SPAD XIII C.1 in 1:32 scale

[Mike Norris]

Hi all,
I'm currently working on the Bleriot built Spad XIII C.1, Number 26 of ‘C’ flight, 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, based at Rembercourt, near Verdun, France during September 1918.  This was one of the Spad XIII’s flown by Francis ‘Frank’ Joseph Anthony Luke Jnr, the ‘Arizona Balloon Buster'.

This kit is the old Hobby Craft Spad XIII 'International' kit, which is I believe was the only 1:32 scale of the Spad XIII made. The kit was, as expected, fairly basic and had no engine at all.  In fact the whole forward fuselage was blocked off.
I didn’t recall ever seeing this kit modeled with an engine installed, so I decided to give it a go.

The basic list of changes/additions to the model are:
Rudder, Ailerons and Elevator animated.
Louvres in engine panels opened.
Engine valve gear cooling fairings drilled.
Forward decking panel separated.
Radiator shutter control rods added.
Radiator drain valve added.
Engine cowl cooling apertures created.
Cockpit head rest support frame created.
Fuselage internal storage and cross members created.
Cockpit surround panel modified.
'Wingnut Wings' Hispano-Suiza V8 engine built (detail modified).
Forward fuselage, decking panel and cockpit floor modified.
Engine bulkhead scratch built.
Decking panel gun troughs modified.
Forward gun mounting brackets scratch built.
Engine access panels - changed to wire mesh.
Fuel filler modified.
Tyres spokes and valve added.
Ventral fuel tank cap modified.
Fuselage lifting straps added.
Fuel tank rip (jettison) panel added.
Oil cooler drain valve added.
Ring gun sight and mounting bar added.
Aileron operating controls
Undercarriage struts

Aftermarket additions:
'Aviattic' Spad XIII wheels (modified).
'HGW Models' seat belts.
'Gaspatch' .303 standard Vickers machine gun (modified).
'Gaspatch'  Vickers ‘Balloon’ machine gun (modified).
'Gaspatch' turnbuckles.
'Albion Alloys' micro-tube.
'Steelon' mono-filament.
'Polak' grass mat.
'Aviattic' and Copper State' figures.
'Copper State' instruments bezels.

As usual I'm creating a downloadable build log in Adobe PDF format, for those who might want to use it. It will contain full and step by step descriptions of the model build and be supported with many photographs.

http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm

The following shots are not described, but give you an idea of the changes being made to the model.

[Jeff K]

i'm very much looking forward to this, i've got one of Luke's ships in the queue...

[Juan]

Outstanding start to what I am sure will be a beauty.  Looking forward to your progress (and PDF build log).

[Borsos]

Very interesting construction of a model of an important aircraft. I am very curious how that one will look when finished and I am sure that your build log will be highly informative and a great help when it comes to my Hobbycraft SPAD XIII.
Borsos

[RAGIII]

Outstanding beginning to your build! This is the first time I remember seeing anyone trying to take this kit to the level you are going towards. I am looking forward to seeing more!!
RAGIII

[pepperman42]

Nice start!

Steve

[lcarroll]

     A very impressive project, those old Hobby Craft Kits can be a real "bear" however you've already taken this one well beyond the mediocre results they normally provide. Really nice work thus far and I'll enjoy following your progress, I've got one of these in the Stash however haven't found the courage to have at it yet!
Cheers,
Lance

[coyotemagic]

Seriously awesome work thus far, Mike!  Who needs WNW with your mad skills!
Cheers,
Bud

[GazzaS]

Wow, impressive start and modifying!

Gaz

[PrzemoL]

Impressive!

[gbrivio]

Really good beginning, I'm looking forward for the full project.
Ciao
Giuseppe

[Dave Brewer]

Another treat,great start Mike.
Cheers,
Dave.

[Alexis]

Beautiful job on the details





Terri

[GAJouette]

 Mike,
Beautiful surgery my friend. The SPAD XIII is my absolute favorite of all WWI Fighters. So you got my attention. Looking forward to seeing this project through. Well Done.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Mike Norris]

Thanks for your encouraging comments.
This is proving to be a major rework of the kit and my PDF build log is up to 123 pages already and I've yet to put any paint down or start the actual build.
Currently I'm working on replacing the rather flimsy and I believe out of scale inboard wing struts.
These are in the early stages but are made from brass micro-tube, formed to an airfoil shape and soft soldered, with 0.5 mm micro-tube 'pins' to the wing location points.
The tricky part comes trying to add the various rigging points to the 'H' struts, as there are two flying wires and one landing wire at the centre of each side, plus the struts top and bottom cross bracing wires.