Hansa-Brandenburg CC flying boat

[lone modeller]

Evening All,

In my last build (the Phoenix A or Hansa-Brandenburg W 18 flying boat), I wrote that it was a test of concept for me: I wanted to attempt a flying boat as I had not constructed a hull before and was not sure what the best approach would be, so I used a push mould.  Now I want to attempt another flying boat and this time I am trying a different approach by building the hull from sheet card. I know that there are kits of this KDW (biplane fighter - water) in 1/48 scale (Omega Models) and 1/72 scale (Mega Models), but as usual I think that it is as easy (and considerably cheaper), to make the parts yourself. I also wanted to try something interesting and a little different so here goes.

The sides and bottom were cut from 30 thou card and then a box structure was made using 20 thou card formers: the cockpit will be made to fit into one of the forward compartments which I painted with oils.







While waiting for the paint to dry (three days), I started on the cockpit details including the pilots seat, the ammunition and spent cartridge boxes, control column, rudder bar, etc. The only kit part which I will use will be an Aeroclub Schwarzlose machine gun.

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.

[RAGIII]

Another fantastic start to what I am sure will be a Brilliant Model!
RAGIII

[Des]

You have made a brilliant start Stephen, this is another of your model builds that I will be following along closely.

Des.

[Ernie]

Your builds are such fun to follow, Stephen, and this one is no
exception.  Beautiful start on the hull and interior, my friend.
Looking forward to the next updates!

Cheers,
Ernie

[xmald]

Stephen, I`m going to follow this one closely - the CC is IMHO one of the most interesting WWI flying boats. I have the Omega kit, so maybe your build will motivate me to finally have a go with that one...
Great job on the hull and the cockpit.

[IanB]

Wow, that was quick! Looking very good already....

Ian

[lone modeller]

Thank you gentlemen for the encouraging remarks.

Yes Ian I got off to a flying start on this one but rest assured, my normal snail's pace will resume soon enough as I find that I do not have the time to sit down and concentrate.

xmald: this is one which has fascinated me for a long time too - now at last I have screwed up the courage to have a go at it, and I am hoping that I do not screw it up!

[lone modeller]

Evening All,

The first task I had to complete when the paints in the cockpit compartment of the fuselage were dry was to add the upper and lower surfaces to the rear fuselage from 30 thou card. The lower surface was butted against a former to give the step on the lower fuselage: all the tiny gaps that seem to appear from nowhere when adding tapered pieces were filled with filler - fortunately very little was needed in this case.



Now I slotted the cockpit sub-assembly into the relevant compartment in the front of the hull so that I could start to fit the forward pard of the upper fuselage. The latter was made from 2 sheets of 40 thou card which had been laminated. The cockpit was cut out using a pair of didvders to scribe the circle and then the mg slot could be sit using a sharp craft knife - again scoring the hole.



The card was then glued directly to the top of the hull and when dry had to be shaped to the curved cross section and sloping front using files and finishing with glass paper. I used a similar method to shape the fuselage top behind the cockpit - this was a hump shape where the lower wing spar was attached to the top of the hull. A very small amount of filler was used to shape the finer details of the edges behind the cockpit as in my enthusiasm I took off a little too much plastic. The small rim around the top of the front of the hull was made from 10 thou rod.





Then the whole was primed to see if there were still any gaps or uneven surfaces..

Thanks for looking.

[lcarroll]

    You are really producing some spectacular results here Stephen. Constructing a hull with all those curved surfaces so well out of sheet stock is impressive to say the very least, lovely work! As with all of your Builds I'll be following your progress closely, and as always enjoying it immensely.
    I may have missed it somewhere but what glue are you using on the card stock joins?
Cheers,
Lance

[lone modeller]

Thank you for your kind remark Lance. I use Revell Contacta professional for the sides to formers, and for the guide strips along the edges of the sides where the top and bottom pieces. I use Humbrol liquid poly to attach the top and bottom rear sections. For the top front (cockpit section) I used Revell again. Ihope that is helpful.

Stephen.   

[coyotemagic]

Truly remarkable work, Stephen!  Shaping up to another show stopper!
Cheers,
Bud

[RAGIII]

Truly remarkable work, Stephen!  Shaping up to another show stopper!
Cheers,
Bud

I agree completely with my Amigo!
RAGIII

[Des]

Truly remarkable work, Stephen!  Shaping up to another show stopper!
Cheers,
Bud

I could not have said it better.

Des.

[Dirigible-Al]

Hi Stephen
I am a great fan of your stuff anyway but this one is of particular interest, I would not have thought it could be built without push moulding. I cannot wait to see how this one progresses.
Alan.

[ALBATROS1234]

looks like a cc to me