1/32 Sopwith Tabloid, RNAS No. 168, Lt. Marix, Oct. 1914

[rhallinger]

There is some additional progress this week.  I finished rigging the fuselage frames, which took a bit of time:



I did this rigging more for strength than appearance, since most of it will be invisible under the fuselage covering.  For the areas visible through the cockpit opening I used the steel colored monofilament from Steve Robson, which worked very well. 

I have also cut out fuselage cross-frames from templates provided in the drawings, reducing the width by the width of the side frames.  These include an engine firewall, instrument panel, cockpit backrest and a couple of others.  They are not entirely prototypical, but I am using them for additional strength and rigidity in the fuselage over scale framing cross-braces, and because they will largely not be visible.  Here they are:



Within the next few days I hope to have the fuselage frame fully assembled.  The cockpit, fuel tank and engine will follow.  I am using the WNW 80 hp Gnome 7-cylinder kit for the engine.  Most of it will be invisible under the cowling.

More soon.  Thanks for stopping in.

Regards,

Bob

[Des]

You have done a beautiful job with the fuselage frames and the rigging, and the bulkheads all look very good, once assembled it will really look the part, you are doing fantastic work with this scratch build Bob and I look forward to the next update.

Des.

[bobs_buckles]

Great to see this taking shape, Bob 
Keep up the great work!

vB

[Nigel Jackson]

A really interesting build, Bob, thanks for sharing it with us. I can't wait to see how things develop over the next few days.

Best wishes
Nigel

[IFF1418]

Hello Bob,

This is such a nice and informative build. Great build log too. Every little peace is neat, well finished. Tremendous modeling!

Kind regards
Patrick

[radio]

Great work until yet, Bob.
Martin

[lone modeller]

This is an inspiring build - the level of detail is wonderful. A most interesting build thread which I am following with great interest. I have pencilled in a Tabloid in 1/72 scale for the future and this will be an important part of my research material.

[rhallinger]

Time for a mini-update.  Fuselage assembly has begun, with some of the cockpit detail added, and the base coat for the wood applied and glossed before oils will be applied.  The bulkheads are glued in place back to the cockpit headrest, with the mid-fuselage bulkhead just fitted in position and the rear clamped together.  I'll glue those and add other cross-members after I have added the final bits to the cockpit.  Here she is tonight:





Starting to look a bit like a Tabloid now!   I'll add some closeups once the fuselage detail is added.  You can see the unpainted fuel tank and the cushionless seat off to the side.  I'll paint the tank and add a seat cushion tomorrow.  Once the wood oils are dry, I will complete the cockpit.  In the meantime, I'll go ahead and do the engine. 

Regards,

Bob

[coyotemagic]

It really is starting to look like a Tabloid now, Bob.  You must be terribly excited.  I know I am.  Awesome update, buddy.
Cheers,
Bud

[Des]

Excellent update Bob, she is really starting to take shape now, looking forward to seeing all the cockpit detail up close.

Des.

[IFF1418]

Hello Bob,

That is not a mini update, that's a great step forward. I forgot to mention that the bracing is extremely well done!

Kind regards
Patrick

[bobs_buckles]

Bob,
 This is shaping up beautifully. You must be very pleased with the way this build is coming together - I know I would be!

Cheers,
Bob 

[RAGIII]

Your fuselage is really taking shape now, literally! Beautiful work!!
RAGIII

[Ernie]

Great update, Bob!  She's really starting to take shape now.  I like the rigging you have
done very much.  Is the tubing brass?  Also, could you tell me what is the size of the
tubes?  Excellent work, my friend!

Cheers,
Ernie

[lone modeller]

This is an incredible build. Everything is so neat and fits so well that it could almost be mistaken for the real thing. I would give a great deal to be able to build to this standard.