Vickers 'Bullet' FB-19 Mk. II, 1/72

[xmald]

A great project mate! I didn`t even know such a plane existed...
Your 72 looks for at least 48 

[Old Man]

Getting into the home-stretch here, friends....

Here are the the major elements painted and decalled:











I decided to take A5231 as my subject: there is not much difference in the service histories of these, all being sent out to the Middle East in June, 1917, those being assigned to No. 14 reaching it in early July, shifting to 111 at its formation in August, and being retired from front-line service around the turn of the year, however, it was a photograph of A5231 seen years ago (printed from a reversed negative, so it all looked like mirror writing) which lodged the idea of someday doing a scratch-build of a Vickers Bullet in my mind.

The windscreen is a from packaging for a set of pencils bought for grandsons' school supplies; they came pre-sharpened, and the tapered ends of the blister are very useful, with a bit of careful trimming.

[Old Man]

Here the upper wing has been attached....







I did not, after all, use the Camel struts; though correct in length, their profile is wrong. The Vicker's struts have a 'belly', while the fairing on the Camels struts are straight, and all behind the tube. So I made my own.

Putting the wing on was a colossal pain, and I had to discard one set of interplane struts. I wound up making very deep locator holes, which allowed a solid hold of interplane struts with a bit extra at each end to set in the openings. With the wing on by the interplanes, cabane struts were cut to fit the model.

I have used the Camel undercarriage pieces, however. I had a bit of a senior moment, though, and attached them first (as shown in these pictures) just as they came off the sprue. The front legs should have been shortened (and now have been). I expect I shall have to start making planning notes now and then....

[Old Man]

Here is the main rigging complete (and the undercarriage legs corrected)....







Cabane rigging will be put in with lengths of fine wire, I have a great deal of this blacked for the use, and for the control wires.

I should be able to bring this thing to completion next weekend, not really very much to do left....

[GAJouette]

  Old Man,
Beautiful work my old friend. Outstanding rigging,weathering,construction and paint.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Des]

She's coming along beautifully Old Man, how you do it in such a small scale is incredible, the rigging looks excellent.

Des.

[lcarroll]

Lovely little beast O.M. I marvel at what you can accomplish in this scale; I left 1:48 behind because of age related limitations vs. the detail I wanted to achieve, and you're working in 1:72!
Great and unique topic well executed.
Cheers,
Lance

[uncletony]

Wonderful!

[lone modeller]

Very good modelling, especially the rigging which I see is double as per the original. Nice to see this in 1/72 as it is so rare - I have largely given it up because I cannot get the wires to stay parallel. I really look forward to seeing the completed model of what is a little known machine. My congratulations on an excellent build.

[Zabu]

Nice work Old Man.

It's incredible to see how a tinny bit pf plastic can be so big. (my king of plastic! hehe)
I salute your double rigging there.

Cheers

[Rob Hart]

Fine craftsmanship and a fascinating choice of subject. How about treating us to what inspires how you choose your modeling subjects?

[NinetythirdLiberator]

Nice, OM!  It will be done in on time.  Great to follow this scratch...Dan