Hobby Craft Sopwith Camel

[Suffolk Lad]

Hi guys - nothing done today as it's been a long sailing club day (that's model sailing in case you were wondering) but I am intending to get some real time in on the Camel tomorrow

Des - Yes I had noticed your comment on thee dihedral on your build which I checked through after seeing how short the main struts appeared to be. Something I hadn't noticed at the start unfortunately but as it turned out it isn't looking far out now. As a result the top wing is now reasonably flat as opposed to looking like something that would propel an arrow.

Marc I always have a wry smile when I see a post of yours and your user name. My family nickname before being awarded 'Tug' when I left the Army was in fact 'Monty'. What family I have left still use it and one or two very old friends from my early days of aeromodelling do too. Gets a bit confusing for some at local shows when I get called both at the same time  .

Since returning to plastic modelling in 2003 I can honestly say I have had no 'disasters' like this one on this build. However as things have come together at the end of other projects and particularly so armour (though not so much of that is tackled these days) - things can start to get knocked off or broken. The thing I've learnt is not to allow emotion to kick in and rush to fix it but step back, evaluate it and try to work out a strategy for dealing with it. If it's rushed you can bet 'yer bottom dollar' that nine times out of ten it will not be successful. The object has to be to try to get it back as original and not looking repaired but that's not always so easy particularly on very small things.

Hope to have an update with some pics tomorrow

Regards - Tug

[Brad Cancian]

Great build, excellent painting and a good recovery - we've all had those moments 

Looking forward to seeing more!

BC

[Suffolk Lad]

Hello Brad - Thanks for looking in  T'is a true old saying that 'things are sent to try us' but I've had more than a fair bit on this build    I only have to think about Guy's awful accident with his Felixstowe though and it all pales into insignificance.

Well a little bit more progress today 

The rigging of the wings is complete with just a little bit of tweaking here and there with some oil wash to settle things in required. I've used .15mm monofilament for the main rigging. I ran the line through a split  cut into the tip in a silver felt tip pen. Two passes and it looked very good but gradually this has worn off as used. Something I had overlooked is that it can be affected by humidity and will slacken so I don't think I will use this again but overall for a first time I'm reasonably pleased with the outcome so far. I used Gator glue in the main which proved okay though one or two 'let go' and slackened right off. These were reclaimed by pushing the line back in it's hole to tension with tweezers and using CA to fix it.


I used 0.4 Albion brass tube to give the impression of RAF wire ends using the diameters to space the wires. This worked well enough but the top end had opened slightly on one wing. The one thing I have learnt on this build above all else is the constant need to think ahead - building these are a completely different kettle of fish to a jet that's for sure.


A few last details - two piquet rings as per a Von Bob job, a new laminated tailskid and that pump propeller got scraped clean and re-primed


The engine finally received all it's spark plug wires - it looks fine by eye but the camera tells all  It's had several layers of varying silvers - today it got buffed with Ushi's powder then sealed before an oil wash and highlighting with dabs of Vallejo Chrome


Off it's fixture at last but not for long as that needs a slight mod to hold it for one last painting job before installing the tailplane and fin.


And of course I couldn't resist a sneak preview 



That's where it is tonight - I have a slight anxiety over the rigging slackening but it's too late now to worry about that too much. Has anyone else experienced this problem with monofilament and if so what have you done to over come the problem. Also what is the preferred material to use. I am aware of most products, easy line, elastic sewing thread etc but what's the 'in thing' to use guys?

Thanks for looking in

Regards - Tug

[Barrie]

Hi Tug excellent build I have sent PM
Cheers Mick

[bobs_buckles]

Tug,
 I wouldn't worry about mono becoming slack. If it does, just heat a screwdriver head over a candle until red hot then place said steaming hot screwhead near, but not to near the centre of the offending rigging run... PING! DO NOT TOUCH THE RIGGING!!!!!   

von B

[RAGIII]

Tug,
 I wouldn't worry about mono becoming slack. If it does, just heat a screwdriver head over a candle until red hot then place said steaming hot screwhead near, but not to near the centre of the offending rigging run... PING! DO NOT TOUCH THE RIGGING!!!!!   

von B

First let me say another Terrific update and well done on the rigging! Bobs method is one of a number of heated objects that will tighten Monofilament rigging. I have great success using Incense sticks. The tip is hot enough and the smoke works also and lets you know where the heat is going.
RAGIII

[Suffolk Lad]

Thanks Von Bob - I'm usually reasonably carefree about handling my models but hmmm  a 'steaming' red hot screwdriver 

Actually I have heard of heating it and have witnessed it's recovery so am not too worried. I took a JU52 to a show which on opening the box had an aerial like a well hung washing line. After the initial  I was pleased to find that within half an hour in the warm it had re-tightened itself

However I have spent a high portion of the morning searching for elastic type thread other than EZ line. My friend Paul (zsu 234) has come up with some 'knitting in elastic' which appears viable and reasonably priced. Also found that most fine 'invisible' black elastic is aimed predominantly at the 'Magic' environment so will investigate that possibility too.

Mick - got your message and am about to ring you. I have't seen him for a couple of years guys but I should perhaps say that if this is the Mick I'm thinking of we are in for a treat as he is a very accomplished WnW aficionado 

Regards - Tug

Ah RAG your post has just come up - that seems a much less anxiety inducing remedy not to mention the nice aroma  Thanks for that.

[lcarroll]

Tug,
    Unless you've already eliminated it take a look at this stuff, Modelkasten 1:48 and also 1:32 elastic rigging thread. It's stiffer then EZ Line, round vs. flat, and takes CA and even lacquer paint very well. Hobby Link Japan is by far the cheapest source at under $13 US for a 25m spool, ($25 at Sprue Brothers in the US) I use the 1:48 (0.13mm) on my 1:32 subjects where a stretch thread works better then mono and I like the stuff.

https://www.hlj.com/product/MDKHS-1/Air

Cheers,
Lance

[Suffolk Lad]

Thanks Lance - No I wasn't aware of that so I'll look into getting some soonest as it appears to be ideal.

I have had a very informative afternoon catching up with Mick ('Barrie') an old club colleague who had disappeared off the scene for a while. Still very much into making WWI aircraft it was a very enlightening conversation. Thanks for getting in touch Mick 

Final little jobs done today - painting the 'lift here' markings and fitting the piquet rings. I gave the whole airframe a wash of white spirit and oil paint which has had the effect of not only cleaning off any finger marks etc but also giving an even look to things.

If there's time tonight I'll try to get the tailplane on but failing that tomorrow looks good to go

Thanks again for your info guys - much appreciated

Regards - Tug

[Des]

I have also used the Modelkasten elastic line and it is excellent, highly recommended.

Love how you finished the engine, it looks superb and looks even better sitting in position.

Des.

[Monty]

Hi Tug,

That rigging is looking superb. You have also achieved a very realistic look with some subtle weathering, all in the right places! It's all coming together most beautifully... nice little details too! Yes, the Monty isn't a bad nickname! I got mine back in 1973 (Egads! gave my old age away!) while doing National Service in the Air Force - I took some Airfix tanks along, in desert camo, so it explains the name! I found I knew a lot more about military history than most - it was the modelling...

I am slowly working on the old Academy kit - the terrible one - in Roy Brown's colours, now that's been lots of work! I need to scratch some struts now, just trying to figure out lengths, angles and thicknesses is an adventure - I'm following your thread carefully because of this. I hope you don't mind the photo in your thread, someone may find it of some interest.



Yeah, I know the elevator broke off! Still shiny due to decals going on, engine masked off, seems I do things differently...

Regards,

Marc

[TobyCoulson]

Just spent ten minutes reading this thread and it was time very well spent. Attention to detail is superb. A joy to behold.  I think I  have this kit somewhere and it could well be my first foray into 1/32 modelling.

[radio]

It looks very great Tug.
Cheers
Martin

[Suffolk Lad]

Thanks for the confirmation Des and the kind comments - not long now before the engine is installed.

And thanks to you too Marc, Toby and Martin for yours.

No problem Marc - I don't know how much the Academy kit differs from the HobbyCraft version but this has to be one of the more trying builds I've done. Good luck with yours in the future. BTW I was awarded my nickname apparently before I was born! In 1944 my mother would save threepenny bits in a jar and apparently quipped 'another one for Monty' each time one was added.  When I came along in 45 it was automatic 

Well it is nearing completion I'm pleased to say. The fixture was modified with some balsa scraps CA'd on in order to paint the 'Lift Here' legends.


With the aid of a box for support and trying to control the slight tremble that is beginning to develop in my hands a semblance of 'Lift Here' was painted on using Vallejo light grey lightened with white. Once the final weathering is done I'm hoping this will fade in and give the impression of stencilling


Whoops just hit the post button instead of preview 

With that last job complete the jig was also modified and the model held rigidly whilst the tail plane was fitted - I used 5 minute epoxy for that to ensure a good bond and a stable tailplane for connecting up the control cables.


The topside is now finished - just the horn tensioners to do underneath tomorrow. I used the same monofilament for the rigging as on the mainplanes - I'm not sure if the original had a smaller gauge of RAF wire on the tail but this does look reasonably in keeping with pics I have


I'll weather the whole area once all that's complete then there's just the front end to finish off

Thanks again for your comments and input guys - as always much appreciated

Regards - Tug

[RAGIII]

Excellent wok Tug! I am sure I must have said this already but I only hope when the WNW Camel comes out mine ends up half as nice as your work on this one!
RAGIII