Roden Staaken R.VI bashed to an R.IV

[NinetythirdLiberator]

Success!

I got the center section on, glued and rigged.  I also drilled holes for the top wing gun positions.

I'm pretty excited.  Very pleased right now.  I think putting the interplane struts in will be a comparative doddle. With the center section rigged, it's very strong.  Now I wish I'd put in the correct radiators.  I just used the kit examples and they turn out to be different than the R.IV...maybe next time!! 

This thing will be done soon.  Never thought I'd say that...

Thanks for looking and your comments and suggestions. 
Dan

[uncletony]

Home stretch! Go Dan Go!

[GAJouette]

  Dan,
Excellent update my friend. I do have a question for you though. On the upper wing gunnery positions ,how are they manned? Do the gunners stand on some sort of platform on the underside of the wing ? This is one outstanding thread and one I'll surely miss when she's completed. Then of coarse you can begin that 1/48 scale version or maybe 1/32 or both .
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[NinetythirdLiberator]

Hi Gregory and thanks for the question!

There was a ladder that went from the back of each nacelle to the upper wing.  There was a sliding (I think) trap door through which your upper body went through and you stood on a folding square floor.  Pretty precarious to say the least 

That's coming up soon but here is a link to a photo I found on the web that help show this position...if the link works

http://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/Putnam/German_Giants/124-3.jpg

Off to Mt. Rainier today but will start adding interplane struts tonight while watching the Olympics...

Dan

[Flyjunkie]

simply stunning work Dan, just terrific!!
This is going to be Fantastic once you've completed it...

Thank you for sharing the progress..

Dean ~~~

[GAJouette]

  Dan,
Thanks for the speedy reply and link my friend. Precarious to say the least,something akin to gunnery platform on a Caproni Ca.3 on the precariousness scale I'd imagine. Enjoy Mt. Rainier ,such a beautiful place to see. Just watch out for the herds of Rainiers roaming about .
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Fokker boy]

Very cool project indeed.

[NinetythirdLiberator]

All,

I got all the struts in with a bit of niggling. I did need to super glue a very fine length of brass rod to the trailing edge of each strut so they wouldn't bend under the springy top/bottom wings.  They are pretty heavy!      You can't even see them...especially once they get painted.  I did get one wrong way around, though... 

The struts are, thankfully, all parallel and straight even though they don't look so in some of the pictures...

Rigging tomorrow.  I can't wait because then the dang thing will be strong and tight as a drum.

Stay tuned...Dan

[coyotemagic]

Absolutely brilliant, Dan!
Cheers,
Bud

[MammaAiuto]

Hello Dan

Nice build  ..... I really  like your lozenge decal and all of your build to ... very nice challenge and a non often kit view on the net.

Is this possible to buy you some night lozenge decals !!!!!! if it break no rule.

Soon I will start my vac-form AEG G.IV  and it will be nice to be with some '' camo '' with your finish decal

Have a nice modeling week-end

Marc P


.

[NinetythirdLiberator]

Well...getting very close now.  Except for some touch up and a couple of extra wires here and there, she is rigged and covered. It's dang hard to get a shot of the whole thing so don't mind to expert photography!

I do think my rigging is too thin.  They were all (?) (landing and flying wires) apparently doubled and then covered with some leather...I don't know how to do that so this will be it for now...    It is very strong, but I do want to minimize handling as much as possible.  I do have nightmares  from time to time! 

Tonight I'll paint on the top crosses and then start fiddling with the ladders for the nacelle gun positions.  Fun, fun, fun 

Thanks for looking...Dan

[coyotemagic]

Very impressive, Dan!  The rigging looks perfect to me and a that loz really dazzles.  Outstanding job, buddy.
Cheers,
Bud

[GAJouette]

   Dan,
Absolutely awesome rigging my old friend. The rigging size looks perfect to my eyes. Remember if the rigging was actually scaled to 1/72 scale you wouldn't see it without aid. Looking forward to the next outstanding update .
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Whiteknuckles]

Great work Dan, your rigging looks mighty fine

You stated that the rigging was covered with leather - was there a tactical reason (sound, reflection, etc) for this or some other reason?

Andrew

[lcarroll]

Andrew, Mr. Fokker, Gregory and Lance,

Thanks for all your great comments.  I am really enjoying this thing.

And Lance...any hope of seeing a picture of your cases?  I just ran out of room and my wife sort of gets the shakes every time I bring out the Staaken.   There is plenty of air cover on her piano so she doesn't need any more!!!

Much appreciated, folks...Dan

 


Dan,
   Sorry for the delayed reply...too much work at present and not enuff play! (need to really start acting my age and truly admit my working days are over!!) I'll snap a couple of photos and post them in the next 48 hours. The cases I completed recently are 14 inches deep so no doubt a little shallow for your Staaken. They could be easily "scaled up".
Cheers,
Lance