I've decided to take a break from the Wingnut Wings "roll" I've been on of late and take on a challenge with more opportunity for some improvisation and a few more Scratch Built additions. Although this Kit would, IMHO, produce a very nice OOB Build I hope to enhance the cockpit and a few other areas to take her beyond the "Nice" category.
With the Superscale After Market Decals in hand I'll be finishing the aircraft as SN #6177 as flown by 1st Lt. Quentin Roosevelt of the AEF's 95th Aero Squadron at Gengoult, France in June of 1918.
References for the Build will be as pictured, mainly however the Windsock Datafile.
I've only just started the project; the engine components and some of the cockpit components have been cleaned up in preparation for painting and assembly. Study of some of the excellent cockpit views in the datafile indicate that the wooden panels around the cockpit were constructed, like the tail assembly, with strips of wood laminated to a second layer of strips. I've started a rough shell to represent that using Evergreen .13mm (.005 inches) thick sheet styrene.
........and here a closer view of the wood shell for the interior.
This will be a slow start as several of the critical items are "on order". I'm waiting for a resin "Peach Basket" seat from Aviattic , Gaspatch Vickers Guns, and some tiny brass nuts from RB Motion for the rigging........ inspiration from Dal Gavan's build of the same Model here.
I've always really liked the look of this aircraft. Despite being outclassed by much better aircraft the American Pilots were able to "hold the fort" with their Ni 28's until they got their Spads. Seeing some of the spectacular Builds here, particularly by our Forum Members Dal and Patrick in the past year, provided the inspiration to purchase the Kit and "get at her"!
I'm looking forward to this one!
Cheers,
Lance
