Special Hobby Morane Saulnier A-1 .... 1/48

[JoeDxMB]

While I'm  wating for the oils to dy on wooden cockpit parts, I bulit the  Gnome engine and the cowl . I'm representing the Rhinebeck Aerodrome's original A-1. as it was in the 1980s when it was still airworthy and still rather pristine after a restoration .
I saw it fly back  then and it was a beautiful sight!

The push rods on the Gnome were fashioned out of .032mm copper wire . No rockers, etc are modeled but they would not be visable under the cowl anyway. 

For the cowl, I first painted it inside and out with  Humbrol's aluminum metal cote. Then Tamiya red acrylic (x-7)  followed on the  exterior. When dry, this enabled the red to be scratch easilly down to the metal coat . I just gave it a few random scratches . I did not want to over do it. I was more concerned about representing the effects of the Gnome's  exhaust and castor oil. 
I then sealed it with Humbrol's satin cote. Final weathering and the MS PE logos will be added at a later time .

[coyotemagic]

Outstanding job on the cowling and the engine, Joe.  I'm really looking forward to this build.
Cheers,
Bud

[GAJouette]

   Joe,
The cowl looks excellent my friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[JoeDxMB]

Ok... this is what I got so far.........

For the silver doped  linen tail pieces  I use some Tamiya TS-17(spray)  gloss alumninum I had on hand followed by Humbrol Matt cote, The rudder  decals were applied with microset and microsol  followed by the matt cote.  Holes have been drilled for rigging.

So far, the fuselage just has the silver linen portions painted (T-17) with  Humbrol aluminum metal coat on the forward  metal panels . Also, the engine  intake holes are drilled out and tubes inserted which I painted a darker metalic grey for a bit of contrast.   I expect the fuselage wiil look better once the decals and matt cote is applied .   

Next comes the wing and all them stuts to line up .

 
BTW, I  found another pic of the ORA A-1 taken after it was no longer airworthy .  I think i will give it the color prop shown in that Pic . 

[JoeDxMB]

Here's a pic of the mostly completed  fuselage which is now  sealed with "matt cote"

 I  think the combo of the two silver paints mimics the colors of the ORA's A-1 nicely. 

[coyotemagic]

Excellent work so far, Joe.  Looks just like the photo from Old Rhinebeck.
Cheers,
Bud

[JoeDxMB]

Thanks. 

I don't know how historically accurate the red and siver color scheme is bu,t I  find it very apealing on the A-1.

[coyotemagic]

Thanks. 

I don't know how historically accurate the red and siver color scheme is bu,t I  find it very apealing on the A-1.

Well, it was certainly more eye catching soaring over the upstate New York country side than the 5 color French camo would have been.
Cheers,
Bud

[JoeDxMB]

Here's an updated  pic of the fuselage so far along with the completeted wing.

The tail is now rigged with  the engine and cowl installed .

The wing is now  complete and matt coted. The aileron demarcation lines are a dark chalk (almost black) wash wicked into the grooves . 

[GAJouette]

   Joe,
Outstanding finish my friend. The Aluminum and red certainly is a striking  scheme and to mention attractive too. Well done to date.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[uncletony]

Coming along very smartly Joe!

[JoeDxMB]

Thanks. 
 
The next step will be to mount the Vickers then, start mounting the wing.
I don't anticipate any problems  mounting the wing...... it will just be a bit  time consuming 

[Dal Gavan]

That's looking nice, Joe.  And it's another aircraft I've never heard of, as well.  I wonder if SH will release this in 1/32?

Cheers.

Dal.

[Whiteknuckles]

Very nice work Joe.

Andrew

[JoeDxMB]

I could not put it off any longer ....... I had to start  mounting the wing. 

I did not know where to start.......

So, I first drew a couple of lines on a sheet of paper and that took care of that alingment......the easy part.

The rest was a nightmare..... but, I was deterimed to get it done .

I started with the cabane "N" struts to ge initial alignment. I  found that  I had to use( thick) slow cure  CA. Plastic cement  was a  complete disaster.

The wing wing incidence  was eyeballed and adjusted by overhanging the triangle  rudder over the edge of  the base I was using...... it is and old audio EQ . I just pulled  the paper towards me  until it looked  right  When all looked OK and secured,  I added the two rear main stuts. That should be enought to maintain the alignment.

The rest shoud be fairly easy by comparison.