Roden Sopwith Triplane 1/32 and more

[djuggie]

July 16, 2024

I have a commission to build the entire Black Flight in 1/32 scale.  This model is number three, one Wingnut Wing and two Rodens, so far.  I will be building six kits as he wants both of Collishaw's plane, single and twin machine guns.  Kit decals will be used supplemented with Phoen decals for the individual pilots.  Since he is not into super detail, the Roden kit is being used.  Besides, the WNW kit are priced out of this world.

The kit is well made and there is no flash on the sprues, and it fits well, with very little putty for the seams.  As with most Roden kits, the instructions leave  a lot to be desired.  The engine is the hardest to understand from the instructions.  The rigging wire reinforcement sections are wrong.  They line up top and bottom and the hole in the wing is at at angle.  I recommend sanding them off, drill your hole and then add a reinforcement plate if you desire.

The outer wing struts must be inserted from the top of the middle wing so they will fit the match with the inner molding.   Build the wings as a unit exactly as the instructions state.  The fit is good and the alignment is now set.

Have a back up stash of decals if you build the models out of the box with kit decals.  Roden decals have a very short shelf life.  Coat the a sealer of your choice before they hit the water and you will have less problems.  Notice I said less.

The third photo are the triplanes in 1/72 and 1/32 scale.  I have the entire Black Flight in 1/72 and will include the same plane in both scales.  Since this model number three and two have all ready been delivered, I will deliver the last one personally and do a photo shoot with all twelve planes in a group shot.

Dennis

[DaddyO]

Blimey Dennis I thought I liked triplanes, but 12 in two different scales that's a lot of work 

Looking good so far. I can't wait to see the full line up

Paul

[NigelR]

That looks very nice, and far less trouble than the Vampire! Looking forward to seeing 36 wings in one shot......

[RAGIII]

Excellent results Dennis! I really envy someone who can build 12 Triplanes and then send them away to someone else  I am looking forward to seeing more.
RAGIII

[djuggie]

June 17, 2024

I have always been a fan of the Sopwith Triplane, so much so, that about 46 years ago when I was a draftsman, I drew up plans using the Guillows scale and did a tissue and wood model.   It hung around for a number of years it is but no long with us.  My personal triplanes collection is seven.  One has the pilot in it so it ranks in the very early days of my collection.  Phoen tipped me over the edge with the entire flight decals so they were built in one batch.  I knew if I build just one or two of them, I wouldn't finish them all.

As far as sending them to someone else, my collection is safely in my home.  The current build is in 1/32 scale and they leave without so much as a tear.  I trade the kit for little pieces of green paper that fit so nice in my wallet. 

Let me see if I can find my Sopwith build  and I will post a couple of construction photos

Dennis

[DaveB]

Wonderful work on your tripe, Dennis -

I do like a tripe myself!

Regards

Dave

[djuggie]

July 18, 2024

Went rummaging through my archives and found the plans for the Sopwith Triplane that I drew in 1968.  That was 56 years ago, not 46, as stated above.  It was then built following the Guillow's kits cutting out all of the ribs and fuselage braces.  I do not remember if I cover it with silk fabric.  The photo of the model is a photo of a photo.  It had a 19" wingspan and did not survive several moves and a divorce.  Just thought you would like to see it.  Also, I located the Triplane build and I will have Tech Support (my wife) move them over to my computer and will post them here.

Dennis

[Allan31]

Lucky you Dennis, 6 tripes, what fun.
I am presently reading "Collishaw and the Black Flight" by Gunn that has inspired me to build my own "Black Maria".



Can't wait for the rest of them AND the group shot !!!

[djuggie]

Allen,

I had forgotten about the Eduard 1/48th.  In the words of Goldilocks "Not to big and not to small"  I think she was referring to soup but 48th scale is an ideal medium to build.  It is my favorite scale when I build WW2 models.  Good detail and doesn't take up most of your display case.  Where would I find the book you are reading about Collishaw?  I think it would make interesting reading.  I have four pictures I will send to a computer near you as soon as can get them transferred to this group.

Dennis

[djuggie]

July 30, 2024

A number of years ago, I forget exactly, Phoen released the Sopwith Triplane decal sheet with the entire Black Flight decals.  The triplane is one of my favorite planes of WW1 and I like the Black Flight.  I build all six at the same time as I knew if I built the one at a time, I may finish the entire flight.

So away, I went.  First I needed a special box (everyone needs a special box, right?) that I made to build all six planes.  The pictures are self explanatory with 5 pictures out of about 25 for the entire build.  What I did on one, I did to all the rest, with the exception of the personal letters and names.

It took about a month to build the six planes and as far as I can remember, it was a very enjoyable build.

Dennis

[macsporran]

A plethora of Tripehounds! Marvellous.

Like you, I'm enamoured of the Black Flight machines and built my first from a Veron flying scale balsa kit, covered in black tissue back in the 60s. ( Strewth, that's 60 years ago!!!). Then the Aurora plastic one, then Revell, then both Eduards - and I must start soon my Roden and WNW stash queens!
Sandy

[KiwiZac]

Spectacular - so many wings!! Lovely work!

[NigelR]

Very impressive Dennis. I always had ideas to multiple aircraft builds when I was doing 1/72 but I never did. I'm glad you did, because it's great to see the whole flight built up.

I just picked up the Collishaw WNW Tripe boxing for a very reasonable price and you are inspiring me to get on with that one.....

[djuggie]

Sandy, Zac and Nigel,

Thank you for the the nice comments.  Inspires one to keep going.

Yes, wings, flocks of wings.  And time flies when you are having fun.  And it hard to believe I drew up those plans 55 years ago.  Am I that old?  Nigel, I am glad you got a WNW Tripe as it was a beautiful kit and since most of you build at a level I can only marvel at, you will enjoy the build.  The Roden kits are more to my liking as I do not super-detail my models.

Number four of my Black Flight in 1/32 is progressing.  I hope to have a group shot by the end of the year.

Dennis

[ScottJ]

Very impressive Dennis... As I've mentioned before, you must be able to build triplanes (any triplane!) in your sleep.
Like that last photo of the 1/32 - 1/72... kind of a forced perspective shot.
Take care
Scott