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

[uncletony]

it looks to me like the fuel tank in the drawing only extends about half as far back as yours. Or is that Captain Obvious speaking?

[rhallinger]

I believe you are correct Bo.  My layout is a compromise between the drawing arrangement and the location of the IP bulkhead in the Datafile plan drawings of the fuselage.  The Datafile plan locates the IP bulkhead further back from the firewall than is shown in the cutaway drawing.  This may have no historical basis and simply be based on model construction factors when the plan was drawn.  However, The fuselage is the same width at the firewall and either IP location, so I'm not sure why the plan would not have located it further forward.  Whatever the case, the tank appears to fill the space between the firewall bulkhead and the IP bulkhead, so I went with the plan IP bulkhead location and made an "extended range" fuel tank  to fill the space.  It's probably too long, but that's assuming the cutaway 3/4 angle drawing is accurate (I can think of no reaqson why it wouldn't be, other than human fallibility).  In any event, the upper cowling will completely mask my sins, and upon it's installation we will never see the fuel tank again.  

Speaking of the upper cowling, I'd like some input on fabrication of the cowling and side panels, which appear to be aluminum in the prototype photos.  I've been thinking about using either thin metal, a la Bo's Alby, for these, or thin sheet styrene (ten thou) for the side panels and vacuformed or push molded sheet styrene (20-30 thou) for the top and bottom cowling.  There are pros and cons to both approachs.  The metal would require a sort of smash or hammer molding process like Bo has done, which would require that I learn a new technique (always a good thing, but sometimes approached with trepidation).  Metal would also look better, most likely.  However, rivets and screws might be more difficult to simulate--there are plenty of them on the side panels.  As for plastic, the main drawback is appearance.  I suppose I could use Mr. Color Aluminum or Alclad to get a finish close to metal, but it's still not the same.  On the other hand, rivets and screws are more easily simulated on plastic with resin decal strips from Archer, which will be covered with the metallic paint.  In any event, the nice aspect of this is that I can experiment a bit with both and see which I prefer, before attaching anything to the airframe.   What is the considered wisdom of my friends and modeling colleagues on this issue?  Thanks for your input!

Regards,

Bob     

[uncletony]

well if you go with metal I will share a few secrets learned pounding on old Alfas

[rhallinger]

Modest progress this week.  I did manage to get the remainging fuselage framing completed and the bottom of the fuselage covered with ten thou sheet styrene.  From the rear of the cockpit forward the covering is a metal panel, and I painted the inside with Mr. Metal Aluminum.  I'll do the exterior later.





The turtledeck area is a declining convex surface which narrows on a a curve toward the tail.  I think I will need to use five thou sheet styrene for this (essentially paper thin) to get the curve right and have the sides sit properly.  Because of the compound curves, I am making a paper template pattern to ensure that the top covering will fit well.  Does anyone have a better idea for this?



I have decided to first try to fabricate the metal cowling panels from sheet styrene and vacuforming.  I will need to carve the pattern for the top and bottom cowling pattern from wood for the vacuforming.  Maybe by next weekend.

Regards,

Bob

[uncletony]

very impressive, Bob!

[Nigel Jackson]

Hi Bob

This is taking shape beautifully. It's a real treat to see a Tabloid under way at this scale and quality.

Best wishes
Nigel

[IFF1418]

Hello Bob,

Outstanding work on the fuselage my friend. This is going to be a super build!

Kind regards
Patrick

[lone modeller]

That is one stupendous build - modelling at its best. I think that the aluminium paint will link very realistic when it is finished and plastic is easier to work than metal in my (limited) experience.

[dr 1 ace]

Hi Bob

This is taking shape beautifully. It's a real treat to see a Tabloid under way at this scale and quality.

Best wishes
Nigel

Big ditto  !!!

ED

[rhallinger]

Here's the weekly update.  I managed to get the turtle deck covered with 10 thou plastic card.  I have also fabricated the tail skid, but will add it to the fuselage after painting.  I have laid out the fabric portion of the fuselage sides on sheet plastic, and will add those soon. 



I used a pencil and French curve/straight edge to emboss the ribs on the reverse side of the turtle deck covering.  You can see it a little here:



It's now time to fabricate the metal upper and lower cowling.  Here is the basswood vac master for the upper cowling:



I'll fire up the vac box/vacuum cleaner in the next few days and try a couple of pulls.  I still need to carve the lower cowling, which is much smaller.  That's all for now.

Cheers,

Bob     

[uncletony]

That fuselage looks awesome!

[Des]

Very nice work on the turtle deck Bob, I'm looking forward to seeing how your cowling turns out, good luck with the vac forming.

Des.

[lcarroll]

Fascinating Bob, and truly impressive results. I'm very much enjoying following your progress here, and learning with every update. Looking forward to More!
Cheers,
Lance

[Dric]

Woaw ! superb work
I will take a seat and follow carefully 
Dric

[lone modeller]

Very impressive turtle decking - I will note that for future reference. Your mould looks very nice indeed. When I make my moulds I do not cover the male former with anything - just use bare wood because just once I did use talcum powder/dope grain filler. It was unnecessary and actually the filler cracked! Just the benefit of my experience for what it is worth (if anything).