forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => What's New => Topic started by: Kit on January 29, 2021, 08:22:46 PM
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Sorry, bit of a long post and not yet a new product.
Short version;
Research Q, would people be interested in decent solid metal undercarriage and struts for 1/32 aircraft?
If so do you have any thoughts or suggestions about metal replacement struts / undercarriage you'd like to see in the future from Aerocraft?
Long version;
1/32 undercarriage can be fragile - especially in the hands of clumsy dolts like me.
As most of you know Aerocraft have made replacement undercarriage for the Mengnut F.1/Dr.1, (to my mind a step above the white metal previously available for WNW - while I've made white metal models, personally I'm not keen to use white metal for delicate struts).
I asked about the possibility of other offerings in the future, Alistair from Aerocraft is potentially keen to make more, Q is who would be interested in what, and would it be practical.
Emails under;
Alistair McLean <[email protected]>
Thu, 28 Jan, 23:41 (14 hours ago)
Hi Kit
[...], I see your comment about other sets, what kits would you like sets for? If we agree would you be prepared to send the kit parts to me to get them developed. It would also be handy if you could email me a copy of the instruction page as well where the strut is installed, just so I can get the idea of what parts I would need or want. I am pretty knowledgable on most aircraft types but I do not have many of the wingnut kits.
No promises but let us see where this goes. I will also supply one set free of charge for every set that we do, and you may NOT receive the original plastic parts back.
Do let me know your thoughts, best reply to this email I am sending from.
Regards Alistair
09:18 (4 hours ago)
Hi Alistair, thanks for your answer.
I do have multiples of most of the WNW kits, so could help with this, (am prepared to lose a part if I have a back up to scratch a replacement off if it doesn't work out, have done this for REXx exhausts).
Would you mind if I circulated your email on a couple of forums with a lot of WNW builders and some of the ex-WNW employees for opinions about which would be popular and practical?
e.g. I am sure for example, the Albatros DV / DVa would do well, on the other hand the popular DVII is probably sturdy enough.
The cabane struts on the Sopwith Camel are a frequent point of failure but as they are molded integral to the fuselage (and vary between the Ships Camel and others) I am not sure they will be practical.
Others might be useful (Albatros B.II, RE 8), but did not sell in such large numbers so may not be worth your while.
Kit
ALISTAIR MCLEAN
09:40 (4 hours ago)
Hi Kit
Thank you for the reply and the input. I did have a few of the Albatros and Fokker aircraft, I am now sorry that I sold them....if only I had waited a another 6 months or so before the collapse. I do have a few of the various Sopwith types, and one or two others. Also what about the Nieuports from Copper State, I have one of those. I have just done some sets for the EV by Micromir, they are OK and I have sold quite a few but are not the best, kit parts are not great, but I re-engineered them a little, but they will help with the tricky fitment and strength for that aircraft.
I would be more than happy for you to ask around, sometimes I think that a 3rd party gets much better results than the manufacturer.
Obviously we will just stage them through, even if you sent me a bunch to reduce postage costs, I would then maybe do 2 or 3 sets a month.
It is important to know if there are any shortcomings in the kit part dimensions, because if so then it gets a lot more complicated, but I have not heard of any of the WNW KITS being too long or short on the struts.
Re-engineering a fit for the Camels may not be a huge hurdle so if it is a PROBLEM, it is one to look at, because people buy parts that fix a problem, but we can discuss that and I will visit the LOFT to reacquaint myself.
I do not work on huge number sales, I am very happy generally if I get 50 sales of any item, sometimes that happens quickly and is vastly surpassed, but I do not need 100’s, so let see what comes out of the consultation and wish list.
All round I will do my best to make it worth your while.
Regards Alistair (Ali)
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The undercarriage of our beloved WWI aircraft are very simple (in comparison to a modern jet for example) so they can easily replaced (or at least the fragile parts of it) by brass and nickel silver micro tubing and wires. Albion Alloys has sold a tool to squeeze the tubes but a little vice with flat jaws will also help.
Have that done recently in 1/48 on some models, in 1/32 it should be much easier.
Cheers,
Frank
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What in this moment is lacking is some material like the good old Strutz or contrail struts.
It is true that Albion Alloys makes a took to squeeze the tubing, but it is not easily available and anyway, it offers just one profile.
The same is true for the 3D printed squeezing tool designed by Bo.
best
er me
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Unlike Frank and some others I don't do well making MY own struts. In My Opinion it is the 1/32nd scale Roden, and probably Special Hobby kits that really need help with the struts. That being said they really need to be modified with longer locating pins on both ends in order to make mounting the wings easier, more secure. I would be interested in struts for the Roden Albatros DIII, Pfalz DIII, SSW DIII, and( SE5a.just the interplane and cabanes) Interplanes, cabanes, and landing gear for all of the others! Thanks for sharing!
RAGIII
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o10w7aVmIk
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It is true that Albion Alloys makes a took to squeeze the tubing, but it is not easily available and anyway, it offers just one profile.
AFAIK, this tool is not available any more, at all.
WD
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Yes, it was on 'Albion Alloy's' web site for modellers, but that site went down some time ago.
They had other tools available as well and they're no longer available either.
It's a shame as although it can't create a perfect aerofoil, it can be used for any size of tube and support rod, so any size of strut can be made.
At the end of the day, even at 1:32nd scale, you'd need to look close to see the difference between these and the kit struts,
The added strength the struts give the model is worth it I think,
Mike.
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It is true that Albion Alloys makes a took to squeeze the tubing, but it is not easily available and anyway, it offers just one profile.
AFAIK, this tool is not available any more, at all.
WD
I don't think it offers any particular profile, it just squashes the tube. It's the wire inside that governs the amount of squash
I do the same job with a good quality, smooth jawed vice
Alistair - I think you'll find SAC make whitemetal copies of most of the 1/32 kit struts and undercarriages, e.g.: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/scale-aircraft-conversions-32037-albatros-diii--131006 (https://www.scalemates.com/kits/scale-aircraft-conversions-32037-albatros-diii--131006)
They appear to be straight copies of the kit part, and in my opinion aren't worth bothering with as they will be soft
Rick's (RAGIII) point is a good one about the Roden parts needing locating pins
Richard
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Agreed regards white metal copies - I have some as part of a stash I bought.
Very weak metal - and not worth buying,
Mike
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Hi I think they would also be useful for some bigger a/c - Junkers J1 , AEG etc Hanks
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I would be interested in struts for the Roden Albatros DIII, Pfalz DIII, SSW DIII, and( SE5a.just the interplane and cabanes) Interplanes, cabanes, and landing gear for all of the others! Thanks for sharing!
RAGIII
I would second this, very much. Weak as the landing gears may be, I found that when rigged they are plenty strong and rigged, but replacement struts would be very welcome indeed.
Hidde
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The Albatros bII is notoriously fragile. how how 'bout a replacement in brass??
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Speaking of brass tube replacement struts, can anyone recommend the best sizes of tubing to use in the Strutter? I know it may depend on what is being replaced, but I am asking in general for 1/32 scale. Thanks!
Best regards,
Bob
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AFAIK, this tool is not available any more, at all.
The Albion tool is not really needed, I use a vice from Proxxon:
(https://asset.re-in.de/isa/160267/c1/-/de/813481_BB_00_FB/Proxxon-Micromot-PM-40-Schraubstock-Backenbreite-46mm-Spann-Weite-max.-30mm.jpg?x=450&y=450&ex=450&ey=450&align=center&quality=75)
Any other vice will do it also, but it NEED flat vice jaw!
Cheers,
Frank
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Thanks Bughunter!
WD
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Hi Kit, Thanks for posting, and a big Hi! to Ali - an ex-S'African we still miss! Yes, struts in metal would be great - and the WNW kits don't always need replacement. As I have said before, my DVII undercarriage legs survived 2000Km on a car journey standing on said legs! Ali will tell you about SA roads... but replacement struts for the Roden kits would be great, especially the Albarossen DII and DI and DIII... The Tripes are good though, but the Pfalz may be a little fragile too... I have no idea of the sales potential but would take two DIII sets in a heartbeat...
Regards,
Marc.
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Francisco Guedes was kind enough to turn this into a poll on Wingnut Wings Fans FB page. For those interested results so far;
Albatros D.V/Va 68 votes
Fokker D.VII 41 votes
Albatros B.II 33 votes
Sopwith Camel 28 votes
RE8 17 votes
Felixstowe F2 14 votes
Sopwith Snipe 13 votes
DH9 11 votes
Gotha G.IV 11 votes
Rumpler C.IV 10 votes
Gotha G.I 9 votes
Halberstadt 3 votes
Bristol F2B 3 votes
LVG 3 votes
Pflaz D.III 2 votes
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Bump, for any final suggestions, will collate comments from all facebook pages & this forum and send them off at the end of the weekend.
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If struts for WNW kits is all that is of interest the results of the survey are pretty accurate.( Although I managed to build 5 DVIIs' and 4 Albatros DV/Vas' without issues.) I would just like to emphasize that Roden is Still a Viable operating Business and brass struts with longer locating pins would go a Long way towards making kits like the Albatros DIII, Pfalz DIII, SSW DIII, Se5a etc. easier to build/mount the wings. IMHO, the only real issue with the Roden kits! Best of luck with the products!
RAGIII
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I have built 6 or so WNW kits in 1/32 scale, and none of them had weak undercarriages that I felt needed to be beefed up.
That may have something to do with the planes being rather small as 1/32 scale goes, and so they are not very heavy, as compared to, say, a 1/32 F-15!
I would still consider a metal undercarriage upgrade if I felt a given model needed it, however.
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Hi, really hoping this project goes well. I have just broken some WNW DV struts on the sprue. Have re glued but good lesson about being careful of fragile structural bits. Cheers:D
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Sounds like he is keen to go, probably starting with Albatros DV / DVa, Fokker DVII and some of the Sopwiths. Possibly Copper State Nieuports as well.
I will send struts and undercarriage of everything I have doubles of that got half a dozen votes or more - which is basically everything except the Gothas and Albatros B.II - though if all goes well I may send B.II too.
He said he will look into making generic struts but noted difficulties for the modeller, (they are not extruded but cast).
Not sure struttage for Felixstowe or Gothas will be practical, if he changes his mind I can help with Felixstowes, but I only have one each of the G.IV, G.1 and UWD.
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Great news!
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Alby struts would be handy. I always pop one cabane and I must have done 10 by now.
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Hi
Just curious how this project is going? D