Squiffy joins the big boys - WNW Sopwith Pup RNAS

[Des]

The engine and interior look pretty good so far Squiffy. I wear 4 x magnification reading glasses when modeling, they work extremely well for me and are really inexpensive to buy.

Des.

[Alexis]

Looks as though you are having no trouble playing on the same field as the "Big Boys"
Lovely!
RAGIII

I second this , nicely done so far 


Terri

[Chris Johnson]

Nice grimy looking engine Squiffy!

I haven't and aren't going to fit spark plug leads. It seems like a right faff for something that won't be seen when the engine's under the cowling and I'd rather quit whilst I'm ahead and not risk messing it up.

Good for you! Build it how you want to, not as what you think others might expect you to. Sometimes it's so easy to push ourselves beyond the point of having fun but this forum is full of different skill levels so it's not an issue here.

Cheers,

Chris

[Epeeman]

Making a good start here, Squiffy -

I really like you engine - looks realistic.

I will follow with interest as this is one kit I would like to get my hands on in the future.

Regards

Dave

[Squiffy]

I dragged this one out yesterday but I am having some trouble.

The fuselage halves and cockpit top went together with no problem and then came the fitting of the lower wing. I cut the tiny semi-circular bits off (the ones that are supposed to locate in the recesses under the cockpit floor) to get the wing to seat under the fuselage/cockpit assembly and then fixed the wing to the fuselage.

The first, and now unfixable, problem is that the rigging wires that form X s in the cockpit assembly are now sagging with the pressure on the cockpit frame having distorted it slightly. There's nothing I can do about this now but I can live with it as you only see them if you peer into the cockpit.

The other problem is that the front part of the lower wing/fuselage lower projects out at both sides of the fuselage. I don't know what I can have done wrong because everything else is a nice fit - the wing is snug under the fuselage rear and sides, the engine mounting plate is flush and snug in the top and sides of the fuselage and even the inverted V of the lower wing/fuselage part seems to fit nicely enough in the engine mounting plate.

The arrow shows where the lower wing part projects about 1mm out. The other side is the same.

[Squiffy]

As you were... I have now realised that there are overlays that fit there and take care of the step. 

[Michael Scarborough]

Yes, Squiffy, you have found the problem!

As far as the cockpit/fuselage assembly fitting the lower wing, it is indeed a bear. On my first Pup, which was for me, as well, a first foray into 1/32, I ended up grinding off a good bit of the edges of the cockpit floor. It was positively Neanderthal-istic. On the current build, I removed the semi circular raised portions, as advised, and went further by scraping a good bit off the mating section of the lower wing.

The other thing I learned on the first build was to pre-drill all the rigging holes on the tabs attached to the struts. I am sure this was just a rooky oversight on my part but I've gone over the present build to make sure all the rigging attachment points are really clear before I assemble all the sub-assemblies.

Also, there was something funky about the way the forward cabane struts attached. I think it's that if they are not set exactly right the cowling won't sit perfectly.

Other than those particular issue, it was pretty smooth sailing and a real joy to build. This second one is going together like a hot knife through butter.

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

[Des]

Your build is coming together very nicely Squiffy, glad to see you overcame the bottom wing/fuselage fit issue. Wingnuts were informed of this issue just after the kit was first released but they have chosen not to do anything about it (they were really angry that I had the audacity to actually criticize one of their kits by posting something about it on my website, I was accused of trying to run Wingnut kits and the company down).  The main reasons I posted the correction tecnique on my build log was to inform modelers before they reached that stage of their build, giving them a heads-up before they ran into issues, nothing at all to do with bagging the kit, apart from that it is an excellent kit.

Des.

[Dave W]

Des' Sopwith Pup build log on his website was pure gold for me when I came to make my WNW Sopwith Pup. His solution to the protruding cockpit tub section worked perfectly and having his advice on hand before I did anything removed all the panic from my build.

I recommend anyone embarking on a WNW build first check whether Des has done a build log on the model. if so, read it closely as he will advise of any errors and how to fix them.

This is not denigrating Wingnut kits, just noting that some of them do have flaws that could 'throw' you if you encounter them without forewarning.

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[coyotemagic]

Nice start, Squiffy.  Watch out, you're about to be hooked.  I encountered exactly the same wing root/cowling issue with the Tripe.  In my case, I just wasn't careful enough with the painting of mating surfaces.  A little judicious sanding a scraping sorted it all out.
Cheers,
Bud

[Squiffy]

Thanks, chaps.

Since I took that rather shaky phone camera pic, yesterday, I cracked on and made progress. I have probably done something stupid by not following the instructions by having neglected to fit the front cabane struts before attaching the engine cowl. I hope they will fit without too much problem.

Do you think I've overdone the scratched and peeling paint on the cowl?

I painted the metal parts with Humbrol enamel 'gunmetal', which polishes to a nice metallic shine, and then used 'Maskol' for the larger scrapes. The whole lot was overpainted with Tamyia flat black and the Maskol peeled off to reveal the metal paint. The lighter scratches were done with the end of a pin.

I ran some diluted black enamel into the recesses around the oil and fuel filler caps in order to dull them down and indicate spillage.

[Des]

Looking really nice Squiffy. The model can be shown as brand new, slightly used or well worn, how you display your model is entirely a personal choice, what you have done with the wear on the cowl looks perfectly natural in my eyes, you have done a great job simulating the wear.

Des.

[BigBlue]

I think the wear looks natural Squiffy, but yours is the only opinion that really matters.

Nice looking work all around.

 Chris

[Modelnut]

There are so many beautiful builds here. Studying photos of the real aircraft they appear pretty abused. I love the clean builds and the worn appearance builds equally.

[RAGIII]

Looks as though you have overcome your issues in style! I love the worn off paint! Looking forward to more!
RAGIII