A WNW S.E.5a for Dave

[Vickers]

I started putting the stuff for this one together in late May, but I've been having a hard time getting started for several reasons. I was thinking that I'd hold out and see if I could source some Pheon decals for B'525 as flown by Rhys-Davids so that I could match it up with my Roden "Voss" F.1, but after pursuing that issue from every angle I can think of I haven't been able to find any examples of that 1/32nd sheet on eBay, etc. So, I suppose that I'll settle on Lord which is the same option Dave built using the WNW decals.

As he often said to me over the years, "just build the thing!" My other issue is once I had all of the Gaspatch and other aftermarket stuff together and started reducing the sprues, I would just freeze and get very little done so my chances of getting this one finished in time for the GB window are diminishing. However, I am resolved to keep this one on the bench, forsaking all others, until such time as it is ready for the display case. Meanwhile, I just wanted to plant my flag with a few images to get started. The kit, my phone screen with date, and some fun pics that Sally snapped while we were all in Las Vegas a few years ago:

Dave(R) and I at Hobbytown USA:



Dave(left) and I(right) with Jeff Garrity(center) at his Rareplane Detective warehouse store. I couldn't walk out of there without the Revell 1/72nd 3-kit Sopwith Camel/Fokker E.III/Morane Saulnier N combo, which was the first Great War kit that I ever "built" when I was a kid and remains sealed in the original plastic wrap:



The kit:



My phone with a smidgeon of the box:



I hope to overcome my modeler's block and get started on the S.E.5a soon.

[DaddyO]

Great bit of background there Vickers now get it out of the box and start adding paint and glue  (Just kidding I'm the last one to be talking about making a start since I regularly spend an enjoyable evening going through 'possible' kits and not actually doing anything productive)

Look forward to seeing this one come together. Hopefully some decals will appear in a timely manner and if not I'm sure Dave would be delighted to see another Se5a grace the building board

Paul

[FAf]

I really wish I had a Wingnut S.E.5a!

If you really rather want to build the Rhys Davids machine, I think I can help you out with masks so that you can paint it all. It's not the most complicated scheme. But - no pressure!

Cheers
Fredrik

[NigelR]

Thanks for sharing the background, it only makes it more important for you to get this one done for the GB  . Looking forward to seeing how you progress with this one, as I have one in the stash.

[Brad Cancian]

Thank you for the wonderful story Vickers - this looks like it will be a tribute with a very personal connection for you Though Dave and I spoke regularly on e-mail and the telephone, I never had the privilege of meeting him face to face.

Looking forward to seeing more of this one!

Cheers,

BC

[macsporran]

Perfect choice and a nice personal touch.

Dave's favourite plane, my favourite plane - surely everybody's favourite plane!

Sandy

[Vickers]

Thanks for your kind and inspiring comments, everyone. Dave and I had been in regular contact via social media and the Far Flung Modelers email group for over 20 years and coping with his passing has been quite difficult. I hope that he understood how well-liked and respected he was among our community.

I really wish I had a Wingnut S.E.5a!

If you really rather want to build the Rhys Davids machine, I think I can help you out with masks so that you can paint it all. It's not the most complicated scheme. But - no pressure!

Cheers
Fredrik

Thanks, Fredrik. I wish I had an extra one that I could send to you! I'm intrigued by your mask suggestion and I think it would be fun to try that since I've never used masks for markings before. Shall I send you a PM to explore the idea?

[FAf]

Hi Vickers!
Yes, send me a PM and we'll 'talk' some more about this.
/F

[lcarroll]

     Yes Vickers, get at it, a wonderful choice to honor Dave's memory! I'm doing the same model in a different scheme and will be posting a few photos of the first installment of the Build Log before this weekend is done; we have plenty of time to complete our tributes. Like Brad I never met Dave personally however several years of working closely with him starting when he stepped up to continue the Forum when we lost our founder, Des, will never leave me, he was a great and unforgettable friend.
     The Rhys David's machine scheme is a great choice, I did my second one in it using the Pheon sheet; you should pursue the masks Fredrik has kindly offered to help you with; it only requires the aircraft S/N, the quartered wheel covers, and fuselage and wing letters "I" to do the job. I'm looking forward to following your progress and hopefully can glean a few hints along the way!
Cheers,
Lance

[RAGIII]

Great background. You are lucky to have Met David in person! You are wise to take up Fredrik about the masks. Having used several he created for Me I can say he is reasonable in price, and they are easy to use! I am looking forward to your SE5a build!
RAGIII

[Vickers]

Great background. You are lucky to have Met David in person! You are wise to take up Fredrik about the masks. Having used several he created for Me I can say he is reasonable in price, and they are easy to use! I am looking forward to your SE5a build!
RAGIII

Thanks, Rick. I fully intend to and I will make it worth his while. I suppose that once I have B'525 finished I will have to build Voss' F.1 so that I can display them together.

[Vickers]

Just getting started, at last. I don't have a Fawcett vertical fin correction, so I attempted to recreate the appearance of the tapes on the elevators by gluing down some synthetic hair, putting seven small dots of evenly spaced clear glue along that, and then taping over it once dry. Long ago, I had fashioned a dual bladed tape cutter and luckily I kept it handy. So, although not perfect, I think the tapes will look okay under a coat of paint from a few feet away:







On to one of my favorite parts, painting out the woodgrain and fabric in the interior.

[RAGIII]

You have certainly achieved what you were going for! Well done!
RAGIII

[NigelR]

That rib tape looks really good. Fortunately I have some rib tape decals that HGW produced a while back (but afaik they don't do any more).

[FAf]

👍
That does the trick. Looking forward to wood.
/Fredrik