Fokker D.I & D.II double build. Merlin, 1:72

[IanB]

Thanks Toby, the decals are printed to order. They can be in whatever size/colour you want.
 Here's his page, I don't think the English version is up and running yet....

http://www.meliusmanu.pl/en/

Ian

[lone modeller]

Those pulleys looked really fiddly but they add a touch to the model. I agree that wing warpers are easier to rig - unless of course they are a pusher, in which case it does not seem to make a difference!

[IanB]

Stephen, I have a bunch of pushers in the stash and am really looking forward to getting started on them. The rigging will certainly be a challenge!

As for these two little ones, I spent today bending .015" brass wire for the undercarriage and then glued strips of .015 x .030 plastic to them to create the fairings.



They were then fitted without any major problems





A quick lick of Mr Dissolved Putty on the seams and they should be ready for the axles and spreader bars tomorrow.

Ian

[lone modeller]

I really like your method of making struts and undercarriage legs with wire and card. I must give this a try because it looks as though that is quite strong when it is glued into place.

Stephen.

[RAGIII]

Continuing to be a terrific dual build! Your undercarriage looks awesome....and strong!
RAGIII

[IanB]

Thanks to Stephen and Rick for the comments.
 The struts are entirely plastic strip and rod, they do bend a lot but are plenty strong enough when rigged. On my Short 184 I used plastic strip with brass rod inlaid at the ends and had problems with the rod coming unstuck both while fitting the struts and after the struts were fitted.  I think I'll use the plastic rod in future as it is less prone to breaking and can still be bent to fit the struts.  The undercarriage is very strong with the brass rod as its core and that is my primary method for undercarriage legs.

 The undercarriage is now all done and painted with the exception of the tail skids and wheels. I'm going to use my own design for the wheels which I had printed at Shapeways. If they look ok I'll make them available to all!







Thanks for looking in!

Ian

[Juan]

Amazing and outstanding work all around, and even more so in 1/72.  Bravo

[Manni]

Great work on the planes an on the undercarriage.
Bye,
Manni

[IanB]

I'm on the home stretch with these now!

 I've spent today doing bits and pieces.....I started with the touch ups needed on the wings and then added the decals. I've given those a second coat of MicroSol to try to get rid of the silvering and will hopefully get the clearcoat on tomorrow. The rigging on the undercarriage assemblies was finished off - a little fiddly on the D.II with the 2 attachments at the lower end, but done easily enough by tying 2 pieces of mono together, trimming the single end to the right length and attaching that, then holding both the other ends and attaching them at the same time.

 Tail feathers are also on, except for the D.II rudder which I still have to decal. I had to make another one of those because it stuck too well to the cocktail stick I attached it to for painting and a lump came off it!
 Both props have also been finished, and the D.I's os now attached.









 I thought you might like a laugh at the kit decals too....just a tad out of register......



 There was obviously no such thing as quality control with these kits!

Wheels, windscreens, gloss coat, control horns and rigging, tail skids.....that's about it...I may even get these done tomorrow......

Thanks for looking in!

Ian

[coyotemagic]

Awesome work, Ian!  So...what's wrong with those decals?
Cheers,
Bud

[Alexis]

Always enjoy your work , most excellent !




Terri

[RAGIII]

Both are looking awesome with the rigging nearing completion and the gear on. Lovely work on both!
RAGIII

[Juan]

Excellent job, enjoyed your picture of the decals, made me laugh   

[lcarroll]

Excellent job, enjoy your picture of the decals, made me laugh   

    Me as well Ian; put's a new perspective on the Roden ones we always complain about! Nicely done, a unique pair for your collection.
Cheers,
Lance

[lone modeller]

Just caught up with this one ……. my you move fast! Excellent undercarriage legs and rigging - well up to your usual very high standard. These are two fascinating models - and what an improvement you have made on the originals.

Stephen.