The Wight Type A.1 Improved Navyplane (1/72nd scale)

[lone modeller]

I am truly without words to express my admiration for that piece of model engineering.

Stephen.

[PJ Fisher]

Hi again everyone, thanks as always for the feedback.

Here are images of a second mockup of our Salmson 2M7 engine that we've reengineered a little. We've also finally sorted out the pushrods.  These were fabricated using 36-gauge wire from Master Wire Supply.  Anyone have any leads for hardened wire in this gauge?  It's rather bendy so we had to mash/straighten each rod then cut to length with a chisel blade using our 3d-printed jig. This mockup still needs seven more ignition wires to the sparkplugs, but otherwise we're happily done most of the fiddling with the overall design.  Last to sort out are the magnetos/distributors, oil pump, and water pump.  We're still researching various archives for potential references.

       

Regarding our paint tests, we ultimately landed with: Alclad Dull Aluminum crankcase, AK Xtreme Metal Copper for cylinders; the Vallejo Metal Colors engine set various parts; Tamiya rubber black for hoses, Tamiya dark iron for exhaust heater pipes; Humbrol brass (not too shiny)

Cheers, Paul & Eric.

[the great waldo]

Great work. May I enquire which 3d printer you are using for this project ?
Regards
Andrew

[RAGIII]

That is amazing detail in this scale! Awesome work!
RAGIII

[PJ Fisher]

Great work. May I enquire which 3d printer you are using for this project ?

Hey Andrew, my brother Eric does all the printwork and is using a Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K... which costs less than some second-hand WNW kits these days!  I'm quite impressed with its level of detail.  The printing area is small though and may not be ideal for large components 1/32 or larger scales.

[KiwiZac]

That is amazing detail in this scale! Awesome work!
RAGIII

I heartily second this sentiment! Incredible detail for such a small engine!

[Tim Mixon]

Words fail me. I am truly gobsmacked! 

[RichieW]

Another gobsmacked modeller here. The finished engine with the coin for scale is staggering!

Richie

[PJ Fisher]

Thanks everyone.  I’ll pass along the kind words to my bro. He hates 1/72 so this will be encouragement!

[lone modeller]

Then tell your bro that 1/72 is the Sacred Scale (ie God's Own) and that all true modellers work in it!

Joking aside I am still lost for words at the level of detail you are managing to achieve with this.

Stephen.

[Tim Mixon]

“Then tell your bro that 1/72 is the Sacred Scale (ie God's Own) and that all true modellers work in it!”

I’ll third this. Any additional WWI offerings in this scale are VERY much appreciated!  Especially at the quality you and your brother are providing. 

[PJ Fisher]

Hey folks, we've made some slow but steady progress with our Wight Navyplane.  With the engine design complete, we've been experimenting with how it mounts to the nacelle.  Sorting our all these little fiddly bits without much historical data to work from is a challenge. But the basic layout is somewhat similar to the Farman H.F.20.  We're nearing the home stretch as far rendering the 3d elements goes.

[Davos522]

Between you guys, and Uncle Tony's Spit redux, and the prop hubs I got from Proper Plane, I'm suffering from 3D future shock. What next? Flying cars? Robot maids? Talking dogs...??

RE: the wire/pushrod troubles you were having, you might have already discovered this but just in case... the easiest way of straightening most soft wire that I know of is to lay it out on flat surface—glass is ideal—put a metal ruler over it, and roll it back and forth a few times. Or... now that I look at it again, is that what you were doing with that printing block?
Dave V.

[RichieW]

Amazingly detailed, a coin or a matchstick in the photos would give a better indication of just how great an achievement this is. The intricacy of these parts is truly something special to behold!

Richie

[lone modeller]

I agree with Richie - the ribs alone are amazing, nebver mind the engine!

Lack of information can be a real problem with these early types - as I am finding with the Bleriot XXIII!

Stephen.