Wingnut Wings Sopwith Camel (Clerget) WM Alexander 10 Naval Sqn.

[lcarroll]

      My next Build will be of Flight Commander WM "Mel" Alexander's Clerget Camel B6289 of 10 Naval Sqn. RNAS in 1918, Scheme D in the Wingnut Wings Kit. William Melville Alexander was a 23 victory Canadian Ace who flew Sopwith Triplanes in Collishaw's famous Black Flight (his aircraft was "Black Prince") and then Camels including both 10 Naval and 210 Sqn. RAF when the RNAS was folded into the RAF in 1918. He survived the war and passed away at the ripe old age of 91 in 1988.
     Here's the standard "opener", the Kit, and a photo of Alexander following.(Photo on-line from National Archives of Canada)





   This is the color scheme as illustrated in the Instruction Booklet:



   I'll be using these references for the project:



    After Market additions will consist of these excellent products: Taurus Prop Hubs and Back Plate, HGW seat belts, and the newly available Barracuda casting wicker seat and cushion.





   This will be my second Wingnut Wings Camel having recently completed the LeRhone version. This Build is intended to provide a simple "break" from my long AEG G.IV Build however I suspect that my usual penchant for over complicating things and self induced difficulties will turn it into anything but "simple"!
Cheers,
Lance

[RAGIII]

Nice choice Lance! I am also glad to see we won't be doing the same scheme on our Camels 
RAGIII

[lone modeller]

Good to see you tackle another Camel Lance. The scheme looks interesting and if it turns out nearly as good as the AEG it may not be simple but it will still be a first class model.

[Juan]

Looking forward to seeing your treatment on this one, a good break from your AEG.

[lcarroll]

Nice choice Lance! I am also glad to see we won't be doing the same scheme on our Camels 
RAGIII

    Not this one anyway Rick, but I still have three more in my Stash! Thanks for your comments as well Stephen and Juan. I'm looking forward to this Build.
Cheers,
Lance

[coyotemagic]

Excellent choice, Lance!  Really looking forward to following your progress.
Cheers,
Bud

[lcarroll]

Thanks Bud! My choices tend to follow the "Canadian Connection" approach when it's a reasonably attractive option. Unless Rowan comes up with something irresistible on his next Camel sheets I plan on adding Barkers and Roy Browns to this one and the MacLaren one already done, four Canadian Camel Aces with a combined total of 136 victories.
Cheers,
Lance

[mgunns]

I can tell that this is going to be a "Barn Burner of a Card" Lance:  I am looking forward to this build as I join you with the Ships Camel, I will be following along. 

[coyotemagic]

Thanks Bud! My choices tend to follow the "Canadian Connection" approach when it's a reasonably attractive option. Unless Rowan comes up with something irresistible on his next Camel sheets I plan on adding Barkers and Roy Browns to this one and the MacLaren one already done, four Canadian Camel Aces with a combined total of 136 victories.
Cheers,
Lance

Lance, if you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and read "Winged Victory" by Victor Yeates of 46 Sqdn.  His "fictionalized" depiction of "Mac" is spot on.
Cheers,
Bud

[lcarroll]

Thanks for the recommendation Bud. I've got a room full of WWI Aviation books however that classic has so far evaded me. I'll do a quick search tonight.
Cheers,
Lance

[Doug Mace]

Oh, you'll love it...in all ways.

[Manni]

Wow, I think you got all condiments together to cook a great meal!
Bye,
Manni

[lcarroll]

   It's time to start up the Build Log on this one as I'm getting close to buttoning up the fuselage. I've completed several of the sub components and they'll be ready for installation when I reach that stage.
   All of the very small control horns and cabane strut rigging attachment points were drilled out and cleaned with a #83 drill bit. The plan here was to use EZ Line for rigging to eliminate any stress on the tiny rings which proved successful later.



    The "rings" on the interplane struts were cut away and scratch made small nicad wire ones were drilled in to replace them. I elected this method after several broke on my previous Camel Build causing no end of frustration trying to replace them with the wings installed.



    I then cleaned up the wings, tailplane components and control surfaces "pinning" the latter with stainless steel wire. (Guitar string) The rigging for the upper wing cut out is stretched sprue.





    Next came the cockpit floor section which I removed the molded on seat cushion from and replaced the seat support frame members with Evergreen styrene strips and installed the fuel tank.



    With that done the assembly was "woodgrained", the Barracuda Seat and HGW Belts added and all painting completed.





    Next came the fuselage interior sides in CDL, Wood, and metal from back to front and the fuselage side frames, the later with a few missed fuel lines added and EZ Line cross braces. The previously finished Instrument Panel was also attached to the left side frame. I took the black option for the panel Instrument Board for this one.







   The instrument had Aeroclub bezels added and the "Glass" is the usual Future floor polish.



   At this point the Clerget Engine was completed using Alclad II paints and AK Interactive "Engine Wash" and "Aircraft Engine Oil".





    ........ and last, the prop. It still needs it's decals and a sealing coat of clear semi-gloss to tone it down.



    So far, so good, I've only broken one cabane thus far, that's two less then on my previous Camel! I hope to get this to the closed fuselage stage in the next few days and then plan to switch back to my AEG Build.
Cheers,
Lance

[bobs_buckles]

Holy Smoke, Lance! That's some fine work and speedy at that 
Excellent update!

vB

[rhwinter]

Oh, yes, gorgeous!!