WNW Sopwith Tripe - N5376 Black Sheep

[RAGIII]

Very Nice work on the rudder! The painting is decidedly better than decaling!!
RAGIII

[Ian from Doncaster]

Thanks everyone

Now, I would be grateful for some advice on painting the underside of the aircraft.  The panel that is under the cockpit and between the wings appears to have 3 sections, the front upturned V section, a central section where the ammo chute pokes through, and a rear section.

The rear section I believe should be CDL as with the underside of the remaining fuselage.  But, should I paint the other 2 sections in PC10/12 or black like the cowlings?  Should the central panel be PC10/12 and the front one black?  The research I have done is inconclusive with the photos of the underside mostly in shadow.  Photos of models on the WNW website show the front 2 panels to be PC12 but those models so not depict Black Flight aircraft.

Any suggestions?  thanks in advance!

[lcarroll]

Thanks everyone

Now, I would be grateful for some advice on painting the underside of the aircraft.  The panel that is under the cockpit and between the wings appears to have 3 sections, the front upturned V section, a central section where the ammo chute pokes through, and a rear section.

The rear section I believe should be CDL as with the underside of the remaining fuselage.  But, should I paint the other 2 sections in PC10/12 or black like the cowlings?  Should the central panel be PC10/12 and the front one black?  The research I have done is inconclusive with the photos of the underside mostly in shadow.  Photos of models on the WNW website show the front 2 panels to be PC12 but those models so not depict Black Flight aircraft.

Any suggestions?  thanks in advance!

Ian,
    I had the same puzzle several months back with my Black Maria. After poring over photos (I lost count) I concluded (my opinion) that the rear one (starts just ahead of the rear Landing Gear Struts) was CDL, the other two PC12, and the small add on "chin" type cowling (Part A34) definitely black. Here's a photo of how I did it...............

    Like most colour questions we have a 100% correct interpretation is, of course, not likely!
Cheers,
Lance

[Ian from Doncaster]

Thanks Lance - this was the closest I had got, I was wondering whether any of the underside panels had the same paint as the cowlings.  With your advice added to what (little) I had found, I think that I will follow your example here

I am going to veer towards the PC10 rather than PC12, just because of my personal preference for a greener shade rather than entering a debate on historical accuracies, and also the shade will hopefully make a pleasing contrast to the black.

The undercarriage struts appear to be black but I believe the axle fairing would be PC10/12 too.

[GAJouette]

 Ian,
Fantastic progress to date my old friend.Love the weathering on her underside. Keep up the good work.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Ian from Doncaster]

Ian,
Fantastic progress to date my old friend.Love the weathering on her underside. Keep up the good work.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

This is Lance's Tripe underside, I would be delighted if I could match this!

[GAJouette]

"This is Lance's Tripe underside, I would be delighted if I could match this!"
LOL, guess I was asleep at the wheel again. That being said I have no doubt you will do as outstanding job Lance did my old friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Ian from Doncaster]

Thank you - I plan this one however as a "clean" aircraft.  Usually I end up weathering to cover up mistakes, so I need to be ultra careful here.

A bit more done, just taking it easy with some individual bits, here is the machine gun and front cowling, the latter will get a coat of klear and there is a plate decal to go on too.  I left the gun on the sprue to protect the delicate PE handle, until I assemble this to the model.  It isn't seen here, but I pierced a hole in the barrel with the compass point of my circle cutter.

[IFF1418]

Hi Ian,

The engine cowling looks very attractive. Great idea to leave the machine gun on the sprue. I'll think of that next time. Great work Ian!

Kind regards
Patrick

[RAGIII]

Great work on the Cowling and MG! Looking forward to your next update,
RAGIII

[Ian from Doncaster]

Thanks Rick, Patrick.

At the moment I am working mainly on small individual components and assemblies.  This is the great thing about WNW kits, the sub assemblies can be completed from sprue cutting to varnish within a few hours, such as the pilots little locker panel for the back of the cockpit.  I have quite a collection of components now, but have started with the cockpit side frames also.

The latest item complete is the fuselage front top cover panel.  The front portion was painted first - a priming layer of humbrol metalcote polished aluminium, followed by satin black and finished with klear.  When applying the black, the filler tops were masked using circles of tape stamped out, to leave the aluminium underneath.  I guess these could have been brass, but I am happy with the metal.

I then painted the PC-10, choosing humbrol #86 as this is a light olive shade I wanted to represent a fresh out of the factory machine.  I am not too bothered if this is not 100% historically correct as I prefer the look of a greenish shade to the brown, plus of course there is much debate over the PC10-12 finish of these aircraft.

The cockpit coaming was painted a mid-brown colour in several thin layers and shades, and the stitching picked out with a HB pencil - although this isn't easy to see here.  The whole component was coated in Klear, then the front section was masked before spraying satincote on the PC-10 section, to be the same as the rest of the fuselage.

[IFF1418]

Hello Ian,

The cover is so nicely done. A real piece of art. I remember it so well. It's so much nicer than mine was. The stitching is certainly a good idea. Wouldn't even have thought of that. It is going to be a stunner!

Kind regards
Patrick

[lcarroll]

   Beautiful clean, as planned, work on that top panel, Ian. What product is the "satincote" you mention? Is it the Humbrol Product? I'm still not decided on what to pursue as a final finish per our earlier dialogues on Clearcote etc.
Cheers,
Lance

[Ian from Doncaster]

Hi Lance,

Yes this is a humbrol product, the satin version of the spray varnish.  I put the tin in warm water for 10 mins or so before spraying.  Satin is great, not too glossy which could be toy like...

I use this product to dull down the glossy surfaces where I have previously used Klear to give the surface and sealant for decals and weathering powders.  I wouldn't spray directly onto decals in case the varnish solvent damages them.  I prepared this panel this way, klear then satin varnish even though there are no decals, in order to follow the same procedure and layers of treatments as will be applied to the rest of the fuselage which does of course have decals.

[lcarroll]

Hi Lance,

Yes this is a humbrol product, the satin version of the spray varnish.  I put the tin in warm water for 10 mins or so before spraying.  Satin is great, not too glossy which could be toy like...

I use this product to dull down the glossy surfaces where I have previously used Klear to give the surface and sealant for decals and weathering powders.  I wouldn't spray directly onto decals in case the varnish solvent damages them.  I prepared this panel this way, klear then satin varnish even though there are no decals, in order to follow the same procedure and layers of treatments as will be applied to the rest of the fuselage which does of course have decals.

    ..............and the "Klear" you mention is the floor product we often refer to as "Future"??
Thanks for the info,
Lance