RAF SE5a (1/72, Roden)

[PrzemoL]

Thank you, everybody.

Adam, SE5a triplane... Pity, RAF did not try it Though, I will better leave the triplane for you - you are doing very well with your build!

Bud, is WNW's SE5a not a Hisso version by a chance???

[coyotemagic]

Prez, not being a 1/32 modeler I can't say with absolute certainty, but I'm pretty sure that the WNW kit is a Viper and the Roden kit is a Hisso.
Cheers,
Bud

[uncletony]

WNW's SE.5a is indeed a 'Hisso':

http://wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3

[PrzemoL]

Some more progress - I glued the interplane struts and to keep the proper geometry I have arranged a rather primitive but quite efficient jig made of card-board pieces cut to the shape using the scale drawings and fixed to the base using blobs of Uhu Tac Patafix. After positioning the struts I glued them one after another, always waiting for the glue at the previous one to set before proceeding to the next one, not to spoil their arrangement.
Tomorrow I will try to remove gently the Patafix and put the upper wing on the struts.

[pepperman42]

Simple but effective!!

Steve

[Adam]

Yes it is very simply and good method.
Adam.

[PrzemoL]

The lines for cabane rigging were glued into the predrilled holes...


before the upper wing jumped on its place.


First test fitting proved that all the cabane struts are about 0.5mm too short (it may well be that the upper wing sits too high), so lengthening them will be the next step - this one tomorrow.

[pepperman42]

Or is it lack of top wing dihedral?

Steve

[PrzemoL]

No, it is not the dihedral problem. The upper wings were checked against the scale drawings from WDS (and so were the lower ones) and they all seem to fit.

[PrzemoL]

This was probably the hardest modelling evening in my life. Though it started nicely - I have lengthened the cabane struts, sanded the joints, painted, trimmed and attached them without any fuss. But the nightmare began when attaching the incidence rigging. I was manouvering with tweezers and suddenly noticed, that they somehow kicked out one of interplane struts. Still no idea, how this happened but this started the avalanche. I tried to reattach this strut, again with the tweezers in my right hand and then the left hand grip got loose and the model dropped. Just a couple of centimeters but this was enough to lose the entire undercarriage. When trying to fix these two disasters I realised all the remaining struts began to get loose in their sockets, one after another. I had to struggle with a will to throw the model to the bin. It was probably my wife who saved it. She was just sitting at the other end of the room and her pure presence saved this damned model. Well, it took me almost three hours to repair the damage and also to finish the cabane and incidence rigging. I will call it the day. A hard day...

[coyotemagic]

Great job on the save, Prez.  She is still absolutely stunning.  It's amazing how these lovely women in our lives can have such a calming effect.
Cheers,
Bud

[uncletony]

Great save, and well worth it.

[WarrenD]

Great save, and bully for your patient wife/SWMBO.

Warren

[pepperman42]

I admire your patience. It certainly paid off.

Steve

[Adam]

Yours patience is great 
Adam.