forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Scratch builds => Topic started by: lone modeller on December 24, 2021, 08:10:00 AM

Title: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on December 24, 2021, 08:10:00 AM
Evening All,

This project has come about almost by default. When I completed the de Haviland 1A I put it in a purpose made perspex display box, only to find that I had made a measurement error and the box is only just big enough to hold the model! I bought a second larger box for the de Haviland and now had a spare box. What to put into it? The box restricts the size of the subject: I had thought of an RE 5 or RE 7 but both of these are too large to fit. Other smaller subjects either do not interest me, are available as kits or are going to be released in the future, so they were all crossed off the list. Then the idea came to me to build a Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a, (the predecessor of the better known BE 2c), as this was my first "free-lance" conversion (ie. I did not use an article but built it myself using the Airfix DH 4 as a donor kit for the wings, wheels, prop and struts), and it is very unlikely that a kit manufacturer is going to issue one at any time soon. This is the model I built in 1978:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770905240_7b975e5035_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSPqsu)

When I made the above model I had originally wanted to build a BE 2c but detailed sources were limited and I could not find any drawings of the type. Therefore I built the BE 2a because I had a copy of Profile No 133:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770910065_3af0e22d36_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSPrTF)

Building a model of an aeroplane in 1/32 scale means that a great deal more information is needed. Fortunately DataFile No 163 provides excellent 1/48 scale drawings and many photographs:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770269753_df97b2536c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSLaxP)

There are also many photographs of replica machines at Point Cook in Australia and Montrose in Scotland, and there is a replica BE 2b in the RAF Museum at Hendon. Recently this fine volume has appeared on the type:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51769204862_08d5566a23_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSEGZC)

This book is a mine of information on the type and a go-to source for information: there is a review in Cher Ami vol. 10 no 1.

There was only one outstanding problem: I could not find enough information on the 70 hp Renault engine dimensions to be able to scratch build one, (there are no kits of this type available in this scale). In the meantime I continued with other True Scale projects in the hope that I might at some time be able to resolve the engine problem. I had a breakthrough via RichieW who is scratch building a 1/32 BE 2c and has to make a 100 hp RAF 1A engine. He was discussing how to make the cylinders when "Rookie" (Willem) gave him the engine sprue of the WingnutWings RE 8 which had an RAF 4A engine. The RAF 4A engine was a 12 cylinder V which had been developed from the 8 cylinder RAF 1A. The latter was an upgraded version of the Renault 70 hp and as Richie only needed 8 cylinders for his model that left two spare cylinders which he very kindly passed over to me. I now had a potential solution to my biggest problem - how to scratch the 70 hp Renault engine - because I could now calculate the critical dimensions and had sufficient information about specific details to make an attempt. If I can build the engine, I can build the remainder of the model.

I intend to use as little aftermarket material as possible on this build, so I will only show it if I use any. Apart from the engine the other part that I was concerned about making was the 4 bladed propellor. I have made 2 bladed props in 1/32 scale, and 2 and 4 bladed props in the True Scale, but this would be my first 4 bladed prop in 1/32 so I started with this. There is a tutorial on making propellors on this site so I consulted this before I started. I have a supply of hardwood strip, (I do not know what the wood is - I inherited it from my father many years ago), which I use to carve RFC and RNAS props. I cut two long strips and 4 shorter ones:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770029381_9590356bd6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSJW6t)

The long strips were glued to make a cross and the 4 shorter pieces then glued to each of the 4 arms with Evostick wood glue to give me the correct thickness of wood to carve. This was pressed for 24 hours in my state-of-the-art press (a pile of books):

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770669694_0a4096fc29_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSNdrm)

The shape of the blades was drawn on to the surface of the cross and arrows drawn to indicate which way the blades needed to be filed:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770910455_f6660ebc68_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSPs1p)

The shape of the individual blades and boss were cut and filed first. This ensures that each blade is the correct shape and size when looked at head-on. The next step was to shape one of the blades: this was done with files only - it is too easy to slip when using a knife and the wood does not always cut smoothly, so an accident is possible and much time and effort can be wasted in a second if a mishap occurs. Filing may take longer but errors are much less likely. The arrows indicated the slope of the blade face - each one has to be identical to its neighbour and mistakes can be easily made here too. Final shaping and smoothing was done with glass paper:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770269888_a59d9159af_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSLaA9)

The quantity of dust that filing and sanding one blade is shown here:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770910215_dc347f7754_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSPrWg)

This is the finished propellor waiting to be varnished:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770269798_4db99ba253_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSLayA)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51770269623_03057b8ea0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mSLavz)

I will use a resin boss from Proper Plane, (an aftermarket product), as this will be in a very prominent position on the model and for once I am taking the quickest route!

I will post more on the engine later because at present it consists of a lump of laminated plastic waiting to be filed to shape.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lcarroll on December 24, 2021, 08:43:53 AM
   Great choice of subject Stephen, I'm very much looking forward to watching you wrestle this one into another piece of art. You're prop looks superb, as you mention any errors are immediately apparent, this one is remarkably well done. I've only ever carved one 4 Blade prop and it was a slow and stressful project. I finally decided to carve two individual 2 blade props and then join them with two half notches.
   You have a great start here, I'll be watching your progress with great interest!
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: hrcoleman66 on December 24, 2021, 09:06:00 AM
This brings back memories!  I started a BE2a in 1/32 about 15 years ago...  Didn't get very far.

Looking forward to seeing how this progresses!

Cheers,

Hugh
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Alexis on December 24, 2021, 12:13:14 PM
Beautiful job on the prop Stephen  :)



Alexis
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on December 24, 2021, 08:26:12 PM
Really looking forward to seeing this project come together, Steve -

Your four bladed prop is superb and actually looks real!

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: bobs_buckles on December 25, 2021, 08:21:06 AM
Lovely Prop-work, Stephen.
I will be keeping my two eyes firmly on your progress.
Good luck!!

Bob  ;)
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on December 25, 2021, 11:10:18 AM
The prop is gorgeous and the perfect warm up for another great build!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: kensar on December 26, 2021, 03:52:29 AM
The start of another great modeling adventure!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: gbrivio on December 26, 2021, 05:48:16 AM
Excellent wooden propeller, looking forward to your progress in the build of such a lovely subject.
Ciao
Giuseppe
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Ernie on December 26, 2021, 10:00:45 AM
Great work on the prop, Stephen!  I will be following along with
great interest. Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,
Ernie :)
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Beto on December 26, 2021, 04:35:26 PM
Hello Stephen, I have good news for You... ;) - A few years ago I made a 3D model of the Renault 70hp engine from plans published in WWI Aero. My plan was building a 1/8th early BE.2c around it, since I had no blueprints for the RAF 1a engine, so if you are interested I may try to reduce it to 1/32 and see if it prints well. Some details like the true-to-scale cooling fins of the cylinders may be tricky to print, but I hope it will be better than nothing...
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Dave W on December 26, 2021, 08:32:51 PM
This inspirational Stephen and an amazing project that we shall follow with much interest.

I've always been surprised the mainstream companies did not produce a Be2c and rather hoped Roden would upscale their 1/48 kit.

A 1/32 Be2a will be a real treat for us all.

cheers

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: pepperman42 on December 26, 2021, 09:45:11 PM
Great start

Steve
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Monty on December 27, 2021, 08:17:56 PM
That is a beautiful propellor, Stephen! Very much looking forward to seeing the progress on this one! Regards, Marc.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on December 28, 2021, 07:23:20 AM
What a beautiful start to what I know will be a special build. Fantastic stuff! Reminds me, I need to start experimenting with making my own wooden props.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: gedmundson on December 28, 2021, 02:05:33 PM
That's amazing Stephen - just WOW!
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Bughunter on January 02, 2022, 03:37:50 AM
What a great project - I have to follow of course!

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on January 07, 2022, 05:59:45 AM
Evening All

Many thanks to you all for your wonderful reception of this project: I really appreciate the support that you all give to my efforts. Carving the propellor was actually much less difficult than I thought that it might be - and it has proved to be easier than making the engine as I describe below.

I commented above that I intend to use a Proper Plane resin boss but did not provide a picture, so here is one:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51778242651_104fb06e43_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mTt2Bz)

Ideally I would like to make one of these, but I do not have the right materials and tools to do so, so I am opting for the [strk]easy[/strk] lazy route.

In between other activities I made the main and gravity fuel tanks from laminated card and painted them:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803169366_4b3dca1903_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVEMsw)

The filler caps may look large but that is partially an exaggeration caused by the lens, and partially because the originals were actually quite large.

I have shaped the engine block and made the timing cover for the front. All is from laminated card and strip with the circular plate and prop shaft support from rod: not difficult to make but fiddly and time consuming:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803169411_df55962e17_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVEMti)

"Bolts" were added to the sides and rear of the engine block to represent the joint between the sump and head of the engine, the front was glued to the engine block and all painted in aluminium:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803287113_5e3f268ae0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVFosD)

The arms sticking out of the sides are mounts which will rest on the fuselage frame later. The protrusion at the front is the magneto. I have also made a flywheel cut from a disc of card. The disc for the wheel was scribed using a pair of dividers and then the centre was shaped to a cross:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803892545_9f7c08f5e8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVJur8)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803528259_a8b2cb1f17_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVGC9k)

The arms are a little too wide but I cannot thin them much more or they will be so small that they will be too weak to handle.

Finally I am struggling with the cylinders. I have filed down the end of a piece of sprue to make the cylinder shape and then cut each length in turn:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803528244_8678686f79_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVGC95)

The top of the cylinders was wider than the trunk because the inlet valve was positioned here. To make this wider part I cut and shaped some 60 x 180 thou strip:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803892470_eee398c846_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVJupQ)

The cylinders were bolted to the engine block via 4 long bolts. The bolts passed through cruciform clamps on the top of the cylinders so I shaped the latter from 40 thou card. First I cut a disc of card, then I marked a cross and finally I cut out the arms. On the right of the image is a cylinder with the head and arm in place:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803287128_f69001e58f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVFosU)

There are still many more details to add before a cylinder is complete but I am having second thoughts about this method as I am not able to represent the cooling fins very well: scribing the plastic with the end of a scalpel is not as effective as I had hoped. In addition I will need to mount a small piece of aluminium strip to the top of one set of cylinders to represent the cowling and cover of the engine. This will need to abut the back plate of the engine which in turn must be made to exactly fit the fuselage frame.... In short I am of the opinion that the final engine assembly, including the bolts, push rods and valve springs, (which I intend to make from copper wire), and other assorted delicacies are best left until I have the fuselage frame and possibly lower wings completed. I can of course change my mind at any time and continue with the engine manufacture and assembly, but for the time being I will start to make ribs for the exposed parts of the wings, and the fuselage structure and interior details.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Bughunter on January 07, 2022, 07:07:47 AM
Great work, going the way to use simple tools and careful work to get nice results.

I find it always boring, if many identical pieces are needed, e.g here the to the the cylinders. Have you glued the styrene blades with white glue together, to create them in one go? I used this method with solder and brass plates.

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on January 07, 2022, 10:23:33 AM
Your usual Superb work scratchbuilding details that some of us would find intimidating !
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on January 08, 2022, 06:25:27 AM
I think working on the fuselage first is a smart move - in reality the engine wouldn't be fitted until later, plus it gives you time to plot and scheme your approach to the model version.
I have shaped the engine block and made the timing cover for the front. All is from laminated card and strip with the circular plate and prop shaft support from rod: not difficult to make but fiddly and time consuming:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51803169411_df55962e17_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mVEMti)
The timing cover is exquisite - I thought it was a resin piece or from an injected kit. Beautiful work, Stephen!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Alexis on January 08, 2022, 08:07:19 AM
Just love how you did cylinders , simple but very effective results . Top notch work Stephen  :)


Alexis
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on January 10, 2022, 07:16:38 PM
Great work as ever, Steve -

Your engine block is good.  Regarding the cooling fins for the cyinders:

Just a thought, but would it be possible to wrap fine wire around the cylinder to represent them?

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on January 15, 2022, 02:51:57 AM
Evening All,

Thank you all for leaving positive and supportive comments: they are much appreciated.

I have stopped working on the engine for the time being - I am experimenting with some ideas but have nothing worthwhile to show for it. I have also decided that until I am ready to fit the engine to the fuselage frame I do not want to assemble much more because the cylinder head bolts were used to hold part of the cowling in place and I will need to instal part of the cowling at the same time that I put the cylinders in place. If you are confused all will become clear later.

The fuselage will need to be robust to support the weight of the model so I have opted to use brass bar for the longerons and some of the frame. I soldered the sides first using the standard method of holding the parts with pins while solder was applied:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51820249473_a47b5e4526_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mXbjM8)

The forward part of the upper longeron was steel tube on the real aircraft so I soldered some brass rod to represent this. With two sides made it was straightforward to join them with some horizontal bracing:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51820853580_91963af35d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mXeqmL)

A rudder post was soldered to the rear - again brass rod:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51820134891_d2c8030568_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mXaJHz)

All of the joints have been cleaned with a file: the remaining parts of the frame will be CA'd into place later.

I have started to make the ribs for the wings. One lower wing and half of the upper wing will have the structure exposed so I will need approximately 30 ribs. The ribs closest to the centre had lightening holes, the remainder had slots. I tried 3 times to make the ribs with holes before I got it right... I have also cut one with slots. The image below shows the sequence of manufacture: top - a strip of 40 x 188 thou Evergreen strip, strip cut and shaped and  holes drilled for spars, spar holes cut square, 2 versions of the rib with holes, bottom a rib with slots:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51820248663_c52c1e6066_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mXbjxa)

I will take some time to make the ribs and will work on some of the fuselage interior while I do so. I will be visiting family next week so progress will be even more glacial than usual and the next update may be some time away.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on January 15, 2022, 05:41:49 AM
I have stopped working on the engine for the time being - I am experimenting with some ideas but have nothing worthwhile to show for it. I have also decided that until I am ready to fit the engine to the fuselage frame I do not want to assemble much more because the cylinder head bolts were used to hold part of the cowling in place and I will need to instal part of the cowling at the same time that I put the cylinders in place. If you are confused all will become clear later.
That sounds perfectly logical Stephen. Smart move, and the added bonus of not getting too bogged down and perhaps frustrated with figuring out the engine while you could be doing this wonderful work on the airframe.

I will be visiting family next week so progress will be even more glacial than usual and the next update may be some time away.
I for one wait patiently with anticipation. Hopefully you enjoy your time away  :)
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: pepperman42 on January 15, 2022, 10:32:49 PM
Amazing process!!

Steve
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on January 16, 2022, 01:29:39 AM
Excellent work on the frame and wing ribs. You always make this look easy and I know it isn't  8)
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Alexis on January 16, 2022, 04:21:06 AM
Frame is progressing wonderful Stephen , brass for this was an perfect choice for structural strength . Wing ribs will take time , but the results will be top notch so this , I look forward too .

Have a wonderful visit with family  :)


Alexis
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on February 24, 2022, 06:18:34 AM
Evening All

A belated thanks to Zac, Steve, Rick and Alexis for your kind and encouraging comments.

I have not posted anything for a while because I have been trying to make ribs for the exposed parts of the wings. I need 23 full sized ribs and 6 smaller ones for the tips. I had made the 23 full sized examples and was in the process of making the remaining 6 when i discovered that I had made a mistake - I had drilled and cut the holes for the spars in the wrong places for the larger ribs - all 23 of them....! Given that each rib takes about 45 minutes to make and I am not in the most motivated of states to make them, I will leave to your imaginations how I felt when I discovered my error. (It will save the mods having to delete this post if I do not write any more about that). At last I have finished the new ribs.... That was not as easy as I had expected either because I managed to spoil/ruin 10 more! In all 60 ribs made fro a total of 23 useable ones. I do not think that I will be attempting another large scale strip down model for some time. These are what the new ones look like - not all of them but you get the idea:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51899945433_651f6df40a_c.jpg)


If anyone is wondering why I am making all of the ribs in one go, the reason is to try to maintain a consistent standard. If I were to make a few ribs, make something else and then start making ribs again I find that it is difficult to remember what has/has not been made/finished, and to keep a consistent standard of parts. I have also been experimenting making my own wicker seats but have not had much success there either so I may resort to some Barracuda resin examples instead.

I have been sent two printed engines from Beto: they are superb - I may use one of them but equally I may continue to try to scratch build one using the printed engines as a template. This is no disrespect to Beto's work - it is just that I would like to be able to scratch build as much of this model as possible. I am also experimenting with using some wood for interior parts - hopefully I can now focus on those next and start to make real progress rather than going around in circles and repeating errors...

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: kensar on February 24, 2022, 07:30:16 AM
At least you are making forward progress now.  And kudos for making everything from scratch!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Alexis on February 24, 2022, 01:28:17 PM
Kinda made the same mistake on Fe-8 build , my measurements with the lower wing were way off so i know the feeling on having to redo and start over .

Keep at it Stephen , your doing great !  :)


Alexis
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on February 25, 2022, 06:07:14 AM
I'm so sorry to hear of your spar hole issue Stephen, what a horrible realisation that must have been. Good on you for persevering - I'd hate to have seen you shelve this very cool project. More power to you!

If anyone is wondering why I am making all of the ribs in one go, the reason is to try to maintain a consistent standard. If I were to make a few ribs, make something else and then start making ribs again I find that it is difficult to remember what has/has not been made/finished, and to keep a consistent standard of parts.
That makes perfect sense to me, a very sensible approach - just like building the real deal.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on March 11, 2022, 04:49:33 AM
Somehow I missed this thread.

You did a wonderful job on the propeller Stephen, and your soldering is top quality as ever. Making an engine from scratch is no easy feat, especially when the cylinder head bolts were used to hold part of the cowling in place. Making all the ribs in one throw makes sense in terms of continuity and uniformity.

Hats off!

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Jamo on March 11, 2022, 01:49:58 PM
Hi Stephen
TVAL have an original Renault 80hp engine fitted to their BE2c (early) reproduction. I have a few photos of that engine in this album:
https://jamesfahey.smugmug.com/RAF-BE2c-early/ (https://jamesfahey.smugmug.com/RAF-BE2c-early/)

(https://photos.smugmug.com/RAF-BE2c-early/i-MKHfBfc/0/9f3bfacf/X2/E1-X2.jpg)

Cheers
James
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on March 11, 2022, 05:39:21 PM
What an incredible photoalbum. You have done it once again James. Razor sharp photographs and amazing details to be seen!

Willem

Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on March 12, 2022, 04:12:18 AM
James - Thank you for these superb photographs - they are an enormous help, not just with the engine but other details too. The very early 2c looks very much like the 2b - which in turn had many common features with the 2a so I will be referring to these in future when I am not sure about a specific detail.

In passing it is very interesting how much variation there was between different versions of the Renault engine: I have seen at least three distinctly different variants.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on March 12, 2022, 06:22:48 AM
lone modeller modelling plus Jamo reference photography...I think this will be something very special.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on March 14, 2022, 03:00:18 AM
lone modeller modelling plus Jamo reference photography...I think this will be something very special.

No pressure then Zac....

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on March 14, 2022, 07:18:55 AM
lone modeller modelling plus Jamo reference photography...I think this will be something very special.

No pressure then Zac....

Stephen.
;D ;D I believe in you!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Bughunter on March 17, 2022, 06:01:12 AM
Stephen, you had put in a lot of work!
That is an advantage and disadvantage of scratch building at the same time: you can say you have all done by yourself but it costs a lot of time.

In all 60 ribs made
With 60 ribs, an order for laser cutting would already have been profitable.(https://www.modellboard.net/Smileys/Modellboard/ziel.gif)

The airscrew in Jamo's picture looks so beautiful!

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on April 13, 2022, 08:51:31 AM
Evening All,

Thank you Zac for your vote of confidence - I have needed that lately!

Frank: a laser cutter is cheating in my book - and anyway that would be both too expensive and far too complicated for me to master. Remember I am but a simple modeller...... anything more complicated that a craft knife, file or paintbrush stretches my abilities - I have only just learned to solder!

I was unhappy with my first attempt to make the engine cylinders because they seemed to be too small, so I made a second larger set. They were too large for the engine block! When I checked (again) the size of the engine block I found that it was too short....so I had to make another one. Still the new cylinders did not look right, so I did what I should have done long before - I got out the resin kit and looked closely at the parts only to find that the first set of cylinders were the correct size!!! Well I fitted 4 on one side of the block and all seemed to be well:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51999393702_46dfae544c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ne1u7J)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52000406731_d6da0e8af3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ne6FfK)

Then I had to put on the bolts which were fixed via cruciform brackets on the cylinder head to the engine block. They were external to the cylinders and very thin - but I could not decide what material to use to represent them. I tried some guitar wire but that was too thick. Then I lost motivation.....

Later I found some fuse wire which I had completely forgotten about and of course that was the correct size - but I baulked at the idea of fixing it in the small gaps between the cylinders. Another delay. When I came to fit the wire it was not really a problem after all! 

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52000406206_17bae60a8f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ne6F6G)

Fitting the cylinders and bolts on the other side was then relatively easy:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52000939870_7d719a3f59_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ne9pJN)

I know that some bolts on the inside of the engine are not quite straight but they will be hardly visible when the inlet pipes are in place so I am not going to keep circling trying to get them perfect. For the moment I am setting the engine aside because I need to add tiny details such as spark plugs and inlet valve springs and push rods on the inside of the cylinders, and exhaust valves and push rods on the top. These will be easily and inevitably damaged if I put them on now - I will wait until the engine is mounted on the fuselage before I attempt them. I will also add the inlet and exhaust pipes at a later stage.

While I was struggling with the engine and in an attempt to revive my motivation I decided to mould the covered wing blanks. I carved moulds for the upper and lower surfaces from basswood: both ends have wing tips because I intend to represent the port lower and starboard upper wings covered. The wing plans were marked on the wood and the corners cut off. By making the moulds longer than a wing half I can use one set of moulds to make both wing halves. I cut a simple card template to measure the curvature of the surface and then proceeded to file the moulds to shape:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51999394222_4b459a0194_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ne1ugG)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51999393957_1e2a9f045c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ne1uc8)

I was pleasantly surprised when I managed to get 4 moulds from the first 4 attempts. I have learned something from making large moudings in the past!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52000663074_1b7a2ca88e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ne7Zss)

I am making no promises about when the next posting will be - Easter is looming which means family visit but I am hoping that I will be able to solder the lower wing spars to the fuselage frame and then finish the fuselage structure with plastic strip. After that I can start to make and install the cockpit parts. Well that is the plan!

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Bughunter on April 13, 2022, 08:34:26 PM
Stephen, you take impressive care to do things correct!

Frank: a laser cutter is cheating in my book - and anyway that would be both too expensive
Recently I noticed that this "Maker" community could be a possibility!
There are fablabs in many cities where you can access machines for free or for a cheap membership. The lab in Munich has 3 laser cutters of different power classes and also Silhuette cutting plotters, beside much more machines. They are publicly funded and sponsored, which is why such expensive machines are possible.
For safety reasons for access the laser cutters an evening class is necessary, but then you can work on this machines with your own designs.
At the moment I have no need, but this is on my list of things to do. And why not laser some wing ribs instead of the usual greeting cards? ;)

I think there are also such communities in your country, here I found one example (also with laser):
https://southlondonmakerspace.org

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on April 14, 2022, 03:27:23 AM
Great to see you back on the road with this one again, Steve -

I know the engine has given you a lot of food for thought so it is good to see you are getting this one together now and it looks very good indeed.

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on April 14, 2022, 03:46:17 AM
Bravo Stephen, both on the lovely engine and the ingenious solution to the wing moulding issue! I was very happy to see this update but please don't feel obliged on my part to rush getting them out!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on April 14, 2022, 04:08:24 AM
Good to see you back at the bench again Stephen.

What a clever way to make the wings!

Don't let the hard times with the engine put you down. Engines are very hard to scratch build, and I think you are doing a great job!

Nice to see some scratch building being done.

Makes me wonder about Richie though.
Haven't heard from him for a while...

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on April 15, 2022, 03:01:44 AM
Your engine is looking great and your molding technique is impressive!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on April 25, 2022, 06:09:32 AM
Evening All,

Thank you Frank, Dave, Zac, Willem and rick for the very encouraging comments. I seem for the moment at least to have regained some enthusiasm for this build - I am sure that your positive comments have helped.

I have managed to make slightly faster progress lately - possibly because what I have done is a little more straightforward: ie I have finished soldering the fuselage frame and lower wing spars.

I soldered the lower wing spars to the fuselage longerons first using my usual hyper-complex and expensive jig:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027052576_15225dd339_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ngsf8S)

The method involves adding a rib to each end of the spars and supporting the longer end of the spars with a simple support. The front spar sits in a small slot created by the fuselage longerons and rib, the rear is held in place by its own weight. A set square was used to check that all was square which it was because the slots in the fuselage frame were correctly aligned. A quick action with the soldering iron ensured that they are firmly and permanently in place.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027568575_a4d09ce12f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nguTwp)

The starboard, (right) side spars are longer than the port, (left) because the port side will have the solid wing and the spars do not need to run the whole width of the wing, whereas the starboard side will be uncovered and so the whole of the spar will be exposed on the completed model.

Having put the spars in place I realised that I would have been better advised to wait until I had finished soldering the fuselage frame.......
So having made the mistake I nevertheless proceeded to complete the framework. I used plastic strip at the rear as the sections were so short that cutting and filing the brass bar to length was too trying: the strip is easier to cut and file and was CA'd into place. The remaining framework was brass bar and was soldered a few pieces at a time. The top and bottom sections were straightforward as the piece could be laid on the balsa block and pinned, but the side pieces were more difficult because the spars got in the way... However all is finished and joints filed:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52026011097_7b02bb29fa_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ngmUxk)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52027297769_ce6872d091_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ngtv2k)

Deciding what to do next has involved some deep thought, (well deep for me). I had to think about whether to put in the cockpit internal details and the rig the fuselage frame before adding the port wing, or add the port wing and then the rig the frame and insert the cockpit details. I have decided that the potential for damage will be less if I attach the wing first. I will have to prime the brass before I do anything so that will be the next step, and then on to constructing the two wing halves and drilling holes for struts and rigging before they are fixed to the spars. That at least is the plan at the moment, but experience so far with this build means that could yet change. The next post will show what I actually decide to do.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on April 25, 2022, 06:28:53 AM
That's a beautiful piece of work, Stephen! The sort of thing I aspire to. I'm very, very excited to see what comes next.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Bughunter on April 25, 2022, 06:50:05 AM
Fantastic scratch work Stephen, I really like what you have done!
I have a feeling (even at a distance) that it has a valuable haptics of a Matchbox toy car: heavy and robust.
I know this from building a trailer out of brass profiles, I have to do something like that again sometime.

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on April 25, 2022, 11:19:50 PM
Your work on the frame looks awesome Stephen! Like Frank said it will be sturdy for sure.
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on April 27, 2022, 08:42:43 PM
The frame work does look good, Steve

Look forward to more progress reports

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Alexis on April 27, 2022, 10:57:24 PM
Super job on getting the frame built up Stephen !


Alexis
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on April 29, 2022, 07:21:28 PM
Fantastic soldering work Stephen. Integrating the spars is very clever, I must keep that in mind.

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on April 30, 2022, 06:18:42 AM
Integrating the spars is very clever
I thought the same - very smart thinking.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: IanB on May 01, 2022, 12:45:41 AM
Nicely done Stephen. Although, of course, hindsight is always 20-20, and I'm sure it would have been FAR simpler to solder the sides without the wings in the way!

Ian
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on May 15, 2022, 08:13:01 AM
Evening All

Thanks to you all for the very kind comments: I really appreciate the support that you give especially at times when my mojo is a bit lacking or I am working on an awkward element.

Frank: I think that I may have used slightly too large brass bar for the fuselage structure, with the result that it does have the strength of an old Matchbox car! I had not allowed for the increase in strength of the thinner bar when it is soldered into a structure like the above: I was concerned about the longerons bending. However I can live with it and I am sure that when it is painted it will not look too overscale in thickness.

Ian: you are 100% right - it would have been easier to complete the fuselage structure without the wings, but then why make something easy when with a little (lack of) thought and planning, I can make it more difficult for myself?!

I intend to represent one half of each wing as if it were covered in fabric and the other half to show the structure: the lower wing will be covered on the port (left) side and uncovered on the starboard (right) and the reverse will apply to the upper wing. Hopefully that will distribute the weight of the model more evenly. I have already shown some wing blanks as prepared from the moulds, but here are a pair of blanks after they have been removed from the plastic sheet and are ready to be assembled:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52073302826_1edda18188_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nkxhHY)

They are for the upper wing as they represent the starboard side, but the lower port wing half is very similar. I started assembly of the port wing by  drilling holes for the struts and rigging wires in the top face. Thread was passed through the rigging holes and secured with small squares of scrap plastic. The spars were CAed to the top wing surface and the edges of the wing packed as necessary with scrap strip and card. The latter made a better joint surface between the upper and lower wing sections and helped fill gaps caused by trying to marry two moulds together. Experience gained using this method of construction has taught me that filler will be needed in these areas:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52073784535_1fb1782d76_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nkzKVi)

After the two wing moulds had been joined, using copious amounts of tube and liquid glue, and this had been left overnight to harden, I applied large quantities of filler:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52073530509_5d6e43ae51_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nkyspx)

At this stage the whole structure looks a mess - indeed it was a mess, but patient filing and sanding, and more filling and sanding eventually resulted in a wing surface which when painted will be quite acceptable:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52073304163_d807461b65_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nkxi82)

The upper surface ribs were applied by using 10 x 20 thou Evergreen strip which was allowed to dry thoroughly and the sanded to thin it. Mr Surfacer 500 was applied first to the edges of the strips, followed by 1000 grade to eliminate any small undulations and provide a smooth surface for priming.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52073784080_8c9edc5ceb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nkzKMs)

The plastic bag which conceals the fuselage and spars of the starboard part of the lower wing is not there to hide mistakes or horrors of the model: it is there because later I will have to paint the new wing. Following the painting I will have much work to do on and in the fuselage, including painting the fuselage frame, and on the exposed wing structure, and I wish to be able to protect the newly painted wing.

Next I will make both sides of the upper wing before I proceed any further with the existing structure.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on May 16, 2022, 12:37:59 AM
Your usual outstanding work on the wing Stephen!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Borsos on May 16, 2022, 03:50:43 AM
That’s looking great, Stephen. I like your way of doing wings.
Andreas
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on May 16, 2022, 06:10:26 AM
As ever, another fascinating update Stephen!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Jaysena on May 17, 2022, 06:58:04 AM
Hi Stephen,

I've only just come across your BE.2a WIP and its great to see it taking shape.
I have a set of 45 Royal Aircraft factory manufacturing drawings dated 1913 for the BE.2a.
I would be pleased to send you copies if you could provide me with your email address.

David 
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Beto on May 18, 2022, 08:30:00 AM
Hi Stephen,

I've only just come across your BE.2a WIP and its great to see it taking shape.
I have a set of 45 Royal Aircraft factory manufacturing drawings dated 1913 for the BE.2a.
I would be pleased to send you copies if you could provide me with your email address.

David

Hi David, by chance could you also have manufacturing drawings for the early BE2c? I have searched high and low with pretty bad luck and I REALLY am in need of them. (I'm building a 1/8th scale static, uncovered model)
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Jaysena on May 18, 2022, 08:29:52 PM
Hi Beto, Unfortunately not. However, many of the original Royal Aircraft Establishment (R.A.E) factory drawings are held at the National Archive in Kew, London, including those for the BE2c. These haven't been digitized and probably never will be but I believe you can personally visit and take photos by prior arrangement. Here's a link that will take you to the specific location for the BE2c.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r/5?_q=Royal%20Aircraft%20Factory%20BE%202c

All the best

David
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on May 21, 2022, 03:47:35 AM
David,

My apologies for the slow reply - I have not been on top form over the past few days - better now thank goodness. I would be very interested in your kind offer - pm sent.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Jaysena on May 21, 2022, 11:00:58 PM
No problem Stephen,

I'll send them across to you right now.

David
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on August 01, 2022, 08:05:08 AM
Evening All,

After a long delay in which I have made three unsuccessful attempts to mould an upper wing section I decided to change tack and start on another part of the model. I have painted the lower wing half in a mixture of Revell acrylics: beige and white. Lots of very thin coats to build up the paint and get a smooth finish. The rigging wires can also be seen - I had to paint around them:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52254742644_9b09ed6330_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nBzdsG)

The plastic bag was to protect the fuselage frame while I painted the wing but now it is protecting the wing while I paint and work on the fuselage frame. The frame was first primed with Halfords' rattle can white and then painted in Revell acrylics - a mixture of Okre, Braun and just a small amount of red to give a reddish hue to the wood. Rigging of the frame followed:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52254251288_d335c61522_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nBwGp3)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52253262417_c6299e1009_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nBrCrx)

I am experimenting with materials with this model so I decided to use real wood for the upper and lower fuselage surfaces as they were wood on the original machines. I used some laminate from a pack of assorted wood and I do not know from which species of tree the wood was taken, but after it had been given a coat of varnish it looked fine to me. I have cut an upper and lower decking:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52254230336_f6eddef99b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nBwAaN)

The lower decking has been super-glued into place:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52254250373_f932303a7f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nBwG8g)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52253261782_8849a20e9d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nBrCfA)

The next stage will be to add the cockpit details: seats, fuel tank under the observer seat and flying controls and wires before I add the upper decking. This sequence should allow me access to the fuselage so that I can insert the small parts - on the completed model I intend to leave the fuselage sides open.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on August 01, 2022, 08:19:51 AM
Stephen, good to see you back working on the BE 2a. I'm sorry to hear of your trouble with the upper wing. Can you tell us what the problem is?

Still, you are making good progress. The  wings   look spot on, they have a beautiful finish.

I think the wood looks very convincing!

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on August 01, 2022, 09:26:58 AM
Another beauty in the works. I'm glad you've moved on to other parts in the meantime - hopefully they'll allow the lightning bolt of fixingness to strike!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on August 02, 2022, 02:27:49 AM
Good to see you are back on this one again, Steve -

Nice progress and I really like the real wood strip used for the underside of the fuselage.

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: FAf on August 03, 2022, 09:33:13 PM
I just read through the thread and as always I'm blown away by what you do. It looks really good, but it doesn't look easy at all! I struggle to see myself do something like this. 😀
/Fredrik
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: ondra on August 03, 2022, 10:27:03 PM
A brilliant exhibition of your scratchbuilding skills, Stephen, chapeau!

Cheers

Ondra
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on August 04, 2022, 06:19:37 AM
Thank you all for the positive remarks - I really appreciate them, especially at the moment when I am having difficulty concentrating and keep running into problems.

Willem: the problem with the wing is that I am making it in two sections - an upper and lower. I am push moulding the parts and these are large for the method which I use. I cannot get the plastic to soften sufficiently for me to be able to push through two even parts to make a sensible wing section. I have made one section for the lower wing on the second attempt, but this upper wing section is proving to be more tricky. I will make one eventually - I just have to keep trying....

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on August 04, 2022, 07:52:03 AM
First, it is great to see you back on this project! The fuselage is looking awesome as is the lower wing and rigging attachments! I am certain that you will figure out the upper wing molding, You Always Do!!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on August 05, 2022, 06:23:30 AM
Thank you Rick for the comment and your certainty about my ability. Just recently I have had my doubts, but I will continue to try - it may just take a little longer than usual.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on October 22, 2022, 03:29:53 AM
Sorry to hear this has stalled for now, what you have done so far looks really wonderful. When you feel ready to pick it up again I am certain you will complete a truly spectacular model of this elegant biplane.

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on November 03, 2022, 07:55:11 AM
Evening All,

Thanks for your encouraging comment Richie - you will be pleased to read that after a long absence I am able to post some more on this build. In fact I have done more than I realised until I came to post this material!

The BE 2 was a two seat reconnaissance machine, so two wicker seats were needed. I have tried scratch building them but decided that life is too short when there is a high quality option available: step in Barracuda with their resin seats. Some may argue that the Baraccuda pattern is wrong, (wicker seats varied considerably), but photos do not show the real things in any detail so I have gone with these:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473262150_b3040078b1_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWTbGo)

The seats were mounted on frames and the frames held with wires which were fixed to corners of the fuselage frame. I made the wood frames for the seats with 10 x 20 thou plastic strip and the lap belts from paper. The belts are based on photos of originals which were posted on Britmodeller some years ago.

Other interior details include the control column and rudder bar. The former was made from plastic rod, the latter from scrap plastic. Both have been rigged with EZ line to represent the control wires which will extend to the rudder and elevators later:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473084284_ef8d1a4f3a_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWSgPJ)

The lower wing which has the structure exposed has had the centre spar added. This was made up from 40 x 60 thou Evergreen strip with small holes made at the points were they join the ribs and where a rigging wire will pass later:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473349793_ce34e46066_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWTCKt)

This is still not ready for paint because I still need to add the leading and trailing edge parts and the leading edge strengthening ribs, but I am avoiding them at the moment as they will only get damaged while I handle the model to add other parts.

I have at last got the top wing sandwich sorted out. I moulded the upper and lower parts successfully, drilled the lower half and added the rigging wires, and joined the two parts:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52472306367_3bbdb3439d_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWNhzn)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473347978_6ebf4f234e_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWTCdb)

Note the advanced clamps used to hold things while they dried out. The joint was as usual best described as an ugly mess, but filing and sanding and the use of card filler and putty soon sorted out those problems on the underside.

The ribs are 10 x 30 thou Evergreen strip with a liberal coating of Surfacer 500. I have not sanded the ribs down yet - probably two or three sessions will be needed with an application of Surfacer between each coat, followed by a Surfacer 1000 to finish them off. At least this part is now well on the way to completion at last. (The clip is holding rigging wires):

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52472801821_a18d9300cf_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWQPRF)

I have decided to make the wooden parts of the fuselage from wood for two reasons: first I am a hopeless artist and painting plastic to look like wood is not at all easy for me. Secondly the most realistic wood effect is obtained by using real wood. I have already shown the lower fuselage surface in place: I cut a second piece for the upper decking. The cockpit curvature was cut out with a craft knife and finshed with a round file and glasspaper wrapped around a piece of dowel. The fuselage immediately behind the pilot was raised and consisted of a piece of curved wood which was supported by small triangular braces. I cut the vertical face from the same marquetry wood as the fuselage panels, and shaped the top with a craft knife and sanded it smooth. I carefully curved it to fit the shape of the cockpit opening: this was a delicate operation as the wood is so thin it would easily break, so I superglued one end of the curve to the top of the fuselage panel. When this had set I glued a short length to the panel, gently bending the wood as I did so, and held it in place while the glue set. I repeated this operation several times until I had worked my way around the rear of the cockpit opening. Finally I cut the three triangular braces and superglued them into place. The image shows the finished part - the panel is resting on the fuselage frame at the moment as I still have to add the controls and other internal details:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473261090_51cd106890_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWTbo7)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52472305142_286ca5dbc0_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWNhdf)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473081784_d3b10bb892_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWSg5C)

The other part which I have made from wood was the decking between the pilot and observer's cockpits. On the original this was made from plywood which had been steamed and bent to shape, and has a marked forward slope. The curve of the decking was such that I could not bend the marquetry wood unaided, so I resorted to steaming it too. I have never used the steam bending method before, but a quick search on the net provided me with useful tutorial videos and I worked out a method. I made a mould from basswood in the same way as i would have done to make a part from plastic. This had a sufficiently large curve to allow the wood to be bent over it without breaking. A piece of wood which was larger than the final piece was cut and bent over the mould and held in place with a simple clamp and wood buffers:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473083614_9f88416063_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWSgCb)[

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473083909_995356cb18_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWSgHg)

Steaming the wood was achieved by holding the sample over the mouth of a steaming kettle and the kettle kept boiling for about 15 seconds. The sample was allowed to cool and released to produce a nicely shaped piece of wood:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52473348708_22e400ab4d_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWTCqL)

from which I was able to cut the required size and shape for the model:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52472306612_7c366f08c0_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWNhDA)

The instrument board will fit inside the wood panel and help to strengthen it when it is fixed to the fuselage frame.

The next step will be to finish the upper wing including adding the ribs and centre spar. After that I need to have a long think about what to do next as the model is going to become rather delicate to handle.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on November 03, 2022, 09:14:48 AM
What a wonderful update Stephen, so glad to see you are able to not only persevere but forget ahead with this magnificent project after your shoulder problems. I love the steam curved  wooden parts, that is a particularly nice touch. In these days of plastic pollution I wonder if this is a direction we should all be heading in as far as possible.

I agree with you on the matter of wicker seats, I spent what seemed like an eternity making one yet I actually have a Barracuda one in stock which is beautiful!

Take it easy when it comes to sanding the wings, you must preserve your shoulder in order to give us many more masterclasses in the dark arts of scratchbuilding.

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on November 04, 2022, 07:16:37 AM
Magic work Stephen! Thanks for sharing your progress.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: FAf on November 09, 2022, 07:09:47 AM
Amazing work! Very nice to see you back at the bench.
/Fredrik
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on November 11, 2022, 07:59:16 PM
Wonderful work on the decking between the pilot and observer's cockpits Stephen.

You keep amazing me with your scratch building techniques and skills!

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on November 24, 2022, 06:02:44 AM
Evening All, Thanks Richie, Zac, Frederik and Willem for dropping by and leaving encouraging comments - they are all much appreciated.

While I have been building the Albatros, I have also been working on some of the smaller parts of the BE 2a while waiting for larger parts to dry/set. One of these was the instrument board. Early aircraft had very few instruments (some had only a clock, fuel gauge and compass): the BE 2 was not an exception. It had an Elliot board: one pattern for RFC machines and a different one for RNAS machines. I intend to represent a machine from the RNAS based at Eastchurch on Sheppy in Kent so I have modelled the Elliot board Mk 1 which had three instrument dials between an air speed indicator and an ascent/descent guage. Above the board were two smaller dials. I could not find any transfers which even remotely represented the dials on the board, or were small enough so a blob of paint and some bezels form Eduard have to suffice. Next to the instrument board is a map board:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52519726705_c98c5d446d_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o1ZjZp)

This is not the best instrument board/panel that I have made but as it will be largely hidden under the fuselage cover and as I want to live to do something else, this will have to suffice.

Another set of parts which can be tedious to make are the struts. I am making them from laminated marquetry wood and will varnish them, so to save my shoulder  I have made a few in between other tasks; the remainder including the undercarriage legs and skids, will follow later:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52519726545_7f1d96edd4_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o1ZjWD)

With the solid part of the upper wing sanded and ready to paint I added a strip of 20 thou card to the opening in the centre to represent the rib:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52518774242_5b1ded9ee1_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o1UrRC)

That was shaped and filled prior to adding the remaining ribs to the spars. Then the fun began because the wings had two solid spars front and rear, and a centre spar which was full of holes. Cue cutting short lengths of 40 thou plastic card, drilling lots of holes and then inserting said pieces of drilled plastic between the ribs.... I found that I could make two or at most three of these per session before the will to live nearly expired. However they are now done!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52519247351_edda748e21_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o1WSuF)

To finish the construction of the top wing I used 30 thou rod for the leading edge and 20 thou rod for the trailing edge:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52519524284_1c5501531e_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o1YhPo)

and looking at the photo I can see that I have got to adjust some of the centre spar sections to make them line up more accurately.....grrrr.

However the span of the upper uncovered wing half matches the covered lower wing half on the same side of the model. I have also checked that the strut holes in the covered parts of the wings align accurately with the exposed spars on the opposing wing: at least I have managed to get that right! Now the struts should line up vertically from the sides and front as per the original machines.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52519797318_34791c8653_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2o1ZFYS)

This project seemed to be badly stalled but it is truly under way again: making the Albatros at the same time has really helped restore my mojo. Must remember that in future ..... keep to God's Own Scale and all is (usually) well.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on November 24, 2022, 08:28:28 AM
Another great update Stephen, I can well understand drilling all those holes in the spar sections being utterly tedious but the end result will be well worth it. All the time spent ensuring the wing symmetry and alignment will really pay dividends when it comes time to do the major assembly.  So glad this is not on the back-burner, it's all looking very impressive.

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on November 24, 2022, 11:01:11 PM
Good to see you on the go with this one again, Steve -

Love the instrument panel and feel for you with all pre-drilling .......

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on November 25, 2022, 07:53:58 AM
I can only echo Dave and Richie's sentiments, Stephen: it's always a joy to see your latest update and this is no different. The wings alone are works of art!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: FAf on December 03, 2022, 04:42:57 AM
I'll echo Zac's echo of Dave and Richie

I can only echo Dave and Richie's sentiments, Stephen: it's always a joy to see your latest update and this is no different. The wings alone are works of art!

Brilliant work!
/Fredrik
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on December 03, 2022, 08:40:09 PM
Great progress Stephen, all that drilling certainly pays of, it looks great!

I hope you shoulder will not trouble you too much anymore

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on December 15, 2022, 05:43:27 AM
Another Amazing build Stephen! The work on getting the formers and spars done in the wing is incredible!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on January 17, 2023, 08:34:54 PM
Evening All,

Thank you all for the generous and encouraging comments - I really do appreciate them.

Now that the Albatros is finished I have been turning my attention to the BE 2a again. I intend to show part of the structure of the aircraft so I have bought a set of wire wheels from Gaspatch, but I will also need a covered wheel disc for one side of the model. I made the disc from laminated card: first scribe the outline of the disc on to the card:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632668849_4524a5b3e5_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obYbKK)

The cross marks the centre of the circle of the disc and was used to place one leg of the dividers which I used for scribing. The I cut away the edges of the card to get as close to the scribed circle as practical:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632896153_ff0fcac068_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obZmjM)

and filing completed the job.

The fabric covered part of the horizontal tail surfaces were made from 30 thou card which had been filed to shape and ribs added and sanded as described for the wings. The exposed half of the surfaces were made from 25 thou rod and 20 x 30 thou card. The rod was bent and held in place over a plan using pins and a block of balsa wood as a base:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632853940_3df6785a1a_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obZ8LY)

Liquid cement holds everything together. The exposed elevator was constructed in the same way:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632413471_9a80660951_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obWSQF)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632668369_e268a21ac2_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obYbBt)

The upper wing which is represented as fabric covered was painted with my usual mix of thinned white and Revell beige(314) acrylics and as per usual took many coats before I achieved a good finish. The fabric covered parts of the tail surfaces and wheel disc were painted at the same time. Painting the wood parts of the exposed wings and tail structures was a little more difficult because I could not match very well the colour that I had mixed for the fuselage frame. (Note to myself: write down the ratios of colours used next time!) Eventually I found something close to the original:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632895568_fe407f0dcb_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obZm9G)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632895483_d9b9a47d71_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obZm8e)

The wire frame of the tail surfaces will be painted black later, as will the frame and ribs of the rudder.

The rudder was cut from 20 thou card and the ribs on one side added as described above, only this time I used 10 x 20 strip for the ribs on the fabric covered side. I painted the aircraft number in black on both sides of the rudder, but reversed the number on the side which will represent the uncovered portion on the finished model. I carefully brushed 4 thin coats of paint over the revered numerals to give the impression of looking through fabric to see the number.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632667999_ccfaf4ba39_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obYbv6)

Finally I added the internal rigging for the wings and was pleased to be able to secure two threads on the top wing which have benn dangling and causing frustration for a while now:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52632853565_38321fae19_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2obZ8Ev)

Now at last I can return to construction and start to add some of the fuselage internal details and clear away some parts which have been stored in a box to keep them safe from accidental damage. More later.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on January 18, 2023, 07:43:12 AM
Excellent work Stephen, superb detail as always.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on January 18, 2023, 08:10:54 AM
Excellent update full of masterly old fashioned modelling skills. I count matching the original CDL colour after not writing down the mix ratio as being one of them. ;)

It's so good to see this underway again and I am so looking forward to seeing the interior details added.

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: PJ Fisher on January 18, 2023, 08:37:02 AM
Oh, looks like you're modeling Samson's plane (serial #50).  From what I understand he flew the heck outta that thing!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: FAf on January 18, 2023, 04:58:04 PM
Great work! I am very impressed by the neatness of your work. Not a thing out of place!
/Fredrik
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on January 19, 2023, 05:28:05 AM
Thank you gentlemen for the very kind comments: they are much appreciated.

Yes I am modelling Samson's machine. I am going to depict it as it was in March/April 1914 at Eastchurch, (which is close to me and now has a small museum), and therefore in pre-war markings ie only the number on the rudder. He flew the machine until December 1915, flying a lot of hours in the Mediterranean theatre. It was depicted on the cover and main picture in the old Profile No 133 - see my opening page of this thread. I will provide more details when it is finished and I publish photos of the completed model.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on January 23, 2023, 10:03:38 AM
That is some absolutely incredible Od School Modeling!! Lovely results all around!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Borsos on January 24, 2023, 07:25:41 AM
Very very cool! I am absolutely impressed by such a scratch building talent.
Andreas
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on January 28, 2023, 06:47:14 PM
Excellent results on wings with the tension wires and rudder Stephen. This is top notch scratch building!

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on February 04, 2023, 09:20:03 AM
Evening All,

Thank you Rick, Andreas and Willem for the very kind comments - they are much appreciated.

Recently I have been working on the fuselage innards and engine - all fiddly and time consuming but not particularly difficult, but I hope the results will be worth looking at. I will describe in detail what I have done so that readers will see that most steps were relatively simple.

The controls and cables were the first items to add to the fuselage. I started with the rudder bar and the control cables which run the length of the fuselage: the cables are EZ line and were threaded through the rudder bar. View from front:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667729015_89c9ddf500_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of4SVn)

and rear:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667796153_7377c8b73b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of5dSV)

Next in was the control column and rod actuator:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667796118_593b9f31a7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of5dSj)

The elevator cables run rearwards from the cockpit: at the front end of the actuator rod there is a rounded piece - that was a mechanism which pulled on the wing wires which caused the outer trailing edges of the wings to flex as ailerons were not fitted to these early machines. Later I will add two springs, one on each side of the control column: they were to help the pilot keep the control column upright in level flight. The pilot's seat was next. I had added the lap belts and had glued the seat to a wooden frame (made from plastic strip). The seat frame was suspended by wires to the corners of the fuselage uprights and longerons:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667581684_8be2bb5d2b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of488b)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667796048_aaef501ff5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of5dR7)

The wires on the model are part EZ line and part monofilament thread. The observer sat over the main fuel tank and had a board to rest his feet on: the latter was made from wood and CA'd into place first, followed by the fuel tank:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667581604_bc6375141f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of486N)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667567514_ade104cf0f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of43US)

The observer's seat followed and this too was suspended by wires. In this case I simply glued the seat frame to the top of the fuel tank and used monofilament thread for the support wires:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667714720_1b254f7143_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of4NEU)

The fuel pipe and throttle control from the pilot's cockpit were made from thin rod and wire respectively. These were bent to shape and fixed to the carburetor which was located on the cross member just behind the engine:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52666783332_b8b9b6fc51_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oeZ2Nu)

I took some time deciding the order of construction for these sub-assemblies and considered that completing the engine would be a sensible next stage. First I drilled lots of holes into the cylinders to take the additional details, and then added the engine back plate (with holes for the inlet pipes from the carburetor), and spark plugs:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667277021_7abcba2245_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of2yyn)

I put in the inlet pipes after I had painted them but forgot to take a photo of that stage. The ignition wires from the magneto to the spark plugs were made from thin copper wire. The exhaust valve gear was very prominent on these engines so I had to make up some valve springs. I tried using what I thought was thin copper wire but when I tried them on the model I decided that they were out of scale so I made some more from 44 SWG wire. The difference in size of the two attempts can be seen here:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667567419_d70c2bfd23_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of43Te)

The springs were made by twisting the copper wire around a thin guitar string and cutting the guitar wire slightly longer than the spring: this left a short pice to CA into the top of the engine cylinder. The wire of the spring was trimmed with a knife before I added the springs to the model. The tappets were cut from guitar wire and CA'd on to the sides of the cylinder tops, and the rocker post and arm were cut from rod and cemented in place. The results were not quite as tidy as I had wished, but they pass the one foot rule so that is good enough. Finally I added the exhaust outlet pipes to the heads of the cylinders and the larger horizontal pipes to the outlets:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52666783212_7d7b10a95e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oeZ2Lq)

Apart from some touching in of the inlet pipes at the rear of the engine, and adding the flywheel this sub-assembly is now ready to be fixed to the model. However I have decided that it will certainly be damaged if not knocked off completely while I continue with construction of the fuselage and upper wing, so the engine has been put on one side for the time being:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667714560_3b54cab3cd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of4NC9)[

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52667781983_1afcad6edd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2of59EB)

Now I will start working on adding the fuselage upper decking and horizontal tail unit and completing the control wires to the rear.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on February 05, 2023, 04:28:26 AM
Brilliant work on constructing this engine, Steve -

I know you have been pondering on how to do this one for some time so you can breath a sigh of relief and move on to the next stage of the build.

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on February 07, 2023, 06:25:27 AM
Wow Stephen, I have been so excited to see your next update and you have not disappointed! The controls and cables look terrific. I keep looking at the use of real wood and wishing I had done the same.

The engine is a little scratch building masterpiece. That must have taken many hours, especially the research and planning stages. Definitely time well spent, it is the work of a seasoned campaigner on top of his game.

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on February 07, 2023, 09:29:14 PM
Incredible detailing work on the engine Stephen, more so because it is so small!

It only make me more curious to your next post, and I know we will not be disappointed.

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Borsos on February 08, 2023, 03:55:45 AM
Absolutely first rate what goes on here!
Andreas
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on February 08, 2023, 06:26:27 AM
Beautiful work. I'm always excited to see your latest updates.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on February 26, 2023, 08:49:01 AM
Evening All,

Thank you Dave, Richie, Willem, Andreas and Zac for dropping by and leaving encouraging comments: all are much appreciated.

Progress has been slow but I am nearly ready to start detailed planning for mounting the top wing. In the meantime more details have been added to the fuselage frame.

The fuselage was made of a conventional (for the time), wire braced box structure so I have had to add the rigging to the sides as this will be very visible:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52710905431_7942f62d1c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oiTaLk)

There were longerons along the cockpit sides - these were added from 20 x 30 thou plastic strip after the rigging was complete. The rear fuselage side bays were wood covered - small pieces of marquetry were cut and CA'd in place to represent the wood:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52711322495_abdecf9e38_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oiViK6)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52711165564_cb255179c8_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oiUv6o)

When I was rigging the sides I found that I had somehow managed to tangle the control cables in the rear fuselage which meant drawing one of the elevator threads out of its brass ferrule, untangling it and re-inserting. Later I had to adjust the lower elevator cables: much interesting language was used to help relieve stress during those protracted operations......

The undercarriage skids were made from two narrow strips of marquetry wood with a third short strip at the rear end. These were allowed to dry overnight and then sanded and filed to shape:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52711390560_a9e8a47e14_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oiVDYC)

Sometimes it is nice to make a simple and quick piece and have something to show for the effort in a short time.

I have placed the engine on the nose just to see what it will look like when the model is finished and to help get the correct dimensions for the various pieces of the exhaust system:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52711383838_1f1659b237_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oiVBYJ)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52711322405_742e55385c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oiViHx)

Next I will mount the upper fuselage decking betweeen the pilot and observer and drill the slots for the cabane struts. Hopefully the model will then be ready to take on the upper wing.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on February 26, 2023, 10:05:25 AM
Progress may be slow but it is getting close to the finish line and looking great. You have matched the wood colour on painted brass frame perfectly with the real wood. The engine has a real wow factor, I like it more every time I see it. Especially as I see it resting in place here. Looking forward to seeing the top wing mounted.

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on February 26, 2023, 08:30:47 PM
I agree with Richie, Steve -

Seeing thing in place now I'm starting to get a sense of what this machine will look like. 

Also, feel your pain regarding the tangled cables - and know what you mean by the 'interesting language'!!

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on February 28, 2023, 07:52:18 AM
Any progress is good progress, and this is great progress! I'm sorry to hear about your troubles but very glad you persevered.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on March 06, 2023, 06:23:00 AM
Evening All

Thanks Riche, Dave and Zac for dropping by - your kind comments are much appreciated.

I wanted to drill the upper fuselage decking so that I could insert the cabane struts later, but when I started to work on the wood it split.... It had dried out since I steamed it to shape (see earlier post), and I was unsure what to do. I tried twice to cut and start to shape a new piece of wood but they split as well, so I decided to do what I had intended to do after I had originally made the piece - I put in a piece of 10 thou clear acetate and glued the two halves together. I was then able to drill the holes for the struts using a new drill bit and a fine round file. I also reduced the size of the struts where they entered the holes to keep the holes as small as possible. Two very narrow strips of wood were CA'd to the top of the fuselage frame and the decking CA'd to the wood strips and frame.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727968225_f0e9ed00bf_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okoBWr)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52728031678_fd668bc4b8_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okoWNs)

  And then I realised that I had not put in the instrument board......aaaaarrrrrggggghhhh! After a lot of filing and fiddling I managed to get the board into place under the decking: it cannot be seen very clearly which is just as well as it is not quite in the correct place, but as they say in scratch building, close enough is good enough, (especially when it is partially obscured!)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727029897_fedb0b0fd0_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okiP1n)

   Adding the top wing is probably the most trying part of building biplanes in any scale, and with a model as large as this one, jigs are necessary. The model also needs to be stable while fitting struts and wings, so I dug out my old jig which I had used previously for my Gunbus and D. H. 1A: a board with three nails in it. The spar on the exposed lower wing can be slotted over the nails and a third nail used to lock the leading edge of the covered wing: the model was then rigid and stable. Two card jigs were cut to support the upper wing while struts were put into place. The struts were made from two laminated sheets of marquetry wood: individual struts were cut as strips and then shaped with a file and glass paper:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52728380220_9d01ea9fee_5k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okqJpN)

    I am using the same sheet of wood for all of the wood parts on this model which is why I was concerned about the upper decking on the fuselage: I have a relatively limited supply left and I still have to cut the fuselage frame pieces behind the pilot's cockpit.

   One end of the struts was drilled so that I could insert a thin wire to fit into holes drilled in the solid parts of the wings: the other end was CA'd straight on to the exposed ribs. I put the four outer struts in first to create a stable structure:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727029852_e86391dd26_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okiNZA)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727555106_f996d50abd_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okmv8G)

The inner wing struts made the structure stronger and more stable, and finally the cabanes were fixed to complete the strut work:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727555091_4097aa1f9d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okmv8r)

   There were lots of threads sticking/hanging from the wings so these were sorted out and the wing rigging and warping wires put into place and the ends trimmed. I had made life a bit easier by wherever possible attaching one end into the covered wing sections - it meant that those ends were firmly anchored and all I had to do was attach the opposite end to the relevant part of the exposed wing. The pulleys for the warping wires had already been put into place. (This aircraft, like many early types, did not have ailerons but used a technique called wing warping. The outer trailing edges of the main planes were distorted using wires attached to the control column. This meant that there was no fore-aft bracing between the wing struts and no lateral bracing in the rear outer strut bays). Having fixed the strut and control threads there still remain many drag wires hanging from the wings...but at least there are fewer loose ends than previously.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727809749_8a496d6751_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oknNQ6)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727555016_92009d2279_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okmv79)

   The horizontal tail stabilizer and bracing struts were added to the rear fuselage. This was a simple exercise in applying CA and holding in place while it set, followed by two pieces of 25 thou rod to represent the underside bracing:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52728031703_691acc98d1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okoWNT)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52728031648_e0736a57c1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okoWMW)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52727555001_ddd499f159_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2okmv6T)

The next stage will involve fixing the engine and exhaust pipes and the undercarriage.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on March 06, 2023, 09:16:50 AM
Another fantastic update from the master! Great save on the cockpit coaming, gluing  acetate sheet underneath should help make it more stable under varying temperatures and humidities.

Another great save getting the instrument panel in too, close enough is definitely good enough and nobody would even notice if it is a little out of place. I certainly hope so anyway because mine is in the wrong place too!

I love that wing assembly jig. I have been contemplating all manner of complex solutions but as you have shown it really does not need to be complicated.

Very much looking forward to seeing the engine mounted, not much oeft to do now!

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lcarroll on March 06, 2023, 12:18:30 PM
Stephen,
     I have been following your progress since you started this project almost three months ago, and am most impressed with your patience, skill, and improvisation as always with your Builds. I believe this Build Log could well provide a perfect example of "How to Scratch Build a model aeroplane", this is really great content and a wonderful  tutorial ! I'll also add that many of the techniques and valuable tips that can be found in your work here are of great benefit to those of us that build Kits as opposed to those who prefer the rewards of the Scratch Build art form.
    Great work, and many thanks for sharing your knowledge here ....... wonderful stuff!
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on March 06, 2023, 06:16:21 PM
Stephen,

I reread your complete build log for the 3rd or 4th time, only now realizing what Lance put into words. This is a perfect example of "How to Scratch Build a model aeroplane".

I learn something from every update you post and I secretly I take notes of everything that looks remotely usable for my own project. And there is a lot.

Great work again and I see the finish line is near.

I wonder if you have already been thinking what to build next…

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on March 06, 2023, 09:55:04 PM
Nearly missed this latest update, Steve -

This is really 'taking off' now and you seem to be 'flying along' ........   Sorry mate, could not resist that with my mad humour!!

Really excellent work all round and also agree with Lance's comments on your build - impressive work

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on March 07, 2023, 03:00:40 AM
Richie, Lance, Willem. Dave: thank you very much for the very generous comments - I really do appreciate them.

Lance: I have written before that when I joined this forum I considered that my models were pretty run-of-the-mill and looked on in awe of some of the models presented on this site, not least from Des. I still look on in awe of other modellers work here, but I am really pleased that I am able to offer some ideas and tips on how scratch build, because it really is not as difficult as some think. I used to think that scratch building was well beyond me too, but I hope that by showing others that simple, basic techniques is all that is required will encourage others to have a try. If they do then my contributions to this site will have been worthwhile and I will have given something back to a community who have given so much to me - not least the confidence to keep trying new things.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on March 07, 2023, 07:39:40 AM
Lance sums up my feelings rather well, too. I read each update thoroughly and really enjoy seeing the attendant photos. It's wonderful to see each step in such detail.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on March 07, 2023, 08:12:08 AM
Stephen, your contribution to this site has certainly been incredibly worthwhile. I am surely not the only one who has been inspired by the your craft to have a bash at scratch building. Without your encouragement, advice and inspiration I would still be dreaming that one day I would like to try to make something from scratch.

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Borsos on March 07, 2023, 10:28:33 PM
What a great step forward. It looks quite close to the end now. And it doesn’t stop looking amazing!
Andreas
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: kensar on March 14, 2023, 10:12:14 PM
Hello Stephen.  Its been awhile since I looked in on this thread and I must say I'm quite impressed with your perseverance and motivation for this build.  It's quite impressive, scratch building all the major parts, including the engine - something I haven't done yet.  I would like to encourage you to keep going, as the finished product will be very impressive!
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on March 21, 2023, 06:49:04 AM
Evening All,

Thanks Zac, Richie, Andreas and Ken for your kind comments - as always I very much appreciate them. I can assure you Ken that scratch building inline engines is relatively simple once the details have been properly examined. I am not too sure about rotary engines as they present rather different issues but I do think that in theory at least they should be relatively straightforward. I have made both in God's Own Scale and they were not too difficult.

The gravity tank in these machines was placed on a bracket in front of the observer - I represented this with laminated card and made the brackets from 20 x 30 strip:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52748263110_94713ffd6b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2onbCUf)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52747325242_bebb7391b3_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2on6Q77)

I made the exhaust pipes in sections from 30 thou rod with 60 thou rod filed to shape to represent the silencers. A heater box was attached to one of the pipes to direct the exhaust gases to the carburetor to stop the latter from icing. The heater box was made from 80 thou card filed to shape and a heater pipe added to the rear of the box:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52747852056_9e3376318d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2on9wH7)

The image above also shows the propellor hub, which when painted black was added to the propellor:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52747325192_62f97509e4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2on6Q6f)

The exhaust pipes were assembled and painted and added to the ends of the manifolds on the engine and fixed to pieces of rod under the fuselage:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52747851956_dd39ab398b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2on9wFo)

I made control horns for the rudder and elevators from scrap wood left over from other parts of the build. Here one has been fitted to the rudder:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52748344418_cbca16b84d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2onc457)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52748097294_3ba6904d4d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2onaMBm)

The undercarriage consisted of two skids (to protect the propellor in case of a heavy landing),  and supporting struts. All of these were made from wood and varnished, and the axle was made from brass rod. The axle was CA'd to the skids and the bungy cords represented with thread:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52748263230_87f77f7832_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2onbCWj)

I drilled the ends of the struts and inserted thin wire to strengthen the joints: the legs were CA'd into place starting with the front and rear struts on both sides, followed by the centre struts:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52748263150_2d1918df9f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2onbCUW)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52747851896_274610ac60_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2on9wEm)

I rigged the undercarriage with a mixture of EZ line for the cross pieces on the front and middle struts, and monofilament thread for the remainder. The cross pieces had small rings in the centre so to represent them I used some small bezels from the HGW bezel set and attached the EZ line with CA:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52747324982_db7666e9be_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2on6Q2C)

I have started to put on the upper fuselage longeron structure. The bulkheads were cut from wood and varnished. Some of these had holes on the original aircraft while others were solid:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52747851806_d7e1aa1a6f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2on9wCN)

The remaining parts to add are the wing skids, wheels, tail control surfaces, tail skid and some rigging. I hope to be able to complete that shortly and show photos of the completed model in the next post.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on March 21, 2023, 07:03:19 AM
Magnificent Stephen, just magnificent! Your mini woodworking skills are amazing and the way you manipulate styrene into whatever shape you want is like witchcraft. Hugely inspiring!

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: DaveB on March 21, 2023, 07:49:48 PM
Steve -

This really is moving along beautifully now - good to see the positive progress and your work on this is top notch.

Looking forward to seeing this one completed soon

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on March 22, 2023, 05:49:55 AM
Truly exquisite work, Steve.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: FAf on March 23, 2023, 12:52:00 AM
Fantastic progress and level of detail. I really like the idea to use photo etch bezels for those small rings - one to keep stored for the future!

Cheers
Fredrik
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on March 26, 2023, 01:01:40 AM
Evening All,

Thank you Richie, Dave, Zac and Fredrik for your kind comments: as always I very much appreciate them.

I used thin strips of marquetry wood for the ribs behind the pilot's cockpit: I varnished them first to make them slightly more rigid. I also lightly sanded the cut edges to remove any small pieces which had not cut cleanly. The ribs were applied with superglue - centre first and then one side followed by the other:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52770534518_77d32e8c2d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2op9Mq3)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52770534528_2f1764c35d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2op9Mqd)

The tail skid was next. I had already made the pillar and supports so all I had to do was carve a skid from wood and make a spring from thin copper wire wrapped around another thin piece of wire, and superglue the parts into place:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52770301429_08815714c6_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2op8A8g)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52770042926_8be7ffbbfe_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2op7ghj)

I also fixed the wing skids while the model was inverted.

The elevators were straightforward to fit - some small holes and thin wire in the solid one to help hold it in place. The open structure was simply cemented in place. On both I had added wood horns before fixing to the model. The rigging was completed - the control wires to the elevators and the remaining anti-drag wires to the front and rear: that was a relief as it removed all but two of those dangling threads which seem to invariably get in the way. I was just thinking about adding the wheels and propellor when I noticed a major omission..... I had completely forgotten to add the leading edge riblets to the exposed wing structures!! This was a consequence of the fug which affected me when I was making the wings - I had lost concentration and was so relieved to be back working on the model at the time that these were overlooked. Fortunately they were easy to put into place and paint, but it could have been a much more serious an oh dear moment. They were made from 10 x 30 thou strip which had been curved by running them through the tip of a pair of tweezers:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52770457065_0a2002ffbf_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2op9ooD)

I drilled the tyres on the wheels to insert two small pieces of rod: these will be inserted into holes in the base on which the model will stand and stop it from moving about when the model is in transit around the house or on longer journeys. The wheels and propellor were put into place and now the model is finally finished......

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52770042876_d7b1ad187e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2op7ggs)

This one has been nearly 17 months in the making - a record for me when a model has not become a shelf queen, which this one so nearly did. Thanks to all who helped to keep up my spirits when I was making this and giving me the motivation to keep going.

There will be more photos and information on the type in the completed models gallery shortly.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: KiwiZac on March 26, 2023, 06:54:57 AM
We'll always have your back, Stephen  8)
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RichieW on March 26, 2023, 07:01:37 AM
Beautiful job Stephen, the stringers of the turtle deck are immaculately placed. I struggled to do that on my project so skinned them!

I'm very much looking forward to seeing more photos and hope to see it for real soon. It looks beautiful!

Richie
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Rookie on July 16, 2023, 11:04:10 PM
Awesome work Stephen. It is really nice to see that you incorporated so much wood in the model.

It gives a very realistic touch.

Willem
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: Davos522 on July 27, 2023, 11:16:00 AM
Just when I think I'm catching up with the posts on this forum another one comes along that I find I have to read from the get-go. And each time I find myself more and more in awe of the workmanship that you folks are capable of. Really looking forward to going back to the beginning on this one, the 2a has always been one of my favorites.

Congrats on finishing this project. It's amazing.

Dave V.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: kensar on July 27, 2023, 09:39:31 PM
Congratulations on finishing this project, Stephen.  Your use of wood really sets this one apart.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: macsporran on July 27, 2023, 11:14:26 PM
Wow Stephen, I hadn't checked in on this one for a while and it's certainly grown into a very impressive model. Can't wait to see more pics.
Sandy
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on July 29, 2023, 06:36:13 AM
Many thanks gentlemen for the very kind comments: they are much appreciated.

Stephen.
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: RAGIII on July 29, 2023, 11:39:58 PM
Great to see this Outstanding build finished! Impressive in all aspects!
RAGIII
Title: Re: 1/32 Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2a
Post by: lone modeller on July 31, 2023, 07:43:38 AM
Many thanks for the kind comment Rick.

Stephen.