1/32 WnW Pfalz D.IIIa

[IFF1418]

Patrick, the second wing (different shaped wingtip) is for the earlier version of the Pfalz DIIIa. 
The one I'm building has the later lower wing.

Cheers,
Ernie

Thank you Ernie!

Cheers
Patrick

[Pete Nottingham]

Lovely job Ernie, that lozenge looks very good.

Cheers

Pete.

[rhallinger]

Lovely job Ernie, that lozenge looks very good.

Cheers

Pete.

+1.  Very well done!    A beautiful Pfalz.

Cheers,

Bob

[KONG]

Cracker Ernie   

Must do a German one someday.

Dave

[RAGIII]

Ernie,
The Lozenge has turned out well and I like your progress on the gear!
RAGIII

[Ernie]

Des, Patrick, Pete, Bob, Dave & Rick, thanks for your continuing support and encouragement.
I really appreciate the warm comments.
  I apologise for the absence of updates for a while, but I had things to
care for on this end.  I am getting back at it now, so here's a bit of an catch up.

I've got the struts on as well as the exhaust.





I am starting to work on the rigging, setting the GasPatch turnbuckles, etc.



It is really slow work attaching the rigging lines (2 pound test monofilament fishing line).  I am making
use of Des's article on increasing the inside measurement of 0.4mm brass tubing.

http://www.ww1aircraftmodels.com/page8.html

Despite the slow-going drilling out the 0.4mm tubing, not to mention trying to loop the monofilament back
through the tube, which barely fits (but thankfully does! ), I am pleased with the look of the small diameter
tubing, which looks pretty good next to the turnbuckles.





That's about where I am at this point. Lots more fiddling to come with the rigging attachments, but
heading in the right direction. More updates to come as things progress.  Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers,
Ernie

[uncletony]

good job, Ernie!

[Steven Robson]

I like your turnbuckles Ernie.

It's a most beautiful scheme on this Pfalz D.IIIa, you're doing her proud.

Do you think it's a bit bold to claim that the Pfalz D.IIIa was the most elegant aircraft of WW1?

Happy Landings
Steven

[IFF1418]

Hello Ernie,

Very nicely done, great work. With the struts installed you made a great leap forward and this will be a terrific build my friend!

Kind regards
Patrick

[lcarroll]

Nicely done, Ernie. Despite your delays you are well ahead of my progress now, take your time though, She's a beauty!
Cheers,
Lance

[mgunns]

Hello Ernie:

Good job on the turnbuckles.  I know what a pain it can be threading the rigging material back through the eyelet!  Especially with EZLine!  Now is the easy part.....attaching the upper wing and finishing the rigging.  It is a striking scheme with the sword.
Looking forward to seeing you progress through to completion.

Best

Mark

[RAGIII]

Your Pfalz is looking really great with the struts mounted and the turnbuckles installed! I am looking forward as always to the next update!
RAGIII

[Ernie]

Thanks to all my friends for the kind words of encouragement.  You are constantly
helping me improve my modelling skills...slowly, but heading in the right direction.
You're always reinforcing  my belief this is by far the best of the modelling sites.
  I am done preparing the rigging...well almost.  Still two or three eyelets to thread.
Mark, I have had quite a time threading the eyelets.  I can't imaging how much harder it
would be using EzLine.  Something I don't think I would want to try.
I have the upper wing attached with one small disaster which I will go into later. I will
be getting some more photos together in a day or two for an update.
  Steven, I tend to agree with you...if not the most elegant, certainly near the top.
  Thanks again everyone!

Cheers,
Ernie

[Ernie]

Many thanks Justin.  Warts and all, it's really a labour of love. Will get some
photos up before too long.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Ernie]

It's about time I popped in with a little update.  Things haven't moved very
quickly, but moving just the same.

I've got the upper wing on and secured, but not without a heart-stopping incident when
I put on a bit too much pressure and snapped one of the interplane struts.  Luckily, it was
restricted to half of the strut and not both parts...





...obviously there is more cosmetic work to do on the wound .  Blasted macro lens!

Anyway, I have started attaching the rigging.  Going very slowly, dislodging a couple of turnbuckles
which needed replacing...slops of CA here and there (hopefully to be hidden with touch-up paint), and
a couple that are a bit slack which also hopefully will tighten up with a little heat.





The rigging lines were given a steely look with the aid of a silver "Sharpie" marker pen, quick and
actually does a pretty fair job of it.

Still a couple of lines to connect for the port side then it's on to the starboard...



One thing I'm disappointed in is the lozenge has taken a beating handling and working on the
rigging.  Being careful as I can, I still have managed to remove small chunks of lozenge...mostly
on the top of the upper wing, so I  will unfortunately have a bunch of patching to do.  I'm not sure
what I can do to keep it from happening...maybe a couple more coats of varnish over the lozenge
before starting the rigging?

That's about all I have for you so far.  The way it goes, I will be toiling on the rigging for a while yet.
Thanks for looking in and any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Ernie