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Author Topic: Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin  (Read 18255 times)

Offline Trackpad

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« on: December 18, 2015, 11:54:59 AM »
Hi,

I've got the Blue Max 1/48th scale kit of the Sopwith Dolphin, partnered with Rowan Broadbent's excellent decal sheet and building jig. I should not have too much trouble with the kit (he said, with more than the usual amount of overconfidence!), but I'd like to know if there is a better way than most to sand/grind down the cockpit sides. I note that there seems to be a small "lip" on each side, possibly as a guide to how thick the sides should be. My default method would be to make a couple of angled sanding pads in two or three grades of wet/dry paper and having at the sides. Are there any other ideas around that might speed up the process? BTW, I do have a Dremel tool, but given the softness of the plastic I'm not too keen on using it very much. TIA for any thoughts!   8)
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 01:58:13 PM by Des »
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Offline kornbeef

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2015, 07:10:00 PM »
I do a lot of my thinning by adsing the  thickness down with a  X-acto blade or a No 10 scalpel  It's quicker than sanding and more accurate in confined areas and can be *finished with a sanding block/ fine wet,n,dry.

If you arent sure what Adsing is its holding the blade at @ 90degrees to the surface and drawing it across with pressure to shave a sliver of plastic away.  working in lines over the area you want to thin and you can vary the pressure. Practice on scrap of course first.

Its the best way to do tanking/rippling of panels too using an old or curved blade. Also works for undercutting flaps and louvres and sharpening details.


Hope this helps

Keith
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 02:02:13 PM by Des »
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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2015, 11:55:45 PM »
Hi, Keith,

I'd not heard of this before, but it looks to be a very good method given the softness of the plastic and the control it offers. I'll certainly give it a try. Thanks for the information!  :D
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 02:01:54 PM by Des »
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Gary

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Offline IanB

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2015, 01:10:16 AM »
That's my default method of thinning plastic too. It's way quicker too. I regularly use it to thin wings - the Ilya Muromets got a little messy with the sheer quantity removed, and the scrapings do tend to stick to everything from the static but it is much easier than sanding.

Ian
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 02:01:28 PM by Des »
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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2015, 01:53:41 AM »
Thanks, Ian. Looks as if this is the way to go.  :D
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 02:01:11 PM by Des »
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Gary

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Offline kornbeef

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2015, 03:12:29 AM »
Just about the first thing I learned reading the late Great Shep Paines book as a teenager.  ;)

« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 02:00:53 PM by Des »
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Never too old to learn sumfink noo

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2015, 03:30:19 AM »
Quote from: kornbeef on December 19, 2015, 03:12:29 AM
Just about the first thing I learned reading the late Great Shep Paines book as a teenager.  ;)

Well, in my case, it's like that wise old modeller says, "Never too old to learn sumfink noo!"   ;D
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 02:00:39 PM by Des »
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Gary

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2015, 07:00:06 PM »
Hi, Ian and Keith,

Just a short note to thank you for your input. I've made a start on the Blue Max Dolphin and I must say that I'm rather keen on it. It's a gentle step back in technology but, from what I've found on the 'net, these kits do have quite a bit going for them. I've got the cockpit sides thinned out and some cleanup done on various parts, both white metal and plastic. Rowan Broadbent's building jig will come in very handy, I'm sure. Thanks, Rowan!  ;D



No surprise: I'll be doing the kit up as flown by a Canadian pilot - Rowan provides markings for four such a/c on his decal sheet. I'm currently working on a few other models, so this build will be a while in completion. With enough work done on it, I'll post a build thread on the "Under Construction" Forum page.

Thanks again for your help, and a "Merry Christmas" to you both and to Colin!  8)
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 02:00:20 PM by Des »
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Gary

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Offline Colin @ Blue Max

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2016, 09:29:14 AM »
Hi Gary,

Glad to see you making a start on the Dolphin, sorry for not commenting sooner as I have only just seen this thread.

Look forward to seeing you progress!

Colin
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 01:59:57 PM by Des »
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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2016, 11:03:18 AM »
Hi, Colin, and thanks for visiting. Here's where I stand now in this rather slow build:



I've just thinned the cockpit walls again and repainted them, as I didn't get them as thin as is necessary first time around. I'm rib-taping and weathering the wing sections now, and will get to the interior next. I did buy the Dolphin Datafile and I find it to be very useful in this build. All in all, quite enjoyable, and a significant switch from a WNW kit! Any guidance that you might wish to provide will be most welcome as I progress with the model: TIA!  8)
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 01:59:42 PM by Des »
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Gary

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Offline Des

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2016, 12:43:50 PM »
Very nice Gary, what you have achieved so far is looking excellent.

Des.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 01:59:24 PM by Des »
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Offline ALBATROS1234

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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2016, 01:34:55 PM »
the only thing i was worried about looking at this kit(i have the same one with the pheon decals and jig) is how to make the top wing connection strong enough. i dont fully trust the white metal as it was designed by chris gannon. i will solder a brass frame that the parts that cross the cockpit will also be extended long enuff and set into drilled holes in each of the top wings.perhaps the soldered brass can be attached to the kit metal parts that go down into the cockpit. but the guy to ask is bud (coyotemagic) he did a great job on one of these many years ago. i dont recall how he did this part. perhaps he still has photos in the bucket he can post?
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 01:59:05 PM by Des »
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Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2016, 02:04:19 PM »
I'm a dead loss when it comes to soldering brass, but I do intend to use brass rod to join the left and right wing sections. I'll set the rod ends into drilled holes and glue them in place using five-minute epoxy (gives enough time to do any final/minor adjustments). Of course, the whole wing/fuselage assembly will be set into the jig for this operation. Equally, the lower wing sections will be pinned to the fuselage as well.

Good point to contact Bud. It's the old story revisited: "When in doubt, talk to the experts!"  ;)
« Last Edit: February 02, 2016, 06:12:39 PM by Des »
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Gary

"It was an adventure, a great adventure. And, like all great adventures, we never knew where it would lead or how it would end."

Offline Des

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Re: Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2016, 06:14:15 PM »
Soldering is the way to go Gary but I have to admit, it took me quite a bit of practice before I was confident enough to try it on one of my models.

Des.
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Offline TobyCoulson

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Re: Blue Max 1:48 Sopwith Dolphin
« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2016, 06:33:44 PM »
I'll be interested to see this built as I've not seen a Blue Max kit here before although I've not been here that long either. Lovely work so far
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