W.12 Fuselage plywood panel sizing

[Michael Scarborough]

Can anyone tell me the rough sizes of the individual plywood panels used on the W.12 fuselage?

Thanks.

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

[Michael Scarborough]

Do I need to rephrase this question?

[Pgtaylorart]

To answer your question, how shall I say this? Nope, no one can say.

I would hazard a guess that they would correspond with the internal fuselage framing, but after studying the Datafile, I can't find any drawings or photos showing the framework. The best I can see is on the early photo with the wrinkled sides. You might be able to extrapolate where the frame is and where the plywood panels overlapped from that photo. Even if there are individual panels, the joints are seamless and no panel lines are visible like on an Albatros.

George

[Michael Scarborough]

Thanks, George,

Sorry for the delay in responding.

Well, as for "the joints are seamless" I have looked long and hard at the datafiles enlarged to 100% and I agree that there seem to be no visible joins. But that would mean the entire side was covered with one piece of plywood. It's certainly doable, but I just wonder if they didn't butt-join several pieces as they were doing on Albatroses. If so, there would be a visible change in the figure of the wood where the two pieces joined. Even if it were spruce, or some other form of coniferous plywood with a very subtle figure, there would still a difference. But, perhaps in 1/32 scale it would not be discernible.

I've got enough going on to try and replicate the wrinkle so I will leave it at that.

I'm finding this to be such an involved project that this particular build may end up being dress rehearsal. Still fun, nonetheless.

Cheers from NYC,
Michael

[uncletony]

Since the panels are flat/ no compound curves, my guess is that they wood be one or few piece of plywood?

I believe the main reason Albatrosen were made from so many somewhat small panels is that they each had to be molded to create those compound curves before they were attached to the airframe. (Scarf joints btw)

[Michael Scarborough]

Thank you, Bo. As with so many thing in life, now that I've heard the explanation, it makes perfect sense. (Also appreciate the specificity of scarf joints vs. butt joints. Makes sense, also...in choosing the former, I assume they would double the amount of actual area of glue-able contact.)

As for whole piece to do a side, I need to remind myself that they were cutting logs from what was probably old growth forests and, therefore, large trees. I'll bet they were creating the veneers from plywood just as they do today, IE, cutting the log as if it were a roll of paper towels. With really large, old timber, such as they were probably lucky enough to have, one could make LONG sheets of veneer.

Neat stuff to be sure.

Michael

[Pgtaylorart]

Michael,
I have another one of my crazy ideas of how to duplicate the rippled plywood sides, but it will take a number of steps. Since the sides are relatively flat, it shouldn't be impossible though.

This is a variation on the technique I used on the Pup wings. I noticed the same wrinkles appear while building the wings if I didn't use enough heat on the shrink wrap.

1) Build a side frame from scale basswood, the kind used for model RR. Figure out the dimensions from the model and photos, of course.

2) Get some shrink wrap. I have the perfect kind, I'll send you some. It took me a number of tries before I found the right kind so I'll save you the leg work.

3) Super glue the shrink wrap to the side frame as you would and old stick and tissue kit. Don't stretch it too tightly at this point.

4) Here's the tricky part. Use a hair dryer (borrow your wife's since I know you have no need for one usually ) and gently shrink the plastic, but not too much. As it starts to go tight, the wrinkles will appear as in the old W.12 photos.

6) Spray paint "Future" or some other varnish to "freeze" the wrinkles in.

7) Now make a silicone mold and cast in resin.

Yeah, I know it sound complicated, but I think the results will be worth it.

George

[Michael Scarborough]

Complicated is not a problem. After all, I have been labeled as High Maintenance. (But so is a Maserati.)

I follow all you are laying down here, George. And, I appreciate these ideas. They makes a lot of sense and I believe they would work well. Fact is, I have already done the wrinkled effect. But the next fact is that I am not really 100% sold on what I did, hence, my comment that I am beginning to feel this build is a dress rehearsal for a better build of the prototype. After all, there is a lot involved and almost all the techniques I am trying are new to me.

I will go into more detail when I post the images of what I've done so far.

Cheers and thanks,
MS

[Pgtaylorart]

What? You've already done it?? Then why are you wasting my time with all these silly questions?

[Michael Scarborough]

Hey, dude....I posted the question ovef a week ago. Am I supposed to wait for you to come in from surfing and yoga class before I carry on with my build? This in NYC, bub.....we don't wait for waves here...we make 'em.

Hang that.


PS congrats again on the new little Taylor, gramps!