forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Scratch builds => Topic started by: lone modeller on October 11, 2015, 04:51:27 AM
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Evening All,
I have been suffering from pusher withdrawal symptoms recently, so thought that perhaps I should build another one to satisfy the craving. It happens that a couple of years ago I found some references to the Otto Doppeldekker and that a vacuform kit was released by Formaplane in the 1990's which can be found sometimes. Then I found the IPMS WW1 SIG site and via this Steve Cox who has built a couple of the Formaplane models. However I wanted to scratch-build one because I happen to think that by the time I have cut out and sanded down all of the parts for a vacuform I might as well make the parts myself. The engine would have to be scratch-built in any case and as this is probably the most difficult part, I could see no reason for not giving this one a try. I needed some plans and Steve Cox very kindly sent me a copy of drawings that had originally appeared in the German magazine Flugsport: these are probably as good as any as this type seems to have passed through innumerable variations. It would seem that about 180 of these machines were built and Otto was obviously experimenting with the design. In any event I intend to use the Flugsport drawings and such photographic evidence as I can find. I suspect that the model will not be 100% accurate, but I defy anyone to tell me exactly what is wrong when it is finished.
I started as usual by making a mould for the fuselage nacelle and made the fuselage halves using the standard push-mould technique. The next step will be to add the interior details including the fuel tank which was in the rear of the nacelle behind the pilot.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4346/35641899344_40c2b7f97c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wiy3VW)
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
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The Otto is such an interesting subject, I've been tempted to try my hand at this one myself, but, alas, I'm too lazy. I'll savor it vicariously through you, Stephen.
Cheers,
Bud
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Stephen that will be the next great build from you. I will watch this thread.
Cheers
Martin
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Here's a link to some photos Stephen, I don't know if it is the same as the one you are building but it may give you some hints and tips to help you with your build.
http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=4325.0
Des.
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Looking forward to seeing you put this one together, Sir!
Great choice.
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I'll be following this one, that's for sure! I finally got hold of the vac one recently so I'll be looking for tips. Any chance you could email me those plans?
Ian
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The Otto is such an interesting subject, I've been tempted to try my hand at this one myself, but, alas, I'm too lazy. I'll savor it vicariously through you, Stephen.
Cheers,
Bud
Bud,
Go for it man! I remember well your Koster Hanover,no doubts about it you can handle any vacuform kit no matter the scale my old friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Stephen,
I am so looking forward to following this latest pusher project my old friend. Keep up the outstanding progress.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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i like this plane, a german pusher is a paradox as well.i have got some plans from cross and cockade i think and want to someday try one myself. will enjoy watching you.
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Thanks to all who dropped by and left such encouraging comments. They are all greatly appreciated.
Des: thanks for the links to Gunther's photos. I am aware of this version but I intend to go for a simpler one with a single rudder and a more conventional undercarriage with two wheels. Those interested should note the amount of steel tube in the structure, including the struts. Another replica that I have found has all of the fuselage framing in steel tube - I suspect that the two replicas were built from different plans/types. It certainly seems to have been a complex group of aircraft rather than a single type.
Jamo: one flew in East Africa (what is today Tanzania and south Kenya) between 1914 and 1916 in support of von Lettow Vorbeck and his army. Apparently the machine had been sent to South Africa (or more likely German South West Africa - now Namibia), to a private customer, but on the outbreak of war was transferred to the east and given to the army. There is at least one photograph of it which was taken during the war period - I will try to find a reference to it and post it.
IanB: if you send me an e-mail address I will try to send you a copy of the plans.
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Here you go, Sir....
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd447/vieuxhomme/Buechner_Flugzeug.jpg)
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Very many thanks Old Man - that is the photo that i was thinking of. I am not sure when or where it was taken except that it was post August 1914.
Stephen
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My fifteen cents...
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/92eb6204652d_zpsyjheq5ft.png) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/92eb6204652d_zpsyjheq5ft.png.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/Argus_4-Zylinder-2_zpslcred7ol.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/Argus_4-Zylinder-2_zpslcred7ol.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/Argus_4-Zylinder-_zps39jvakcg.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/Argus_4-Zylinder-_zps39jvakcg.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/1412241321_mercedes-ps-60-70-20090112_zpsozbghe4c.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/1412241321_mercedes-ps-60-70-20090112_zpsozbghe4c.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/a_Argus_1_zpsrnuzkkqn.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/a_Argus_1_zpsrnuzkkqn.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/dscf1311_zpsfqw5svvb.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/dscf1311_zpsfqw5svvb.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/dscf1413_zps33wixxvb.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/dscf1413_zps33wixxvb.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flugmotor_argus_typ_41_zpsjt2sdyz1.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flugmotor_argus_typ_41_zpsjt2sdyz1.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/argus%20as%201_zpswidng5zh.png) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/argus%20as%201_zpswidng5zh.png.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flugmotor_argus_typ_42_zpsdyd0cchg.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flugmotor_argus_typ_42_zpsdyd0cchg.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/argus_zpsbodh0puk.png) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/argus_zpsbodh0puk.png.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flugmotor_argus_typ_43_zpsxwmguydp.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flugmotor_argus_typ_43_zpsxwmguydp.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flugmotor_argus_typ_4_zpsfisybcnv.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flugmotor_argus_typ_4_zpsfisybcnv.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flugmotor_argus_typ_44_zpsmmutdodb.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flugmotor_argus_typ_44_zpsmmutdodb.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin244_zps34vj8jtu.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin244_zps34vj8jtu.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flugzeugsitze_02_zpsdj6vmzfu.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flugzeugsitze_02_zpsdj6vmzfu.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flugmotor_argus_typ_45_zpsljfqc0xr.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flugmotor_argus_typ_45_zpsljfqc0xr.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin245_zpsro8oxxe9.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin245_zpsro8oxxe9.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin251_zps1r6r4eqj.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin251_zps1r6r4eqj.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin247_zpsyj4bjyzd.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin247_zpsyj4bjyzd.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin252_zpstruradms.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin252_zpstruradms.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin253_zpsb5km4dzt.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin253_zpsb5km4dzt.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/Capture_zpsicubfxjt.png) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/Capture_zpsicubfxjt.png.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin260_zpsoxv1gvnp.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin260_zpsoxv1gvnp.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin261_zpsobv754jb.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin261_zpsobv754jb.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin266_zpsfvg32m7g.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin266_zpsfvg32m7g.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin264_zpsch10lass.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin264_zpsch10lass.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin254_zpsqtvvzqb5.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin254_zpsqtvvzqb5.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/flyin265_zps9ydmtcyw.jpg) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/flyin265_zps9ydmtcyw.jpg.html)
(http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah119/pustota/argus%201_zps3xd7ayln.png) (http://s1378.photobucket.com/user/pustota/media/argus%201_zps3xd7ayln.png.html)
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Thanks very much Pustota for all of these wonderful images, I'm sure that they will come in very useful to Stephen during his build. It is great to see an engine fitted to the museum aircraft, the photos I had showed the aircraft without an engine.
Des.
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Thank you SO much for those! That Argus is the same engine fitted to the Ilya Muromets so those pics will be very useful!
Ian
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Wow - what a collection of photos! These are in many ways better than the photos that I have already found but these show even more detail, especially the Argus engine. Note too the steel tube framework which was a characteristic of these machines.
Thank you so much for these - as Des has written this is a mine of information which I will be able to use in the build. I hope that anyone else who may contemplate building either a scratch build or the vacuform will also find these very helpful indeed.
In which museum is this replica displayed?
Stephen.
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i have liked this airframe for a while,its primitive elegance is very pleasing to the eye. the nacelle with the dragonish frame looks menacing as well. i have tryed to get my hands on a 1/72 vac but not knowing how detailed and correct they are i didnt want to pay too much.we shall see someday.
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I've had this one on my scratch build list for some time, it is a very nice looking aeroplane.
Des.
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i got the over the front issue with 3 view drawings somewhere.
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Des: I know that you have been considering building one of these because you have mentioned it in an earlier post. It would be truly wonderful if you did build one of these - I for one would be in the front row looking on if you did.
Scott: Formaplane made the vacuform as far as I am aware, but I do not know what the quality is. Others on this site may have samples and may be able to tell you more. It may also be that the kit represents a different version to the one which I intend to build.
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Evening All,
I have made a little progress with the build this week. I have put some detail into the fuselage: the framework was made from thin rod and a simple instrument panel added with a couple of dials. A compass was made from a thick piece of rod which was cut and mounted on the port side of the fuselage. The floor was 10 thou card. A control column, rudder bar and some seats completed the interior. A fuel tank was made from laminated card - this fits under the engine platform in the rear of the nacelle and was glued into place on a small piece of scrap to get it to the correct height.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/36080273870_9c38594243_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WYhQpq)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4339/36080276340_fb47c06b44_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WYhR91)
The next step will be to make the engine - i have made a start but do not have images at the moment as there is not much to show.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
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Wonderful work on the innards, Stephen!
Cheers,
Bud
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Wow, you are moving along quite quickly Stephen, what you have achieved so far has been very well done, great work on the interior.
Des.
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She's looking great Stephen! Did you get my messages re my email address?
Ian
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Stephen,
Outstanding work to date! Lovely work on the interior!
RAGIII
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Hi,
thanks a lot for sharing the photos. They are great! :D
And nice work so far.
Regards
Jörg
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Getting very much better with every update, Stephen.
Cheers
Martin
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looking the part.keep up the great work
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Great work as usual, Stephen. I always marvel at your speed, you must put in fairly long sessions at your work bench!
Cheers,
Lance
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Great work as usual, Stephen. I always marvel at your speed, you must put in fairly long sessions at your work bench!
Cheers,
Lance
Thank you for the supportive remark Lance. It happened that I was able to complete quite a lot of the project in a short time a couple of weeks ago……….. At the time I was able to spend quite a lot of time modelling, but of course since then I have not been able to spend much time at all!
Life is like that as I am sure you know already.
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Evening All,
As my last comment to Lance states, I have not been able to get much done recently, but what little I have achieved I am posting here. Basically it amounts to some work on the engine and bending some card from which I can cut the wings. The engine block was made from laminated card with smaller pieces to represent the bottom and rear of the block. The cylinders were cut from 60thou rod and I have drilled out holes for the inlet and outlet pipes.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4360/36080277330_20b1a90ce8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WYhRr5)
The engine has been painted in basic colours and I have started to measure and cut the external rods which will be on the sides of the cylinders - they are to be fitted next. Then I can start on the wings.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/35668914603_563ca4bfc9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WkWvCg)
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
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Stephan, Your scratch-building skills in 1/72 scale are truly remarkable, keep up the good work!
Pietro
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Wow great work.
Cheers
Martin
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Lovely work on the engine Stephen.
Des.
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This is coming along very nicely, Sir.
Great job on the motor.
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Your engine is coming along beautifully! Outstanding as always!
RAGIII
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Evening All,
First my sincere thanks to all of you who have made positive comments on the build so far. I really do appreciate them, especially at times like the present when I seem to start to get somewhere only to be distracted by events in life……. and there are more on the way later this week!
Back to the model. I made the wings from 30thou plastic card using an idea from Stevehed that was posted on another site. I took a length a length of plastic drain pipe which has the end sealed with a cap which I bought from my local DIY store. The pipe is approximately 12 inches (30 cm) long and has a diameter of approximately 5 inches (12.5cm). I place the card into the tube and hold it back against the side with a wooden stick. Then I pour in boiling water and hold the plastic in the water for about 10 seconds after which I pour the water away and take out the card. The card is suitably curved and lengths of flying surface can be marked on and then cut out in the usual way.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/35668915563_c11674b267_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WkWvUP)
The tail surfaces were cut from unbent card. The aerofoil section was achieved by filing and sanding the leading edges and heavily sanding towards the trailing edges. The trailing edge scallops were marked out in pencil before I shaped them with a round file. All surfaces had ribs added from 10 x 20 thou Evergreen strip which was sanded down when dry and then the sides smoothed a little with several coats of Humbrol white enamel.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/36431270816_a90f41b67d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviMyU)
The shape of the wings is as per the plans that I have - there were undoubtedly variations on this basic shape - just another feature of this particular type which makes building one a bit of a lottery to get the details right. However as I have written before I am concerned to have the basic shape right as I am not trying to build a model of a specific machine.
The top wing has a considerable span (about 8 inches - 25cm) and I am therefore concerned whether it will sag at the tips when it is mounted. I am reluctant to use laminated plastic sheet as that causes so much more work so I have tried a simple test to see what the likelihood of the wing sagging might be. I have held the wing at the points where the cabane struts will be located and was pleasantly surprised to see that there appears to be no sag at all - so I am hoping that this will follow through when I finally get to the point of putting the wing into place. I think that the curvature of the plastic may be imparting more strength than the plastic sheet would have it was flat. If it does not work there will be much gnashing of teeth and other unbiblical sounds which will not be spelled out here as this is a polite and friendly forum and I want to keep it that way…….
Now all I have to do is mount the lower wing and then put the booms on to both wings. These will be from florist's wire which I have used for similar booms with conversions of other pushers. However getting the alignments right is testing my ingenuity at the moment but I think that I may have solved the problem: the next post will reveal whether or not I have been successful.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
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Great work with the flying surfaces Stephen, I am intrigued with the technique you used and will give it a go. I have found that all of the wings I have made are still dead straight, none have sagged at all, the curve adds a great deal of strength. Looking forward to seeing more of this fantastic build.
Des.
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Lovely work Stephen. I have been thinking about scalloped wings recently and wondered if it might be possible to drill the plastic sheet with a large drillbit prior to cutting the wing out....... Let the bit do the work....I may try that sometime to see if it's feasible....
Ian
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That is one great leap o' the critter, Sir!
Looking forward to more.
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Thanks to all of you who have dropped by and left complimentary remarks. Coming from modellers with the skill that you all regularly demonstrate I greatly appreciate them.
Michael the value in real money of the coin that I use for a scale in my photographs is £1. A single Euro coin would be the same size (7/8 inch in real measurements or 13mm, diameter). I do not know how this would measure against a US coin.
I am really pleased that the idea of scratch building is growing on you. I have written elsewhere that you clearly have the skills to produce a masterpiece of museum standard first time - I just look forward to seeing it come together on this site - and hopefully before I see my next decadal birthday!
BTW I am an atheist by persuasion - my references to the Great Book reflect the fact that I attended Church of England controlled primary and secondary schools, so I was brought up in the protestant tradition, albeit by teachers who were very open minded and tolerant. I still retain a fascination for the text because it has played such an important part in the history and culture of Europe, (and of course North America too since the 17th century). However if you wish to continue to regard me as holier than thou I will not mind - probably because it is true?!!
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Beautiful work Stephen.
Cheers
Martin
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Stephen,
I agree with all of the others. Your wings and the technique used are awesome! Lovely build as always!
RAGIII
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the bird is taking shape, Stephen
I like it!
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Evening All,
Many thanks to all of you who have dropped by and left encouraging comments: as I have written in another thread it is in part through comments such as these that I have learned much and gained the confidence to tackle a model such as this one. However things have slowed right down recently as life has intervened between me and my modelling tray. (I work on a tray that was given to me by my mother when I started to make models as a pre-teenager. Sentiment or practicality? I am not sure which, but probably both).
One of the hold-ups has been that I had to remake the lower wings - I had misinterpreted the drawings and the ones I had made were too short…. B****r! So for those reading and pondering Jorg's current thread in the Time to Relax section and are wondering how some modellers seem to produce perfect models, there is a lesson for you…. we all make mistakes. But as Old Man has written, an advantage of scratch building is that you can always make another part. Still frustrating though.
I have also been thinking about how to assemble this one. Normally with pushers I tend to join the lower wings to the fuselage nacelle and then put the booms on the upper and lower wings and paint them. I then add the outer struts, top wing and rudder in a single move, but with this model I do not think that that will be practical because the engine has to be fitted on top of the rear of the nacelle between the wings. The engine sits on a platform and there is a large radiator at the front of the engine which means the method I have used in the past will not work. So. First I joined the lower wings to the fuselage and then added the booms which were made as usual from florists wire. The booms were fixed into shallow grooves which I had made in the tops of the wings with the tip of a small round file and were glued into place with epoxy resin. I also put in the two small horizontal struts at the rear of the booms from plastic rod and fixed these with superglue.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4411/36431273156_d5a82d86f7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviNgf)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4431/36431275456_0c8c2ac1d9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviNWU)
Now I painted the wings, fuselage, lower booms etc as per usual procedure in the past. The wing markings were home made on my computer, printed on waterside transfer paper, sealed with varnish and applied in the normal way.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/36431279226_75e0b91758_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviQ4U)
I have done some more work on the engine - added the inlet manifolds and the push rods which were mounted on the exterior of the engine cylinders. I intend to build the engine platform and mount the engine before I start trying to put the top wing on. The coin in the following image is £1.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4362/36477432435_fd2eacc6af_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XzonNT)
Thanks for looking.
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Good to see you back on this one Stephen, starting to look like an aeroplane.....
Ian
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Stephen,
I'm quite pleased to see you're back at the Otto my old friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Very great update, Stephen.
Cheers
Martin
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Like the others it is great to see you back at this terrific scratch build!
RAGIII
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You are progressing quite nicely with this build Stephen and it is looking really good, the wings have turned out beautiful (making the bottom wing twice is just put down as a learning experience ;)), looking forward to seeing your next update.
Des.
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Looking very good, Sir!
This is going to be a great model.
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Marvelous work, Stephen! I love your technique for the wings, so simple yet so effective. Paint and markings look fantastic.
Cheers,
Bud
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another great update. this will surely be a stunning model.
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Evening All,
As ever my sincere thanks to all who have dropped by and left such complimentary remarks. I really do appreciate them and your patience with what has been at times a bit of a slow build. This one seems to go in more fits and starts than some of my others - I don't know why. I have some real progress to report this week - I have not only managed to finish the engine, I have mounted it on its platform too. A big thank you to those who posted all of those engine photos and other details - they have really helped me to sort out the engine and mounting - I just hope that I have interpreted the photos correctly. No doubt you will let me know if I have not!!
The starboard side has push rods mounted on the outside so these had to be cut from 20 thou rod, except that when I tried to mount them I found that they were too thick, so I stretched some sprue and made thinner rod to use instead. The inlet pipes were cut from 20 thou rod and carefully bent to shape using two pairs of tweezers. The carburettor was made from a small square of 20 thou card and a piece of 30thou rod glued on to the front. The exhausts on the port side are 20 thou rod glued into the holes which I had already drilled into the tops of the cylinders.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4369/36431285426_841d4e77d0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviRUN)
Then platform on which the engine rests was made from a piece of 20 thou card with a suitable section cut out from the centre so that the sump fits snugly on to it. Holes were drilled into the underside to take the supports but then I realised that because of the angle of the supports (they are not vertical) it would be easier to cut the ends and just cement them directly to the card. Make a new platform……… The engine supports are simply rod cut to fit - I measured the verticals from the plans and the angled sections directly from the model as it was easier that way. The supports were fixed to a wooden cradle which was mounted on the fuselage sides at the front but on the rear spar of the lower wing at the rear. This was made from 20 x 30 thou strip with the curved feet filed to shape from small pieces of scrap. The platform went into place rather easily - there is plenty of room to move and everything was easy to see - much easier than I had anticipated. With the platform in place the engine was dropped into the slot and left to dry out. The radiator was cut from 40 thou card with the front and rear scribed to represent the mesh. I used Humbrol enamels to paint everything - the silver is standard metallic paint with some light grey mixed in to tone it down a bit.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4362/36431286916_52a6fe587a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviSmu)
The radiator pipes were made from very thin stretched sprue, cut to size and mounted when the engine and radiator had been fixed in place. Similarly the radiator supports, fuel pipe from the fuel tank and pipes on the side were made from thin rod and glued into place when the engine had been fitted. This is all a bit fragile and rather airy at the moment but I am getting ready to mount the top wing so that this assembly will soon be protected form my huge fingers and thumbs and hopefully will not be knocked into oblivion.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/36431288416_7ae0c4644f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviSNm)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/36309133222_701d8bec87_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XjvNjj)
Thanks for looking.
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Looks great with the engine sitting in position Stephen, this is really starting to take shape now.
Des.
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Beautiful work, Sir.
The engine looks great, and really looks the part on its mounting.
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Very great looking Stephen,
Cheers
Martin
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Looking very good indeed Stephen! The engine and mounting look great.
Ian
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one question, i noticed you built your engine with six separate cylinders but the posted engine photos show 2 paired 2 cylinder banks. is what you built a different/later engine for a particular craft you are building?
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Thanks Scott for pointing out the error! I will state that my machine as depicted had a later engine fitted. I had not noticed the pairing of the cylinders until you pointed it out - which goes to show that sometimes we see what we think is there rather than what is actually there.
I am not going to change the engine now as I have already started to put the top wing on but I will keep the point in mind in future - look more carefully at the photos in future and count the cylinders every time!
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This is looking very nice!
Warren
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Continuing to be an awesome build!
RAGIII
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Evening All
Thank you Warren and Rick for the kind remarks - I appreciate them greatly.
The top wing has been put on, together with the gravity fuel tank. The tank was made from a cocktail stick cut and shaped and held in place with two small pins put into holes in the tank and under the top wing. I glued 4 struts to the fuselage nacelle and to the centre section of the top wing. The struts were made from 40 thou rod. In real life these were steel tube so the round cross section is correct. Having holes in the wing and fuselage made fitting relatively easy and alignment was not difficult.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4354/36431296106_d758fccd72_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XviV5W)
When the struts had set I put in a small piece of plastic rod to represent the fuel pipe as access was easy at this stage. The remaining struts were then fitted starting with the middle bay and then the outer bay to finish. This made a rigid and stable structure.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4336/35668951143_6f7e79b1bb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WkWGug)
The booms could now be fixed to the top wing but to do this the fin/rudder needed to be fixed at the same time. The fin supports the booms and makes sure that they are held in place while the epoxy glue dries out. The forward ends of the booms were put into grooves filed into the top of the top wing and were held with epoxy glue. The fin was attached to the booms with superglue which dries quickly and helped to hold everything in place. The model was inverted while the epoxy hardened - no jigs were required on this occasion.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4420/36080299610_570d77d747_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WYhY4d)
Finally the boom struts were fitted one at a time, starting with the middle - each strut was measured to fit and then fixed with superglue. As soon as two struts were in place the structure was strong enough to handle without fear of it falling apart.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4389/36309143892_bcc1776e4a_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XjvRuh)
I did start to make an undercarriage assembly from rod and strip but my first attempt was the wrong shape and size so once again it was back to the plans for a closer look. Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!
The new structure is almost complete but not fixed to the model yet.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
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It is an outstanding build Stephen.
Cheers
Martin
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I still don't know how you 1/72 guys do it! That is looking fantastic, Stephen!
George
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Looking great with the wing on Stephen, and the tail booms and tail make it look like a complete aeroplane, well done.
Des.
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That's looking really good Stephen, nice to know there are no major problems with the boom arrangement. She's going to be a stunner!
Ian
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Stephen,
It really looks great with the upper wing and booms on! Your skills just keep getting better!
RAGIII
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Hi Fidelity marvellousness.
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Evening All,
Once again many thanks to those of you who have left such positive comments on the build so far, I greatly appreciate them.
I have completed the model at last, not helped by having to be away from home over the holiday period and having to make a new undercarriage assembly. The latter was from rod and card and the wheels came from the spares box as I could not wait to build them from scratch. The struts from the top wing leading edge to the front of the nacelle were from 20 thou rod, the control horns were cut from 20 thou card, and the propellor was carved from 60 thou card. All of the struts and undercarriage were painted in Humbrol matt black. As usual the model was rigged with rolled 40SWG copper wire and attached with superglue.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/36509601765_d358e8a225_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/XCefCv)
I have put more pictures in the completed models section.
Thanks for looking.
Stephen.
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That looks absolutely amazing Stephen, I will slip across and look at the other photos, well done.
Des.
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Beautifully done , Stephen. I'll take a look at the completed section right now!
Ian
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Wow, Stephen, that is, in a word, magnificent! I'm slipping over to Completed Models as well.
Cheers,
Lance
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Stephen you have make a brilliant model.
Cheers
Martin
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Stephen,
I have already commented in the completed Models section but a word here, Brilliant!
RAGIII
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My thanks to those who have dropped by and left such complimentary remarks - I really appreciate them.
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very nice job on your otto. i have been watching since the begining
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Oh my!that is so elegant, Beautiful.Bravo!I wish that I had a Star Trek transporter so that I could beam myself to everyones house to admire your creations in person.