the lozenge hexagons for the two 'infill decals', between the top of the fuselage sides and the fuselage rear decking are different so can't be aligned and matched to the others
If the decals overlap anywhere you get the dark overlap due to double decals, so that need to be sorted where necessary.
Finally, as the carrier is very thin, they are prone to 'fold over' on themselves if you're not careful.
I think the only positives about these decals is that they are transparent so you can pre-shade before applying them (similar to 'Aviattic' clear backed decals) and they seem fairly robust when being applied.
Anyway, after the best part of the day, all of the lozenge decals have been applied.
There are a couple of small areas where the decals chipped etc, but weathering etc should render them less visible,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lozon2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lozon3.jpg)
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despite the woes, the result is beautiful. :)
Robin
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Sounds like you had a trying day Mike,but the results are magnificent.
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‘magnificent” is the right word!
ciao
edo
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It may have been challenging but the results are Brilliant!
RAGIII
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It's very difficult to see the hardships you're mentioning, but very easy to see the fantastic results! The fact that the lozenge itself is different and eye-catching makes it even better!
/Fredrik
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Excellent job on the lozenge Mike , very eye catching and different.
Terri
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Hi all,
All of the decals have now been applied.
Also I've added some post-shading, although there's still final weathering and sealing coat to be applied.
Now it's onto the myriad of photo-etch parts for the fuselage, lower wings and the tail unit,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lozon4.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lozon5.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lozon6.jpg)
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Congrats on that wonderful finish of the main parts. It’s going to be a real eye catcher.
Andreas
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Quite an unusual lozenge design. This is coming together nicely, Mike.
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Just catching up on this one. Great workmanship on a tough build. The lozenge looks great too!!
Steve
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Mike,
The two toned lozenge scheme is a real eye catcher Mike, this is really coming together nicely. I also really am drawn to the very subtle pre shading effect you've produced here, it comes off as very "real" in my view. As with all of your Builds an enjoyable experience to follow along.
Cheers,
Lance
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Hi all,
Thanks for your encouraging comments.
The radiator grill, which is photo-etch, was annealed to allow it to be bent around an appropriate former to shape it to the front of the fuselage.
Annealing also creates the 'heated' look of a radiator.
It was then secured in position using thin CA adhesive under the edges only, otherwise the adhesive would seep under the grill and block the cooling holes,
Mike.
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/grill.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/grill2.jpg)
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All of the Markings look awesome as does that annealed radiator!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The tail unit is coming together now with added photo-etch and rigging points.
I've still to add the tail skid bungee suspension and later, the bracing rigging,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/tail1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/tail2.jpg)
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Superb looking grille and the rest is pure pleasure to look at also. :)
Robin
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Continuing to be Outstanding!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The tail skid was mounted on a forked swivel fitted into the bottom of a 3-ply wood covered streamlined fairing.
This allowed the tail skid to pivot up and down as well as swivel.
The type of suspension for the tail skid consisted of double sprung rings, the ends of which were looped over extended support bars located on the bottom edge of the fuselage.
The other end of the rings were attached to the forward end of the tail skid.
This was done using ‘ANYZ’ Black braided line 0.5 mm diameter (AN011),
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/tailbungee2.jpg)
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Truly spectacular work all 'round, Mike!
Cheers,
Bud
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Truly spectacular work all 'round, Mike!
Cheers,
Bud
100% agreement !!
Ed
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This build is just so awesome all the way 'round!
WD
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Great work and a great, captivating livery.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Blown away by your work. Looks fantastic.
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Great detail work, Mike. One can see how the tail skid works.
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Hi all,
I've now added all of the necessary photo-etch parts to the fuselage and lower wing halves.
Also the main undercarriage, a windscreen (which wasn't supplied in the kit) and a flare pistol and cartridge rack (not supplied in the kit, but often carried on this aircraft).
The whole lot has been sealed with a semi-matte lacquer, ready for a 'Flory Models' clay weathering wash.
I've still got to add a small pipe to the radiator condenser assembly and two cross bracing cable at the rear of the engine bay. These will be attached to the underside of the upper wing centre section.
Also the propeller shaft access hole.
Then it's onto pre-rigging and fitting the wings
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/sealed1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/sealed2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/sealed3.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/sealed4.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/sealed5.jpg)
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This is simply the best Berg D.I I have ever seen!!
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Outstanding mike ! :)
Terri
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Congratulations on that gem!
Jörg
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Everything done to the fuselage has paid off and really looks Gorgeous!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
Just a few minor additions.
The upper wing was cross braced from the top of the rear cabane struts to the bottom of the opposite rear cabane struts.
These are not detailed in the kit. I've drilled holes for adding the cross bracing through the cockpit front decking later in the build.
The 'ProperPlane' Knoller-Jaray propeller has a 2.0 mm diameter tube added for mounting into the fuselage.
The small pipe on the top of the radiator condenser assembly has also been added, using 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube.
Now it's onto weathering with clay wash, pre-rigging the wings and fitting them, which I know already will give me problems with alignment!!
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/propshaft.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/prophole.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/condenserpipe.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/condenserpipe2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/deckcrossbracing.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/holesdecking.jpg)
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Fantastic work, Mike. Your weathering and fading effects are particularly of note.
Cheers,
Gary
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Hi all,
I've applied the 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt clay wash to give a 'subtle' grimy look - I added a few drops of washing up liquid to break the surface tension of the wash to help it spread more over the model. The wash wash applied by brush.
Once the required amount was wiped away with a very slightly damp tissue and brush, I sealed it all with 'Alclad' Semi-Matte (ALC-312) lacquer.
I've also prepared the rigging and control lines.
The next step is to install the pre-rigged lines and fit the wings, so as to be able to complete the rigging.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/washon.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/flory1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/flory2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/flory3.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/flory4.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/prerig1.jpg)
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Scary first photo. :o
Great result though!
Robin :)
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Great effect with the wash Mike, I really like the results, just enough to make it look "used". Yet another "Winner" from your talented hands, and a type not often seen.
Cheers,
Lance
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Great effect with the wash Mike, I really like the results, just enough to make it look "used". Yet another "Winner" from your talented hands, and a type not often seen.
Cheers,
Lance
I agree completely with Lance!
RAGIII
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Thumbs up Mike !
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Hi all,
The tail unit is now rigged with cross bracing cables and rudder and elevator control lines.
A combination of 0.12 mm and 0.08 mm mono-filament with either 0.4 mm or 0.5 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube and 'Gaspatch' metal 1:48th scale turnbuckles (Types A and C).
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/tailrigged2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/tailrigged1.jpg)
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Mike, where does 0.08 mm mono-filament come from? I have some 0.12mm (which incidentally is the same diameter as invisible sewing thread), it could be handy to have some smaller stuff
Richard
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Outstanding!
RAGIII
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Mike, where does 0.08 mm mono-filament come from? I have some 0.12mm (which incidentally is the same diameter as invisible sewing thread), it could be handy to have some smaller stuff
Richard
Hi Rich,
The lines I use are 'Steelon' for the 0.12 line and 'Stroft' for the 0.08 line.
I'll be back home tomorrow so I'll post up the details than,
Mike
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Hi Rich,
The 0.08 mm line is 'Stroft' GTM (silicon-PTFE tempered Monofil) - blue/grey transparent,
Mike
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It all looks great! Your work is as excellent as the colour scheme and the combination fantastic!
/Fredrik
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Just gets better and better :)
Terri
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Your finish gives it a well used look, Mike. Excellent detailing, as well.
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Hi all,
I spotted that the upper surfaces of the lower wings, at the forward wing root area, had protective ‘walkways’ fitted, presumably to protect the wing surfaces from being damaged whilst the engine area was being worked on by ground crew (too far forward for pilot’s access).
As no details of this could be found, I’ve assumed this was possibly reinforced plywood fitted under the lozenge linen wing covering or a thin metal design and fitted over the lozenge linen covering of the wings.
I decided, more for aesthetics, that I'd use metal mesh from 'RB Productions', which was cut to share and secured in position using thin CA adhesive.
They were then weathered using 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt and Grime clay washes and then dusted with pigments.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/walkway3.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/walkway2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/walkways.jpg)
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Hi all,
The lower wings are fitted now.
Given the wings are pinned into the fuselage at the trailing edge, but only supported at the leading edge by the front spar bracing bar 'resting' on the underside of the fuselage, it leaves the wings liable (with handling) to break free at the front and pivot down on the rear support pins.
There didn't appear to be any additional bracing bar support fitted to the actual aircraft, so with 'poetic license' I've added 'U' tube supports over the bar (at the outer ends) and secured them into the fuselage underside.
They should provide extra support for the wings and prevent 'break away' until the upper wing is finally fitted,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/bracehoops.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lowwingon2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/lowwingon1.jpg)
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Mike,
I'm really enjoy following the progress you are making with this build.
Thanks for the, almost daily, education in model construction.
Kevin
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Your usual terrific detailing on the walkways!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The upper wing underside has been pre-rigged, ready for fitting.
Combination of 0.12 mm mono-filament, 'Gaspatch' type A turnbuckles and 0.5 mm diameter brass tube.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/prerig3.jpg)
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Truly masterful work Mike, looks outstanding.
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Hi all,
Undercarriage cross bracing wires fitted,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/UCcrossbracedone.jpg)
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Excellent!
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The upper wing has now been fitted.
Now it's onto completing the rigging for the flying, landing and cross brace wires.
After that it'll be the propeller and wheels and that's it, apart from the display base,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/topwingon.jpg)
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Sexy!
Robin :)
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really beautiful!
ciao
edo
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It looks fantastic.
Andreas
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Hi all,
The rigging is now complete, so it's onto finishing the propeller and wheels,
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/rigdone1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/rigdone2.jpg)
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Even More Awesome rigged 8)
RAGIII
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Hi all,
The 'ProperPlane' laminated propeller (Knoller-Jaray type) is finished.
Airbrushed with 'Alclad' semi-matte lacquer (312) mixed with 'Tamiya' Clear Orange (X26).
Gloss coated with 'Alclad' Aqua Gloss (600), decals applied (LF Models set 3025).
Finally airbrushed with 'Alclad' semi-matte lacquer (312) with a few drops of 'Tamiya' Hull Red (XF9).
Bosses painted with 'Mr. Colour' Stainless Steel (213).
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/propfinished.jpg)
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Mike,
Thanks for giving us the run down of your finishing process for this fantastic looking prop.
Once again, very educational.
Kevin
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Spectacular work, Mike. You impart a very convincing realism with your painting, weathering and detail you've added.
Cheers,
Gary
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Hi all,
The Aviatik 'Berg' D.1 is now complete, apart from being mounted on its display base (once the case arrives).
Below are a few rough shots of the model and figure on its intended grass mat ('Polak’ Wild Meadow - 4705).
I'll post up more and better completed photographs once its mounted in its display case.
Many thanks to everyone for your comments, encouragement and patience during this build.
Now it's back onto the Italian Macchi M.5 seaplane.
Mike
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/testshot1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/testshot2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/AVIATIK-BERG-D.I/testshot3.jpg)
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This is such an amazing build, both in terms of modelling and paint scheme! Well done indeed!
/Fredrik
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Absolutely superb Mike,a beautiful model.Congratulations,
Dave.
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Another masterpiece from your desk, Mike. Every aspect of this model is as close to perfection as possible.
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Having just read through the entire build thread, this is really a fantastic model :)
Interesting that the mask v.s. decals is that way around, normally you get decals and people replace them with masks.
I like the grass-base too :)
have fun with the M.5!
-
Brilliant work in all aspects!
RAGIII
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Very nice!
Andreas
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I really enjoyed following this journey. Beautiful build!
Robin :)
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Another masterpiece Mike, truly spectacular.
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What a stunner, great skills on show. I enjoyed watching this build.
Richie