Academy 1/32 Nieuport 17

[Ernie]

Thanks for the comments, Mike.  As for the Gaspatch turnbuckles, I think they are
great.  A mite expensive, but they add a lot to a model, I feel.  A good choice for
myself whose attempts at home-made ended up too over-sized and not worth the
effort.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Nigel Jackson]

Hi Ernie

How do you attach those turnbuckles? Is it a case of drilling a hole into the wing and then glueing them in direct, or do they sit a short way along a line of rigging, making it necessary to attach rigging at each end? Sorry if it's a bit of a dumb question.

Best wishes
Nigel
 

[Ernie]

Hi Nigel, not a dumb question at all!  Actually it's both. I used the turnbuckles that have
the anchors already attached for the most part, which is as you describe, drill a hole,
(I think I used a 0.4mm bit) and CA the anchor in.  in two spots where the rigging starts
 inside the fuselage (above the wings), I used the turnbuckles that don't have any other
attachments.  Those I did attach the wires to each end.  Hope that helps.

Moving on, here's the latest installment of the Nieuport saga.
  First off, painted the area where I will install the Tom's PE stitching...it will
look better, honestly!   After that came the Cabane struts.


 
I must warn anyone about to build the Academy Nieuport, beware the front Cabanes.
They are shown to be installed backwards!  I figured this out after installing them as
per the instructions...I checked the references and sure enough they were the wrong
way around.  See below.



From there, I installed the Tom's stitching to the fuselage, then I replaced the kit supplied
Vickers machine gun with a marvelous resin version from Gaspatch, a great improvement
and well worth it.  I painted the gun first with Alclad Dull Aluminum, then Gunze buffable
Dark Iron metalizer paint.  I lightly sanded and picked away at the top coat to show some
wear and tear.  Now this is not nearly as convincing as Bo's superb Spandau in his Alby
build, but for my elementary talents, it looks not too bad.


And the other side...



Here's a shot of the cockpit and windscreen area.  She's starting to look a little more
complete, which is pleasing.



I have yet to figure something for the ammunition delivery and ejection system.  That
will be my next hurdle.

I was feeling quite smug and pleased with myself...bad mistake when I moved the wrong
way and managed to knock the starboard wing completely off.  As Homer Simpson would
say, DOH!!  So here is my girl back on the blocks waiting for the re-gluing to dry. 



So that is where we are right now.  More to come...stay tuned.
Thanks for looking!

Cheers,
Ernie  

[andonio64]

Thanks Ernie for this warning.
You keep working on such a hi level!

The Gaspatch buckles appear fantastic.
I had a look to their site and they indeed are really expensive... although everything there is of such a high quality

Antonio

[quentin]

You work very well and fast! your explanations are very usefull for me, starting my first one!

thanks and goods progress!

[Ernie]

Antonio and Francois, thank you for the kind thoughts. They are very
encouraging.

Cheers,
Ernie

[RAGIII]

Nice catch on the Strut arrangement Ernie! Looking good!!
RAGIII

[mike in calif]

Coming along well Ernie. I filed a flat spot on a sewing needle, and use it as a reamer for the turnbuckles, I hope that may help a bit when the rigging gets tight. You are doing a fine job on a pretty old kit.

[Ernie]

Thanks for the support, Rick and Mike.  Much appreciated!
Mike, what I use is a 0.3mm drill bit to make sure the turnbuckle eye will
take my monofiliment rigging material.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Des]

Looking really good Ernie, good pick-up on the cabane struts being reversed. You did a brilliant job on the machine gun painting and the stitching is very effective, the photo of the cockpit interior is excellent. This is shaping up to be a stunning model and with the use of GP turnbuckles the rigging will look very special, well done so far Ernie.

Des.

[KONG]

What a master, you are making an excellent job Ernie.
Looking good, cant wait to see it completed.

Awesome

All the best

Dave

[Dal Gavan]

Excellent work, Ernie.  You're right, the PE stitching does add a lot of interest to the upper nose.  And particular thanks for the tip about the carbane struts.  If I can find one of these I'll make a note of what you found.

Dal.

[IFF1418]

Amazing Ernie! It's a beauty. Like it very much!

Kind regards

Patrick

[Ernie]

Des, Dave, Dal and Patrick thanks for dropping by and the generous comments!
If anyone is looking for one of these beasties, there are a ton of them on Ebay.  I never
thought I would get so much enjoyment with a $15.00 kit. Whooda thunk it?

Cheers,
Ernie

[Epeeman]

Ernie -

Progressing beautifully! 

The MG really looks the part as well.

Regards

Dave