WNW 1/32nd Bristol F2b "McKeever"

[IFF1418]

Hello Lance,

Just catching up on your build. Sorry for that.
What can I say, I simply like it all. Your cabin is great, details fantastic, wonderfull seat, engine is terrific, shading very nice, propeller outstanding, rigging extremely well done. No need to say that I like it very much. This is a great build. And I hope that your picture-problems will soon be over.

Kind regards

Patrick

[Ernie]

Computer ills can be such a pain, eh Lance?  Even so, by the sound of it you are
progressing pretty well on the Biff.  The pastels you use...are they oils?  I have to
sympathise with you about quick little jobbies...there ain't no such animule!
Keep up the good work and let us know how it's coming along, my friend.

Cheers,
Ernie

[RAGIII]

Lance, Glad you are back on the road to recovery from the crash! my computer quit communicating with my camera a couple of years ago. Had to start using a SD card! I know how frustrating a malfunction is. Sounds as though you are progressing well and I look forward to when you are able to post photos!
RAGIII

[lcarroll]

Patrick, Thanks for the nice comments, means a great deal when others offer encouragement. This has been a long project mostly due to the delays induced by "real life" events but also it's not a simple design and AMS in the form of neurotic detailing ambitions has a firm grip on me most of the time! I hope to finish her no later then the weekend; it's the frustrating computer issues that cause me grief at this stage. Hopefully we can get things back to normal, post some photos, and I can get serious on deciding on the next project.

Ernie, I use Chalk Pastels as recommended by Bud (the wily Coyote) What I really like about them is if you don't like the results most if not all of the application can be wiped off with a damp cloth or paper towel. Nothing fancy, I got a very basic pack of them from Staples for under $10 and other then the black which can be bought separately there's enuff that I'll be leaving most behind for my estate sale!

RAG III, you got that so right! I swear the most vexing thing in my tiny world is computer glitches; my ignorance of the technical side doesn't help! My Gawd, I used to fly a computer based aircraft for a living and that was just fine; how come a simple Desktop can reduce me to tears of frustration!?!? Seriously, I may have to look at another option as you suggest, I can't believe how much I rely on the bloody thing and how often it lets me down.
Hopefully the solution comes soon!
Cheers,
Lance

[lcarroll]

   I finally (for "I" read SWMBO) got the cursed photo program working on the computer this morning so I'll start a series of updates "to get to where I'm at" as they say in far Eastern Canada.
   First, the extended exhausts which was one of the ways McKeever's A-7288 differed from the WNW Kit. I had collected a large number of plastic straws and tubing hoping to match the scale size of the extensions but to no avail. Chris Johnson had used heavy gauge electrical wire which was my back-up plan however I stumbled on some cheap basically "no-name" Q-Tips (Cotton Buds) with hollow plastic stems that matched very well. They were too short when trimmed however using round tooth picks for  inside joiners the three piece component went together very nicely.

   The ends of the Kit exhaust part had to be very carefully bent using heat to ensure proper alignment and spacing of the long extensions, this took more then just a few nervous attempts!

  Again, using a heated metal "pick" the ends were flared and considerable filling and sanding followed to complete the job.


   The spacers/hangers were made from steel wire and, after spraying with Alclad II Burnt Iron and Exhaust Manifold to get the varied tones I was after some thinned Model Master Enamel "Rust" was applied very sparingly.
    Here they are installed.






     At this point she was ready for completion of the wing and flight control rigging. That will be my next update once I get some better photos shot and loaded to Photo Bucket hopefully later today.
    This Build is nearly completed; I have the tailskid assembly, Lewis Gun and Scharf Ring, and some additions to the cowlings (to be left off) to finish this long project.
      Thanks for looking, and all comments / suggestions most welcome!
Cheers,
Lance

[coyotemagic]

Brilliant work on the exhaust, Lance!  This is going to be one stunning Biff when you're finished, and you're almost there! 
Cheers,
Bud

[Nigel Jackson]

Super stuff with the exhaust Lance. I can't wait to see the final thing.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Gisbod]

Brilliant Lance..

Guy

[lcarroll]

Bud, Nigel and Guy,
   Thanks for the positive feedback, much appreciated as always.
   This update will hopefully get this Thread up to date; I hope to be finished this weekend if all keeps going smoothly.
   First a couple of quick shots of the rigging on the wings:






  Lots of cleaning up and touch ups to be done.............

Now a bunch of shots of the empennage and flight control wire rigging..........









   With the completion of the rigging I added a small amount of weathering consisting of minimal oil staining down the C/L using very thinned down Tamiya Smoke with a little yellow added and "European Dirt" powdered pigment to dirty up and slightly stain the wheels and bottom surfaces where the wheels would throw mud and dirt.







   Next in sequence came the tailskid. I had two minor add-ons/substitutes to do. The spring wire retainer that holds the bungees in place on the assembly was added using steel wire and the supporting side member frames were replaced with streamlined brass tubing, "Strutz" for strength and admittedly to replace the originals I broke literally every time I looked in their direction! I still have to go back, add a little thick CA to the joints to smooth them out and paint the frames.







   Only a few more steps to complete. I haven't added the last bracing wires (from the forward engine mounts to the upper inner-bay wing struts); I've noted on a few photos that these had to be detached to remove the engine cowlings so I'll probably leave them attached at the wings, coiled up, and left on the ground or wings per the photos. As mentioned I have to clean up and paint the tailskid supports and do a general touchup/cleanup.
   Once the foregoing is complete the only steps left are to add the Scharf Ring and Lewis Gun (Completed except for the bungee cords on the Ring/Gun mechanism.) I want to try it however have no clue whatsoever how........ and do a little work on the engine cowling panels that will be "posed' on the ground around the aircraft. That'll be tomorrow after a good stiff whiskey tonight and hopefully long sleep!
   Last, I purchased a large sheet of Poster Board for the completed photos later, hopefully it will result in better then my usual "Mister Bean" attempts at photography! More to follow real soon, and Thanks for looking!
Cheers,
Lance

[PrzemoL]

This is going to be a stunner, no doubt about it. I will wait patiently until you are done with your whiskey and your sleep 

[Des]

All your hard work and patience has certainly paid off Lance, she is very striking, You have done a brilliant job with the rigging and your exhaust extension technique is excellent. The overall finish on this model is superb and the pre-shading is perfect, you have created a real show piece with this model.

Des.

[lcarroll]

Des and Prze,
    Coming from true Masters of the Modeller's Art like you two Guys I am seriously honored by your comments. Think I'll have a humble period and perhaps an extra few drops of the nectar of the Highlands tonight!
    Thanks so much,
Cheers,
Lance

[Zabu]

Amazing. There's so many details in your model.

The post shading it's very nicely achieved, the weathering from the exhausts and wheels on the lower wing and tail is superb and the rigging it's first class.

Lovely model Lance. Simply perfect!

Cheers

[coyotemagic]

Bloody, Awesome, Lance!  I think I just may have a Bristol rear end fetish.
Cheers,
Bud

[LindsayT]

You're putting on a clinic, buddy! Great stuff!

LT