forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: FAf on July 19, 2022, 04:20:47 AM
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I have had sort of a break from modelling for a while. There has been some very little activity from me here at the forum and even less activity at the desk, but a couple of weeks into the summer holidays there is a will/urge again to sit down and model. Feels good!
In April I attended the only modelling show there is close to me - 08 Open, hosted by IPMS Stockholm. Not a lot of WWI models there, but I managed to win a couple of classes and also the national title for aircraft models with my CSM Armstrong-Whitworth F.K.8. (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12539.msg234411#msg234411) So, I thought I'd stick to a winning concept and start building CSM's Caudron G.IV.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image254.jpg)
I think this model is slightly older than the F.K.8 and it's definitely a different kind of model with its gondola and enormous wingspan. And probably three times the rigging of the F.K.8.
I must confess to being a bit confused at the beginning of the build and that might have caused me some extra work when it comes to painting. I have painted a lot of wooden struts and the central gondola, but unfortunately no pictures of this. The instructions only give generic colour callouts and they say yellow for metal parts and "ecru" for the linen. Not really thinking alot about the ecru bit and probably ignoring what it says in the Windsock Datafile about the colouring, I ended up with nice yellow (Humbrol H74 linen) wooden and metal parts and nice looking, but very drab looking wings... Reading through Bertl's Morane-Saulnier (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13046.0) build (Thank you for your very informative posts!) I then decided to repaint all things fabric with a colour mix based on Gunze H318 Radome. That stage still lies before me.
On the way I did manage to test some things and feel more confident now that I can achieve the desired result again. The wings of the Caudron are quite thick towards the front and very thin, just a layer of linen really, towards the rear and this would suggest that light would shine through differently. I've never painted a wing before where light would shine through from above so I reread Mike Norris' posts on the BE2c, (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13001.0) (Thank you for you very informative and clear posts and PDF's!) including his PDF, on how to achieve the see through effect. Based on that I painted the bottom wings brown and then masked ribs (I ignored the wing spars, but as I'm doing this again now... if anyone thinks they should be visible too, just say so), painted white and then sprayed the different CDL colours I used in order to achieve different levels of see through. I was pleased with that. Now I just have to do it again...
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image266.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image269.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image270.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image271.jpg)
There is of course no light shining through when I'm holding it against the lamp. It's all paint! But interestingly enough one gets the feeling of light shining through a lot more if one holds it up against a light source. I suppose it tricks the brain somehow.
Cheers
Fredrik
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Congratulations on your prizes - very well deserved.
You are correct that the trailing edges of the Caudron G II and IV were a single sheet of linen: the forward sections were double as per a "normal" wing but the upper sheet on these machines was tucked under the rear spar of the wings. I assume that was intended to make the ailerons more responsive/lighter to handle?
Looking forward to seeing this one progress.
Stephen.
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(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image271.jpg)
There is of course no light shining through when I'm holding it against the lamp. It's all paint! But interestingly enough one gets the feeling of light shining through a lot more if one holds it up against a light source. I suppose it tricks the brain somehow.
Cheers
Fredrik
Quite frankly you had me convinced, Fredrik! Wow!!
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Fredrik, Your painting is Gorgeous. The booms are awesome and the Light shining through effect looks perfect!
RAGIII
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Smoke & mirrors or not, the wings look awesome Fredrik!
Willem
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yes, the wing is really awesome!
it had fooled me completely!
well done!
ciao
edo
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Love where this one is going Fredrick, glad to see you've got your mojo back
Getting the popcorn out and settling in . . . . ;D
Paul
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Thumbs up ! :)
Alexis
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Hi again!
Thank you for your interest and supportive comments Stephen, Zac, Rick, Edo, Paul and Alexis!
So, I wasn't really happy with the colour of the wings even if I did like the effect I had managed to achieve. To make a long story short, I repainted all of the fabric areas in a yellow beige tone and redid all of the masking to make the ribs show and the light effect again. It came out ok, but at some point in the build I had decided to glue the observers hatch (a nice little hole in the upper wing) shut, but despite several attempts to fill the seams and make it invisible it kept cracking to reveal the joins.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image294.jpg)
So yesterday I decided to strip all of the paint from the upper wing and make a proper attempt to close the hatch once and for all. That exercise ended with the top wing breaking into four (!) parts, i.e. one more than it was originally. It simply split along the joins and also in the middle where there is fairly little plastic to begin with. And the two parts for the observers hatch also fell out. So after having drilled and pinned the wing I now have a sturdy top wing and the option of leaving the obervers hatch open - which I'm leaning towards.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image295.jpg)
There would be two clear benefits with leaving the hatch open. First I wouldn't have to work hard to get a good fit and second there would be more visible of the interior of the crew compartment. In the two pictures below you can especially note the triangular wooden area towards the front. Instead of filling the seam and sanding, I made a solid piece out of plastic card. Much easier I think. There are other additions made to the interior - some wiring between the radio and telegraph key and the battery(?), seat belts are made from Tamiya tape and thin wire, the pilot's seat is built up with magic-sculp.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image286.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image287.jpg)
Apart from trying to get the top wing right I've also spent some time on the engine nacelles. The engine covers are quite thick, so I thinned the edges quite a bit.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image289.jpg)
The nacelles are fabric covered with metal covers/hatches covering the front end. There are photo etch pieces included apart from the bottom part. So I made two of those using tin from a food tray. Last picture shows the present state. Next will be some clear coat and a bit of weathering.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image291.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image292.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image293.jpg)
I also made a couple of things - a fail to come up with a term here - that will be added to the engines. I suppose they show that there is petrol flowing?! Made out of Albion Alloys brass tubing, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 mm bits, a piece of copper wire and some stretched clear sprue.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image288.jpg)
Last for this report. There are aluminium sheets under the engines and on top of the bottom wing. They also come as photo etch parts but they lacking a bit of detail. There should be a number of nails or bolts holding them to the wing and I added them by pressing a needle from the back to make a protusion that could pass for a nail head. You can see the painted version to the right, the unpainted nail heads on the left plate and the lack of them on the bottom of the left plate.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image290.jpg)
Moving forward I think... :)
/F
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The parts which you could not come up with a name for were oil drains from the nacelles. The engines were rotaries and continuously shed oil as they ran. This oil was sprayed into the cowlings and would have been pushed to the front and bottom of the cowlings - the pipes drained this oil away and dumped it below the wing so that it did not soak into the fabric. For the same reason the lower wing under the engines were covered in aluminium sheet - to protect the wing from the oil exhausted from the engines.
This is looking very convincing - I had no idea that there was an observer's hole in the upper wing when I made my model! Good recovery on the damaged wing though.
Stephen.
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Really Amazing work overall! I am glad you were able to fix the wing disaster...That would probably resulted in a Binned Model for Me :-[ The weathering on the engine pods is terrific as is your Interior work! Lovely added details and again, Terrific overall!
RAGIII
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I have to agree that you made a great work indeed!
the alu foil cover is a very nice addition too!
ciao
edo
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Bravo Fredrik! I'm quite astonished at the extra detail you're adding to this kit.
I highly recommend quitting the hobby. You're making some, if not most, of us look bad. Me for sure anyways. ;)
Stuart
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The devil is in the details , :)
Alexis
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The devil is in the details , :)
Alexis
True words.
I can absolutely confirm that.
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The parts which you could not come up with a name for were oil drains from the nacelles. The engines were rotaries and continuously shed oil as they ran. This oil was sprayed into the cowlings and would have been pushed to the front and bottom of the cowlings - the pipes drained this oil away and dumped it below the wing so that it did not soak into the fabric. For the same reason the lower wing under the engines were covered in aluminium sheet - to protect the wing from the oil exhausted from the engines.
This is looking very convincing - I had no idea that there was an observer's hole in the upper wing when I made my model! Good recovery on the damaged wing though.
Stephen.
Thanks for trying to explains things Stephen!
I was browsing through Taurus Models website and came across these things that I have fashioned for my build - pulsometers aparently. Used to show that oil is flowing as it should, if I understand things right. But, Stephen, I will add the other copper tubes that drain oil from the cowl and the engine nacelle. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.
The hole in the upper wing might have been a late addition.
/Fredrik
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Really Amazing work overall! I am glad you were able to fix the wing disaster...That would probably resulted in a Binned Model for Me :-[ The weathering on the engine pods is terrific as is your Interior work! Lovely added details and again, Terrific overall!
RAGIII
Thanks Rick!
I could very well have led to a binning, but it was actually quite easy to sort out. I'm sure you would have as well!
You know I wasn't happy with the colour on my wings and, after having looked at a few other builds and read you comment about ecru vs yellow periods, I am now quite pleased with what I have achieved. Pictures will come.
/Fredrik
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I have to agree that you made a great work indeed!
the alu foil cover is a very nice addition too!
ciao
edo
Bravo Fredrik! I'm quite astonished at the extra detail you're adding to this kit.
I highly recommend quitting the hobby. You're making some, if not most, of us look bad. Me for sure anyways. ;)
Stuart
The devil is in the details , :)
Alexis
Thanks for your comments Edo, Stuart, Alexis and Umlaufmotor (who reiterated Alexis statement).
Aluminium foil in different forms can be really useful, it's always useful to have a stash of aluminium foil trays at home (I've saved my wife a couple of times when she's needed them for baking).
Sorry, Stuart, no plans to quit. :)
Alexis and Umlaufmotor - you both prove this in your builds. I'll try to add more as we go along.
/Fredrik
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Moving forward...
I changed the colour on the wings again. The Windsock datafile says that some Caudrons were given a protective coat of yellow paint, but I couldn't really reconcile myself with what I had. So I changed to a more CDL approach with at yellow tinge. I did, however, keep the engine nacelles in their more yellow colour. I think it makes sense if they were treated differently due to oil and such and it makes for a nice contrast.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image296.jpg)
After finally being happy with the colour of the wing, it was time to add the French roundels. There is quite a lot of structure on these wings and that is not terribly good when you want to paint your markings using vinyl masks. As you see below, there is a strong tendency for the mask to lift and leave plenty of room for colour overspray. Luckily I had sheets of Tamiya masking tape that I could use to cut new masks and this material was much easier to manipulate around the structural features.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image297.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image298.jpg)
It's always a bit nervous when you're about to remove the masks.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image299.jpg)
But I didn't need to be. Almost perfect result!
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image300.jpg)
Looking at a couple of other builds of the G.IV, especially one by Xan at this very site, I decided to try and add some staining to the engine nacelles. But should castor oil be brownish of blackish? This is what it looks like right now and I could always change it.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image301.jpg)
Engine and crew compartment only placed on the wing for a quick check. I've decided to model a plane with the name Helen painted on. I made masks for that. I might have cheated a little bit when it comes to size, but no one will know... :)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image302.jpg)
And masks also had to be made for the engine cowlings. I've got a couple of good photos of "Helen" and from them it's quite clear that one should be left in its yellow paint and the other should probably be red. The photos show the "7" on the yellow cowling with its outline, there is no photo of the opposite side, so I guessed that the "7" should be white and that there wouldn't be and outline on that side.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image303.jpg)
This is where it stands right now. Rigging, and there is a lot of it, is just around the corner.
/Fredrik
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Looks really great @FAf
I like the two cowlings very much.
If you want to soften the yellow color a bit (but I would leave it like this), try fogging over with extremely diluted light sand color.
Servus
Bertl
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Fredrik, very realistic chipping and weathering!
Jörg
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Hey Fredrik , now that is looking very sharp !
Alexis
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it is a beauty!
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Really Awesome work Fredrik! I Love the colors as well as the weathering. As always the Painted markings look Fantastic!
RAGIII
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Thank you all for your comments and for looking in.
If you want to soften the yellow color a bit (but I would leave it like this), try fogging over with extremely diluted light sand color.
Servus
Bertl
Bertl - thought of doing that, but ended up being quite pleased with the colours as they are. It'll all be visible next time I write something here and hopefully to the liking of others too.
When I started this model I was a bit worn out and it seems to show in the build process, e.g. all those repaints of the wings. When I finally had come to a place where I was pleased with the colours I found the elevators in the box, still in the first colour version and needing a repaint.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image304.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image305.jpg)
Another repaint was done on the landing gear struts. I had already painted them blue, but with other metal parts being chipped I came to the conclusion that these struts also needed a chipping. So aluminium first and then a grey (could be RLM 75) and then blue again.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image306.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image307.jpg)
And the last thing before starting the assembly was to add decals to the rudders, but as I had decided to model a different machine than what's in the box I also had to make some modifications. Luckily there were spare numbers to allow an easy cut and replace operation. I can of course not be absolutely certain that all those other numbers and letters are 100% correct, but it looks good enough I think.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image308.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image309.jpg)(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image310.jpg)
Everything is now gloss coated and I'm just debating with myself whether I should give it an oilwash or not before final matt and satin coats...
/Fredrik
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@FAf
Everything looks pretty neat and good in my eyes Fredrik.
If I were you, I would first seal all decals with matt varnish and only then perform weathering/oilwash. I could imagine that otherwise at the edges of the decals (at the border where the carrier film rests on the plastic) edges remain visible through the oil paint.
Servus
Bertl
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Hi Bertl!
You're right of course about sealing the decals. I will do that.
But then I usually place my oil wash on a glossy surface. What are the the pros and cons of having a matte layer under the oil wash?
/Fredrik
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Hi Bertl!
You're right of course about sealing the decals. I will do that.
But then I usually place my oil wash on a glossy surface. What are the the pros and cons of having a matte layer under the oil wash?
/Fredrik
@FAf
Hi Fredrik,
With the glossy layer, the oil colors run a little easier (better) than with a layer with a matte clear coat.
You can seal with gloss varnish of course, perform the oil wash and apply matte varnish afterwards - but keep in mind that the fabric was usually sealed with a gloss varnish when the aircraft was new.
Of course, over time this became dull and somewhat weathered. In areas that came into contact with castor oil, the fabric should regain its oily sheen.
Considering the paint peeling on the two cowlings and the metal struts, I would only paint the oil-soaked fabric areas glossy. The rest then in matte and somewhat dirty/weathered.
On matte layer oil paint can sometimes form quite interesting stains, which is often very natural aging phenomenon.
On the wings of my Morane-Saulnier "Bullet" -built I applied the oilstains on a matte layer.
On the fuselage, on the other hand, I applied the oilstains on a glossy layer.
The reason - on the wings I also wanted to show the typical staining of Castor oil on fabric, which were dispersed by the airflow.
On the fuselage, however, fresh oil was distributed by the engine.
A lot of oil collects inside the engine cowling due to the rotation of the engine.
This oil is distributed by the propeller wind to the rear along the fuselage.
I can only give you the tip to try both once.
Servus
Bertl
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She is coming along wonderfully so far Fredrik ;)
Alexis
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Not dropped by lately Frederik, for reasons similar to yours when you started the model.
I am truly impressed with your wing cockades - very well done indeed. I also think that you have the correct shade for the oil stains - I would not change them. The wear on the cowlings is also excellent. My only regret is that I did not have the transfers for all of the markings that you have when I made my model some years ago - one of the disadvantages of scratch building.
Stephen.
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Hello again... So, I'm back at it after yet another brief pause from modelling. I don't know about you, but to me, although I find building relaxing, sitting down at the table actually requires me to be relaxed beforehand. So when work and other things speed up, I usually find it harder to sit down and model; hence the pause.
Some of you might remember from before that I've struggled a bit with this build. Not because of the kit, but probably because I haven't really had a clear focus and the main proof of this is the number of repaints done to this point. I think I wrote last time that I finally was happy with the colours... well, it's still in the same colours, but it took a while before I actually convinced myself not to repaint the wings again and that's probably another reason for the break from building. Yet another reason is the slightly daunting task of rigging this plane and getting a feel for where all those wires should go...
Anyway, getting started again meant adding the lacing to the wings. I broke a number of drill bits before I managed to get it done; the left wing slightly sloppier than the right wing. After this I added some Mr. Surfacer to hide the drill holes and blend everything in.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image314.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image315.jpg)
Then the crew gondola was attached to the bottom wing and the first few wires were attached in order to have them in place before adding the top wing and no longer being able to have the same access to the gondola.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image316.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image317.jpg)
The engines have quite a bit of rigging on them. Here I think I have added all of the wires that eventually will form the rigging of them.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image318.jpg)
The engine nacelles slot in quite easily in the PE-rigging points that come with the kit and then there is a bit of fiddly work to be able to thread and tighten and glue and cut everything. There are three cross braces like this for each nacelle and getting things correct on the side that faces the crew compartment is a bit scary. At least I've started and with a few more sessions I should be able to add the top wing and then move on to the tail section and so on... I might have to buy some more fishing line, I think...
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image319.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image320.jpg)
Cheers
Fredrik
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Hi Fredrik,
I missed this build up to now due to an extended break from the hobby but have just read through from the start. I really like the colour you have settled for. The weathering looks perfect too. I have a feeling you have another competition winner in the making here.
Richie
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Very good news that you have picked this up again. The finish and weathering, (especially the oil on the lower wings), is superb.
Rigging this model can be a challenge, and you are very wise to start before you add the top wing. However like most lattice tailed machines, provided that it is tackled systematically and in small stages, it is not too difficult - just fiddly. Things come together surprisingly quickly once started. I agree with Richie - this is a true winner in the making.
Stephen.
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Wow, really excellent modeling! The scratch details and weathering are amazing! And those oil pulsometers (those things you didn't know the name of sticking up out of the side of the nacelles) are so tiny - even in 1:32 scale, let alone 1:48.
If I can (someday) get my G3 (in 1:32 scale) to look half as good as this, I'll be very happy.
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If I can (someday) get my G3 (in 1:32 scale) to look half as good as this, I'll be very happy.
Same here!
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What can I say that hasn't already been said Fredrik? I think your work is outstanding and I am particularly in awe by the weathering.
Willem
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I really like the look of the holes and lacing you did on the wings. If you don't mind my asking, what size drill bits did you use and what size thread (mono?) did you use for the lacing. You've done a great job on this model.
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Thank you all for your comments Richie, Stephen, guitarfool, Zac, Willem and Big Sky Modeller! They are very much appreciated!
@Richie - I'm glad you approve of the final colour version. I'm thinking that the next model should have something simple as far as colours go... like PC10. 😉
Very good news that you have picked this up again. The finish and weathering, (especially the oil on the lower wings), is superb.
Rigging this model can be a challenge, and you are very wise to start before you add the top wing. However like most lattice tailed machines, provided that it is tackled systematically and in small stages, it is not too difficult - just fiddly. Things come together surprisingly quickly once started. I agree with Richie - this is a true winner in the making.
Stephen.
I thought of giving up, but decided against it and am also quite pleased with that decision. I've never actually weathered a model this much before... we'll see how it all fits together in the end. Right now I feel that parts might be overdone. As far as fiddly goes it feels like I'm just adding more and more wires right now. At least I think I've got all of them under control and know what wire goes where. The tail part feels scary, but, as you say, if I just do it methodically it'll probably go alright.
I really like the look of the holes and lacing you did on the wings. If you don't mind my asking, what size drill bits did you use and what size thread (mono?) did you use for the lacing. You've done a great job on this model.
I don't mind at all. Firstly, measure a bit more than me... On one side I simply drilled holes and eyeballed the distances, which led to different amounts of holes on the two sides and the fact that not all of them are facing eachother. Anyway, I'm pretty sure that I used a 0.3 mm HSS drill bit. I tried using karbide drill bits first, but broke several, probably because of hand drilling. The monofilament is 0.08 mm and they are laced like a shoe.
/Fredrik
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Your weathering looks extremely realistic!
Andreas
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Really nice. I anticipate each update and am taking notes for my own build someday…
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Thank you Andreas, I'm happy you like the weathering as it isn't my usual style and I'm feeling a little out of my comfort zone. And thank you Tim, take any notes you want and if you ever need references let me know. I've compiled quite a few from the web.
Progress is a little bit slow, or rather it takes a lot of time to do many things that doesn't really show well in an update, i.e. adding monofilament strands in preparation of rigging. Photo references are necessary to figure out where all of the rigging should go. CSM has included good rigging diagrams, but they aren't quite complete and leave question marks.
I've added the rest of the photo etched brackets on the bottom wing and the struts that go with them. Things are getting mighty fragile, but I didn't really dare add only the brackets. They have a tendency to come away without the extra strength added by the strut. Here is one example of why things are a bit slow... this is the wing warping mechanism, well part of it any way, and here there will be a number of control wires added as well as the structural wires to reinforce the wing.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image322.jpg)
And when you start to count the number of strands that will be added before the top wing comes on, you get to 49 on one half of the aircraft and I've probably missed a few in that count. So right now I have to navigate around lots of loose ends and fragile struts. But, one at the time and it'll be done all of a sudden... I hope.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image321.jpg)
Cheers
Fredrik
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Having lots of loose wires for rigging while the model is under construction is a real PTA. Have you consulted the DataFile on the G IV because that has good photographs and rigging diagrams in the drawings, and they are at 1/48 scale which would make them even more useful for you. Pm me if you do not have a copy.
What you have done so far looks very impressive indeed.
Stephen.
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We have a biplane!
Sorry for the late reply Stephen, but a massive thank you for reminding me of the Datafile. It made it a lot easier to interpret what's in the CSM booklet and all those photos of the real thing. I've now added all the wires I think I should add at this stage and came to the conclusion, this Friday evening with no prior planning of it, that I should add the top wing. Some tricky positioning of wing and struts and the need to apply down pressure on the centre portion of the top wing, but all in all it went quite smoothly. The kit is really well engineered! Good work CSM!
Below you see two attempts to capture all of the loose wires, as well as what it looks like right now. I'll leave the clamp in place until tomorrow and cross my fingers (although that will be tricky as I need them) when I release it.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image323.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image324.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image325.jpg)
/Fredrik
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That looks very promising indeed. You have a very good idea to thread groups of wires in those plastic tubes - one way at least of keeping some semblance of control over them! I am certain that the top wing will be well attached....and then you can attach many of those loose wires and slowly regain your sanity!
Stephen.
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So much rigging to keep control of! Line by line I know you'll get them all attached in your usual immaculate manner. It's good to see the top wing attached, you are well on your way with this one now. It's going to be a stunner.
Richie
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Promising?..looks scary as all 'ell to me!!!
Amazing work and progress.
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We have a biplane!
Sorry for the late reply Stephen, but a massive thank you for reminding me of the Datafile. It made it a lot easier to interpret what's in the CSM booklet and all those photos of the real thing. I've now added all the wires I think I should add at this stage and came to the conclusion, this Friday evening with no prior planning of it, that I should add the top wing. Some tricky positioning of wing and struts and the need to apply down pressure on the centre portion of the top wing, but all in all it went quite smoothly. The kit is really well engineered! Good work CSM!
Below you see two attempts to capture all of the loose wires, as well as what it looks like right now. I'll leave the clamp in place until tomorrow and cross my fingers (although that will be tricky as I need them) when I release it.
/Fredrik
If any help needed, do let me know
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I am hoping that CSM will produce a 1/48th scale version of their 1/32nd scale Caudron G.III.
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Thanks for your inputs - Stephen, Richie, Allan, Edgar and Berman. I am currently ticking off one strand of rigging at the time. Slowly regaining sanity, as pointed out by Stephen. I've started with the engine nacelles as they are somewhat tricky to get to once other parts of the rigging is in place. I also had to deal with the centre part of the top wing popping loose. But all in all everything seems to be under control right now. Not much to show though in terms of photos.
That looks very promising indeed. You have a very good idea to thread groups of wires in those plastic tubes - one way at least of keeping some semblance of control over them! I am certain that the top wing will be well attached....and then you can attach many of those loose wires and slowly regain your sanity!
Stephen.
The black tubes are heat shrink tubes. A trick borrowed from Bertl (Umlaufmotor). The idea was that they would keep things a little bit better under control, but mostly to allow me to paint the crew nacelle and not the already painted control wires.
Promising?..looks scary as all 'ell to me!!!
Amazing work and progress.
Absolutely! Scary as 'ell! :D But this is a very solid contstruction and with the top wing in place it's actually quite easy to handle.
If any help needed, do let me know
Hi Edgar! How nice of you to drop by and to offer assistance. I must say that I am very pleased with this kit and the instructions for it (as well as that of the F.K.8 which I built before this). I especially like the photoetched attachement points for the rigging!
I think I have everything under control right now, but I'll be sure to give you a shout if anything pops up.
I am hoping that CSM will produce a 1/48th scale version of their 1/32nd scale Caudron G.III.
Me too! Absolutely!
Cheers Fredrik - who's off to attach another strand of rigging
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I am hoping that CSM will produce a 1/48th scale version of their 1/32nd scale Caudron G.III.
And I am hoping that they will produce a 1/32 scale version of their Caudron G.IV ;D
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I just went through your build log. I must say that although you have hit some setbacks, your Caudron is looking superb! I Love your work to date!
RAGIII
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Thanks Rick!
I've been continuing the rigging procedure. One strand at the time and it's soon over...
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image330.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image331.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image332.jpg)
I'm sure many of you have made the same mistake, but I accidentally cut the wrong strand of monofilament. Nothing to do about it but to cut away the whole double wire installment and start again. At this point I also gave up on the effort to paint the monofilament before rigging with it. Most of the paint just got scraped off anyway and the model was covered in blue paint dust. I'll just paint the rigging last instead.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image333.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image334.jpg)
One unsolved problem is that some of the outermost struts won't sit quite right, they tend to be a bit bent. There should be another small supporting strut that might solve this, but the attachment point is really small and I'm not sure it'll be strong enough to be able to pull the larger strut into shape and hold it over time. I might try to drill and insert a metal rod of some sort. These struts will stay off for now.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image335.jpg)
And all of a sudden it was time to add the booms and landing gear struts. A bit fiddly, but, as with the rest of the model, everything fit really well and I managed to get it all straight.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image338.jpg)
But then I started rigging the tail end and probably pulled one line too taught and the whole tail end went to the right. Luckily there were more line to attach and I could pull everything back to the right position. It looks alright to me at least.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image339.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image340.jpg)
Take care and I hope all of you have a very Happy New Year!
/Fredrik
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You are doing an outstanding job on the complicated rigging of this beast Fredrik.
I also very much like the subdued colors and the weathering.
Cheers,
Willem
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You are doing an outstanding job on the complicated rigging of this beast Fredrik.
I also very much like the subdued colors and the weathering.
Cheers,
Willem
I agree wholeheartedly !! The rigging looks like it ranks with the DH2 and Fe2 :D
RAGIII
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Happy New Year Fredrik, it's good to see how you work your way slowly through the mass of rigging. I would find this an overwhelming plane to rig but I am learning much by following your progress.
Richie
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Thanks for your comments Willem, Rick and Richie!
@Richie - I too was a bit overwhelmed by the rigging, but one at the time does the trick! :)
It feels like I'm moving towards the very end now, knock on wood...
The overwhelming bit about the rigging was really before the rigging itself started, when I was trying to understand how many lines that had to go where. Once I got to the part where I could start attaching lines one at the time, it wasn't very different from other simpler builds. That said, there were some issues while rigging the tail end, such as where the different control wires should go in order not to interfere with one another.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image341.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image342.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image343.jpg)(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image344.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image354.jpg)
Some other small bits and pieces have been added...
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image345.jpg)(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image346.jpg)
Next up to sort out was the trailing antenna. I exchanged the kit's plastic part for a 1.0 mm brass tube earlier in the build. You can see the tube with its monofilament antenna wire in this first image.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image347.jpg)
This tube should also have supports, and they are not included in the kit at all (which isn't very strange really). I made those out of smaller brass tubing and aluminium foil from an IKEA tea light and stretched sprue to make the rivet attaching it all.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image348.jpg)(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image349.jpg)(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image350.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image351.jpg)
Once I've painted the supports and attached them to the antenna tube, I'll have to add this end bit to it.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image355.jpg)
I used the same materials to manufacture this - tea light aluminium, brass tubing of different diameters, a bit of 0.12 mm brass sheet and some stretched sprue for the rivet. The rivets out of stretched sprue turned out to be really good and you can close both ends without glue by carefully heating each end to make it curl into a bolt head.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image353.jpg)
Waiting for some paint and machine guns to show up before the end stages.
/Fredrik
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Wow! That is seriously insane craftsmanship. The rigging is one thing but that antenna is a whole new level. Outstanding!
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Superb Fredrik, I love those stretched sprue rivets. I have made a note of your method and will definitely be borrowing that one.Those tiny parts you cut out of tea light aluminium are so precise. You don't have a sideline as a watch maker do you?
Richie
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My head hurts from all that detail work!
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Amazing scratch built additions ! Your work is really paying off.!!
RAGIII
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My head hurts from all that detail work!
Yep Zac. I've just tuned into this thread and my head is spinning having read a few posts.
Absolutely stunning build 8)
Paul
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indeed! a true masterpiece!
ciao
edo
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Golly Fredrik,
What a thread (no pun intended) I think you need to see a rigging therapist! :o That’s so beyond my patience level…
I’m going to send you an Airfix Starter Set Spitfire to do next, it’s either that or rehab ;D
Guy
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Golly Fredrik,
What a thread (no pun intended) I think you need to see a rigging therapist! :o That’s so beyond my patience level…
I’m going to send you an Airfix Starter Set Spitfire to do next, it’s either that or rehab ;D
Guy
That is hilarious!!! :)
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Even a spider would get confused!
I almost get dizzy looking at these pictures and I admire your patience…
Cheers,
Willem
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I am hoping that CSM will produce a 1/48th scale version of their 1/32nd scale Caudron G.III.
And I am hoping that CSM will produce a 1/32Th scale version of their 1/48nd scale Caudron G.IV.....
;D
Willem
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It probably nearly killed me... but it's nearly finished now.
I should probably place a post under 'How's it going' for a full therapy session. The short version is that I lost all my strength and modelling mojo and part of the reason was probably that my painting struggles on this model continously ate away at my feeling of success/good work/ok modelling. Enough wining, spring is on its way and the model is nearly done.
EDIT: I obviously meant enough whining, not wining... 🤪 and I feel I need to add that I'm quite happy with my paintwork, as long as one is about 50 cm or more away from it. END EDIT
Thanks to all of you who took your time to comment. Very much appreciated!
Here are some final in progress pictures. It still lacks propellers, but they are on their way.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image356.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image357.jpg)(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image358.jpg)
When all the rigging was complete there were a number of other details that needed to be completed - machine guns, generator for the wireless, antenna wire and weight and probably some more things... One such other thing was the oil drainage pipes from the engine and engine cowlings (at least that's what I suppose they are). They look like this in reality.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image359.jpg)
And this is how they came out for me.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image361.jpg)(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image362.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image363.jpg)
Machine guns from Gaspatch. Needed just the attachement points.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image370.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image371.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image373.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image372.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image378.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image383.jpg)
And the weight at the end of the trailing antenna wire in progress. It's simply a blob of white glue and with no weight in it I needed to stretch the monofilament in the right direction and then superglue it.
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image375.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image374.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image381.jpg)
Propellers and then done!
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image377.jpg)
/Fredrik
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Blimey Fredrik!
I am not worthy and I prostrate myself before you..
Fabulous work indeed, but you surely must need a lie down in a darkened room after that!
Keep up the splendid work…
Guy
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Truly remarkable work, Fredrik! I empathise with you as I often lose my modelling mojo but I don't recover to the standard you do - wow!
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I think this is an owesome build!
A true masterpiece!
Hat off, Sir!
ciao
edo
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Breathtaking. Nothing else.
This is a true masterpiece.
Andreas
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I think you are being way too hard on yourself Fredrik.
If I could paint a model like you did your Caudron, I would be over the moon. When I zoom in on the photos you posted, I really don't know what you are talking about.
This is a great model in all aspects.
Exactly like Andreas and Edo said: a masterpiece!
Willem
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I agree with Willem, you are being far too hard on yourself. Once it has been finished for a month or so you will look at it fresh eyes and see what we can see. A magnificent model of a very quirky machine that has been painted and weathered to an incredible standard . I think it is superb and would be thrilled if I had made it.
Richie
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Thanks for your input Guy, Zac, Edo, Andreas, Willem and Richie. It's good to hear you like it and Richie's idea to wait a month or so before passing judgement is a sound one.
If I should try and explain what went wrong and that is still in my mind, we have to go back to July or August when I changed the colour on the wings for the last time. Or so I thought... The colour changes were alright, but when I was to clear coat them I used a laquer varnish from Hataka and (as always it was probably me and not the product) the entire layer of varnish tore apart leaving wide and deep, really deep cracks (but much wider) all over the top and bottom wings. This forced me to redo the wing yet another time, but now it wasn't as easy to strip the paint fully. And so the result you see is good from a short distance, but not excellent when you're really close. But it is probably mostly in my head...
Last pictures!
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image386.jpg)
(https://almlof.eu/Copper%20State%20Models/Caudron%20G.IV%20Late/image387.jpg)
This is a very nice forum, in case you didn't know that already!
/Fredrik
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It really is excellent Fredrik!
I always go through the same process and want to put most of mine in the bin at the end.
I’ve got one in my cabinet that I thought I’d totally mucked up - tossed it aside - months later I look at it closely and can’t remember or see what I didn’t like about it…
Time is a great healer!
Guy
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Hi Frederik,
This is a stunning build - congratulations,
Mike
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It's absolutely beautiful! Even if you had problems with the clear coat and had to refinish the model it still looks great. When all the annoyance you felt after the paint cracking has died down you I think you will be very proud of your achievement. Especially for being so resolute and not abandoning the project when the paint cracked!
Richie
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Despite all your problems I see only a spectacular model!
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Same here, and spectacular is a great word for it!
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Bloody 'ell, Frederik! I'm getting an inferiority complex seeing your modelling skills. Amazing work.
Cheers
Syd
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Magnificent Frederik, you can take a second or more "bow" for a truly beautiful job on this one! Great job of rigging and the weathering is as good as it gets!
Cheers,
Lance
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So I take a bow and 'surrender' to the combined wisdom of you all! ☺️
Thank you for your comments, they are welcome and much appreciated!
There might be a topic in the completed section later, so that I can give proper credit to CSM for the construction of this model.
/F
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Truly stunning build. Can’t believe the details and realistic overall look. Just incredible, Fredrik.
Cheers,
Gary