Benz Bz.IV
Today I like to show a short weekend project, which I started and finished on last weekend. I know the Eduard weekend kits, but for me it was inexplicable how to do such kit in 48 hours.
On Friday I got a series of Copper State Models engines in 1/48. Another modeler was here for a visit and we opened such a box - what a nice little gem!
The engine is a
Benz Bz.IV.
Here are the first page of the tiny manual:
Ok, the box is not that much bigger, here the assembly instruction on the backside:
There is also enough space for some resin parts and a PE sheet:
It was a german engine with 200 to 250 h.p. Here some more info including a list of aircrafts:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benz_Bz.IVDuring a search for more information I found this rendering:
Source and more pictures:
http://kvserg.blogspot.com/2018/02/benz-bz-iv-engine.htmlIn that moment, and with viewing the beautiful kit it was clear, that this engine is much to nice to put it under a cowl!
So on Saturday morning I started to clean the parts, on Sunday evening I finished it to that state:
The painting was mostly done with Alclad. The push rods are not included, I used tinned 0.2mm brass.
I tried to avoid hiding such nice details below a layer of paint, so I used different kind of chemical bowns. One example the mesh with tiny square holes. Also the air baffle was tarnished, here the outlet on the right side:
On the left side the inlet. The air scoops (they have to be bend) reroute the air flow to the other side - a tricky and light oil radiator.
The prop boss was created from brass micro tubing, PE from "Part". The "bolts" are again 0.2mm brass.
The ignition wires are colored 0.15mm copper.
On Sunday the wooden frame was scratched from veneer. On the floor some planks. All wood was mordanted in color "oak".
The struts are squezzed brass tube secured with pins (and CA). A original picture gave some ideas.
Between the carburetors and on the lower oil pump I added 0.2mm brass "pipes".
Some time ago I showed here my Austro-Daimler in 1/16. Compared to that the new one is really tiny!
The kit has clever solutions, after bending you will end up with recesses for the wires.
On the magnetos there are little depressions, which I drilled and secured the wires with CA.
I own a Rexx metal exhaust, but it was not matching and it destroys the overall impression, so I do not mounted it.
Edgar, what a nice kit! The build (and scratch work) was pure fun.
To all vistors: I hope you will like it to!
Cheers,
Frank
