1:32nd scale - Ansaldo A.1 'Balilla'

[AndRoby67]

Hi Mike!
There are two italian Aces pictured with right side of a 70a Squadriglia's Balilla and no traces of the two strange bands on turtledeck of that side.
Another strange thing to me are the bend exhaust tubes, the last two in the line. 16552 and 16553 have original straight exhaust tubes and here some other useful photos: http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww1/a1.html
Other interesting photos here: http://www.cmpr.it/Balilla%20-%20E.Molteni/balilla.htm
Hope useful!
Roberto
P.S.: Good that you had corrected serial number on your model: two different italian sources mentioned 16558 as the mount of Eleuteri on the only Balilla's victory of entire WWI.

[Fvdm]

Just fantastic.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi Mike!
There are two italian Aces pictured with right side of a 70a Squadriglia's Balilla and no traces of the two strange bands on turtledeck of that side.
Another strange thing to me are the bend exhaust tubes, the last two in the line. 16552 and 16553 have original straight exhaust tubes and here some other useful photos: http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww1/a1.html
Other interesting photos here: http://www.cmpr.it/Balilla%20-%20E.Molteni/balilla.htm
Hope useful!
Roberto
P.S.: Good that you had corrected serial number on your model: two different Italian sources mentioned 16558 as the mount of Eleuteri on the only Balilla's victory of entire WWI.

Hi Roberto,
That's good to know,
Yes that photograph was apparently a 'factory' shot.
That engine does have bends in the exhaust pipes, but I can't find any information why.
All other references show all pipes straight, although Windsock data file states that on some aircraft, the second pipe from the rear was longer?
Thanks again,

Mike

[fredjocko]

Your fuselage looks fantastic!

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Some modellers think photo-etch 'is your friend'.
Here are the wing and strut rigging attachments plus the aileron control levers.
All are photo-etch and with self-aligning 'hinged' anchor plates for attaching the rigging lines.

Mike

[RAGIII]

Outstanding progress. I am amazed at the details Aviattic included but it takes a Real Modeler to bring it all together!
RAGIII

[Alexis]

PE is the devils details ...you got him beat !


Alexis

[Fvdm]

Great work on the PE.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
I've finally applied all of the required decals.
Accurate cutting out of the decals is necessary for the wing coverings and alignment of edges is necessary.
Slight overhang of dried decal was gently sanded away.
Weather, although slight, was done using 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt fine clay wash, sealed with 'Alclad' Semi-Matte lacquer.

Now it's onto fitting the photo-etch rigging anchors before pre-rigging is carried out.

Mike



   

[RAGIII]

Excellent work on the decals and wash Mike. Looking Great!
RAGIII

[PrzemoL]

Another masterpiece in the making

[kensar]

excellent paint and weathering, Mike.

[FAf]

Very nice looking colours! I'm also very impressed with your PE-work! Fiddly - but self leveling attachment points sounds nice.
/Fredrik

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
An example of pre-rigging a twin flying wire anchor for the lower wing roots.
A combination of 0.08 mm and 0.15 mm diameter mono-filament and 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm blackened brass tubes.
All together there will be sixteen various types of hinged rigging anchors to pre-rig before the wings are fitted,

Mike

[RAGIII]

Mike, Your rigging is truly magnificent! I m envious of your talents to say the least!
RAGIII