forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Bughunter on February 20, 2020, 04:31:19 AM
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Deperdussin Monocoque 1912
AJP Maquettes, 1/48
Some years ago I built the Demoiselle (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8564.0) from a 1/48 kit of the french company AJP Maquettes. Today I would like to show you another AJP kit that contains everything - but no plastic!
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kQQwfmV9XPRf2qlAWu_XaO3nWBzvM6xd)
I didn't know the name Deperdussin for a long time, until a friend mentioned it. Then there was a special offer at AJP and this little racer appealed to me.
The original was a French racing monoplane. It was the first airplane that flew faster than 200 km/h. It was already impressively modern for its time. The fuselage was a light shell construction made of wood, wings and tail unit covered with fabric. It was equipped with a 160 HP 14-cylinder rotary engine, which is composed of two 7-cylinders.
More about the original can be found at Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deperdussin_Monocoque
Box contents:
Let's open the flat cardboard box!
A thin, translucent cover paper:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hqKmwBm1xu1Y48cdZ-jtHgnuLlemTqZc)
White metal parts, the quality was worse on the other kit. Probably won't use much of it anyway.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1N0mUDXQAbjcxA1IyavqwvP8wwVqqIs-7)
Further in the material mix, aluminium foil, windscreen foil, "Piano-wire" (great material, stable, but can be soldered) and a nail?
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kevYlR64e52kRfUa9MB1LJJxXrKzjWxA)
Cowling made of resin. Not a great cast, irregular, not round at the back. Hole in front not centered. I will probably have to make a new one.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1AiPcfkY_MOCt--NnNt3664aXEOEbopSl)
The highlight: a relatively large PE sheet 0.2mm thick. Unlike the Demoiselle kit normal alloy, which can be soldered :)
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pjY_7HNVls-Y03WnDyqd-UK1uBbKBpqR)
Cleanly etched on both sides:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1QQfqpqpqCYINq1Dg4QaztVxsXN8QLTXn)
A manual as 8 pages A5 booklet, french/english, black/white, but with red tension ropes.
An extra page about the history is unfortunately only available in french.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1q-2METu-M6rzdLD4HMt5jJeaS0MDddRt)
A small printed picture in color, how the plane could look like.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1_00oPZQF9y7tRjaZL0P4SNUHbDjqGGHo)
And where is the fuselage, in case anyone wondered?
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This is also a highlight!
A "turned" piece of beech wood - not really turned, because the tail is not round. The slot for the tailplane and the many mounting holes are already made, although a bit larger than necessary.
The small part is an optional headrest.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YXgmXHTCCMoeGJIVHqPrrfMCsBN4h0P2)
From the front the fuselage is drilled out for the interior and the cockpit opening is also milled out. As the wall is very thin, the area around the holes has been reinforced with epoxy or similar, but only from the inside! So a stain outside should not be a problem.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16Plc-w9U3uDKGRffh0ShGUFEPfeFBQzz)
This real multimedia kit has light and shadow! The etched parts and the wooden hull are certainly the highlight, other parts can't keep up. Had I perhaps only had luck? In an older report a wooden hull was mentioned, on scalemates a resin fuselage was reported.
The reference situation is also difficult. Unfortunately I can't access the Flightglobal Archive :(
There are different variants, with many differences in details, span and shapes. There is still one original in a french museum, the kit seems to be close to this version - but it is painted over everything! I would be tempted to leave the fuselage wooden, with translucent canvas, but the pictures of it look a bit different.
If necessary I will build a WhatIf :)
So, if anyone has any information, please speak up!
I think I need to scratch some parts and add some accessories ;)
Someone like to follow this build?
Cheers,
Frank
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I will certainly follow along. Rough looking kit but I am sure you will make it look Brilliant!
RAGIII
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Rough looking kit
From the price point of view is should look very, very fine :-\
Cheers,
Frank
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Well, this should be interesting! This kit must have been made in the stone age (before 1970 ;D ). I suppose the thin translucient material is to be glued onto the photoetched frames for the tail and wing surfaces?
I think the Deperdussin designs look quite interesting.
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I will certainly be intrested in following you Frank. This looks to be an ideal kit for you - the basic parts are there and you can work your usual magic in making the rest!
Stephen.
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Different , got my attention . Tagging along ...
Terri
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Welcome to the show Ken, Stephen and Terri!
I suppose the thin translucient material is to be glued onto the photoetched frames for the tail and wing surfaces?
Yes, that is thin paper. It looks great with light shining through (same as the linked Demoiselle), you only have to take care, that both sides do not touch while glueing.
References
Wikipedia has an article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deperdussin_Monocoque
Some pictures in Wikimedia:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Deperdussin_Monocoque
Allegedly the plane in the French Air and Space Museum in Le Bourget is an original.
There are some good pictures in good quality, here an overview picture, the hull is painted.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Deperdussin_Monocoque_%28MAE%29.JPG/1024px-Deperdussin_Monocoque_%28MAE%29.JPG)
Source: wikimedia.org
The kit parts, e.g. the upper struts, correspond to this variant.
Another known machine is a replica:
(https://farm6.static.flickr.com/5826/22666537870_f8c1a318ca_b.jpg)
Source and more pics: https://hiveminer.com/Tags/deperdussin%2Cmonocoque
Another wooden machine, but there are many parts again completely different:
(https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/4/1/6/2734614.jpg?v=v40)
Source: airliners.net
In the Owls Head Transportation Museum Maine there is also a replica (with ailerons ;), see here:
http://owlshead.org/collections/detail/1913-deperdussin-gb-racer
(http://owlshead.org/assets/324/_dsc4237__medium.jpg)
Source: owlshead.org
With this replica the winding is also nice to see:
(http://owlshead.org/assets/324/_dsc4369__medium.jpg)
Source: owlshead.org
Regarding the fuselage I have found another great photo, seems to have been very light:
(https://cdn.archpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Workman-carrying-a-complete-Deperdussin-monocoque-fuselage-Deperdussin-factory-Pari-about-1912-Musee-de-lAir-et-de-lEspace-Le-Bourget-550x389.jpg)
Source and full resolution:
https://archpaper.com/2017/07/va-exhibit-plywood/workman-carrying-a-complete-deperdussin-monocoque-fuselage-deperdussin-factory-pari-about-1912-musee-de-lair-et-de-lespace-le-bourget/
Cheers,
Frank
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Extremely interesting build to follow, I'm grabbing a good seat!
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Excellent reference photos Frank.
RAGIII
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She does have a centen appeal to her .
Terri
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That certainly definitely looks old school. Very cool and interesting build. I cannot wait to watch your progress.
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Thank you all for your comments, highly appreciated!
Very cool and interesting build. I cannot wait to watch your progress.
Ok, then lets start with ...
Brass
Just a few etched parts separated from the frame and bent when the soldering iron was hot.
The cockpit frame:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1QTANQ585zolp1vaOo-v_ojNF1tyt7X93)
I soldered the fuel and oil tank, the fit was quite good:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GRd135eB_QHUDXholciD0azQOJWXhxsS)
Looks good, but then I noticed that you will hardly see any of it in the finished fuselage!
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vnrzpZegzpW9_Pa0-XuM7crIoGiHW_V_)
The seat is also bent and soldered, I only cut the belts before. There is still something of HGW or something like that.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1l8t1U7piq-y7AmvFEeqqCVfUhCuRklqp)
Then I also made a dry fit of the etched parts, the drillings did not fit completely. And I had to sand the tail heavily, until the elevator fits.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1TT7o1qipSmwCOu1DihX1MgRQeb87Z7PE)
And then I made a big mistake, I stained the fuselage.
Before that:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YXgmXHTCCMoeGJIVHqPrrfMCsBN4h0P2)
After, from the top it still works, better than without stain:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PvvoQd4ACxHD80Lyx5SW2gv_fvmgyYU4)
But on the side, the rings are much more visible >:(
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lRUyZ5nRxgolXbC8ux0edA9DvL1aEajX)
I will think about it ...
Cheers,
Frank
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As always your PE and soldering are first class Frank! I wish I had some magical answer for the large grain swirls.If it were mine it would probably come down to sealing the wood and using oils or a wood grain decal :o I am sure you will find your own Best solution!
RAGIII
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Seems to me that French aviation went backwards after this baby!
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Gnome Lambda-Lambda
No, I didn't mistype the headline! ;)
There was a 7-cylinder rotary engine called Lambda with 80 hp, which was the production engine of many models, including the Sopwith Tabloid.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Gnome_Lambda_-_Moteurs_Gnome_October_1913.png)
Source: wikimedia.org
Much more powerful engines are not available, so they came up with the idea of using two rotary engines one behind the other, which resulted in the Lambda-Lambda with 160 hp.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Gnome_Lambda-Lambda_front_elevation_-_Moteurs_Gnome_October_1913.png)
Source: wikimedia.org
This engine is also available from Small Stuff. As with the original, many parts are the same as the Lambda, only the central part and the manual are new.
This time I had a hard time with the construction!
To put the cylinders into the housing was still quite good.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1mdkWw-ZEqyvPfwByGJpJyWctbG7PVTtW)
You can see the offset for better cooling and push rods.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fAErqGR-LB7U_HnyieqeTUHS8O20xvlj)
Besides the engine, all small parts were painted with Alclads.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1mWVgT85A64BN11JSz30wz27xJVo5sGQI)
Here I used Dark Alu, Steel, Exhaust Manifold and Hot metal sepia, and pale gold for the brass parts.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1MC_7MDIOJ4SK6d6UU0ptSdH7RhbttmzJ)
The brass-painted bushes still worked, but in the front cylinders you can hardly get the spark plugs in.
Some valve levers did not want to go into the cylinders, or did not hold.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13RF3zevMEojCwvvtJK90Zk61TeAgfIiY)
Although I had tried to insert the bushes at a slight angle, the pushrods on the rear cylinders are problematic.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ayp2hJOQZBgRA80YMY2TYoc2741ttJNE)
The next day I repaired the mishaps with some Alclad brush painting and took images in day light.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kwAyur624ddhLyLyy99YjCErc1xJsAYR)
Here you see 71 parts together, more then most of my kits have!
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Dta0hALF1wH_tNIa8q_2NjWwik7TAEVN)
I define my first Lambda-Lambda as finished, except for the ignition wires and washing.
Light years away from the two cast metal lumps in the kit.
Cheers,
Frank
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Wow Frank, that engine is a masterpiece all onto itself, not to mention the rest.
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When will Small Stuff start making big stuff?
Fine looking engine, Frank.
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As always stunning engine Frank!
RAGIII
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Yup , that is a lot of parts for one engine , but your results speak for themself , well done Frank :)
Terri
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Beautiful work. That engine is a real gem.
Cheers,
BC
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Great modelling.
And the engine is truly a gem as one can expect from Small Stuff. They do almost the same magic in 72nd scale!
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Beautiful job on the engine Frank, that is a real jewel! Yet another beautifully crafted unique design for your collection, you are indeed a "modelling machine"! :) 8) :) 8)
Cheers,
Lance
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That Gnome Lambda-Lambda is a real mini-masterpiece. Small Stuff engines really are first class and you have demonstrated why. I am not sure what you can do about the fuselage though, but I am certain that you will come up with an original and innovative solution.
Stephen.
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Wow,
What a super interesting kit Frank! I wonder if something like Danish Oil would have worked on the fuse?
Engine is fantastic!
Guy
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Beautiful engine. Small stuff is producing really great stuff, processed into a stunning reproduction.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Excellent engine, Frank! I admire your patience and accuracy
Jörg
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... and again the 120 day warning ::)
Thank you all for your great feedback!
This project stopped somehow with my last exhibition before Corona, and after that other projects took over the bench, e.g. the Benz Motorwagen (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10929.0). After the finish of some other models I will give this project another try.
Regarding the wooden fuselage I changed my plans and will do this racer as actual looking in the museum.
Cheers,
Frank
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Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Amazing work!!!
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Frank you seem to be a modelling machine at the moment. This is number three in about as many weeks....! Good to see that you are picking it up again though.
Stephen
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Thank you!
Wings
New game - next level!
For the wings, the kit only foresees the covering of the etched wings with paper and a subsequent bending - no, not for me.
I have already made this experience with my Demoiselle (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8564), this has several problems:
- The wings are thin, but not that thin!
- You should glue the paper as a "pocket". If the upper and lower side touch each other, which is easily possible, because the paper is curled wet and has only an etch part thickness as distance, you never get it apart again and it looks like sh.. >:(
- in the original the bottom side was rather flat and not curved.
My solution idea: thin wooden strips.
On the circular saw, it only worked with such thin slats after I had inserted a new saw blade.
I glued strips of different widths on both sides of the wings with CA, here the upper side, on the right already a little bit sanded.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1DsanNYdBmHPIkvaENUUBKyjNMxumQD5q)
And the lower surface:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1giwf5lBgrJbWNQ1ebdraIGfT9_IXYpIx)
Finally sanded. To prevent the light yellow brass from shining through, I painted the free areas with wood brown.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=12tBz-Ad7sHqSxpewlWPex8LmVNzmvgJ8)
View in profile:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pzKBRzibnb1CLBEwrwljUIGLl_Der6aD)
As a "bag" it didn't work at all, in the third try I glued the bottom side first using diluted wood glue alone.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1o_XEAt2CzmcU5IB-8x2P8KgoTvP4NVek)
And then the top side.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1TPP3ei47Kx5dCDEw51Gp0BIvkuA5PWu0)
The look with translucent light is fantastic!
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1yfjBe-LdHjLU8YhFPYe8AhvGO1F5FWAA)
And an impression with the wings attached to the fuselage. Already very smooth, although not yet really dry.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OfgHe_BeSPzz1N-EIASvPFlqXgolJleQ)
That was a lot of work, but it was worth it.
Cheers,
Frank
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Excellent progress Frank. The transparency with light shining through is cool!
RAGIII
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Frank,
with all of that work I do not understand why you do not simply join the scratch builders and ditch the kits! Wonderful scratch building of the wings and a super translucent effect.
Stephen.
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Great looking work, Frank! Stunning actually!
/Fredrik
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Excellent idea on adding depth to the ribs . Will you be varishing( doping ) the wings ? ( like what they do with balsa kits )
Terri
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Thank you Rick, Stephen, Fredrik and Terri!
with all of that work I do not understand why you do not simply join the scratch builders and ditch the kits!
Even with modifications a kit still saves time, so I can build more models 8)
Will you be varishing( doping ) the wings ? ( like what they do with balsa kits )
Yes. Already done on the wings ;)
During build of my linked Demoiselle I detected, that my wood primer (nitro based) works the same way as the dopes (stiffening varnish) as this is also nitro based.
Cheers,
Frank
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Frank
I have been covering wing frames with paper for 60 years now and that is one very nice covering job. All the edges and rounded corners are perfect. Did the covering come in the kit?
sp
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Thanks!
With my third try I have done the lower surface first. Then cut with scissors around and fixed the small remains with thinned wood glue. Then the same for the top.
There is more then enough paper in the kit, see second picture on first page.
Cheers,
Frank
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Frank
On everything from Peanut scale to 1/4 scale RC you always cover the bottom surface first. Now you know why. Your trimming and sealing the edges is most impressive, it is so easy to miss a tiny bit sticking up and waving at everybody. You are well on the way to another masterpiece.
sp
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Great results with the wing covering, Frank. Dope would shrink the covering tight on the frame which would help keep the upper and lower coverings apart. I have also sanded off the excess covering material (instead of trying to cut it off) around the outside edges on some flying models I have built.
I think painting the fuse would be the best way to go here. The natural wood grain is huge!
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Landing gear
I soldered the Landing gear parts together. Since the PE looks a bit flat to me I thickened them with solder. This brings the parts also into a shape away from the flat appearance.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OWWTHunHij91GyntDD7dZ3I9JEm3jPva)
As mentioned in my previous posting the wings are painted with clear nitro based wood primer. The upper struts get also solder and are soldered to the wing spars.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=123BPfLvvCwVUX0sh58xYtJzNnvwPN2WZ)
All parts plugged together:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1sRF0OHODDq5uLbiJILFsZ-F1nMNtvzSP)
The kit wheels are not that bad. But see up right there is a recess, and I have big spare plastic wheels, so I will use them.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1n0pUA9JhOm9m5ZXjW4M5n0v7Dgq41VM6)
The kit has a nice piano wire axle, here with the wheels.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1tF2H0Gl0kz1W-Op3eHK2nEeAla8yZbdg)
I think painting the fuse would be the best way to go here. The natural wood grain is huge!
Ken, this is exactly what I have done!
I have different pictures of that machine in Paris. It looks different depending on light and camera. Here are two Wikipedia pictures.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Deperdussin_Monocoque_%28MAE%29.JPG/1024px-Deperdussin_Monocoque_%28MAE%29.JPG)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Deperdussin_Monocoque.JPG/1024px-Deperdussin_Monocoque.JPG)
So I painted it with Gunze H85, also the wings.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1CpRKjKUrI85IgfXk3ccNm5QNyQkFOieS)
Even with the additional paint the shadow effect is still there.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VnltTrgr-qkWHmLEFXgPyMMsNS587F2W)
Cheers,
Frank
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Gorgeous work, Frank! I'm really glad you're back on this one. She's going to be a real beauty.
Cheers,
Bud
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Thank you Bud! Good to see you here :)
She's going to be a real beauty.
May be, but it will hard to beat my recently finished Triplane. This is still "my model of the year" 8)
As next step I will do the tail.
Cheers,
Frank
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Excellent progress Frank. You could still scratch build and complete and model in a fraction of the time that it takes me..!!
Stephen.
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That is some serious modelling, Sir!
Wonderful work.
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Gorgeous work, Frank! I'm really glad you're back on this one. She's going to be a real beauty.
Cheers,
Bud
I have to agree with My Amigo Frank! Odd looking aircraft but you are certainly building a "Beauty"
RAGIII
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Thank you Stephen, Old Man and Rick
That is some serious modelling, Sir!
After all, we are not here for fun! Uh, wait - yes of course for fun!
Cheers,
Frank
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OMG!! Did i just say OMG??
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Carl, welcome to the show!
It may make sense to fasten your seatbelts NOW.
Cowling
Some things are done in meantime.
I made a new tail skid from brass. The kit one was a flat PE part. A wooden one is not necessary because it will be painted.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oQaB8oNtpfs1HIOgO3tvCNU36T0mLSOM)
With help of a drawing I created the mask layout in Inkscape, and with help of the electronic cutter I was able to apply the chars to the wings. There are a lot of different layout and position on different drawings and pictures. Sometimes the same was also applied on lower wing, but I decided to stick to the museums aircraft.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1u89CPOPTq3HOmVtStknlf_1wiqyC5h8o)
Tail skid and wings plugged on to get some impression.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Xr0IEKFhHW5DXrrbPhNmrdZTqjhtzU-k)
Sometimes we try to paint shadows of markings on the opposite side. Here I do not spend effort for it and get most realistic shadows for free ;D
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OpjiBosms_N35wNNkpRQ3TCfgOCsuT--)
The next task was the cowling. Here is a example that I sometimes fail to create parts.
I tried to turn the front of the cowling (turned from back), but it gets to thin and breaks on the chisel.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fiL9Iu0RwlPNO4H-02gJeP8eJyuA0AxI)
The next try works and I was even faster because I learned before how to do it. I'm still a newbie on the lathe.
The front is 0.3mm thin.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wG5kLhXfAMSPz_APo8eBO4p8v284hrGs)
On the back there is a recess for a metal sheet.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1AY6i3FAXAA9A79TatKH5bGaRLZLkGw0X)
For the rear sheet metal (brass 0.05mm) I made myself a tool and embossed depressions into the very thin sheet metal. Sorry, forgot to take pictures. Formed it to a ring and soldered the connection. On the backside there is also a small ring soldered in.
Here the turned front part is plugged in.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SgwcyeaYazHrPBZV_ElZDFYF6SH_o3xr)
The front part is soldered on. Here also for comparison the kit cowling which is to small.
Which cowling should I use? ;D
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ac6fXEa904JLfjsSlnXL5GkSKEBIb835)
Long time ago I soldered a ring to the kit PE back plate. But I think now that this is wrong, because there should be a gap to the fuselage. Now I added the bearing for engine and airscrew. The embossed ring can be plugged on until the PE touched the inner ring. This has to be glued on later after mounting of the engine.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UxZQ99ZinXH0eQVV1uz2STDqhXiJ0S10)
I like the result, very close to the original in Paris.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10dI9D9o-50yT9xer3QTwIy6Wm0ZlwWGN)
And the front view. The axle for the engine made from piano wire and the small ring in front of the PE backplate can be noticed.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1geeGAj1ZGv1ccs5ysiDD6GnqHsAeU0Zt)
I thought about a solution for this cowling for a long time, but now I am satisfied with the result.
Cheers,
Frank
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Frank,
That's another great example of your "First Class" modeling skills.
Thanks for sharing more techniques to help the rest of us improve.
Kevin
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Absolutely stunned by your work!
/Fredrik
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I am Totally Gobsmacked by the quality of your work! The Cowling is absolutely AMAZING! The markings yo masked and sprayed are equally incredible, and the fact that one sees through those beautiful wings make it even better!!
RAGIII
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Thank you Kevin, Fredrik and Rick! Your comments are highly appreciated.
Cheers,
Frank
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Spinner
The spinner of the kit is white metal, but to small for my variant.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fGeDErrFD3Ck5B1RTRexi0tVaNneDOSX)
So I turned one from brass.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=183R5yRiav1cq1noQRHj-fP1e0_DrQaxC)
The airscrew is primed and I made a back plate from 0.2mm nickel silver. The spinner had a crack (turned to thin), so I soldered it. The cutouts The for the blades were tricky.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18j92yglepyQ3V9qJp8zEirsOzUKNWfyj)
The backplate fits deeply into the spinner ...
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Cp2glSu3C-Tcrf9rRATiSd_98U4nDSE5)
... so that the spinner protrudes into the cowling.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1oNEAv2UVHrt0m8q9QcRbueLCUZGs6ZAW)
I removed the embossed brass partly and added a maintenance panel on top. At first I wanted to made a cutout into the cowling, but I left it to keep the cowling more rigid. The panel is 0.1mm brass glued in place.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hyIVUT6bfRWDSNDyTNEyWF8jZf89EauL)
The cowling is painted inside with alu, and then also outside.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1LuMNPEP4XClQLUP-igKAqpNUmgrZrHmd)
After painting the airscrew I glued it to the backplate. To align the airscrew correctly I hold it in my box column drill on a 1mm drill shaft. Without power of course ;)
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dQsXqHWJkRqXxyHrTrIuIU0LQ9ktcYw8)
The I put the painted spinner over the airscrew and glued it from back.
Here all components plugged together for test fitting. The cowling is empty.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1h62EbhHrYSTydg9ClHArFlj9GYUdf_KX)
This racer starts to look nice!
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vOfGuTiGDDo7lDx9V3gdHPck3xXVbEqu)
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pfsFECkQlnt0xaFgVW6YA2Z-ssJFzxBx)
I think I will put the Small Stuff rotary under the cowling. There is something visible, and the kit engine is so ugly ...
Cheers,
Frank
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The spinner and prop look great in place Frank! I thought this was an ugly little plane but must admit with your gorgeous work it is growing on Me!
RAGIII
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Simply wonderful, Sir!
You leave me flat out of superlatives with this.
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Super job on the cowl and spinner Frank :)
I really like how this is shaping up so far ..it's different :)
Terri
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Great work on the front end, Frank. Did you make the cowling ring from brass?
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...................
(Lost for words 😯)
/Fredrik
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I'm really happy that my fiddly work is so well received! Thank you all.
Did you make the cowling ring from brass?
Ken, it looks like you overlook one update? I have shown that brass ring on top of the page.
Because I know that you like to create cowlings on the lathe, I was curious to hear your opinion ;)
Cheers,
Frank
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Sorry for missing that. Nothing at all wrong with your metal work, Frank. It looks very good. The prop cutouts on the spinner are done very well.
As far as the engine, very little can be seen. You may want to consider using the kit engine and save the good ones for other models.
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Like OM I am out of superlatives to express a proper opinion Frank. I just wish that I had the tools, skill and patience to work with metal in the way you do - so instead I will sit and enjoy your demonstrations on how to do it properly.
Stephen.
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Thank you Ken and Stephen for your kind words!
You may want to consider using the kit engine and save the good ones for other models.
I put the nice engine below the cowling to check the visibility. Especially the cylinder heads are shown. The kits engine is a block of white metal with nearly no ribs and the "rods" are molded on. It looks even bad inside, so I tend to use the nice one.
It another model needs the same double rotary, I can build a new one. There are still kits of that type in my stash 8)
From time to time I added wood pieces to the tail plane PE, painted the frame and now added the paper.
If this is dry completely I can add primer and paint.
Cheers,
Frank
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Yep, I certainly have missed a lot. Will follow this one from here Frank. Always a pleasure to see your work.
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Nice and inspiring, as usual, Frank! :)
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Thank you, my friends!
Tail
With using the same technology of the wings I tried to do the tail surfaces.
At first I have soldered on the control horns provided by the kit followed by the wood. Here the wooden strips are smaller but more, so I did this rather annoying job bit by bit. Applied for test fitting:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18_gsGx-ed_GpVlQ67C6DBsxyqXWDdq45)
The remaining brass is hidden by wood color paint. Here also the first surface paper piece is applied.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RtP0KK0Zm4449_QfMDTJpPElHtGI11On)
The covering is finished!
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qu-dHnC7_emaQZXJcMr3fBRAdko5uR3H)
After primer and the usual sand colored paint I tried to add another detail.
Since a decal would not work on this matt surface (and I don't have a decal for this) I tried to draw very small masks in Inkscape and let the cutting plotter do its job.
At first I added a white layer, followed by a thin layer H34 Cream Yellow.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lmdZ2kRFtfbA7Z5lpyNnKezpwoVLihzQ)
The masks are very small, see it on the globe of the Cent. After painting Blue (I applied to much, because it was green at first. I should have used the middle part of the mask to paint blue on white and not on yellow! ::)) I have now a fluttering flag.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1tW5IoPZ1MYN7NFcNR3nHx6LhZMy2_ipf)
May be I should try to paint a black frame and those lines around the blue on the flag with a small brush as on this Wikipedia picture?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Deperdussin_Monocoque_%28MAE%29.JPG/800px-Deperdussin_Monocoque_%28MAE%29.JPG)
And the bird with tail and wings:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1tSbL8wC6cfhKN5_XuX1CSeAc1I81K_H8)
Does anyone know what this flag means?
From the colors it reminds me of Brazil, but the pilot Maurice Prévost was French.
Cheers,
Frank
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Frank,
You continue to amaze us with your work!
Kevin
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Excellent results on the tail marking with your mask! Looking Stunning overall!
RAGIII
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I guess that is really up you on whether you want to add the black frame and if your in the mood to do sure work . I say why not , go for it Frank ! It will balance it out better and match the display aircraft at the mus . Some really nice work on the tail unit as well , in all coming along most excellent ! :)
Terri
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A possible option for the black outline is to use a fine marker and draw the outline. Some very small tipped markers are available. The only watchout I can think of would be if the ink bleeds on the porous surface of the covering.
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I love it Frank, I have only seen paper covering on flying balsa models before. It looks superb!
The masking is excellent too, if anybody can paint the black frame it's you, go on you know you want to! :)
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We all want to see you do the black line, but I'm not sure I would risk that if it was my model...
Very nice work overall!
/Fredrik
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A possible option for the black outline is to use a fine marker and draw the outline. Some very small tipped markers are available. The only watchout I can think of would be if the ink bleeds on the porous surface of the covering.
Be very very careful with inks . They will bleed into the surrounding area ruining it . ( The brand Sharpie ...BAD ) . The pigmets in some inks if much more finer then what the paint is and same with clear coats bleeding into the area as well as into the plastic and does not come full out even after doing tons of sanding .
Terri
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Wonderful work, Sir.
This is an amazing model.
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Thank you my friends for your great support!
Cockpit
In all our plastic kits we have to build the cockpit at first, to be able to close the fuselage. This one is a bit different, the fuselage is painted, but the cockpit not yet done - this is now the next task.
Some parts was prepared at the very beginning, e.g. seat and fuel tank are soldered. Now I primed the parts.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=144rOp6B0ATFEUC9bex7RhmmtBFxB8xRQ)
To save time I painted then wood base and grain with acrylic paints followed by Clear Yellow and Clear Orange.
For the level gauge of the tank I used the etched part of the kit, but added stretched clear sprue.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ofqn5mjP4j60bEd98Kg8H_rLQfQ1U2vs)
A bigger amount of small PE parts are prepared:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1xSnACR9kV0tE6kckTf4oFpSHp3mvwHmW)
Some parts are mounted into the frame.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Msz2KQMu0elAKBEcpCpAoQVFgD47hnH0)
But I indulged in a little luxury in the cockpit - a wooden steering wheel! The kit wheel was a flat PE part.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1DGWAITzoysWURgKbbJO0QyueMt5UdPGU)
The cockpit is finished! On the left side the "Kristal Klear" on the amperemeter is not yet dry, and behind that I scratched a pulsometer and replaced the flat kit PE part.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OtFAgIXZ1uVGqHYmlwABxcaW83Nrp3gg)
The complete cockpit can be plugged into the fuselage and fits perfectly without rattling. The amperemeter (Eduard) is now visible.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10-k4FU3DHu5OMBSiYr198gIPXqDpS4Yt)
Perfect flat on the front ...
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1DqFkJoEMeSYHGrNiu_vqGUithnY70Zs3)
... causes a new problem. My part of a ring on the engine wall was to thick and do not fit between tank and fuselage. But with the help of the mill this could be fixed easily.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UKx3487GuZ64a60fJFsOl-8PaWuuuvIf)
The kit contain a piece of 0.1mm aluminum and a drawing in the manual for a maintenance cover. I would use the alu on the wooden fuselage variant, but for my painted over machine I used brass (later tinned).
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JPj4u66frwJ9pJw4RKeChf4nh4VG93rF)
Then I turned a fuel and an oil cap from 2mm brass rod.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RmVTkZH05sflaqAyngnDHImu8onuHhie)
But I dropped both on the floor and found only one. The parquet monster has eaten a cap! I have to turn a new one.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14XVf6pRlJe7zL_ZuWKGgScyqQXbNRKzq)
And now what you have all been waiting for!
A possible option for the black outline is to use a fine marker and draw the outline. Some very small tipped markers are available.
Ken, that was a great idea! I had no one, only a dried up CD marker.
But I asked my wife, and she has some markers, the thinnest is 0.05mm. I tried it on the middle of the tailplane, which is hidden in the fuselage cut later, and it works!
So I added the lines on the tail. Not perfect, but acceptable.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1R-GiMJouzVztpA10TbNELoxelVSrXqnk)
Cheers,
Frank
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Frank you have left me lost for words again! The tail marking is excellent and the tiny details in the cockpit and top of the aircraft are just amazing. That you lost only one filler cap is a minor miracle - I would have lost several!
Stephen.
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I am pretty sure I have said this before but it is worth repeating! You Are a Master!! Beautiful details in metal and the outlining came out great!
RAGIII
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Excellent work on the pit Frank :)
Terri
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Thank you Stephen, Rick and Terri!
Assembly
Today I made a new longer rotary axis. Then I checked the kit engines under my cowling - no way! I checked also my spare parts for Eduard engines, but found only two 9-cylinder rotaries.
To convert them to a 14 cylinder Lamda-Lamda needs also effort, in that time I could do a new Small Stuff rotary. => I finally go with the Small Stuff here.
I drilled from the front to meet the hole done from the back side.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1bOCNXTUmTbm4BdZMKmhJsR8r-whUMqf6)
Now all fits together and runs smoothly.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16MNiXTj6WJYaK-0IpqiRajsUe7MRHnDW)
The maintenance cover is in place and the paint is corrected on some places of the fuselage.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-CDs_JWU5q8HgkrQOTxvqxCJgZvFfdi8)
The upper part of the landing gear is painted black. I started already to paint the wheels.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1tcgEJ2B9nqGuKeYijBIrEXnl-IRWjYNS)
I hope I can soon start with the rigging!
Cheers,
Frank
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That is looking as close to perfect as i have ever seen a model Frank. The engine is extremely good, as are the rest of the parts of course.
Stephen.
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That is looking as close to perfect as i have ever seen a model Frank. The engine is extremely good, as are the rest of the parts of course.
Stephen.
I can't argue with, or say it any better than Stephen Has!
RAGIII
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Beautiful paint work on those rotaries Frank :)
Terri
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Thank you my friends, your comments are always highly motivating!
That is looking as close to perfect as i have ever seen a model Frank.
Stephen, now I need a red face smiley. Thank you very much!
Beautiful paint work on those rotaries Frank :)
Thank you Terri, but the engine was already done on February, see page 1. Now I just modified it a bit for mounting.
It is one rotary with a bigger central block. Small Stuff uses also the advantage to reuse parts of the normal Lamda, as on real one.
Cheers,
Frank
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Suspension
I tried to start the engine, but it did not fire up! Then I thought about the reason ... of course, the ignition wires are missing 8)
So I added an isolation plate and 14 copper wires.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ABNJfOmOIWjnvGrVPnhVcMnMu8BH4F4S)
A final view of the engine in daylight. On the back (between engine and wall) I added a brass piece for securing the axle. It runs now very smooth, without too much allowance.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1MXC7HoPss020FKJYiQYEPQwW6PxwCcGr)
I glued all engine related parts together and mounted that unit to the fuselage. After that I added a PE strut in the middle.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1J2Jcmf8uSNP80vqUHE5gb8Tp4x8Vud8g)
With the long cowling it looks more elegant now, like a racing machine!
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1X4eFq_tYjviJrvE3-lkk4mUGr-V9gmQW)
OMG, there is a gap! ???
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Y63hIZFzqHKPW5pHYSo7tuCoDFTvjqsR)
Don't worry, that is intended 8)
(https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/abpic-media-eu-production/pictures/full_size_044/1066344-large.jpg)
I don't liked the view into the cockpit because I made the wood color a bit to uniform regarding seat and framing. So I made a cushion and added this before mounting the cockpit.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rKj_jTdRMsTN9UhvfWhHtcy97c6kNpe_)
I made washers the same way as on my Albatros Dr.I and added them to the axle. Those washers are the limiters for the springs of the suspension, which I made from stretched sprue.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1hycXxtMZFEIiCGnr2dIB2CxjVutcirXQ)
The next step will be the rigging.
Cheers,
Frank
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What an incerdible piece of art from your bench again, Frank! Truely impressing!
Andreas
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Nice job on those details for the suspension Frank :)
Terri
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Frank,
It looks like you're making the turn from base to final on this build. It's really looking great.
Kevin
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That is incredible miniature engineering, Frank! Coming along beautifully and real inspiration to us mortals! Regards, Marc.
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Great work, Frank. It would be easy to believe no one has built this kit as well as you have.
-
Stunning work as always Frank! You are correct in that with the cowling on it does look Elegant!
RAGIII
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I totally agree wth what has been written: this is truly stunning modelling/micro-engineering.
Stephen.
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Frank, the titel grabbed my attention. Phenomenal work!
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Been away for some days so I have had a lot of catching up to do! So I also cannot report progress, but I like to say:
Thank you Andreas (good to see you here again), Terri, Kevin, Marc, Ken, Rick, Stephen and Gaz!
It looks like you're making the turn from base to final on this build.
Oh, will try to find some time (and a bit of mood) the next days to continue on this one, but not sure about when it will be finished.
Frank, the titel grabbed my attention. Phenomenal work!
Welcome to the show Gaz!
But only the title? I had hoped that the user name itself stands for interesting projects that are always worth a click ;) 8)
See you, then!
Frank
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Yes, they always are, Frank! Although I usually don't have anything meaningful to comment! ;D
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Rigging
My mood is not back completely. Made some silly mistakes, which need time to repair and need in general lot of time for easy things ... But I continued!
At first I was out of brass sleeves and had to cut new ones to be able to start the rigging.
I noticed some conflict between the wires and my bigger wheels, so I sanded down the tires a lot and have to repaint the tires.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kCe-SpRvK1w0danSEJaxTuz4vn6QmJNL)
On the pictures of the real bird I found two maintenance panels, so I decided to add them. Made from brass and I soldered a fake hinge to the lower end.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1EJS7zEzZSY7bunVZvj42J3Hoq-T_9N_l)
Tinned and painted. On the Cent there are some fasteners squeezed from 0,3mm brass.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FxUX15122bHkJV8XCyNdSL2Jgk9ZQWWN)
Opened the wood behind and in place. Should have done this in earlier state, would be much easier.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JG9F0ZmqiomyS7LjGx-Lv-s8IBgC5GqQ)
Added control wire outlets and stripes of aluminium foil to the tail, to close the cutout.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1yDHjrKhXmnKO5z6FDqksY4kgLvO6Wb0K)
The rigging is finished, as far as I'm aware of wires.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1M7G7PPwvHzeVfoPgicNtTGI75n8TEHdz)
Also the control wires. Very hard to get them straight with this fishing line.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RpSIw8JCQKtzhsH_CIwZ6OEBf6zvXayr)
Tried to modify the kit levers. The position according to the manual does not make sense, but they are to big and cannot be mount as it should be.
I lost already glued wire outlets on the side, so I had to remove them on lower surface to replace missing ones and use now another type below.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1RTYvUAIjqh2yqncWDLi56cMZ-v-SBVb-)
On the control horns I no idea how to mount the turnbuckle to the huge control horns. At the end I used flat PE turnbuckles form a Parts set. Drilled a hole in the middle, bent them and mount with a micro rivet.
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-M8fK67A-G39mXUfeSoc_DdHT-Fj2UgE)
Some detail painting is needed and the front window is also missing, but then this bird is finished.
I think I will not add a weathering to this flat/matt paint and let it as clean object on display.
Cheers,
Frank
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Now that looks really sharp Frank , looking forward on the final pic's . Excellent choice on not adding weathering , it would take way that air racer feel to it .
Terri
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Rigging and weathering look Awesome! A beautiful little bird!!
RAGIII
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Absolutely cool, Frank! 8)
Andreas
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Turned out beautiful, really appreciate every bit of this building. Thank you for sharing.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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Looks like the rigging was more complicated than expected. I may borrow your method of using the PE turnbuckles as attachment points, as the Avro has connections like this.
Still, a very unique model. I salute you, sir!
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Thank you Terri, Rick, Andreas, Giuseppe and Ken!
I may borrow your method of using the PE turnbuckles as attachment points, as the Avro has connections like this.
At first I wanted to use my copper wire method like done on the Crocodile:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=9378.msg184945#msg184945
But here I need to connect a turnbuckle. And it was not possible to get a 0.3mm copper wire trough a Type C turnbuckle so I was forced to another solution.
Cheers,
Frank
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More first class modelling a super fine details Frank. Your patience has been tested but it has survived the test and there is another winner almost completed here.
Stephen.
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Not almost Stephen, it is completed now 8)
Painted some details like brass turnbuckles, added decals on sir screw and glued the framed windscreen in place.
Here are the final pictures:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11586
Thanks for watching and all the comments during this journey!
Cheers,
Frank
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I thoroughly enjoyed going over your build log. The end result looks nothing like the beginning. Outstanding modeling from Step 1 to the finish. A neat little model and definitely a fast looking airplane. Too bad all that nice engine detail can't be seen. The engine is a real gem.
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At first: Thank you Mark for your kind words! Sorry, I haven't answered your nice post yet.
I'll bring up this thread again, since there was still a question about what the flag on the tail means:
(http://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1R-GiMJouzVztpA10TbNELoxelVSrXqnk)
A colleague found a picture: This seems to be the flag of the Gordon Bennet Cup:
(https://www.artcurial.com/sites/default/files/styles/840_width/public/lots-images/2017-09-30-21/2963_10560615_0.jpg)
Full site here and picture source: https://www.artcurial.com/en/lot-aeroplanes-deperdussin-deux-catalogues-et-deux-depliants-2963-5
Cool, again something clarified!
Cheers,
Frank
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Superb job on the rigging! Staying tuned to your build.
Best,
Tim
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Thank you Tim, but this build was already finished in October ;)
I have only updated the build log with some information about the flag on tail.
You can find the result here:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11586
Cheers,
Frank