forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Resin Kits => Topic started by: jessie_c on January 19, 2015, 12:41:51 PM

Title: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on January 19, 2015, 12:41:51 PM

The Caproni Ca.20 is the Grandfather of every single fighter aircraft in the world. Conceived in 1913, it didn't find favour with the Italian Government, who had decided that Caproni would build bomber aircraft rather than fighters. Relegated to the status of a one-off failure, the Ca.20 was saved from destruction by Giovanni Caproni himself, who stored it in a barn on the family farm for the next 85 years. In 1999 it was rescued from obscurity by the Museum of Flight in Seattle, who now have it on display. Except for its tires which were chewed by rodents, the Ca.20 is displayed as it was found.
 (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Caproni_Ca.20_Museum_of_Flight.jpg)

Spin Models do resin kits of obscure Great War aircraft, and this one is about as obscure as they get. The kit is very basic, as are the instructions. Beginning modellers need not apply.
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_1.jpg)
The contents of the kit rattle around in the box, but at least they're safely sealed into separate plastic pouches to keep the rather brittle thin resin parts from being damaged.
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_2.jpg)
The instructions, as mentioned, are pretty basic
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_3.jpg)
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_4.jpg)
This one is going to take some TLC to do properly. I really don't know how I'm going to get the propeller into the spinner. I'll likely need to cut off at least one blade (if not both) and then glue it back together once I've fed it into the spinner.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on January 19, 2015, 12:42:35 PM

I begin by giving the major parts a cleaning up. Careful sanding and carving is needed to avoid breaking the resin. Despite my caution, I managed to break one of the wing spars, so it was replaced by a piece of straight pin.
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_5.jpg)
The empennage
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_6.jpg)
Propeller and spinner
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_7.jpg)
It fits!
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_8.jpg)
I gave the interior a base coat of Tamiya Deck Tan to prepare it for the oil paint wood effect to come.
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_9.jpg)
Now to let that cure.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: RAGIII on January 19, 2015, 12:58:54 PM

Jesse,
Nice to see you posting another build. This one looks to be really interesting. You have made a terrific start!
RAGIII

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: Des on January 19, 2015, 01:23:11 PM

You have made a great start to a very obscure kit of a really unique aeroplane. What you have done so far is looking good, I will be following your build of this nice looking aircraft.

Des.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: rhallinger on January 19, 2015, 01:27:10 PM

Jessie:

I've always been fascinated by this aeroplane (and the fact that it ended up in Seattle!), and I'll be following your build with interest.  Great choice!

Regards,

Bob

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on January 19, 2015, 01:40:54 PM

Some burnt sienna oil paint for the first bit of the woodgrain paint
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_10.jpg)

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: Nigel Jackson on January 19, 2015, 04:49:00 PM

Thanks for being prepared to share this build with us, Jessie. It's obviously not for the faint-hearted, but you have made a  fine start.

Best wishes
Nigel

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: lcarroll on January 20, 2015, 01:15:12 AM

Jessie,
   When you say you'll build just about anything you're not kidding. :o Very obscure subject that's new to me, neat choice! Looks like a bit of work required to get good results, I'll be following your progress with interest!
Cheers,
Lance

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: RAGIII on January 20, 2015, 01:18:42 AM

Looking great so far Jesse!
RAGIII

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: coyotemagic on January 20, 2015, 04:58:52 AM

So great to see you back, Jessie, and with such a wonderful model in the works.  I like those crazy Spin kits in spite of their challenges.  I know you'll do a brilliant job on this one.
Cheers,
Bud

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: radio on January 20, 2015, 09:35:46 AM

Very great beginning of this kit Jessie.
Martin

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on January 26, 2015, 09:02:25 AM

Once the oils in the interior dried, I could get going on the building. It's a simple little model, but of course because of that there's so much potential for things to go wrong. I've got the first coat of paint on to see how it looks
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_11.jpg)
Does this make my tail look big?
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_12.jpg)
Where the engine will live
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_13.jpg)
No matter how much care you take with resin kits, it's inevitable that you'll hear that sad little *snap*. I test fit the wings to show how it will look, and the front left spar snapped off. I'll need to very carefully drill and replace it. However, the model is beginning to look like an airplane now
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_14.jpg)
And now those whirly-around bits what keep the pilot cool. Available photos show that the propeller tips were squared off, so I nipped them short, sanded and repainted.
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_15.jpg)

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: coyotemagic on January 26, 2015, 09:47:50 AM

Very nice update, Jessie.  She's shaping up beautifully.
Cheers,
Bud

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: Des on January 26, 2015, 09:59:25 AM

It is really starting to look like an aeropane now  Jessie, you are doing a geat job so far.

Des.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: RAGIII on January 26, 2015, 11:48:25 AM

Quote from: coyotemagic on January 26, 2015, 09:47:50 AM

Very nice update, Jessie.  She's shaping up beautifully.
Cheers,
Bud

I agree with my Amigo 100%
RAGIII

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: ermeio on January 27, 2015, 07:05:56 AM

Remarkable job, jessie.
I scratchbuilt the Ca 20  in 1/48 when the Spin model was still many years away.
Therefore I have a soft spot for this aircraft (my avatar :-) )
er me

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: radio on January 27, 2015, 10:12:46 PM

Very nice work and paint.
Martin

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on February 11, 2015, 03:55:39 PM

I've solved the wing spar problem with a couple of sections of aluminium tubing and some chopped-off pins. The wings get the pins
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_16.jpg)
While the fuselage gets the tubes
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_17.jpg)
There's evidence of recent filling visible
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_18.jpg)
This lower kingpost had more air bubble than pulley, so I sanded the offending ones off and replaced them with punched styrene discs. Of course, after having done that, I realised that it ought to have gone where I glued the other one and that one ought to be farther forward. Oops. Time for a little debonder or some judicious prying...
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_19.jpg)
If you squint, and pretend really hard, you just might convince yourself that there's an airplane somewhere in this picture
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_20.jpg)

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: RAGIII on February 13, 2015, 04:40:13 AM

Looks as though you are making great progress Jessie. I see the Airplane emerging  ;)
RAGIII

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: Des on February 13, 2015, 07:39:46 AM

Starting to look like an aeroplane now Jessie, the wing pins and  fuselage tubes will make for a very positive connection.

Des.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on February 15, 2015, 04:42:44 PM

Most of the preliminary work is done. I'll need to paint the undercarriage legs and other bits semi-gloss black and that will be the last of the painting to be done. Then assembly and rigging. Here's the fuselage as it strands
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_21.jpg)
And a look underneath
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_22.jpg)
Hanging together by friction isn't really a good idea
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_23.jpg)
But it's definitely looking much more like an airplane now
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_24.jpg)

The rigging on this one will be structural. Otherwise as can be seen, it'll sag.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: coyotemagic on February 15, 2015, 11:13:32 PM

Looking fantastic, Jessie!  She's gonna be a beauty.
Cheers,
Bud

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jamieg on February 16, 2015, 08:15:26 AM

That is shaping up very well.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: RAGIII on February 16, 2015, 02:07:59 PM

Looks awesome Jessie! Looking forward to the next steps.
RAGIII

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: Des on February 16, 2015, 02:48:49 PM

You are making excellent progress with this model Jessie, quite an attractive looking aeroplane.

Des.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: radio on February 19, 2015, 02:39:36 AM

Exellent work.
Martin

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on February 23, 2015, 10:25:26 AM

I spent much of the last week thinking through the rigging and how I was planning to get it attached. I finally decided to attach two of my twisted wire loops to the upper kingpost. Since taking these pictures, I've painted all the struttery semi-gloss black, but watching paint dry is boring so I haven't got any pictures of that.
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_25.jpg)
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_26.jpg)

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on February 23, 2015, 02:11:22 PM

Now the black is dry, and I've got the very first bits of rigging done, on the landing gear legs
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_27.jpg)
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_28.jpg)
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_29.jpg)

Looking closely at pictures of the spinner reveals that there aren't huge gaping square holes for the propeller to fit through. There are very close fitting covers instead, so I have to fill the gaping holes. First step is some gap filling superlue
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_30.jpg)

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: Nigel Jackson on February 23, 2015, 08:18:01 PM

This is such an interesting build to follow. Thanks for sharing it with us, Jessie.

Best wishes
Nigel

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: radio on February 26, 2015, 11:49:48 PM

Very beautiful work Jessie.
Martin

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: coyotemagic on February 27, 2015, 02:12:29 AM

Outstanding, Jessie!  She's coming together beautifully.
Cheers,
Bud

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on March 01, 2015, 01:48:03 PM

Winged and rigged
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_31.jpg)
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_32.jpg)

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: Des on March 01, 2015, 02:11:40 PM

My favorite part of building these early aircraft, the rigging, and you have done a superb job Jessie.

Des.

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: RAGIII on March 01, 2015, 05:53:31 PM

Jessie,
The rigging is outstanding! Really shaping up to be a great build!
RAGIII

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: coyotemagic on March 01, 2015, 11:46:55 PM

I agree with Des and Rick.  Great job, Jessie.
Cheers,
Bud

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: radio on March 02, 2015, 04:16:49 AM

Great work.
Martin

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on March 03, 2015, 04:38:26 PM

It's finished!
 (http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/photos/feature/4206/caproni_33.jpg)

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: RAGIII on March 04, 2015, 12:41:25 AM

Jessie, Very well done! A beautiful build of a very unusual Aircraft!
RAGIII

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: coyotemagic on March 04, 2015, 01:59:09 AM

Quote from: RAGIII on March 04, 2015, 12:41:25 AM

Jessie, Very well done! A beautiful build of a very unusual Aircraft!
RAGIII

Ditto my amigo's comments, Jessie!  What's next?
Cheers,
Bud

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: jessie_c on March 04, 2015, 02:49:24 AM

I think perhaps a Blue Max Halberstadt D.II

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: coyotemagic on March 04, 2015, 03:21:38 AM

Excellent choice, Jessie!  Another unique one.  Have it in my stash.  Might stick the Taurus Merc D.I in it.
Looking forward to your build log.
Cheers,
Bud

Title: Re: Spin Models Caproni Ca.20
Post by: radio on March 04, 2015, 03:24:17 AM

Very good work and paint.
Martin