Curtiss Hydroaeroplane

[KitRookie37]

Hello to all,
^{I like it !!!!} 
Best regards.
Alain.

[Des]

Thanks Terri and Alain for your very nice comments.

Just a little update this time.  I have started work on the engine by making the top half of the crank case, it is made from 0.25mm styrene sheet. The cylinder mounting plates are 1:32 scale Vintage Instrument Bezels by Aeroclub, they just happen to be the correct size and have the 8 mounting screws, I can get lucky sometimes 
The match comparison shows that for a V8 engine in 1:32 scale it is not very big, it is a 90º V with the banks of cylinders being slightly offset to each other.

Des.

[IanB]

Gorgeous radiator, Des, I hope it doesn't spring a leak! I'm amazed at the precision, how do you ensure that all the holes in something like the crank bracket are in a dead straight line and not slightly off? Do you use a metal rule as a stop, or do you have a bench press to make things easier?

Ian

[Dirigible-Al]

Amazing work Des. It looks more like 1/2 scale than 1/32. I love the radiator, especially how you made the nut on the end hexagonal.
Alan.

[Des]

Thank you Ian and Alan for your kind comments, they are much appreciated.

Ian - I measure and mark the hole spacings using a very sharp propelling pencil and an engineers steel ruler for accurate dimensions, I then drill a pilot hole using a 0.5mm tungsten carbide drill bit, these are extremely sharp and won't wander off the mark, I use the drill bit in a pin vice.

Alan - The hexagonal nut is just that, it is a brass nut from the range available from RB Motion:  http://www.rbmotion.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=76 He has a good range of sizes in brass and aluminium, many of the smaller size nuts will be used on the engine.

Des.

[lone modeller]

More wonderful work Des. I am just lost for words…….

[rhallinger]

More wonderful work Des. I am just lost for words…….

+1!  Keep going Des!

Cheers,

Bob

[Des]

Thank you Bo, LM and Bob for your very nice comments 

I've ordered more materials which should be here by Tuesday, so there won't be much to show until then.

Des.

[Ernie]

Nice repurposing of those bezels!

Just what I thought!

Cheers,
Ernie  

[Nigel Jackson]

Now that's a break with the bezels, Des. But if you don't think creatively you tend not to get such breaks.

Best wishes
Nigel

[sodium]

Stunning work Des !
A few years ago, I had this project to give a compagnion to my Fabre but finally ….
Is the book interesting for a modeler ? I already have the Curtiss The Hammondsport Area 1907 - 1915 from L S.Casey.
philippe

[Des]

Thanks Ernie, Nigel and Philippe for your wonderful comments, all very much appreciated.

Philippe, the book is an excellent history reference for the Curtiss Hydroaeroplane but is even more valuable to the modeler. There are a lot of scale plans in the book not only covering the aircraft but the engine as well, there are a lot of detail plans of various sections of the aircraft and plans of engine components as well. For anyone scratch building this aeropane the book is a must, or for anyone wanting to read about the development of this float plane it is very good, there are also quite a lot of colour profiles which are very well done. The book is hard cover with dust jacket, has 172 pages and the black and white archive photos are very clear and detailed.

Des.

[Epeeman]

Hello, Des -

Apologies - only just catching up with your work here.

Outstanding - love your wood and the scratch made detail is truly amazing.  As I've mentioned before, I really admire the skill in building a model from nothing.

Regards

Dave

[sodium]

Hello Des, thank you for all these informations, I will look to find it.
merci
philippe

[Des]

I have been working away slowly at the engine, the 8 cylinders are made from 3.2mm styrene rod then a brass sleeve was added to act as the water jacket. I added the two crank case halves together then fitted the cylinders. I am in the process of adding the cylinder tie down bolts which mount through the cylinder tie down yokes which are fitted to the top of each cylinder.

Des.