forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: Mike Norris on July 12, 2018, 07:14:59 AM
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Hi all,
I thought you might like to see my 14th 1:32 scale build - The Bleriot built Spad XIII C.1, Number 26 of ‘C’ flight, 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, based at Rembercourt, near Verdun, France during September 1918. This was one of the Spad XIII’s flown by Francis ‘Frank’ Joseph Anthony Luke Jnr, the ‘Arizona Balloon Buster'.
This kit is the old Hobby Craft Spad XIII 'International' kit, which is I believe was the only 1:32 scale of the Spad XIII made. The kit was, as expected, fairly basic and had no engine at all. In fact the whole forward fuselage was blocked off.
I didn’t recall ever seeing this kit made with an engine installed, so I decided to give it a go.
The basic list of changes/additions to the model are:
Scratch built:
Radiator shutter control rods (Micro-tube).
Radiator drain valve (Micro-tube).
Cockpit head rest support frame.
Fuselage internal storage and cross members (Micro-rod).
Engine bulkhead.
Decking panel right gun - ejection chute.
Forward gun mounting brackets (thin brass sheet).
Engine access panels - wire mesh.
Ventral fuel tank cap.
Fuselage lifting straps.
Fuel tank rip (jettison) panel.
Oil cooler drain valve (Micro-tube).
Ring gun sight and mounting bar (thin brass sheet).
Undercarriage struts.
Wing inboard 'H' struts (Micro-tube).
Wing outboard rear struts (Micro-tube).
Wing strut rigging fittings (photo-etch).
External aileron operating bell-crank and rods (Micro-tube).
Exhaust pipe support brackets (Micro-tube).
Cockpit:
- Fuel, oil and vent pipes (Micro-tube)
- Cockpit frame wire bracing
- Additional instrumentation
- Instruments pipes/cables (Micro-tube)
- Gun firing cables (lead wire)
- Fuelt:l rip panel T-bar handle (Micro-tube)
- Mallet (freeing gun stoppages) (Micro-tube)
- Pilot's seat cushion (Milliput)
- Rudder bar foot straps (lead wire)
- Top frame above pilot's head
- Flight control cables
Engine:
'Wingnut Wings' Hispano-Suiza V8 engine built (detail modified)
- Ignition leads, support tubes and magneto connection (Micro-tube/lead wire)
- Engine support beams
- Carburettor air intake
- Air breather and pipe (Micro-tube)
- Fuel manifold primer valves (Micro-tube)
- Cooling/heating system pipes and filler (Micro-tube)
- Gun cooling jacket ‘stay’ rods (Micro-tube)
- Various fuel, coolant and control rods (Micro-tube)
Modified or corrected:
Rudder, Ailerons and Elevator animated.
Louvres in engine panels opened.
Engine valve gear cooling fairings drilled.
Forward decking panel separated.
Engine cowl cooling apertures created.
Fuel filler aperture.
Cockpit surround panel modified.
Forward fuselage, decking panel and cockpit floor modified.
Exhaust tail pipes
Aftermarket additions:
'Proper Plane' hand made propeller (De La Grandville)
'Aviattic' Spad XIII wheels.
‘Aviattic’ decal and figure set (Frank Luke Jnr)
'HGW Models' seat belts.
'Gaspatch' .303 standard Vickers machine gun (modified).
‘Gaspatch’ Vickers ‘Balloon’ machine gun (modified).
'Gaspatch' turnbuckles.
'Albion Alloys' micro-tube.
'Steelon' 0.12 mm mono-filament.
'Polak' grass mat.
'Wings Cockpit' and ‘Copper State' figures.
'Airscale' instruments bezels.
As usual I've created a downloadable build log in Adobe PDF format, for those who might want to refer to it for reference or build details. It contains full step by step descriptions of the model build, its modifications/changes and is also supported with illustrations and photographs. If viewed in Adobe Reader, each build log has book marked chapters/headings for easier navigation through the log.
NOTE: Due to the complexity of this build, the PDF build log is large at over 200 pages (download size is close to 10 Meg).
My model website has the gallery page, so to view any model, go to the gallery and select it. If it has a PDF build log, it will be available to download using the 'PDF' icon on that models photo's page. For any photograph, just click the photo to enlarge or reduce the viewing size.
PC link:
http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm
Mobile device link:
Igavh2.xara.hosting
My next model will be the ’Wingnut Wings’ 1:32 scale model of the German ‘Hansa-Brandenberg W.29’, a twin float, two seat naval patrol aircraft.
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD1.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD2.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD3.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD4.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD5.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD6.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD7.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD8.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD9.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD10.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD11.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD12.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD13.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD14.jpg)
(http://www.thatoneplease.co/buildlogs/SPAD13/SPAD15.jpg)
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Amazing. So great to know, there is 1/32 life beyond WNW.
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Magnificent! The model is spectacular, and the Diorama setting, details, and the figures take the whole display to the very top of the scale! Add to the foregoing the fact that this is the HobbyCraft Kit and the effort to take it into the super detailed and high end of the Model Aircraft spectrum was, to say the least, considerable speaks volumes about your skills.
Great modelling, and a project you can be very proud of!
Cheers,
Lance
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She's truly spectacular, Mike! I won't go so far as to say "silk purse from a sow's ear", but you've certainly applied your extraordinary modeling skills to this beauty.
Cheers,
Bud
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Tremendous job!
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Wonderful, Mike!!!
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Outstanding work! You have turned this kit into a realy beautiful gem. Chapeau!
Bye,
Manni
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Superb work and great diorama setting. Very, very well done.
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Your Modeling skills have taken a "Good" kit and made it into a Masterpiece! Watching what you did to this one was a True Joy to behold! The final setting is equal to the effort you put into the Model!
RAGIII
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Truly outstanding Mike, congratulations on your masterpiece.
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Beautiful model and setting, congratulations, and thank you for sharing your outstanding build log.
Ciao
Giuseppe
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That is spectacular to say the least. The diorama setting is stunning - and sets the whole model off superbly. That one is a winner in every way.
Stephen.
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I don’t know why I didn’t drop in earlier here. It’s absolutely amazing what you did with this kit here. Simply great!
Andreas
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The pdf of this build is extremely informative it’s a book by any other standard thanks a lot for it
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That is the best build I have seen of a Spad and the base is excellent too.
Looking forward to seeing your Hansa-Brandenburg W29 in due course.
8)
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Hi all,
Many thanks for the encouraging comments - they go long way to keeping the motivation going.
I'm doing a float plane next as I want to try resin water effects on a larger scale - we'll see,
Mike
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Absolutely brilliant. Great example of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Cheers
Syd
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Hi all,
I forgot to bookmark the various parts of the PDF build log on my site.
I've replaced the build log now with a fully booked copy.
You can select the required bookmark now in a PDF reader, such as Adobe DC,
Mike
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spectacular build. taking copious notes, as i've got the Pheon/Aviattic Frank Luke figure/decal set waiting for a SPAD.
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The pdf build log is a masterpiece -- thanks.
Gene K
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Thanks for all of your comments.
Gene:
I'm glad you've found the build log of use. It takes about as long to write that as it does to build the model.
I write the logs as they can be easily read or downloaded and saved for local use, by anyone interested in that model. I think it's more complete and much easier than following a particular forum thread.
Mike
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yeah the build logs are very much appreciated.
if i see a brilliant build that's relevant to what i intend to build in a forum i tend to cut and paste it into a build log myself...
you've done it for us!
THANK YOU!