WNW Tripehound 2nd ever build log

[RichieW]

Hi chaps, not a lot of real progress on the model but Dixie is a triplane at last, you can see from all the Tamiya tape that she really preferred being a monoplane. I always thought I had misaligned something early in the build that would come back to haunt me but everything looks nicely lined up now.

Due to the pandemic my package from Greece still has not arrive so I made a start on the rigging without any turnbuckles. After many experiments folks I went with Prym knitting in elastic for the flying wires. This stuff has a flat profile and seems to glue well so far. I coloured it by dragging over a silver sharpie held in vice, i felt a bit like early man making fire.

My tinned copper wire experiments produced truly appalling results, it's not a method I will be exploring again for a very long time!

A new bottle of CA glue and Zip kicker are proving to be the answer to my rigging problems, great advice as ever from Terri and Lance.

2020-06-18_09-13-03 by Richard Williams, on Flickr

I'm feeling less intimidated by rigging now so hopefully I can get this one finished soon.

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement along the way.

Richie

[GazzaS]

Looks good...and close to completion!

[RichieW]

Thanks Gazza, I'm getting near to completion but I a tually feel sad that this project is nearly done. This has been the most rewarding modelling experience I have had so far. Part of me wants it to go on forever but most of me wants to actually finish a build this year!

[RichieW]

This rigging thing is testing! I had a few accidents today due to a bad shaky hands day (tendon problems) and one of the struts became detached after knocking Dixie off my jig hence the taped wing. This is as far as I got today, some of the lines have behaved very well and glued first time others just didn't want to play at all. Is this normal?

I'm leaving it here for tonight and hope my hands settle down again tomorrow. I'm going to have to carefully remove a few areas of excess CA glue and do some touch ups but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it now. If no major problems occur I might be able to post my first ever completed build soon. I'm excited!

20200619_211101 by Richard Williams, on Flickr

Many thanks for looking in, have a great weekend everybody.

Richie

[lcarroll]

Richie,
    You are doing exceptionally well on this Build, and as to .........

"I'm leaving it here for tonight and hope my hands settle down again tomorrow."

 .......  that's exactly the correct approach.
    We all have those days, and I find the best remedy is "walk away", it's amazing how these obstacles shrink overnight.
    Good luck with the completion and I'll bet the next session is a really good one!
Cheers,
Lance

[RichieW]

Thanks Lance, you're a great source of encouragement and advice. I'm really pleased with the biplane jig you suggested I might buy. I can't even begin to imagine how I would have got some of these lines attached without it. I'm hoping for that great session tomorrow, or Sunday or whenever it comes along. I'm not setting myself any deadlines any more. I found that to be a road that doesn't go anywhere worth visiting.

[Alexis]

Slow and stead will win the race Richie . Don't rush ...you are doing one very fine job on this build 


Terri

[Bughunter]

Don't despair, with each rigging you will gain more experience and you will act more easily. As so often - practice makes perfect.

Good luck,
Frank

[RichieW]

Thanks Terri and Frank, you are both so right. I have now added all of the flying wires. Each one was definitely easier than the one before, the first few were very stressful but I have found myself enjoying the process now. I'm going to stop for the day now, just one little victory each day is enough for me. I'm determined not to mess up so close to the finish line.

All I have left to do is add the control horns and ailerons and rudder, I must remember to add the propeller to the Rotherham pump too and it will be finished. I popped my home carved prop on for the photos but I think I will use the one I bought from Proper Plane which is so much more refined.

20200621_113353 by Richard Williams, on Flickr

20200621_113431 by Richard Williams, on Flickr
All comments, criticism and advice very gratefullly received.

Richie

[Alexis]

Very nice rigging so far Richie  Im impressed how quickly you catch on with the tips that you get to move forward on your projects 


Terri

[GazzaS]

The rigging looks great Richie!

[Bughunter]

This will be a nice Triplane! The end of the project seems to be near

Cheers,
Frank

[RichieW]

Thanks Terri, Frank and Gazza. I had another burst of enthusiasm today and decided to go ahead and finish it. Unfortunately I made an unfortunate discovery. The lower wing ailerons that have part of the roundel didn't have part of the roundel. The middle wing ailerons did though! Not a big deal, I did the necessary repainting easily enough and set to gluing on the control horns. A fine time for one to ping out of the tweezers and get devoured by the carpet monster. I raised the other triplane in my stash for the missing part and will sort out making a new one when I need to.

I decided that was probably time to stop so the next installment will hopefully be the one where I complete my first build of the year.

Thanks for reading.

Richie

[RAGIII]

I am catching up on all of the builds and Must say your Triplane and the rigging are looking Amazing! Very well done Richie!
RAGIII

[RichieW]

Thanks Rick, hope you're enjoying a bit of California sunshine.