WnW 1/32 Albatros B.II finished

[Alexis]

After seeing this , I'm packing in the work bench . !

Wow , this is turning out to be your best one yet , beautiful work !


Alexis

[gedmundson]

Hi Gary,
Yes, silvering under even 'Aviattic' decal can be a problem and I've experienced this as well.
The white backed decals are not a problem, but I've found application of any of the clear backed decals can cause this silvering.
As you say, an suitably coloured base coat, sanded/polished if necessary then gloss clear coated is necessary.
The surface has to be a smooth and as artifact free as possible.
Also I add PVA adhesive (white glue) to the decal water and stir it until it dissolves into the water.
Richard states this in his decal instruction sheets.
It does help in bonding the decal to the model surface.
Lastly you mentioned using 'Tamiya' X22 Gloss to seal decal edges.
I assume, like me, you've found most standard decal solutions are not very effective on 'Aviattic' decals.
Instead and when necessary, I use 'Tamiya' X20A acrylic thinners, which applied sparingly, will soften and seal the decal into shape.
This is also handy for conforming decal over small, raised detail, such as wing strut attachments, wing foot boards and pre-moulded panels etc.
I pierce through the decal first to release any trapped air or water, then cotton bud to press down the decal and only then apply the thinners.
Beware of using too though, as the decal can 'melt'.

Mike

Thanks for the helpful tip, Mike - I'll certainly try the X-20A acrylic thinner idea in future projects. I've seen Richard refer to using the white PVA glue to help with subborn edges, but not to dissolve it as an adhesive helper in the decal water - so another good thing to know. Usually making a few sharp pokes with a blade and adding some setting solution has solved most silvering problems...but not on this project strangely enough.
Cheers,
Gary

[gedmundson]

Thanks to all for their nice comments. Although I refrain from photos taken with an iPhone on the workbench, I could think of no other way to convey how I'm using some masking tape and copper clips (with my "helping hands" tool) to make the rigging. The tension is pulled on the EZ-Line, and crazy glue added to the points of contact...then it stays in suspended animation for as long as that "instant" (yeah, sure) crazy glue takes to set. I usually give it 20 minutes minimum. Then trim...and on to the next one. At this rate I'll be finished in August.
Cheers,
Gary

[RAGIII]

That is a complex solution but the results of your rigging speak for themselves!
RAGIII

[Rookie]

This is time-consuming indeed, but the result looks great!

Very clever use of the 3rd hand to keep the rigging line taut Gary.

Willem

[GazzaS]

thank you for sharing your rigging technique.  I will have to give that a go, as often my lines don;t seem to stick.

[Borsos]

I can’t see any flaws on your Albatros… I mean, really, not just being friendly… 
Another wonderful build!
Andreas

[KiwiZac]

That's very clever Gary, I like it! I'm fortunate that my very cheap superglue sets in a very "super" manner so I just need to hold it for a minute or so, but then again I've never had turnbuckles etc involved.

[PrzemoL]

Your results look great. But for rigging I will use the eyelet-tube-monofilament method whenever it is possible.

[Gutzer]

Museum quality, simply astoundingly beautiful!

A true masterpiece.

Peter

[gedmundson]

Your results look great. But for rigging I will use the eyelet-tube-monofilament method whenever it is possible.

Thanks Prze, I've used "invisible thread" before, which is like monofilament. But never mastered the technique, so I take the "E-Z" way out  . I'd admire modellers who can use monofilament, and probably need to get some experience with it before starting my Felixstowe  I also am happy the way the stretchy thread moves with the twists and turns of straightening the wings and flying surfaces and doesn't sag...in need of tension after-the-fact.

I've noticed that the wings on this model move quite a bit when turning it upside down during these last steps of construction, but know that my rigging lines will not sag.

Cheers,
Gary

[Alexis]

What size of E-Z line are you using ?

So far , just keeps getting better and better .

Alexis

[gedmundson]

What size of E-Z line are you using ?

So far , just keeps getting better and better .

Alexis

Thanks for that, Alexis - I always appreciate your kind words! Here's the stuff I use...

Cheers,
Gary

[gedmundson]

After 7 months of this project on the bench, I'm sticking a fork in it and calling it done. It was quite a learning curve for me with using Aviattic CDL decals and Gaspatch metal turnbuckles for the first time, but I'm wiser for it and ready for my next WW1 aircraft project.

I'd like to thank all those that took the time to comment and ask questions and also offer suggestions to me throughout the build - I really appreciate each and every post (and I'm terrible at always properly acknowledging them!  ).

I'll try and post a few pics in the Completed section soon 
Cheers,
Gary

[acewwi]

BRAVO Gary,
looks (alive) real.
 
Spyros