Squiffy joins the big boys - WNW Sopwith Pup RNAS

[Gisbod]

Hello Squiffy,

Looks great  I haven't built the Pup, but everyone seems to recommend it as a first build - but it does seem to have fit issues! Which is very un-Wingnuts.. If you're going to do another - I loved the Pfalz D.III - super fit - straightforward - and a lovely aircraft 

Are you 1/32 hooked yet? 1/72 seems teeny after a biggie!

Regards

Guy

[Jim]

...I was accused of trying to run Wingnut kits and the company down...

Des.

That's disappointing to hear, Des.

WNW should help to support their customers by offering some tips on their website to solve or at least alleviate these fit problems, rather than sending out defensive emails to those in the modelling community who are.

I experienced the same fit problem on my first build of this kit. I also had fit problems with part A7 (the gun support tube) causing A10 (the top of the cockpit) not to sit properly, and I struggled fitting the centre struts in the slots of A10. Finally, the engine was so tight it couldn't spin properly.

This hasn't stopped me from buying this kit again, as well as the RFC version, though I will be sure to carefully read over the build guides again when I have another crack at this kit! 

[WarrenD]

Wow, so it's possible that at least one WNW kit is not perfectly engineered , and the folks at WNW are very thin-skinned and cannot handle honest constructive criticism?  I guess when you have the writers in the hobby press and modelers all of the world gushing and fawning about how wonderful and beautiful you are, you start to believe your own press. Don't misunderstand me, I think they're beautiful kits, and I think WNW is a good company. However, I would have thought they could handle some honest criticism, and a post on how to correct a possible error, and not react in such a negative manner. It's not like Des was saying that his kit was just a 1/32nd version of a Merlin kit, and was little more than a blob of plastic.

OK, now . . . . Squiffy, you're doing a great job friend, and I'm following this since I got this kit for Christmas. (I'll also go and check out Des' build log as well.)  I'm sorry to hear about your internal rigging getting squished, not sure how to check that, etc.

Press on sir! Press on!

Warren

[Squiffy]

Are you 1/32 hooked yet? 1/72 seems teeny after a biggie!

Regards

Guy

I wouldn't say that I'm hooked. I like all the extra detail that comes with the size but I'm not sure I can really take advantage of it with my existing skills and equipment.

For example, with 72nd I can simply paint the undersides of wings and they look alright but with this it wouldn't look right to be all one plain colour and shade. I've seen some marvellous work on this forum when it comes to painting but most of it seems to involve using an airbrush. I don't have an airbrush so I've had to improvise.

I did that with masking tape and weathering powders. I suppose it would look alright if you were riding by on a galloping horse.

And then rigging is an altogether different kettle of fish than in 72nd...

I've drilled the ends of the struts but what's left is fragile and is going to be a real test of patience. 

I think this kit is a learning experience and if I build another it should be better. I may even buy an airbrush once I've got light and power in my shed. As it is I can't really be spraying things at the dining room table. Of course I also need to learn how to use an airbrush!

[nmroberto]

I'm also building a WNW Pup and ran into the same problem some of you have with the fit of the lower wing.  I thought I did something wrong, happy to see it wasn't just me. After a long sanding session, it's starting to fit correctly, just have a little trimming and it will fit OK. 

Is there a similar fit  problem with the Sopwith Tripe? I hope not since that is my next build.

[RAGIII]

I'm also building a WNW Pup and ran into the same problem some of you have with the fit of the lower wing.  I thought I did something wrong, happy to see it wasn't just me. After a long sanding session, it's starting to fit correctly, just have a little trimming and it will fit OK. 

Is there a similar fit  problem with the Sopwith Tripe? I hope not since that is my next build.

Yes to a degree but not as pronounced! There are MANY good build logs on the tripe here, check out Buds build, or if you must mine. I found just a very slight sanding on the floor fixed my issues.
RAGIII

[Squiffy]

I've fitted all of the eyelets and have now begun to add rigging but progress is painfully slow. The 4 wires shown took me an hour and a half to get this far. At least the carpet monster hasn't eaten any of the eyelets - I just hope he doesn't get a taste for brass tubes!

[WarrenD]

Press on Squiffy, press on!

Warren

[Des]

She is taking shape very nicely Squiffy, for me the rigging is the best part of the build 

Just one question, what size and type of material are you using for the rigging lines?

Des.

[Squiffy]

Hi, Des, I'm using the same nylon 'invisible thread' that I use on my 72nd scale models.

[Squiffy]

Whilst looking at the instructions I've noticed that on the picture painting instructions there is a chute for the spent bullet cases coming out of the side of the Vickers gun. Looking at the WNW site shows it clearly on this pic: http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/v9E3C7E03/www/products/model_kitsets/32016/assembled_models/32016%20Sopwith%20Pup%20RNAS%20-%20Leo%20Stevenson%20UK%20(2).jpg

So, I reckoned I'd missed fitting this part and set about rectifying it. Only I can't see in the instructions where it shows fitting it and neither can I find it on the sprues. I've gone through the instructions twice now and I still can't see it.

Can someone please point me to the page and the part number on the sprues?

Thanks.

[Michael Scarborough]

Sorry I can't help, Squiffy! My first Pup had a Lewis and the current build is gun-less!

Someone will be along shortly to help, no doubt.

Looking good! Press on!!

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

[Squiffy]

Thanks anyway, Michael. I've been over the instructions and sprues again and still can't find the part, or reference to it.  I'm beginning to think that I'm going crazy. 

[Squiffy]

I've looked at pictures of various other people's builds of Pups on here and the web in general and I can't find one with the chute. I guess WNW have used a photo where someone has scratch-built a chute because there is definitely no part provided, which is rather misleading and annoying as the painting guide picture also shows the chute.

I don't know whether to forget it and carry on, or try and make one. Should it even have one at all?

[Squiffy]

Most of the main rigging is in place but I'm finding it very difficult to thread the line through the eyes and tubes. So I've taken a break from that and put the decals on. I've also bought a new cutting mat.  The old one was dreadful - covered in glue, paint, tea stains and biscuit crumbs.