Roden 1/32 SE5a

[kensar]

Nice progress and upgrading the kit details, Ritchie.  Once you've done a few upgrades like this, scratchbuilding isn't so much of a challenge.

[RichieW]

Thanks chaps, I'm really touched by the interest and support you are giving in this build. I'll do my very best to not disappoint you all. This is very much an experimental build for me so I may well get things horribly wrong at some point but I shall certainly have fun on the way.

Ryan, I might have a play with Part set on the Roden Hisso in my stash, it looks pretty comprehensive but I'm going to try to scratch as much of this as possible. Wish me luck!

Been feeling a bit rough for a few days (not Covid) so nothing to report today. Hoping to add some framework and an oil dump tomorrow.

Many thanks
Richie

[Ryan]

There’s no deadline Richie, get well and have fun.

Ryan

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Brilliant, thanks Frank!

Bob, very kind words. Much appreciated! The pulleys are a bit over scale but the best solution for my tired eyes and clumsy hands!

Thanks Ryan, your input has been very helpful. I modified the wing roots a little as suggested. The lower wing really did not want to fit without it!

Richie,
I've used the photo-etch pulleys and brackets from the 'HGW Models’ Sopwith Triplane detail set (132099), using parts 6 and 7.
Convincing and in scale - just a thought,

Mike

[RichieW]

There’s no deadline Richie.

Wise words, thanks Ryan. I've been very guilty in the past of putting pressure on myself by forgetting that this!

Brilliant, thanks Frank!

Bob, very kind words. Much appreciated! The pulleys are a bit over scale but the best solution for my tired eyes and clumsy hands!

Thanks Ryan, your input has been very helpful. I modified the wing roots a little as suggested. The lower wing really did not want to fit without it!

Richie,
I've used the photo-etch pulleys and brackets from the 'HGW Models’ Sopwith Triplane detail set (132099), using parts 6 and 7.
Convincing and in scale - just a thought,

Mike

Thanks Mike, that's a good suggestion and one I may well follow up on. I'm going to have a play with a punch and die set to see what I can fabricate myself. I'm desperately trying to learn to be more precise and scratchbuild things. Your builds have been very inspiring!

[lone modeller]

Thanks Mike, that's a good suggestion and one I may well follow up on. I'm going to have a play with a punch and die set to see what I can fabricate myself. I'm desperately trying to learn to be more precise and scratchbuild things. Your builds have been very inspiring!

Richie - my advice is to take your time when trying to scratch build anything, and accept that not everything you will make will be perfect, first time or any time come to that! I work on the principle that close enough is good enough - in that way I get to finish models in a reasonable time frame or before I run out of interest!

Stephen.

[Ryan]

Stephen speaks the truth Richie.

Ryan

[RichieW]

That sounds like more excellent advice Stephen, I really appreciate the time you spend sharing your considerable knowledge with me.

Ryan, yep Stephen is a very wise presence in the modelling community!


Not a huge amount of progress, I have pretty much thrown the engine together. Very little will be visible once (if!) the model is completed so I didn't want to spend too much time on it. It's almost a shame not to give it more attention as it is excellent and would be a great model in its own right. In fact it can be bought separately quite cheaply. Scratch built SE5a anyone?

20200519_175536 by Richard Williams, on Flickr

I removed the moulded frame from the fuselage and replaced it with 1mm plastic strips, a first for me. A small step for a modeller but a giant step for my kind! After consulting photographs in my newly arrived SE5a data file I can see my home made oil sump is massive. I had fun with milliput and plastic card so I don't mind that too much. This is after all more about experimenting than anything else.

20200519_175555 by Richard Williams, on Flickr

The firewall(?) on the kit part is completely flat on what I think is cockpit side, the part doesn't seem to appear in the instructions, so I had a bit more of a play with plastic card. This was taped to the side with the recessed grooves and embossed with my gargantuan classical guitarist's thumb nail. I think the details are supposed to be raised on the reverse side. Can you see what I did wrong there?

20200519_175432 by Richard Williams, on Flickr

Despite the various challenges and mishaps I am having a heck of a lot of fun with this kit. I have hardly glued any pieces together yet and reckon I have more than had my money's worth already.

Thanks for reading, hope to have a bit more to show soon.
Richie

[Ryan]

Nope, can't see the error?

Ryan

[RichieW]

I stuck the plastic card on the wrong way up so both sides are recessed. I even made a mental note not to do that. All part of the fun!😀

[lone modeller]

In fact it can be bought separately quite cheaply. Scratch built SE5a anyone?

I was rather hoping that you would scratch build one Richie!!!

Good to read that you are having fun. As Lance wrote a while ago, that is what the hobby is supposed to be about.

For a so-called first timer you are doing an excellent job on that kit.

Stephen.

[RichieW]

You've talked me into it Stephen. I'll have a bash at scratch building one myself. Having bought the data file it would be rude not to try!

[RAGIII]

Nice work on the interior Richie! No one would have noticed the firewall had you not mentioned it and also one cant really see it once everything is together. If I recall correctly the part is hard to pick out on the directions but it is an integral part of the assembly. It makes the whole fuselage structure on the front end solid  I am enjoying watching your processes and the amount of enjoyment you are getting from them!
RAGIII

[RichieW]

Thanks Rick, I had yet another dry fit and think I sussed out the precise location of the firewall. I'm glad you enjoy my builds, they'll never win any beauty contests but I have a good time putting them together and pick up a lot of helpful tips and encouragement along the way.

[Alexis]

Well Richie , must say that I really like how fast you pick up of stuff and press forward , shows in your work ! 


Terri