A WNW S.E.5a for Dave

[Vickers]

Thanks, NigelR!

[RAGIII]

IP and the rest of the interior look Fantastic!
RAGIII

[Vickers]

IP and the rest of the interior look Fantastic!
RAGIII

Thanks, Rick. I was so focused on getting everything to fit that I went ahead and buttoned up the fuselage then realized that I forgot to do any drybrushing/highlights in there. So, I had to do it in situ with the tinest bit of sponge applicator that I could fasion.

If memory serves, you've built one or more of this kit. I'm working on the motor at the moment and I'm inclined to mount it and close up the nose prior to attaching the struts, upper wing, and undercarriage. That's the order of assembly to which I've become accustomed. However, the instructions call for the motor and engine panels to be among the last items to go in, but that sounds quite risky to me and it would make the exterior much more tedious to paint. Do you have any advice for me on this order of construction issue?

[RAGIII]

IP and the rest of the interior look Fantastic!
RAGIII

Thanks, Rick. I was so focused on getting everything to fit that I went ahead and buttoned up the fuselage then realized that I forgot to do any drybrushing/highlights in there. So, I had to do it in situ with the tinest bit of sponge applicator that I could fasion.

If memory serves, you've built one or more of this kit. I'm working on the motor at the moment and I'm inclined to mount it and close up the nose prior to attaching the struts, upper wing, and undercarriage. That's the order of assembly to which I've become accustomed. However, the instructions call for the motor and engine panels to be among the last items to go in, but that sounds quite risky to me and it would make the exterior much more tedious to paint. Do you have any advice for me on this order of construction issue?

It has been a while since I built Mine. I pretty much always close up the cowl panels/ Engine covers on My builds so pretty sure I closed mine up ASAP.
RAGIII

[Vickers]

Thanks again, Rick. I tested fitted everything on the nose with the motor in place and it looks like everything's going to work. I did end up thinning the channels in the upper cowling, but now it sits flush on the fuselage sides so I'm real happy about that.

[Tim Mixon]

Wow!  Seriously impressive interior paintwork there. 

[Vickers]

Thanks, Tim!

Here's where I am as of close of business this evening. Got the nose all taped together from the inside and rib tape masking applied. Preshading first and then it'll be time to bring on the PC10! I'll do that first and then mask off the trim underneath the wings and go for the doped linen.

[Vickers]

I spent yesterday's bench time painting & washing the propeller and putting the base color on the exhausts, then filled-sanded-polished areas on the fuselage that required attention. Mainly on the underside of the fuselage and around the headrest fairing. I also shaved down some round toothpicks to create wedge tips that would fit snugly into the holes for the cabane struts in the upper wing in order to elevate it a few millimeters to protect fresh paint and the curved ends of the brass bits hanging over the trailing edge. Then I masked off a few areas around the forward fuselage where I wanted some hard edges on the preshading. Hopefully, under a coat of PC10, the effect will be subtle.

This morning, I broke out the Vertigo biplane jig and got everything lined up best I could. The white board behind the jig is aligned with the cutting matt and provides an extra reference for checking the alignment. I anticipate that the struts will indicate where any slight adjustments to the jig may be necessary, but that'll be a week or so away since I'm going to take my time with the exterior paints and markings. With any luck, if I can maintain a steady pace, I'll have her finished before the group build window closes.

Cheers and happy modeling everyone!

[Vickers]

And the progress on the dangly bits. I used some thinned white canopy glue to wrap some bits of corrugated paper towel over the cabane struts and when the glue was dry I inundated the material with a spray of Pledge with Future Shine acrylic, diluted 1:1 with 91% alcohol. Then after imbibing a bit of alcohol myself, I BS'd some wrap lines on there with a pencil. I don't think it's going to show up much under a coat of paint, but no guts no glory... right? 















If you've made it this far, I have a question for you. I like the color of the interplane struts, but should I keep them matte finished or do you think they'd look better with a shinier satin finish?

[FAf]

Great strides forward and lots of good looking details! I really like the propeller and I think the struts would benefit from a coat of satin varnish.

Cheers
Fredrik

[Vickers]

Great strides forward and lots of good looking details! I really like the propeller and I think the struts would benefit from a coat of satin varnish.

Cheers
Fredrik

Thanks, FAf. That's what I was thinking, too. Based on the photos of the TVAL S.E.5a I think that the interplane struts and propeller should have a satin finish. In the morning, I'll be preshading with Floquil's RLM81 Braunviolet on the fuselage and uppers. I'll use their warm concrete on the undersides of the wings. It'll be a tedious session with the airbrush, very likely. I might not get to the overcoats until the following day.

[Allan31]

Agree with Fredrik, Prop looks outstanding and a bit of gloss on the struts.

[bobs_buckles]

Nearly there, Vickers!
Keep up the good work 

Bob

[Vickers]

Agree with Fredrik, Prop looks outstanding and a bit of gloss on the struts.

Thanks, Allan31. It seems we are all of like mind- satin finish for the  interplane struts and I'll be dulling down the high gloss on the prop.

Nearly there, Vickers!
Keep up the good work 

Bob

Thanks, Bob. I'm really hoping to make the deadline since I was three or more months' delayed in starting. Doing around 6 or so hours daily now.

[NigelR]

Lovey work all round and another vote for satin on the struts.