forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: IanB on November 29, 2017, 08:15:18 AM

Title: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: IanB on November 29, 2017, 08:15:18 AM
I finally finished this one today. The type really should be better known, as it pre-dated Curtiss designs and was copied by the Austro-Hungarian designers, who were in turn copied by Macchi among others. The common features on this, the early Lohners, and the Macchi series, not to mention the FBA boats developed directly from the original Donnet designs, are readily apparent.
 Designed in 1912 by Frenchman François-Victor Denhaut and Swiss Jérôme Donnet, the Austro-Hungarian Navy bought 4, (numbers 8 & 12 - Type Cs, and numbers 10 & 11 - Type As) which it promptly copied, building 4 more. 3 more copies followed later, they liked them so much!

 The aircaft depicted, number 10, was a Type A which had wing-warping, and entered service on 4th January 1913. Originally, the only markings carried where the red-white-red on the rudder and a black number 10, also on the rudder. The white "10" on the nose and the Austrian Coat-of-Arms on the tail were added per an order dated 2nd May 1913. From November 1913 a letter was added to the number on the nose.  (Sources: French Aircraft of the First World War, Davilla & Soltan; Seaplanes of Bocche, Ciglic).
 
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/37243230505_9424a0b65d_c.jpg)
 This photo (found online) would therefore date to between late May, and November, 1913.
Interesting to note is that it appears to have stagger wires in the outer bay, no actuator for the wing warping on the rear cockpit, and pulleys for an aileron return cable on the upper wing, so it looks as though it was converted to ailerons at some point. This is how I've modeled it. It was based at Pola (now Pula, Croatia), and flown by, among others, Linienschifflautnant Heinrich Huss, one of the first party of k.u.k. Kriegsmarine officers sent for flight training in Wiener Neustadt in 1911, and who passed away in Nuremburg on 7th September 1959.

 The kit is the Libramodels vacform, which is sold as an FBA Leveque, although that is not correct. The wings were shortened and the fuselage heavily modified with Miliput and a 6" half-round file! Interior, all struts, and tail surfaces are scratchbuilt, the engine is SmallStuff, and the prop was stolen from an Eduard DH2 kit and modified. Painted with Misterkit, Tamiya, and Modelmaster acrylics, including the wood effects.
 I hope you like her!

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/38675724562_a3f1d7ee72_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/37990408304_0fa0b4964e_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4566/26931980539_c6cc17e85d_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4540/38675720652_d5c1790e1f_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4552/37990407284_e94638de72_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4536/37990419634_0a5ffef823_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4579/37990416104_baa3a59e11_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4566/38675725992_3bd2476095_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4551/37990412694_62cdd78b56_c.jpg)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4552/24835172778_bbd30bea90_c.jpg)

Ian
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: PrzemoL on November 29, 2017, 08:21:20 AM
What a lovely model, Ian. Very fine modelling all aroud! Those early flying boats have something appealing, haven't they.
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: Dave Brewer on November 29, 2017, 01:06:38 PM
Great job Ian on a very pretty aircraft.I have a 1/32 Omega HB20,which is a similar configuration, sitting on the shelf of doom at present because the engine mount was an issue but after seeing how you tackled yours I think I can sort  it out now,so thanks for the inspiration.
Cheers,
Dave.
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: Des on November 29, 2017, 01:27:36 PM
Extremely well done Ian, a beautiful looking model.

Des.
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: Juan on November 29, 2017, 01:55:15 PM
Outstanding model Ian, she is a little beauty.
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: gbrivio on November 29, 2017, 02:43:22 PM
Beautiful model, really amazing under every aspect!
Chapeau.
Giuseppe
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: Saso Krasovec on November 29, 2017, 04:10:03 PM
F A N T A S T I C !!!!
cheers
saso
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: Manni on November 29, 2017, 04:47:17 PM
Great build, Ian!
The entire presentation is brilliant from the wood to the rigging, from the paintjob to the clean build.
Bye,
Manni
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: RAGIII on November 29, 2017, 11:39:20 PM
Great build, Ian!
The entire presentation is brilliant from the wood to the rigging, from the paintjob to the clean build.
Bye,
Manni

Manni has said it well. I enjoyed watching your processes and problem solving! Gorgeous results!!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: lcarroll on November 30, 2017, 12:09:15 AM
   Superb finish Ian, the photos are hard to believe given this very basic vacuform kit, you've really turned the ugly duck into a swan! Great work all round, and a very unique addition to your collection.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: Bughunter on November 30, 2017, 08:04:37 AM
Fully agree with Lance, it was always fun to see a update in your build log - extremely well done, especially in that small scale!

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: RLWP on November 30, 2017, 08:54:07 AM
I have really enjoyed your build, Ian, and it has come out beautifully. You are doing stuff in 1:72 I struggle with in 1:32!

What's next?

Richard
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: bobs_buckles on November 30, 2017, 10:55:13 PM
Belongs in a museum  :o
Beautiful bird.

Well done, Ian  ;)

vB
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: IanB on December 01, 2017, 05:11:31 AM
Thank you everyone for such wonderful comments! To have such positive feedback from one's modeling peers is truly the icing on the cake, as it were.

 Thanks again everyone!

Ian
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: Gisbod on December 01, 2017, 05:22:27 AM
Beautiful Ian,

An absolute gem!

Guy
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: lone modeller on December 05, 2017, 09:30:07 AM
What the others have already written Ian. That is a mini-masterpiece, and as Lance has written, a beautiful swan from a rather ugly duckling.

Stephen.
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: boggie on December 05, 2017, 01:36:45 PM
Now that's a great looking flying boat Ian!

Very well done!   :)
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on December 06, 2017, 02:33:42 PM
WOW Ian!!!!

What a masterpiece that turned out to be.  I was in Denmark in September and visited a museum in Copenhagen and there were two really neat flying boats hanging up and you really captured the colors and the spirit of those.

Just amazing...what's next?

Dan
Title: Re: Donnet-Lévêque, Libramodels, 1:72
Post by: IanB on December 07, 2017, 12:44:49 AM
Thanks again Gents, the positive feedback is much appreciated!
Dan, I'm back on the Ilya Muromets for now, although there will probably be more diversions before this is complete!

Ian