Multi-Seat 2026 GB - Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 1/72

[Tim Mixon]

That?s looking fantastic Paul. Nice work on the cowling and fuselage vent. Thanks for pointing out how small the resin engine is compared to the Roden one. That?s a nice substitute.

[lone modeller]

Not seen this subject represented for a long time, which is a shame as it was an important type in its time.

You are adding your usual super-fine details so I will be following with interest, not least because I am looking for good ideas!!

Stephen.

[mbittner]

When/if you do a second one, note that Aero Rarities is coming out with a 3D printed cockpit (and other parts) for primarily the Flashback kit, although I will see how it works with the Toko/Eastern Express kit when it becomes available.

[DaddyO]

That?s looking fantastic Paul. Nice work on the cowling and fuselage vent. Thanks for pointing out how small the resin engine is compared to the Roden one. That?s a nice substitute.

Cheers Tim (Shame it's a bit of tiddler, but without all the hollowing out it would probably be okay)

Not seen this subject represented for a long time, which is a shame as it was an important type in its time.

You are adding your usual super-fine details so I will be following with interest, not least because I am looking for good ideas!!

Stephen.

Hi Stephen. Yep it's not seen as often in this scale nowadays which is a shame; the Flashback kit is pretty good and doesn't have that textured flying surface which the Toko/Eastern Express ones do. There are some cracking schemes for Strutters and I've got a set of the Blue Rider(?) decals which show quite a few French decorated examples. Although it's a nice size the rigging isn't too extensive so hopefully will build up pretty quickly without too many snapped drill bits 

When/if you do a second one, note that Aero Rarities is coming out with a 3D printed cockpit (and other parts) for primarily the Flashback kit, although I will see how it works with the Toko/Eastern Express kit when it becomes available.

Good spot matey I completely forgot about Aero Rarities although making one up from scratch isn't too arduous in this scale. I'll bear it mind when I have a go at the next one 

[enathan]

Excellent work Paul! As always, I'm amazed at your level of detailing in this scale.
There should be no problem fitting the Aero Rarities pack to the Toko/EE kits mbittner/Paul, quote:
"Based on the popular Toko/Eastern Express kits in 1/72 scale, it also complements other manufacturers' kits and after-market photo-etch accessories'.

[DaddyO]

Excellent work Paul! As always, I'm amazed at your level of detailing in this scale.
There should be no problem fitting the Aero Rarities pack to the Toko/EE kits mbittner/Paul, quote:
"Based on the popular Toko/Eastern Express kits in 1/72 scale, it also complements other manufacturers' kits and after-market photo-etch accessories'.

Cheers enathan 

Been busy this week so progress has been slow, but I have been popping in for the odd half hour here and there. Slapped some paint on the engine and set that aside for later. Bit of paint on the fuselage and sorted out a dashboard from some plastic scraps, but to be honest I'm not a fan of interior bits so here's something different -

A big feature of Sopwiths (and others) are the little viewing windows for control cables which I've never been happy just painting on even though in this scale it looks okay. Most of the time this week has been experimenting with different ways of making this tiny detail  After several attempts with making a thin plastic floor adding a pully from a scrap of sprue and then using a clear filler to bring it up the wing surface. Sadly all attempts seem to end with a slight meniscus in the clear filler so I decided on a different approach. Cut the slot out, fill with clear Perspex, paint the detail on the bottom then add the 'linen' paint over this and sand the top to profile before painting as normal. Slight drawback is that the Perspex is a bit harder than plastic so sanding is tricky.

Here's the result with some paint on top to get an idea of how it might look (Yes I know it's an Albatros wing, but my Camel paint mule wing was covered in multiple layers of paint) -

Wing transparency 2 , on Flickr

Wing transparency , on Flickr

Looks okay to me, but can I be bothered to add them to the wings . . .

In other news I spent some time this morning making up suitable struts (The undercarriage are just roughed out at this stage and the wing struts are overlong ready to be trimmed down) I decided after studying the close up photos in the datafile to make inverted 'V's for the centres and add the extra strut later which are laying alongside

Strutter struts , on Flickr

[PrzemoL]

Lovely struts

[Flamingo]

Lovely struts

Precisely!
After inspecting those panels: same comment! 

[NigelR]

Now that is attention to detail in this scale! I think those inspection panels look great, only you can decide if it's worth adding them though...... (personally I think you should  ).

[DaddyO]

Thank you chaps 

Been fiddling about with the interior (most of which will be unseen or at best blurry, but I can't just leave the cockpits completely alone) I'll hopefully get them finished later and will take a couple of pics before they disappear. I will add the inspection panels although it would have been easier to sand them in with the wing before adding rib detail I think I can manage them at this stage without too many problems. (Memo to self to do them earlier in the process next time)

I always find this stage of the model the time when I'm most likely to set it aside for something else since it seems to absorb time without any apparent visible progress being made - Is this just me? Do others have stages that they drag their heels over or struggle with?

Paul

[Tim Mixon]

Meticulously detailed Paul. Great idea with the inspection panels. I?ve often thought about replicating them similarly but never found the inspiration. I may have to try this out for myself though. 
Thanks,
Tim

[enathan]

Brilliant work Paul! The small inspection windows are an exceptional addition.
I wouldn't be surprised if some control cables would be visible through them   

[DaddyO]

Brilliant work Paul! The small inspection windows are an exceptional addition.
I wouldn't be surprised if some control cables would be visible through them   

Cheers matey 

One thing that the test showed is that I will need to outline the wheel so it shows up a bit better (I did contemplate the cables, but this is supposed to be a 'quick' build)

Paul

[DaddyO]

As promised here are a couple of quick pics taken before the fuselage was closed up

First an instrument panel cobbled together from 10 thou card and stretched sprue. Didn't waste too much time getting the details exactly right on this one since it's unlikely to be seen once in place

Stutter instrument panel , on Flickr

Cockpit all ready to be closed up. Front seat is an old photo etched back with a scrap of plastic for the seat bottom. Lewis boxes were built up from 5 thou card around three spare Roden drums (I'll add the gunners rear seat later along with anything else I've missed; although I did spot that bent bracing wire and straightened that out) 

Stutter interior , on Flickr

[lone modeller]

Super interior detailing: what a pity it will be hardly visible! I will not be adding so much detail to my build because it will not be visible and I am eager to get on with things that will be visible!!

In reply to your comment about wishing to move on to another subject/getting stuck at a particular stage of the build: I seem to suffer from that problem frequently. I thought that it was an issue with scratch building - one has to make a large number of parts and there is little to show for them in the form of a model, so perseverance is essential, but sometimes difficult. I am suffering a little from that problem at the moment - I have to add some details to the interior of my current project and I am not to excited at the prospect. I could easily start another! However once I am over "the hump" and I can see real progress, my mojo tends to return and I regain my original urge to continue with and finish the model.

Stephen.