Steve's Models [Archive] - Page 4 - SUBSIM Radio Room Forums

Sailor Steve

02-06-15, 08:14 PM

The first step is to replace the wing struts. When I built the model the only reference available was Harleyford Publications' Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. That book put the Nieuport 10 and 12 together, but their only drawing was of the 12. The kit was also of the N.12, so their drawing was the same. Because of that my '10' had the struts sloping, which the 12 does to compensate for the longer top wing. It wasn't until recently when I built the two N.10 kits that I discovered that on the 10 the struts are vertical. I removed the struts entirely and built new one from some aerofoil shaped material I had on hand.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-6%202%20New%20Struts_zpsqfnmkogp.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-6%202%20New%20Struts_zpsqfnmkogp.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

02-07-15, 05:35 PM

Step two is to remove the old British markings.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-7%201%20Remove%20Old%20Decals_zpsgwrolngm.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-7%201%20Remove%20Old%20Decals_zpsgwrolngm.jpg.html )

Sailor Steve

02-07-15, 06:28 PM

Step three is to mask the nose and tail and repaint it. The color is not clear-doped linen but rather a darker yellow paint the French were experimenting with at the time.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-7%202%20Repaint_zpsxvntsz3s.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-7%202%20Repaint_zpsxvntsz3s.jpg.html)

Some of the old decal lifted from the elevators. Easy enough to fix later.

em2nought

02-07-15, 06:56 PM

It took twice as long as I had hoped, but the DFW C.V is finally done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-5%204%20Done_zpsbfqea771.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-5%204%20Done_zpsbfqea771.jpg.html)

How do you do the rigging? Is it heated sprue or fish line, or thread? Is each section done seperate or is it strung? Looks really good! :up:

Sailor Steve

02-07-15, 08:35 PM

Thanks.

It's akin to fishing line, but purchased at a fabric store. I think the diameter is .003, and I bought one roll of 300 yards so many years ago I've forgotten the time-frame. I don't think I've used half of it, so it should last the rest of my life. If not, the stuff is still dirt cheap.

Every plane is different, depending on how the original was done, but most of it is strung from a single piece, as long as I can make it. In this case the lower attachments were to the wing roots. so I drilled two tiny holes on each side. Starting with the forward root it runs to the top of the forward inner strut. From there it goes aft to the bottom of the after strut, then to the top of the outer aft strut, forward to the bottom of the outer front strut, then inward to the top of the inner forward strut again. There's nowhere to go from there, so I tie that one off, glue and cut it. Next the procedure is reversed from the rear fuselage hole. Once both wings were done that way I attached the opposite inside wires, tying it to the front bottom strut first, then up to the top of the cabane and down the other side, then doing the rear in the same way. There is a line which runs from the forward landing gear brace to the top of the aft inner strut and keeps the wings anchored laterally. I started at the strut and ran it to the landing gear brace, then across and down the front and back up the rear to make the landing gear wires.

My next project will be a pusher. They have a lot of rigging. :dead:

Aktungbby

02-07-15, 09:09 PM

I can't tell from the photo; did you put decals on the propeller?

Sailor Steve

02-08-15, 09:54 AM

I can't tell from the photo; did you put decals on the propeller?
Yes.

Sailor Steve

02-08-15, 09:55 AM

Cowling and crew repainted, edging applied.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-8%201%20Pilots%20Cowling%20Edging_zpstssxb3ju.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-8%201%20Pilots%20Cowling%20Edging_zpstssxb3ju.jpg. html)

Sailor Steve

02-08-15, 03:48 PM

Well, I ran into a bit of a snag, so I'll be switching gears for a few days.

The snag was that I didn't have any French roundels of the correct size for the upper wing. The two options were to order some and wait for them to arrive or to print my own. I made three attempts at printing them and still couldn't get them quite right. I finally gave up and ordered some, and they aren't expected to arrive until the 16th.

While I'm waiting I'll be starting my next real building project, another F.E.2b. It's an old FormaPlane vac kit. I bought two of them at the same time, meaning to build an early one and a later version. The early one was finished a couple of decades ago and the other one has been sitting in various closets ever since, waiting for me to get to it. Now I'm caught up and it's ready to start. The instructions and metal parts are long since gone, but the kit itself is one of the finest of its kind. Just beautiful.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-8%201%20Kit_zpsafyloocx.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-8%201%20Kit_zpsafyloocx.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

02-10-15, 09:21 PM

Fe.2b body parts cut out and ready for sanding. Lots of sanding.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-10%20Body%20Pieces_zps5aeogwex.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-10%20Body%20Pieces_zps5aeogwex.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

02-11-15, 08:32 PM

Interior partly assembled.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-11%201%20Partial%20Assembly_zps61ofg2tl.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-11%201%20Partial%20Assembly_zps61ofg2tl.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

02-12-15, 10:42 PM

Interior painted except for some detail work. The engine sits in a rather exposed place so I thought it needed some detailing. Unfortunately I've had the kit for so long that if it ever had metal parts they are long since gone, probably used for something else. The kit includes some fairly nice parts in plastic, but the cylinder block is rather small and in two halves. Some cutting and very careful sanding and they looked okay. I glued them to the base and sanded and glued the cylinder head piece to the top. Everything else is fabricated from what I had on hand.

Port side of the 160-horspower Beardmore. the valve rods (if you can see them) are .008 guitar string, about 1/16-inch long. The fuel line is .020 brass wire.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-12%201%20Beardmore%20160%20Port_zpsawn6ztfs.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-12%201%20Beardmore%20160%20Port_zpsawn6ztfs.jpg.ht ml)

Starboard side. The exhaust collector is a thin piece of plastic rod and the oil tank is a thicker piece of sprue.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-12%202%20Beardmore%20160%20Stbd_zpsoh3e0jut.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-12%202%20Beardmore%20160%20Stbd_zpsoh3e0jut.jpg.ht ml)

Sailor Steve

02-13-15, 08:52 PM

Fuselage assembled. Needs some cleanup before I start on the lower wings.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-13%201%20Fuselage%20Port_zpsv0k92jft.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-13%201%20Fuselage%20Port_zpsv0k92jft.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-13%202%20Fuselage%20Stbd_zpsjhu85ayp.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-13%202%20Fuselage%20Stbd_zpsjhu85ayp.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

02-14-15, 10:38 PM

My new French decal sheet came today, so it's back to the Nieuport. Still needs some touching up.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-14%201%20New%20Decals_zps0y4maka9.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-14%201%20New%20Decals_zps0y4maka9.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

02-16-15, 06:11 PM

Very old Nieuport 10 refinished:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-16%201%20Done_zpsypp2fwpd.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-16%201%20Done_zpsypp2fwpd.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-16%202%20Done_zpsctffy8rv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-16%202%20Done_zpsctffy8rv.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-16%203%20Done_zpspudneiyv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-16%203%20Done_zpspudneiyv.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-16%204%20Done_zpsv0r4i6qv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-16%204%20Done_zpsv0r4i6qv.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-16%205%20Done_zpsxzrd9o9d.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-16%205%20Done_zpsxzrd9o9d.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

02-18-15, 06:00 PM

Back to the FE.2b: Lower wings cut, sanded and mounted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-18%201%20Lower%20Wing_zps7nuetv3z.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-18%201%20Lower%20Wing_zps7nuetv3z.jpg.html)

em2nought

03-11-15, 08:15 PM

What's up slacker? Just kidding! :D I almost bought an Airfix R.E.8 the other day, might have to go back and pick it up since all models were 50% off. Of course I'd need $50 worth of stuff to finish it, my Humbrol is long gone.

Sailor Steve

03-12-15, 09:40 PM

I am a slacker. I have been busy, but it's been more than three weeks since I touched it. Part of it is that I have been very busy, but part of it also that I keep putting off sanding the wings and tailplanes. I'm not sure what comes next.

As for the R.E.8, if you want to build a truly accurate and beautiful model I would recommend the Chorozy Modelbud version. It's available on eBay, but you can get it cheaper from Jadar Models in Poland. Several of my favorites have come from them.
http://www.jadarhobby.pl/choroszy-a083-re8-172-p-28780.html

Sailor Steve

03-25-15, 07:16 PM

After five weeks of doing other things I finally got started again. Unfortunately there's nothing to show. I spent an hour just sanding the upper wing, and it's still got a way to go.

em2nought

03-25-15, 10:54 PM

After five weeks of doing other things I finally got started again. Unfortunately there's nothing to show. I spent an hour just sanding the upper wing, and it's still got a way to go.

I can empathize having just sharpened six mower blades. :D Looking forward to more dope stuff. :yeah:

Sailor Steve

03-26-15, 09:41 AM

...having just sharpened six mower blades.
Pics or it didn't happen. :O:

Oh, wait... :oops:

:D Looking forward to more dope stuff. :yeah:
I'll thank you to leave my personal life out of this. :stare: :p2:

Sailor Steve

03-29-15, 04:12 PM

All the flying surfaces are sanded down and ready for assembly. With a normal biplane it's easier to assemble everything but leave the top wing off until it's painted. With a pusher the top wing has to be mounted before the rear frame can be assembled and the tailplanes mounted, so painting has to come last.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/3-28%201%20Ready%20For%20Assembly_zpsnjwn3rvp.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/3-28%201%20Ready%20For%20Assembly_zpsnjwn3rvp.jpg.ht ml)

Sailor Steve

04-23-15, 08:13 PM

Well, more than ten weeks after I started, nine weeks after I put the fuselage and lower wings together, and more than three weeks after I sanded the upper wing and tailplanes, I finally sat down and did some work again. I'm feeling less guilty than I was before, because I read through my 'Starting Over...Again' thread on SH3, and realized I've done a lot more work on getting playing again than I had thought, and I've actually been playing as well.

I was going to use brass wire for the struts but the FE.2b struts are more exaggerated in the front-to-rear thickness ratio that most, and it's obvious. This meant turning to the toothpicks again. I had only done one when my Dremel tool's battery pack ran out. A few months ago the old one died after thirty years of service, and I ordered a new one. When it came I tested it and it was running fine on whatever charge they sent it with. Even with that it's been running for a couple of months, where the old one wouldn't hold a charge for more than an hour or two. Two hours on the charger and this one's up and running again. I did three more struts out of the twelve I need. One of them is cut too thin and it's not even. I imagine I'll need twenty or more before I have twelve that I'm happy with.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-23%201%20Struts%20Started_zpsiczjmvpi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-23%201%20Struts%20Started_zpsiczjmvpi.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

05-04-15, 05:08 PM

Another week and more has gone by. The toothpicks take a lot of sanding, and I had to junk just as many as I finished. I finally got the cabanes and the top wing in place.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-4%201%20Cabanes%20amp%20Wing_zpsvsepfxhv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-4%201%20Cabanes%20amp%20Wing_zpsvsepfxhv.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

05-08-15, 03:54 PM

Four days later, and three months to the day after I started this thing, the struts are in place. I used to complain when a project took longer than two weeks. On the other hand I've done a lot of work on the other things I have going on, so it's not all wasted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-8%201%20Struts_zps3d7vfy7z.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-8%201%20Struts_zps3d7vfy7z.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

05-09-15, 08:24 PM

I sat down this afternoon to install the tail boom and found out I was completely bereft of 1/32" brass wire! I scrounged around looking for a substitute, then gave up and spent my productive time making the 18-mile round trip to the hobby shop. While I was there I was sorely tempted by the Revell 1/72 Type IXc U-boat for $85, gave some serious thought to the Revell 1/700 RMS Olympic, and finally settled on some sanding sticks - plus the wire, of course. The tail should be in tomorrow.

Buddahaid

05-10-15, 10:14 PM

I know that temptation. Most of those buys are still in boxes but you know, I still get a big thrill just opening them and looking at the parts. The old style balsa rubber flying models are the best for that. Those plans and especially the smell of the wood get me every time.

Sailor Steve

05-11-15, 06:31 PM

Most of those buys are still in boxes but you know, I still get a big thrill just opening them and looking at the parts.
I started this thread three years ago with a resin 1/700 scale battleship. It's still on the shelf, in the box. And yeah, I still take it out and look at it sometimes.

Sailor Steve

05-11-15, 06:34 PM

Well, the tail boom is finally on. It took two days of cutting, aligning, gluing, breaking it off and sanding the glue off, realigning, regluing, swearing, forcing myself to take breaks, starting over again.

But that part's done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-11%201%20Tail_zpsjdyjstuo.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-11%201%20Tail_zpsjdyjstuo.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

05-16-15, 05:10 PM

After a few more days delay the landing gear are finally on. They had three different types - the original with the small wheel forward, a modified version of the same without the forward wheel but with some bracing rods going forward, and this final 'V-strut' type, used on the plane I'm copying.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-16%201%20Landing%20Gear_zpsvfzp1gbq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-16%201%20Landing%20Gear_zpsvfzp1gbq.jpg.html)

I have some small specialty parts to fabricate and install before I can start painting, but it's finally getting close.

Buddahaid

05-17-15, 01:04 AM

Kind of looks like a Birkenstock shoe in a way. :woot: I can't wait to the paint scheme.

Sailor Steve

05-17-15, 05:47 PM

Well, the part I've been dreading the most finally came and ended up going fairly quickly and easily. No 100 Squadron was organized for night bombing, and the paint scheme was mostly black, which I liked enough to want to do that one. The problem was it would look silly without the bombs.

The FE.2b night bombers carried a rack under each wing and one under the fuselage. Each rack could hold four 25-lb 'Cooper Bombs', or two 40-lb bombs, or one 112-lb bomb. In addition the center rack could be modified to carry a single 230-lb bomb. Nothing like the two 500-pounders a P-51 could carry in WW2, but pretty big for the era. The maximum bomb load was 350 pounds, so if they carried the big boy in the middle they could only carry four 25-lbers or two 40-lbers total. I found some 1/144-scale bombs that would do for the Coopers, but where to find the big one? Then, on the top shelf, I saw that I had a 1/72-scale Vickers Vimy kit. I opened the box, and sure enough, there was a whole tree of 230-lb bombs! I only needed one.

The hard part was assembling the bomb racks out of .020 (.508 mm) brass wire. Again it went a lot faster and easier than I expected. I guess I'm having a good day. Anyway the bomb racks are installed and the bombs are mounted. Tomorrow we paint!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-17%201%20Bombs_zpssgt0im1c.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-17%201%20Bombs_zpssgt0im1c.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-17%202%20Bombs_zpsf4rtg9tt.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-17%202%20Bombs_zpsf4rtg9tt.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-17%203%20Bombs_zpssaicrqo0.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-17%203%20Bombs_zpssaicrqo0.jpg.html)

Oh, yeah: The reason the big bomb is slung so low is so it won't hit the propeller when it drops.

em2nought

05-17-15, 06:45 PM

Oh, yeah: The reason the big bomb is slung so low is so it won't hit the propeller when it drops.

Must have sucked to be the one to figure that out. :D

Buddahaid

05-19-15, 12:06 AM

Must have sucked to be the one to figure that out. :D

:har:

Sailor Steve

05-19-15, 05:32 PM

Some days are worse than others.

I planned on painting yesterday, but I spent the day hanging out with a very old friend I haven't see in a couple of years. When I got home I felt the need to fix something that's been bugging me since I put up the last set of pictures. The big bomb is hanging straight, i.e. parallel to the fuselage, where the photos clearly show it hanging nose-down - parallel to the ground when the plane is parked.

I broke the whole thing out and re-installed it. Then I got out the airbrush. At first I couldn't find my bottle of black paint. Then I tried it. It's been almost four months, and the lid was on so tight I couldn't get it to budge. I banged on the cap with a pair of pliers, which usually works, but not this time. I tried using the pliers to twist the cap loose. No luck. I finally held the bottle with one pair of pliers and twisted the cap with another. The bottle broke. Black paint all over the kitchen counter, drawers and floor.

It took several tries with paint thinner to finally get it all up, but there's no sign it ever happened, so that's one good thing. I thought about making the huge round trip to the model shop, but I just couldn't get the energy up so I just did something else instead. Tomorrow morning will have to do.

Buddahaid

05-19-15, 09:12 PM

That really sucks. I'm glad it cleaned up OK.

Sailor Steve

05-20-15, 12:41 AM

More good news: I don't have to make the big round trip tomorrow. I went up to Park City to play music tonight, and had a great time, but there is an Arts & Crafts store up there, and it was open late enough for me to stop on the way, and they had some Testors acrylic airbrush paint, which is perfect. Maybe I will get the painting started, just two days after I thought I would. :sunny:

Aktungbby

05-20-15, 02:37 AM

Well, the part I've been dreading the most finally came and ended up going fairly quickly and easily. No 100 Squadron was organized for night bombing, and the paint scheme was mostly black, which I liked enough to want to do that one. The problem was it would look silly without the bombs.

The FE.2b night bombers carried a rack under each wing and one under the fuselage. Each rack could hold four 25-lb 'Cooper Bombs', or two 40-lb bombs, or one 112-lb bomb. In addition the center rack could be modified to carry a single 230-lb bomb. Nothing like the two 500-pounders a P-51 could carry in WW2, but pretty big for the era. The maximum bomb load was 350 pounds, so if they carried the big boy in the middle they could only carry four 25-lbers or two 40-lbers total. I found some 1/144-scale bombs that would do for the Coopers, but where to find the big one? Then, on the top shelf, I saw that I had a 1/72-scale Vickers Vimy kit. I opened the box, and sure enough, there was a whole tree of 230-lb bombs! I only needed one.

The hard part was assembling the bomb racks out of .020 (.508 mm) brass wire. Again it went a lot faster and easier than I expected. I guess I'm having a good day. Anyway the bomb racks are installed and the bombs are mounted. Tomorrow we paint!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-17%203%20Bombs_zpssaicrqo0.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-17%203%20Bombs_zpssaicrqo0.jpg.html)

Oh, yeah: The reason the big bomb is slung so low is so it won't hit the propeller when it drops.
http://www.culture24.org.uk/asset_arena/2/41/11/511142/v0_master.jpgI see it!http://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/Putnam/British_Bombers/74-1.jpg:yeah:Armorers loading 112lb bomb? on FE 2b with Cooper's on wingshttp://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/Putnam/British_Bombers/15-1.jpg

Sailor Steve

05-22-15, 08:09 PM

I didn't do anything Wednesday - recovering from a night playing music. Yesterday I got it painted but forgot to take pictures. Today I was going to put decals on, but ran into another snag: The night bombers had white rings on the bottom wings, and I don't have any. I've looked online for a decal sheet that has them, with no luck. I do have a sheet of white decal paper, so the solution was to buy a special tool for cutting circles; basically a compass with an X-Acto blade on the outer point. It's on the way, but I have to wait until it arrives.

I'll be starting a new project tomorrow while I wait for the tool to get here.

Aktungbby

05-22-15, 08:14 PM

What flat black paint are you using for the night camo?

Sailor Steve

05-22-15, 08:21 PM

I completely forgot to post the pictures! :damn:

I had bottles of Testors flat and gloss blacks. I usually use gloss paints because decals require a smooth surface. When everything is done and dry I give it a coat of DullCote. Since neither one of my black paints would open (except the one that opened itself at the bottom) I stopped in at an Arts & Crafts store and picked up a bottle of Testors Aztek black acrylic paint. Normally I don't use a flash for pictures, but this was so dark I took two - one with and one without.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-22%202%20Paint_zpsin57qjze.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-22%202%20Paint_zpsin57qjze.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-22%201%20Paint_zpswlaxqwhi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-22%201%20Paint_zpswlaxqwhi.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

05-22-15, 08:28 PM

Ya gonna go with three three gun 'custom' cockpit?:up: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Royal_Aircraft_Factory_FE2d_gunner.jpg

Sailor Steve

05-23-15, 01:52 AM

No. I'm not doing an FE.2d.

Yet.

These guys know how to do it right.
http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/projects/fe-2b/flying-fe-2b

Aktungbby

05-23-15, 08:19 AM

No. I'm not doing an FE.2d.

Yet.

These guys know how to do it right.
http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/projects/fe-2b/flying-fe-2b

AHH I didn't realize the 3 gun config was relegated only to the 'd ' because of R.R. engine size... I had caught the post for the rebuild too. gorgeous http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/files/images/fe-2b/thumbnail/fe2b-8441-over-horizon.thumbnail.jpg and dangerous; as the type that put both Immelmann and Richthofen out of business. Von R. probably never should have flown after his head wound but they didn't know that in 1917. "Von Richthofen stayed in the field hospital for 20 days until July 25, 1917 (figure 2). He left because he wanted to take command of his wing again. The skull wound was not closed, and the bare bone was probably visible until his death. He was advised not to fly until the wound in his head had healed completely. There is a special mention of the fact that even the surgeon in charge held this opinion in the medical file. It was also recorded that "without a doubt there had been a severe concussion of the brain and even more probable a cerebral haemorrhage. For this reason sudden changes in air pressure during flight might lead to disturbances of his consciousness". A series of medical conferences was held in the autumn of 1916 sponsored by the Prussian Ministry of War concerning the evaluation of fitness for military and combat duty of soldiers who had received injuries or wounds. Kurt Goldstein (professor of neurology from Frankfurt am Main) gave a lecture on brain injuries and concluded that fitness for combat duty would only be restored in rare cases and that a qualified evaluation of the course of disease was necessary to make such a determination. He pointed out that only 20% of patients with a skull wound and only 4% of those with a brain injury wound were deemed fit for combat duty again. According to those recommendations, von Richthofen should not have been allowed to return to active flight duty since he was diagnosed as having a concussion and cerebral haemorrhage. The physicians and surgeons who treated him knew this, as can be concluded from their strong recommendation to von Richthofen not to fly before his head wound had completely healed." http://www.pilotfriend.com/aeromed/medical/red_baron.htm (http://www.pilotfriend.com/aeromed/medical/red_baron.htm)

Sailor Steve

05-24-15, 03:41 PM

Changed my mind again. At first I decided that the white circles could come last; being on the bottom wing they wouldn't interfere with the rigging, so I could put them off. Then I decided to try cutting the white parts out of a large roundel. They came off pretty well, so I went ahead and put them on. If I change my mind again later it won't be much of a chore to redo them. If not, the money won't have been wasted. I've been wanting a cutting compass for a long time now anyway.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-24%201%20Decals_zpsl8zfjqsy.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-24%201%20Decals_zpsl8zfjqsy.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-24%202%20Decals_zps5lm8sqgo.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-24%202%20Decals_zps5lm8sqgo.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-24%203%20Decals_zps9zqe4t5l.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-24%203%20Decals_zps9zqe4t5l.jpg.html)

em2nought

05-24-15, 05:40 PM

Reminds me of my first pinewood derby car my pop "helped" me build. :subsim:

Buddahaid

05-27-15, 11:38 PM

I missed your last update. It looks the part very nicely. :up:

Sailor Steve

05-28-15, 12:35 AM

Update without pictures. I started painting the crew, and found that after four months it wasn't just the black paint that had dried up. Other jars opened alright, but the paints were sticky and wouldn't take thinning. tomorrow is game night, and the only decent model shop left may be out of my way normally but is on the way to the gaming place, so I guess I need to stop and buy some paint. The list is fairly long now...

Sailor Steve

06-01-15, 07:49 PM

Thursday the 28th I picked up some paints on the way to game night. Friday I painted the crew. Saturday I was busy with other projects, and yesterday I drilled out all the rigging holes. Today I got the main rigging on the port wings done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-1%201%20Port%20Rigging_zpsk7ttepp6.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-1%201%20Port%20Rigging_zpsk7ttepp6.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-02-15, 08:44 PM

Starboard wing rigging completed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-2%201%20Starboard%20Rigging_zps1y4usrgy.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-2%201%20Starboard%20Rigging_zps1y4usrgy.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

06-03-15, 12:20 PM

Superb! In looking for FE2a shots, came across this in Russian but with a lot of night Fe2b's http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25439.htm (http://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25439.htm) http://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/01-Istreb-1/Web/RAF-FE2b-A5478.jpghttp://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/Crowood/97-1.jpghttp://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/01-Istreb-1/Janes/RAF_FE2-1.jpgAnd sunday sevices from the nacelle of a Night bomber!: "Gott Strafe the Hun?" WOOPS! but what great tail rigging focus shot:http://flyingmachines.ru/Images7/Mulliner/1917_Nov_28_FE2B_1.jpg

Sailor Steve

06-06-15, 08:32 PM

Main rigging is finally done. All I have now is the flying rigging (control wires) and a whole lot of touch-up work.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-6%201%20Main%20Rigging_zpsz8km6dhs.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-6%201%20Main%20Rigging_zpsz8km6dhs.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-6%202%20Aft%20Rigging_zps5rxwnr7r.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-6%202%20Aft%20Rigging_zps5rxwnr7r.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

06-06-15, 08:33 PM

:Kaleun_Applaud:

Sailor Steve

06-09-15, 11:27 PM

All the control cables are complete, and touch-up paint is done. All I have now is to install the prop, pilots and guns. It should be finished tomorrow.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-9%201%20Rigging%20Done_zpswxhdaiof.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-9%201%20Rigging%20Done_zpswxhdaiof.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

06-09-15, 11:41 PM

:Kaleun_Applaud:

Sailor Steve

06-10-15, 07:02 PM

Four months and eight days. Eighteen weeks and two days. One hundred and twenty-eight days. Too many distractions. Too much procrastinating. It should have taken four weeks tops.

But it's done. That's all I have to say. The rest can speak for itself.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%201%20Done_zpsnoa2o9dv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%201%20Done_zpsnoa2o9dv.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%202%20Done_zpsgqijt2bj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%202%20Done_zpsgqijt2bj.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%203%20Done_zpsqmij1xgj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%203%20Done_zpsqmij1xgj.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%204%20Done_zpsf88dva36.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%204%20Done_zpsf88dva36.jpg.html)

The guns are brass kits I ordered from a shop in the Ukraine. Very fine details. The front and rear sights are etched brass (very tiny, and they offer three different rear sights). The canvas shell bags (to keep spent cartridges from going into the propeller) are thick plastic. The wrinkles were made by squeezing them with a pair of pliers.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%205%20Done_zpsb7fnexnj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%205%20Done_zpsb7fnexnj.jpg.html)

I broke out the game stand to get some "in flight" shots (also some better angles).

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%206%20Done_zpstl96qki5.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%206%20Done_zpstl96qki5.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%207%20Done_zpsnzl9xdqw.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%207%20Done_zpsnzl9xdqw.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%208%20Done_zpsg232faiz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%208%20Done_zpsg232faiz.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%209%20Done_zpsdkye9xol.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%209%20Done_zpsdkye9xol.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%2010%20Done_zpssntmsq5s.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%2010%20Done_zpssntmsq5s.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg.html)

Tomorrow I need to repair some broken models so I can use them again.

Aktungbby

06-10-15, 07:25 PM

The rest can speak for itself.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg.html)Weirdly: 'Fly by wire' before there was 'fly by wire' :D Well done! one of your finest efforts since I came aboard! What decal prop company did u select?

Sailor Steve

06-10-15, 09:08 PM

Sorry. I couldn't get a decent close-up, and the Union Flag is almost impossible to make out anyway, so I didn't mention it. I used the logos of the Standard Motor Company. During the war they made aircraft under license, and while I can't find any confirmation that the FE.2 was among those, they certainly made propellers for a variety of planes, so it was a simple choice. Also, I like the Union Flags.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Motor_Company

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Standard%20Motor%20Prop_zpso2ipudth.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Standard%20Motor%20Prop_zpso2ipudth.jpg.html)

DragonRider

06-11-15, 12:23 AM

That is absolutely a fantastic piece of modelling right there. :up:
I love this thread you have shown some real dedication in building these great aircraft.
No matter how long it takes you to build them the end result is always fantastic. :o
keep up the good work Steve :yeah:

Jimbuna

06-11-15, 09:09 AM

Four months and eight days. Eighteen weeks and two days. One hundred and twenty-eight days. Too many distractions. Too much procrastinating. It should have taken four weeks tops.

But it's done. That's all I have to say. The rest can speak for itself.

Now that is something rather special mate, the gunner in particular and the rigging really set this apart and beyond most of your other fine efforts :sunny:

Sailor Steve

06-12-15, 06:27 PM

I spent today's model building time cleaning up after the last mess, organizing tools and paints, throwing away old reference sheets and filing the ones I think I might need again.

The next project is another Royal Aircraft Factory job, a B.E.12. Since the Allies still had a severe shortage of fighter types it was decided to try to turn the B.E.2 into a single-seat fighter. The engine was upgraded from the V8 RAF 1a to the 150-hp V12 RAF 4a, and it was given one of the earliest Vickers gun mountings, to the port side of the fuselage. It still had the great shortcomings of the BE.2, being a very stable aircraft, which meant it was slow to roll and slow to turn.

There are no available kits of the aircraft. Formaplane used to make a vacuform conversion for their BE.2 kit, but it is long out of production and impossible to find. I happen to have a second copy of their original BE.2 kit, so I'll be doing the conversion myself. I thought about making a BE.12b, which had the 200 hp Hispano-Suiza engine and looked like a BE.2 with the nose of an SE.5 tacked on. I like its oddness, but it only came out late in the war and was used strictly as a home-defense night fighter.

Still, here is my starting point.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-12%201%20Kit%20B.E.2c_zps8rly6ess.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-12%201%20Kit%20B.E.2c_zps8rly6ess.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-14-15, 08:33 PM

I meant to get started yesterday, but I got busy with other things (including catching up on some much-needed sleep). Today I got the fuselage halves cut out and sanded and the meagre interior installed and painted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-14%201%20Interior_zpsdhcvpcsn.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-14%201%20Interior_zpsdhcvpcsn.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-14%202%20Instrument%20Panel_zpsydshvtag.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-14%202%20Instrument%20Panel_zpsydshvtag.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-15-15, 07:53 PM

Fuselage halves together. A lot of filling and sanding ahead.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-15%201%20Fuselage_zps42z34vui.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-15%201%20Fuselage_zps42z34vui.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-16-15, 08:43 PM

Some putty, some primer, lower wings cut, sanded and mounted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-16%201%20Putty%20Lower%20Wings_zpsgrill32c.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-16%201%20Putty%20Lower%20Wings_zpsgrill32c.jpg.htm l)

Sailor Steve

06-17-15, 05:48 PM

Tailplanes mounted. The kit tail surfaces are all curved, due to the nature of vacuform molding. Rather than try to sand them so both sides are the same, I cut them out and used them for patterns to cut new planes from sheet plastic. These were compared to the three-view drawings and sanded to the right shape and size. I then sanded the edges to a curve and the tail ends to a knife-edge. Next was making the rib lines. In real life these are raised, but on the model it's hard to tell the difference when they're scribed into the plastic. Again, if it was a display model I would have gone that extra step, but to me it's pointless for a game piece.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-17%20Tailplanes_zpsrymihvq0.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-17%20Tailplanes_zpsrymihvq0.jpg.html)

Tomorrow will be the landing gear.

Sailor Steve

06-18-15, 05:31 PM

Landing gear installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-18%201%20Landing%20Gear_zpsapasoumd.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-18%201%20Landing%20Gear_zpsapasoumd.jpg.html)

iambecomelife

06-18-15, 06:30 PM

Wish I'd checked on this thread before...I'm a big fan of pusher planes so obviously I'm in heaven.:D Although I don't think their crews liked them very much. :rotfl2:

Sailor Steve

06-18-15, 09:08 PM

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

When I put it on a stand to show it off at last Thursday's game, one of my fellow gamers stared at it for a bit and then said

"No. Just...no." :nope:

Aktungbby

06-19-15, 08:50 AM

Well he was just stunned as we are: All your stuff reflect a certain scrupulous dedication; this particular one just exceeds your usual efforts. All that wire and the little shell bags on the guns....:salute: I particularly like this 'stringbag' shot the best:http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg.html)

em2nought

06-19-15, 02:40 PM

Four months and eight days. Eighteen weeks and two days. One hundred and twenty-eight days. Too many distractions. Too much procrastinating. It should have taken four weeks tops.

But it's done. That's all I have to say. The rest can speak for itself.

The guns are brass kits I ordered from a shop in the Ukraine. Very fine details. The front and rear sights are etched brass (very tiny, and they offer three different rear sights). The canvas shell bags (to keep spent cartridges from going into the propeller) are thick plastic. The wrinkles were made by squeezing them with a pair of pliers.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%205%20Done_zpsb7fnexnj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%205%20Done_zpsb7fnexnj.jpg.html)

I broke out the game stand to get some "in flight" shots (also some better angles).

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%206%20Done_zpstl96qki5.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%206%20Done_zpstl96qki5.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%2010%20Done_zpssntmsq5s.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%2010%20Done_zpssntmsq5s.jpg.html)

Tomorrow I need to repair some broken models so I can use them again.

Man, it must have been a wild ride as the gunner. This model is awesome! :woot:Whole thread with links gives me new found appreciation for the type.

Sailor Steve

06-19-15, 05:41 PM

Cabanes mounted, top wing cut, sanded and ready. It's not glued on yet, it's just sitting there to test the angles and make sure they're straight. Tomorrow should see it painted, and then the top wing will go on for real.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-19%201%20Cabanes%20Upper%20Wing_zpsrsigy26y.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-19%201%20Cabanes%20Upper%20Wing_zpsrsigy26y.jpg.ht ml)

iambecomelife

06-19-15, 06:55 PM

Man, this brings back memories from "Red Baron 3D"... The FE2b's were easy meat for my Albatros....give them a few good bursts and they'd catch fire or suffer structural failure....these boys earned me lots of medals. :-?

Sailor Steve

06-19-15, 08:06 PM

On the other hand there was Manfred. It was a Fee that gave him the head wound that marked the beginning of the end. But you're right. On the whole they were a pretty average stopgap until the Allies got some real fighters.

TorpX

06-19-15, 11:36 PM

Wish I'd checked on this thread before...I'm a big fan of pusher planes so obviously I'm in heaven.:D Although I don't think their crews liked them very much. :rotfl2:

Why didn't the crews like them?

iambecomelife

06-20-15, 07:50 AM

Why didn't the crews like them?

They were slow, vulnerable, and the gunner had a very poor field of fire compared to other two seaters like the DH.4 and the Bristol F2B.

CCIP

06-20-15, 09:40 AM

To be fair, as Steve mentioned, it pre-dated both of those by a long shot. So there wasn't really a lot of choice as far as two-seaters go - well, for the Brits, it was either basically that or the BE2, and I know which one of them I'd rather be in if I got attacked by a German :D

But I think it speaks volumes of the aircrews' courage that they kept going out there and fighting all along, even in machines that they full-well knew were problematic and inferior to the enemy's.

Aktungbby

06-20-15, 02:22 PM

^ INDEED! "
The arrangement was described by Frederick Libby (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Libby), an American ace who served as an F.E.2b observer in 1916: "When you stood up to shoot, all of you from the knees up was exposed to the elements. There was no belt to hold you. Only your grip on the gun and the sides of the nacelle stood between you and eternity. Toward the front of the nacelle was a hollow steel rod with a swivel mount to which the gun was anchored. This gun covered a huge field of fire forward. Between the observer and the pilot a second gun was mounted, for firing over the F.E.2b's upper wing to protect the aircraft from rear attack ... Adjusting and shooting this gun required that you stand right up out of the nacelle with your feet on the nacelle coaming. You had nothing to worry about except being blown out of the aircraft by the blast of air or tossed out bodily if the pilot made a wrong move. There were no parachutes and no belts. No wonder they needed observers."
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02691/Arthur_2691854b.jpg
And additionally by the son of one lucky pilot!
Arthur William Martin, a Royal Flying Corps bomber pilot, was shot down and captured by the enemy but survived. His son wrote:
Anthony Martin, of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, recalls the moment his pilot father met the German who shot him down then helped him contact his family to say he was safe. ‘‘My father, Arthur William Martin (pictured above), was a Royal Flying Corps bomber pilot who was shot down over enemy territory in 1916 but survived where so many other pilots did not. Born in London in 1893, he joined the 2nd/5th Yorkshire Regiment and was commissioned on July 19, 1915. He was a gunnery officer and married my mother in September 1916 just before being sent to France. ‘‘Shortly after arrival, he was briefed on a bombing mission over enemy territory. He was piloting an FE2b ‘pusher’ and his gunner, sitting in front of him, was supposed to place his feet on the narrow edge of the front cockpit and fire the backward-facing Lewis machine gun fixed on the top wing. My father’s gunner was taken ill and a sergeant machine-gunner was taken out of the front line to join him. Understandably, the poor fellow was terrified.
‘‘Over enemy territory, the flight became separated in cloud and, coming out of it, my father was attacked by three German fighters. The gunner was too frightened to get up and fire the gun. The bullets passed through the main tank without setting it on fire, sliced through my father’s flying coat from his groin to his feet but missed his vital organs. The bullets cut all his flying cables except his landing wires.
‘‘My father dived and, seeing a green field, made an emergency landing, only to find it was an enemy airfield. The German officer who shot him down landed behind him and took my father to his mess.
‘‘Discovering he was recently married, the officer told him to write a note to my mother saying that he was a prisoner of war but uninjured. The German then put his note into a canister and dropped it over our lines. This courteous act resulted in my mother receiving his note a few weeks later. After a few months, she had an official notification from the War Office to say that my father was missing in action and presumed dead.
‘‘My father was a prisoner for two years, during which time he learnt German so well that he ended up teaching it to other prisoners.’’

Sailor Steve

06-20-15, 07:35 PM

INDEED!

Nice description. :yep:

Here are a series of RFC photos demonstrating the different positions.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/1_zpsnfyrqjjh.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/1_zpsnfyrqjjh.jpg.html)http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/2_zpsgalw3oz6.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/2_zpsgalw3oz6.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/3_zpsv1owxiwx.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/3_zpsv1owxiwx.jpg.html) http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/4_zps2pgxwxf6.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/4_zps2pgxwxf6.jpg.html) http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/5_zpsdje8wefj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/5_zpsdje8wefj.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-20-15, 07:39 PM

Paint applied. What would rapidly become the RFC standard: Clear Doped Linen below and PC10 above.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-20%201%20Paint_zps32qowdlo.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-20%201%20Paint_zps32qowdlo.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

06-20-15, 09:48 PM

http://www.theaerodrome.com/images/aircraft/gbritain/raf_be12.jpghttp://www.theaerodrome.com/images/aces/england/lewis1.jpg Cecil Lewis (http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/lewis1.php), author, Sagittarius Rising,( the inspiration for movie Aces High) who ferried a B.E.12 to France, thought it was "nothing but a higher-powered single-seater B.E.2c armed with a forward-firing Vickers gun. The front seat had been taken out to make room for the new 140-h.p. R.A.F. engine. . . It really was a cow. The engine gave full revs and full power while sounding as if there was something radically wrong with it. The four-bladed propeller seemed to increase the vibration. It was a lovely day and I crossed the Channel high up, glad of the height, for full out or throttled back the engine rattled like a can of old nails. I was glad enough to put it down at the depot, saying fervently to the group of pilots who gathered round the newcomer, 'You can have it. That's one I don't want to see again.'" Lewis died at age 98 served in two world wars and scored 8 victories (SE-5) on the Somme, awarded the Military Cross...we'll take his assessment as gospel on this BBY.

Sailor Steve

06-20-15, 11:56 PM

"I have come to the conclusion that the BE12 aeroplane is not a fighting machine in any way...

I have, as you know, always objected to the machine from the beginning when I heard it was being made, and I would point out as the manufacture of them was continued that when it came to my deciding whether I would have them or nothing else I could not possibly say I would rather be without them then. But I am afraid now it is a question of not being able to afford the losses the use of them entails.

I realize fully that I shall lose two squadrons if I stop using the BE12 and delay, I suppose for some considerable period, two other squadrons. Although I am short of machines to do the work that is now necessary with the large number of Germans against us, I cannot do anything else but to recommend that no more be sent out to this country."
-Brigadier General Hugh Trenchard, commanding the Royal Flying Corps in France, Memorandum dated September 24, 1916

Yes, the man in charge of all the British flyers in France wrote in an official note to his superiors that he would rather have four squadrons grounded than to keep putting up in this particular aeroplane. :dead:

Sailor Steve

06-21-15, 07:12 PM

Second coat of paint, Vickers gun mounted. Of course they put it where the pilot couldn't reach it if it jammed...

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-21%201%202nd%20Coat%20Vickers%20Gun_zpsukhow5ph.jp g (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-21%201%202nd%20Coat%20Vickers%20Gun_zpsukhow5ph.jp g.html)

Sailor Steve

06-23-15, 08:52 PM

I was getting ready to put the markings on yesterday when I realized I hadn't given it a gloss coat yet. Decals adhere better to a glossy surface than a flat one. I sprayed on a coat of clear gloss and waited. At bedtime it still wasn't completely dry. This afternoon I finally got the decals in place.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-23%201%20Decals_zpsh60bx4ao.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-23%201%20Decals_zpsh60bx4ao.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

06-24-15, 10:42 AM

Noting your four blade propeller decals for the periodhttp://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%2011%20Done_zpsjbjeat8q.jpg.html)I just came across this pricey ($1022.32) original BE12 on Ebay for a BE12 1 blade and hub http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mYfyufs-ZSZ1MpFWawtG1rg.jpg (http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW-1-BE-12-Biplane-Four-Blade-Propeller-Cut-to-one-propeller-and-mounting-boss-/201373131521) with authentic decal ?http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/R8UAAOSwstxVW108/$_35.JPG?rt=nccannot find W.E.B Ltd.-London on line to verify if legit!:hmmm: http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW-1-BE-12-Biplane-Four-Blade-Propeller-Cut-to-one-propeller-and-mounting-boss-/201373131521 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW-1-BE-12-Biplane-Four-Blade-Propeller-Cut-to-one-propeller-and-mounting-boss-/201373131521)

Sailor Steve

06-24-15, 04:53 PM

Top wing mounted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-24%201%20Top%20Wing_zpshg1b776m.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-24%201%20Top%20Wing_zpshg1b776m.jpg.html)

And there it's going to sit for awhile, because it doesn't have an engine. I was going to try to scratchbuild an RAF 4a for it, but then I remembered I have a source for engines - a guy who has a large supply of old AeroClub white metal engines of all kinds. I emailed him last week, and he told me to call, but I ended up leaving a message. I haven't heard back from him, so I'm going to try to call again tonight. I may start the rigging tomorrow, or I may just put it off until the engine comes and start a new project Friday. We'll see.

Sailor Steve

06-26-15, 06:07 PM

I've set aside the BE.12 pending arrival of the engine.

My next project is a bit difficult to describe, so I'll start with the planes themselves.

With the advent of the single-seat version of the Nieuport 10 the Fokker and Pfalz eindekkers had met their match, and when the Nieuport 11 arrived on the scene in January 1916 the Fokker Scourge was over. The Germans had nothing to match the new fighters, and everyone was scrambling to come up with something better.

The Fokker corporation decided their best course was to turn the E.III into a biplane. They first came up with the M.17, a direct conversion, except it was powered by the older Oberusel U.0, an 80-horsepower 7-cylinder engine.

M.17, werke number 433
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/D.II%20Prototype%20M17%201_zpsr1ahbcqi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/D.II%20Prototype%20M17%201_zpsr1ahbcqi.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/D.II%20Prototype%20M17%202_zpsowoeuykd.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/D.II%20Prototype%20M17%202_zpsowoeuykd.jpg.html)

At the same time they developed the M.18, the same airframe except powered by the 100-hp Mercedes D.I.

M.18, w/n 434
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/M.18%20Prototype%201_zpss1aw7j4y.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/M.18%20Prototype%201_zpss1aw7j4y.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/M.18%20Prototype%202%20Fokker_zpshrt4xaw9.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/M.18%20Prototype%202%20Fokker_zpshrt4xaw9.jpg.html )
Anthony Fokker himself in the cockpit.

While they were nimble planes with good performance, and had an excellent view above and all around, downward visibility was practically nil, which is bad for a fighter and even worse for landings.

Fokker immediately came up with a second pair of prototypes. Werke numbers 499 and 501 were still called M.17 and M.18 respectively. W/n 499 still carried the 80-hp U.0 engine, but the inline motor in 501 was upgraded to the 120-hp Mercedes D.II. These were tested in April 1916. Idflieg wanted more stability and agreed to purchase both types if the wings were extended to two bays.

The Austro-Hungarian Luftfahrtruppe ordered 22 of the single-bay M.17s and 6 of the two-bay versions, both designated B.II, as well as 16 of the inline-engined two-bay M.18s, designated B.III.

Idflieg purchased the M.18s first, which led to them being designated D.I, with the earlier M.17 being called D.II. They would later build a biplane version of the E.IV, called D.III, and then the D.IV, powered by the 160-hp Mercedes D.III engine.

THE MODELS

Twenty years ago or more I built a vacuform kit of the Fokker D.I, while a couple of my gaming friends built models of the D.II. One of those friends moved away and I ended up in possession of his D.II model. In my recent plans to build a complete set of planes for our game, I purchased a Meikraft kit of the D.I, and HR Models resin kits of the D.II and single-bay Austrian B.II. Normally expensive, the price was right so I grabbed them, planning to pick up the others later. I would build the complete set and then give my older models away. The first stage would be a "three-fer". I planned to build the B.II, D.I and D.II at the same time.

Recently I began looking around for kits of the later D.III and D.IV, only to find there aren't any. Some were made, back in the day, but are now impossible to find.

This of course led me to change my plans. My intent is now to rebuild my old D.I kit, bringing it up to my current standards. I will convert the B.II kit into a D.II, since the only difference is the longer wings of the latter. The D.II kit I own will be converted into a D.III, and the D.I kit will be modified to represent the D.IV.

So, the first stage is to tear apart the old D.I kit and rebuild it. It needed repairs anyway, some of the struts being gone. I took out the rest of the struts, and this is the model at the starting point.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/6-26%201%20Before_zps7cbfsszn.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/6-26%201%20Before_zps7cbfsszn.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-27-15, 05:54 PM

Took the top wing and cabanes off, removed the pilot and the old engine, which was very wrong. Sanded off the old decals and scraped off the dried glue from the old strut mountings.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-27%201%20Wing%20and%20Decals%20Removed_zpsbd4tep4b .jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-27%201%20Wing%20and%20Decals%20Removed_zpsbd4tep4b .jpg.html)

The Meikraft kit came with a very nice model of the Mercedes D.II, including photo-etched brass wiring harnesses. Here is the engine with the intake stacks and wiring harnesses installed.

Port.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/Mercedes%20D.II%20Port_zpsghspkbsg.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/Mercedes%20D.II%20Port_zpsghspkbsg.jpg.html)

Starboard.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/Mercedes%20D.II%20Starboard_zpssghap1db.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/Mercedes%20D.II%20Starboard_zpssghap1db.jpg.html)

When I build the Meikraft kit it will be converted to a D.IV. I've already purchased a very special model of the D.III engine, so I don't mind stealing this engine for my rebuild.

Sailor Steve

06-28-15, 06:48 PM

I finally managed to cross paths with the guy selling the engines. The RAF 4a for the BE.12 should be here within the week.

Meanwhile, the Fokker D.I has the strut holes drilled out and is painted. From what I can tell the earliest units, like the eindeckers, came from the factory in clear doped linen. This paint scheme seems to have been done in the field.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-28%201%20Painted_zpsgfgnrrv3.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-28%201%20Painted_zpsgfgnrrv3.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-29-15, 08:23 PM

Decals in place. I've just now finished that job, and haven't applied the overcoat yet.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-29%20Decals_zpsylmpb838.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-29%20Decals_zpsylmpb838.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

06-30-15, 07:38 PM

New engine painted...

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-30%201%20Engine%20Painted%20Port_zpshqzgeftr.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-30%201%20Engine%20Painted%20Port_zpshqzgeftr.jpg.h tml)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-30%202%20Engine%20Painted%20Starboard_zpsglzucsg1. jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-30%202%20Engine%20Painted%20Starboard_zpsglzucsg1. jpg.html)

...and installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-30%203%20Engine%20Installed_zpsbalilycn.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-30%203%20Engine%20Installed_zpsbalilycn.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-01-15, 06:58 PM

Unfortunately tearing out the old engine took some of the cowling with it, so I have to use thin plastic to rebuild it. I didn't have much time today since I had some errands to run, but the sides and top are installed if not shaped yet.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-1%201%20Cowling%20Port_zps7xyog5jj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-1%201%20Cowling%20Port_zps7xyog5jj.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-1%202%20Cowling%20Stbd_zpsduuprufh.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-1%202%20Cowling%20Stbd_zpsduuprufh.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-02-15, 09:32 PM

The three engines I ordered came today, and the one I needed for the BE.12 was the WRONG ONE!!! Not wrong as in "He pulled the wrong package", but wrong as in several decades ago somebody put the wrong parts in the package, and all these years later the one he sent me is that one!

Not his fault. Right now he's checking to see if he has any more, and it they are properly packaged. If not, I'm not sure what I'll do next.

Sailor Steve

07-03-15, 08:13 PM

Nose rebuilt, gun installed, experimental paint. I'm still trying to duplicate the buffed look the early Fokkers had.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-3-1%20Nose%20Fixed%20and%20Painted_zpsapzaw1qy.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-3-1%20Nose%20Fixed%20and%20Painted_zpsapzaw1qy.jpg.h tml)

Sailor Steve

07-04-15, 10:11 PM

Nose repainted again, top wing mounted, some touch-up paint.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-4%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsamspe92g.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-4%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsamspe92g.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-09-15, 03:46 PM

It's finished. Not as good as I had hoped, but still not too bad for a rebuild.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-9%201%20Done_zpsnams1jvg.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-9%201%20Done_zpsnams1jvg.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-9%202%20Done_zpsbokupide.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-9%202%20Done_zpsbokupide.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-9%203%20Done_zpseofmnqu2.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-9%203%20Done_zpseofmnqu2.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

07-09-15, 07:37 PM

better than anyone else's rebuilt I'll bet; is there any particular significance to the Spartan symbol-inverted 'v'?

Sailor Steve

07-10-15, 03:37 AM

I have no clue. That's the way the only photo I've seen shows it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/D.I%204_zpsaclzgvxo.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/D.I%204_zpsaclzgvxo.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-10-15, 04:23 PM

Next project is a companion piece to the last one - the Fokker D.II. I was going to build the Austrian B.II "Baby" out of the box, but I came across a particular plane I really want to do, and not having enough kits available to do everything I wanted I decided to use wings from another kit to make it into a D.II. The D.II kit I have is set aside for conversion to a D.III later on.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-10%201%20Kit_zpsektl5fho.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-10%201%20Kit_zpsektl5fho.jpg.html)

The only photo of the plane is from this group shot:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Lineup_zpszhlpkkpb.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Lineup_zpszhlpkkpb.jpg.html)

'Dodo', the plane in question, is the middle of the back row. Here is an artist's rendering of 'Dodo' in combat.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/D.II%20Painting%201_zpswojagtty.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/D.II%20Painting%201_zpswojagtty.jpg.html)

What attracted me are the black-and-white stripes and the white cross on black tail. Actual colors are unknown. I'll get into that more later.

Aktungbby

07-10-15, 05:03 PM

http://img02.deviantart.net/28ea/i/2013/030/9/c/fokker_bii_by_dugazm-d5t83dj.jpghttp://libtreasures.utdallas.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10735.1/1259/4-EF305-6-PB1.jpg?sequence=1

Sailor Steve

07-10-15, 08:04 PM

Make sense you'd post pictures of the "Baby". :D

Idflieg wanted a little more stability and ended up buying the double-bay version. The Austrians bought twenty-two of the single-bay plane, and most of them went to training schools. A couple of them were armed and saw combat. :sunny:

Aktungbby

07-10-15, 09:01 PM

well no problem with this two bay versionhttp://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/fww1/fokd2/fokd2-7.jpg Love the color scheme on this;http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/fww1/fokd2/fokd2-c1.jpgand the steady cam on this:http://www.airwar.ru/image/idop/fww1/fokd2/fokd2-6.jpghttp://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww1/fokd2.html (http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww1/fokd2.html) :D

Sailor Steve

07-11-15, 08:48 PM

The engine: 100 horsepower Oberursel U.I rotary. I've used kit engines and metal engines. This time I've ordered a small handful from Small Stuff Models (http://www.smallstuffmodels.com/2014/05/72105.html). This is a resin kit, with 38 parts - the crankcase, the rear mount, 9 cylinders, 9 thin pushrods, 9 tiny valve rockers and 9 even tinier spark plugs. I was going to start it today, but I had to look up a lot of pictures of the original to make sure I get it right. We'll see how it goes.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-11%201%20Engine_zpsvbxzmwkv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-11%201%20Engine_zpsvbxzmwkv.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-12-15, 11:12 AM

First step with this tiny engine was to do the one thing they don't provide for - make it so it spins. They recommend drilling a hole in the back and using a toothpick to hold the crankcase while installing the parts. I drilled a hole and glued in a piece of brass wire. A short piece of tubing is slipped into place and another short tube glued in after it. The free-spinning first tube will be glued into a hole in the forward fuselage. If all goes well it will allow engine and propeller to spin. I've done this many times before. I've also botched it up more than once.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-12%201%20Spin%20Assembly_zpsgmtx5beh.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-12%201%20Spin%20Assembly_zpsgmtx5beh.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

07-12-15, 11:44 AM

but I had to look up a lot of pictures of the original to make sure I get it right. We'll see how it goes.

^Totally kool! Too bad you're not using the 110 Oberursel: the world's most famous one...perhaps. Saw it on my day's visit to the IWM in London :D https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Iwm_Oberursel_engine.jpg/220px-Iwm_Oberursel_engine.jpg (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iwm_Oberursel_engine.jpg)photo enlarges.

Sailor Steve

07-12-15, 01:50 PM

Wrong plane. Small Stuff makes the UR.II, but it will have to wait for the Dr.I, and that's some way off at this point.

Next come the cylinders, and I need to slow down. It won't help with this one, as it's too late. The designers online instructions recommend tacking things in place with foil cement, which as its name implies is a glue for attaching aluminum foil to represent polished metal. It dries tacky and allows the part to be stuck in place and rotated to the proper position, after which a drop of superglue is applied.

I don't have any and don't have time to make a special trip to the hobby shop just to get some, so I tried dipping the cylinders in a dot of superglue and putting them on directly. The first problem was that getting the spark plug holes to point in the right direction was pretty much impossible. The second problem was that I hadn't yet discovered the online instructions, and the ones that come with the model aren't clear enough. I tried breaking the crankcase loose from the sprue, and not knowing I was supposed to use the X-Acto Saw to cut it loose I bent it just a little, even with just the pressure from my fingers.

Some of the holes for the cylinder bases were bent, just enough to let them not be round anymore. I ended up having to re-drill holes and force-fit some of the cylinders, which was scary because if they became deformed or marred there is no way to fix them. It also turned out the spark plug holes were nowhere near lined up properly, so I had to use a tiny drill bit to drill new ones.

Anyway, the cylinders are in and don't look too bad.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-12%202%20Cylinders_zpsmdfexiyk.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-12%202%20Cylinders_zpsmdfexiyk.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-12-15, 04:02 PM

The spark plugs are installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-12-3%20Spark%20Plugs_zps5exmymrk.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-12-3%20Spark%20Plugs_zps5exmymrk.jpg.html)

And now I'm banging my head in frustration. They give you a special tool to remove the spark plugs from the tree and install them into the tiny holes in the cylinder heads. Unfortunately I seem to be too fumble-fingered to get it to work right. I finally resorted to drilling new holes and using some of my .008 guitar string to make the plugs. While doing that I managed to dislodge one of the cylinders and lose it on the floor somewhere. Their parts trees have five of everything, so I had a spare. Then I lost another one, and borrowed the spare from a second engine I have. Then I lost another one and borrowed a real cylinder from the same kit, which means it is now one short.

I took the above picture and started working on the valves and connecting rods. The valves were also too small for me to deal with, and I wanted to use the .008 wire for the rods anyway, so I started drilling holes to mount them in, thinking that the top would glue to the front of the cylinder head and it would still look good. I mounted the first wire and it looked good. I was mounting the second wire when yet another cylinder popped loose and disappeared somewhere.

Now I'm done. After a break I'm going to dig out an engine from one of my spare kits. If it looks good enough, fine. If not I'll drill and mount stuff on it. Since it will be one piece it should be safe from losing cylinders.

:dead:

Sailor Steve

07-13-15, 10:26 AM

After all that it occurred to me to check the fit, and the Small Stuff engine won't fit inside the cowling anyway. I went through my parts box and found an engine that looks about right with only a little trimming. I added the connecting rods from guitar string to give a little extra flavor, and I think that's as far as I'm going to go.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-13%201%20New%20Engine_zpsbqg4iacl.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-13%201%20New%20Engine_zpsbqg4iacl.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-13-15, 01:33 PM

New engine painted, ready for installation.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-13%202%20Engine%20Painted_zpsepm4yayf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-13%202%20Engine%20Painted_zpsepm4yayf.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

07-13-15, 03:39 PM

^Jeeze! that looks like(equally aggravating) practice for tying fishing flies http://www.grahamowengallery.com/fishing/midge-2-large.jpg

Sailor Steve

07-13-15, 07:00 PM

Oh yeah. Working with teensy tiny parts is rewarding, but only when you get it right. :dead:

Anyway, the interior (such as it is) is painted - instrument panel and floorboard. After test fitting with the pilot I'm leaving the seat out. He'll sit perfectly on the hump to which the seat attaches.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-13%203%20Interior_zpsxoipjl9x.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-13%203%20Interior_zpsxoipjl9x.jpg.html)

Eichhörnchen

07-14-15, 03:02 AM

Since you use your models for gaming I don't know whether or not you bother with this: do you use/consider the idea of "scale colour" when painting them? I was prompted to ask this when you mentioned using black paint in your airbrush (post #793).

Sailor Steve

07-14-15, 08:41 AM

"scale colour"
Not sure what you mean. :06:

Eichhörnchen

07-14-15, 01:21 PM

Is the practice of lightening the tone of paint used on models, usually by the addition of white; the smaller the scale of the model, the lighter the tone needs to be, so the logic goes, for it to capture the look of the full-sized "prototype" (the idea being that a large object, such as an aeroplane, can look surprisingly light in tone even if it's dark in colour, especially on a sunny day, because of the amount of light gathered then reflected to the observer).

The way to replicate this and give the small model more of the "presence" of the real thing is to raise the overall tone of the finish. There are some colours, like red, where this can be a problem: you'd just end up with a pink Fokker Triplane, for example; in this case there's not much can be done.

http://i.imgur.com/DWC3EkV.jpg

These white-metal cars were about 1:76 scale (designed for railroad layouts to HO:OO) and so very small; I've tried to show them actual size here. You can see how I rendered mudguards, tyres etc in what is actually a dark grey, but in this scale your eye tells you that the colour is black. Notice especially the roof panel on the van: on the real vehicle this would have been a black or very dark fabric, but on such a tiny model I had to paint it mid-grey in order for it to look right.

The little Austin "Ruby" at left is painted dark grey then given a coat of not-too glossy varnish (another "scale" issue: a highly glossy model looks all wrong, even if the real object it imitates is highly polished). The Austin will look like a black car on the layout, however.

The green car would've been quite a dark green, but if you sprayed such a tiny model with the same paint as used on the real car, it would appear much too dark because it would gather and reflect far less light.

There can be problems, such as when you come to black decals, because they are usually too black, despite their small scale. You can get a mismatch, which I've tried to illustrate with my 1:72 scale Spit below: the prop blades and tyres are in "scale" black (i.e. dark grey) but they clash somewhat with the kit's invasion-stripe decal at rear.

http://i.imgur.com/d1OtgbI.jpg

The "dark" green & grey camo is lightened too, but this just becomes a matter of estimation by "eye" (a sunnier day will make a plane look lighter than on a dull day anyway). And of course you may just think this is a load of bunk...:D

Sailor Steve

07-14-15, 01:37 PM

I am familiar with the process, I just didn't register at first. Sorry.

No, I don't usually do that, mainly because I'm never sure exactly how much is enough. I saw one article in which the modeler actually used different colors of CDL to represent the top side of the wing, which was constantly exposed to the sun, to the bottom, which is always in the shadow. I couldn't really see the difference.

When I was building a lot of WW2 models I added a lighter or darker color to each model, to represent long-time exposure or factory-fresh paint, and because different paint batches aren't always the same. In a discussion about PC-10, the most common British WW1 paint, someone once said that there were at least five different factory mixes and in the field they mixed their own, meaning you could use almost any color green and no one could say you were wrong.

Eichhörnchen

07-14-15, 02:13 PM

I haven't done a lot of WWI modelling, but I do recall reading somewhere that the Germans used a lighter "lozenge" patterned fabric on the top surfaces of their biplanes' lower wings so it did not contrast with the upper wing when viewed from above. German efficiency, I guess. I've always found these lozenge-camouflages intriguing, but never discovered quite how they were supposed to work: do you know?

Sailor Steve

07-14-15, 03:57 PM

Actually yes. After a fashion. Kinda sorta. There are several decal makers who sell German four and five color lozenge. There is one company which makes the large hex lozenge for bombers. They all come with both upper and lower colors and include rib tape, which was usually blue but sometimes red. All include very detailed instructions.

This site gives a fair overall description of hex camo types.
http://wwiaviation.blogspot.com/p/camouflage-corner_04.html

Most lozenge was pre-printed fabric (as were the two-tone streak patterns later in the war), but I've seen one photograph of a flying boat that had hand-painted hexes. Some companies applied it span-wise, or running the link of the wings, some applied it chord-wise, running from front to rear, and some put it on diagonally.
http://www.wwiaviation.com/lozenge.html

The colors are the subject of much controversy, as are all WW1 colors.
http://www.wwi-models.org/misc/Colors/German/loz2/

Aktungbby

07-14-15, 04:35 PM

The way to replicate this and give the small model more of the "presence" of the real thing is to raise the overall tone of the finish. There are some colours, like red, where this can be a problem: you'd just end up with a pink Fokker Triplane, for example; in this case there's not much can be done.

This has been an extremely interesting discussion on colour density; truly the wisdom of an accomplished artist accustomed to pigment issues. I'll consider it in future projects myself:up:! However if we could lighten up on the 'insinuation' about pink Fokkers it would be appreciated:arrgh!:
Pink is just 'jake' on a Fokker- especially when yer engaged in a Spandau Ballet with one! https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Fokker_D._VII_USAF.jpg/1024px-Fokker_D._VII_USAF.jpg
especially with Vierfarbiger losenge camo on the underside https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Lozenge_camouflage.jpg http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/aircraft/Albatros-DVa/IMAGES/RedBaron-cutout.jpg :rotfl2:allright so I'm a little light in my flying boots! :stare:

Eichhörnchen

07-14-15, 05:27 PM

However if we could lighten up on the 'insinuation' about pink Fokkers it would be appreciated:arrgh!:

You're confusing me with "Bad Eichhörnchen" in GT's...:haha:

Sailor Steve

07-14-15, 08:00 PM

Fuselage together, lower wing and landing gear mounted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-14%201%20Fuselage%20Lower%20Wing%20Landing%20Gear_ zpsbzttwo8k.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-14%201%20Fuselage%20Lower%20Wing%20Landing%20Gear_ zpsbzttwo8k.jpg.html)

Eichhörnchen

07-15-15, 01:29 AM

The three links you provided are a valuable resource. The second one, which touches on my question, compares this camouflage with "Pointillism", which naturally grabbed my attention.

But... "the beauty of this optical illusion is that the dominant color of the background visually enhances a similar color in the lozenge and fools the mind into seeing the two as the same".

Does he mean the dominant colour of the environment in which the aircraft stands? I presume so, and if so then this is an astonishing idea which I would never have guessed at! I've always struggled to understand how this camouflage was supposed to work.

Sailor Steve

07-15-15, 08:28 AM

How it's actually supposed to work? I have no idea. I do like the way it looks, though.

Aktungbby

07-15-15, 09:39 AM

I've always struggled to understand how this camouflage was supposed to work. Camouflage is meant to deceive the eye. PERIOD. The classic case that comes to mind in Black May is when anti- submarine aircraft were painted blue, white or gray. To an always alert bridge crew on a U-boat, this was devastating in terms of dive response times. An aircraft, formerly discernible at 5 minutes out was now only discernible from 3 minutes out; and diving at over 100 mph-closing fast. The time differential combined with new shallow-depth bombing was more effective. Of all the anti sub tactics, the repainting was perhaps the most effective and simplest technique. Simply: All combat takes place in two mediums: time and terrain; If you shorten or misdirect an opponent's attack or defense time due to his retina's beguilement: his effectiveness is lessened and may even occasion the element of surprise. The classic case, IMHO, of the misuse of camo was 'measure five' in which only a bow wave was painted to give the impression of greater speed (throwing off gunnery or torpedo settings time) US Nothhampton: the cheap solution to an expensive military problem...paint BBY! Even Julius Caesar's boats were sea green when he scouted Britannia's coast. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/USS_Northampton_%28CA-26%29.jpg Naturally the losenge pattern of WWI has become the MARPAT of the digitalized age; I in my surplus camo-gear, old and slow moving (time), but still ruthless, keen eyed, and cunning:up: on the paintball field (terrain) against ninja-13 year-olds need all the help I can get....as swift retreats are not an option at my age.:O: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/MARPAT_comparison.PNG veeerrry little losenge camo: Nuthin good goes outta style BBY! :yep:

Eichhörnchen

07-15-15, 12:32 PM

Yes of course there are many different approaches to camouflage (and I'm only considering the painted kind here). Apart from the basic obscuring of something using local colour, there is the disruption of form with highly contrasting tones and colours; confusion of perception (as in your bow-wave example and those optical illusions emblazoned on the fuselages of WW1 aircraft, also "fake" cockpit canopies painted on the underside of F-16s to give the momentary impression that the top of the aircraft is being presented).

But this notion of throwing out a myriad of coloured patches, Pointillist-style (the lozenges) with the expectation that the brain will be baffled and bamboozled in this way is quite odd and interesting.

And when you see someone in a movie dressed in black with the intention of avoiding detection at night, you can be sure he will stand out much more readily than someone dressed in colorful clothing of a middling tone: there is no colour at night... tone is what matters: a black cat will be far easier to spot at night than a ginger one; it is rarely totally pitch-dark.

Sailor Steve

07-15-15, 06:23 PM

Main paint done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-15%201%20Main%20Paint_zpsuohhqtgv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-15%201%20Main%20Paint_zpsuohhqtgv.jpg.html)

The tops of the wings and fuselage are questionable. Most early camo jobs were brown and green, sprayed or brushed in the field. On the other hand the streaked sides were a Fokker factory finish, but I've only seen them on Dr.Is and D.VIIs. If the sides are streaked green there is a chance that the wing tops are as well (this was true later on the Dr.I). If the nose was solid green there is a chance that the wings were as well. There is also a chance that the sides aren't streaked green at all, but CDL well-stained with oil. The only photo I've seen is that group shot. The color guide that comes with the decals I bought have the whole fuselage spine being camouflaged. A set of drawings I downloaded show the white top. This gentleman built an absolutely stunning 1/48th scale model (http://www.militaryminiatureshq.com/build-world-war-fokker-d-ii-scale-model-plane-scratch/), and I presume the kit came with a painting guide. The problem there is that if the group photo is indeed the only one then there is absolutely no evidence one way or the other as to how the plane was really painted. Everybody is guessing.

I decided to copy Mr. Voloshin's example. His model is very similar to the paintings I downloaded, with the exception of wider black stripes on the spine (not applied yet).

Sailor Steve

07-16-15, 06:50 PM

Decals in place.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-16%201%20Decals_zps6wfvjgsz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-16%201%20Decals_zps6wfvjgsz.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-17-15, 08:00 PM

Spandau gun, cabanes and top wing mounted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-17%201%20Gun%20Cabanes%20Top%20Wing_zpspf3ci6j8.jp g (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-17%201%20Gun%20Cabanes%20Top%20Wing_zpspf3ci6j8.jp g.html)

Only the forward struts are installed because they need some special detailing before the aft struts go in.

em2nought

07-18-15, 12:49 AM

Main paint done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-15%201%20Main%20Paint_zpsuohhqtgv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-15%201%20Main%20Paint_zpsuohhqtgv.jpg.html)

Your Fokker streaked green came out really good I think, it even does Eichhornchen (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/member.php?u=329818)'s lightening to scale thing which I'd never heard before.

Never knew that was the way lozenge was supposed to work either, thanks for the link.

em2nought

07-18-15, 01:10 AM

http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2008/12/18/fokker-early-metal-surface-effect/https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEV7wc66lVVTYAfFEnnIlQ;_ylc=X1MDMTM1 MTE5NTY4NwRfcgMyBGZyA3locy1tb3ppbGxhLTAwMQRncHJpZA NYU2pQTjNIZ1RvYXFpRmNNMjFZdm1BBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3Vn ZwM0BG9yaWdpbgNzZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3 RyAwRwcXN0cmwDBHFzdHJsAzEyBHF1ZXJ5A2Zva2tlciBzd2ly bAR0X3N0bXADMTQzNzE5OTM3OA--?p=fokker+swirl&fr2=sb-top-search&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001
Cowling painting method might be of interest

Aktungbby

07-18-15, 01:42 AM

http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/fokker-archive-02.jpg THanks!:salute:Love that well mottled aluminum 'Fokker scourge' nose;http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/wp-content/gallery/fokker-swirl-surface/fokker-metal-polish-04.jpghttp://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=815&pictureid=7070 nothing good goes outta style!

em2nought

07-18-15, 08:54 AM

I think Steve mentioned having trouble finding a good method.

Yeah, it's not perfect. I'd probably try round tooth picks cut flat, dipped in paint, and used like stamps on the cowl with three or four metallic shades that are close together.

Sailor Steve

07-18-15, 09:21 AM

Your Fokker streaked green came out really good I think, it even does Eichhornchen's lightening to scale thing which I'd never heard before.
A couple of friends and I have had some interesting discussions on that subject over the years. One of them insists on using an airbrush and gets pretty good effects. I've tried various brushing techniques over the years. This one was done with the fan brush I purchased last August.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2014-8-1FanBrush_zpsd33b6e44.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2014-8-1FanBrush_zpsd33b6e44.jpg.html)

I put just a drop of paint on a smooth surface, dipped a few bristles in the drop and then brushed it off with a few strokes until there was almost none left - just enough for a single stroke on the model. Sometimes there wasn't any left and I had to do it again, but my biggest fear was having too much paint on the brush, which would leave a big solid streak that can't be fixed. The whole process took about fifteen minutes.

http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2008/12/18/fokker-early-metal-surface-effect/https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEV7wc66lVVTYAfFEnnIlQ;_ylc=X1MDMTM1 MTE5NTY4NwRfcgMyBGZyA3locy1tb3ppbGxhLTAwMQRncHJpZA NYU2pQTjNIZ1RvYXFpRmNNMjFZdm1BBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3Vn ZwM0BG9yaWdpbgNzZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3 RyAwRwcXN0cmwDBHFzdHJsAzEyBHF1ZXJ5A2Zva2tlciBzd2ly bAR0X3N0bXADMTQzNzE5OTM3OA--?p=fokker+swirl&fr2=sb-top-search&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001
Cowling painting method might be of interest
That is interesting. To me there are too few swirls and they are too big, but it still looks good. The 'toothpick' idea is similar to that I've been using, which is a .020 brass wire. My problem there has been that the paint applied that way is too thick. I suppose I could thin it some. The next time I plan to try a single bristle taken from a paint brush. We'll see how that works.

Buddahaid

07-18-15, 12:37 PM

I would expect the lozenge patterns to work much like LCD screen pixels. RGB is additive and to the eye RGB set to 255.255.255 is what makes a pixel look white to us.

Sailor Steve

07-18-15, 06:28 PM

One of the features of the early Fokker biplanes was the struts. The strut itself was a fairly thin steel tube, with wood pieces clamped on the backs to give an aerodynamic shape. I got lazy and a little nervous with the D.I. Worried that the .020 brass wire would bend to easily, I used .032 wire and tried painted them wood color with a green leading edge to represent the steel tube.

This time I tried to use .017 guitar string, which is steel and quite strong. When I compared it with the .020 brass I thought I could see a definite difference between them. Three thousandths of an inch? Really?? Well, I thought I could, so I went with the brass anyway. Then I cut thin plastic strips for the wood backing. The cutout on the inboard rear struts was to let the wing-warping control cable pass through.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-18%201%20Struts_zpsxsohhyot.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-18%201%20Struts_zpsxsohhyot.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-19-15, 08:46 PM

Rigging in place.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-19%201%20Rigging_zpsp8ljuc0z.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-19%201%20Rigging_zpsp8ljuc0z.jpg.html)

It turns out that I got the rigging on the previous model, the D.I, all wrong. I had forgotten the really odd rigging on the old Fokker two-seaters I did two years ago, and a careful study of the first D-types showed that they were just as strange. Wires all lead from the front , and there is no fore-and-aft cross-bracing. I'm not planning on going back and changing the D.I, but the D.II is right.

Sailor Steve

07-20-15, 10:08 PM

And the Fokker D.II is done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-20%201%20Done_zpsdr67nbi0.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-20%201%20Done_zpsdr67nbi0.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-20%202%20Done_zpswnkq7bs4.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-20%202%20Done_zpswnkq7bs4.jpg.html)

Steel tube struts with wood backing.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-20%203%20Done_zpsdvsjtdhe.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-20%203%20Done_zpsdvsjtdhe.jpg.html)

Oberursel U.I, propeller by Integral.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-20%204%20Done_zpspdacrenz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-20%204%20Done_zpspdacrenz.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-20%205%20Done_zpsvd0tsehr.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-20%205%20Done_zpsvd0tsehr.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/720%206%20Done_zpsc9qcai8p.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/720%206%20Done_zpsc9qcai8p.jpg.html)

u crank

07-21-15, 05:40 AM

Another nice one Steve. I like the way you got the pilot to look at the camera in the second last pic. :D

Jimbuna

07-21-15, 05:49 AM

Another nice one Steve. I like the way you got the pilot to look at the camera in the second last pic. :D

If you had the ability to glue his backside to any position of your liking I think you'd be able to as well :O:

She's a good looker Steve :cool:

Sailor Steve

07-21-15, 08:31 AM

It wasn't easy. His attention span is very short. :O:

Actually I didn't have to do anything at all. That figure is part of a set, and until now it's been the only set available. I used both figs from that set in the first new model I made when I started building again two years ago - the Bleriot XI.

There's a new set of pilots available from a guy in Australia. I plan on ordering some the first of the month.

Eichhörnchen

07-21-15, 02:46 PM

I would expect the lozenge patterns to work much like LCD screen pixels. RGB is additive and to the eye RGB set to 255.255.255 is what makes a pixel look white to us.

That's an interesting comparison.

A comment on painting without the use of an airbrush, when soft effects are required (such as Luftwaffe mottle or, as here, the German green streaking): Steve's achieved a good soft look, and this can also be had by dampening the background colour first with clean turps, before applying the mottle/streaking. The base colour must be thoroughly dry, however, or you risk lifting it and ruining the job.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?pictureid=7935&albumid=941&dl=1429963312&thumb=1 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/album.php?albumid=941&pictureid=7935) (Flight Simulator X screenshot)

Sailor Steve

07-21-15, 03:24 PM

The base colour must be thoroughly dry, however, or you risk lifting it and ruining the job.
Been there, done that. Remember the problems I had with certain attempts at wood grain?

One solution I've read about is to use different types of paints for each layer. I intend to try that sometime soon. On the other hand the streaking here was extremely dry, and didn't cause any troubles.

em2nought

07-23-15, 11:16 PM

Do you use some kind of a wash on the figures? His face seems excellent here with highlights and shadow.

Rigging looks awesome!

Sailor Steve

07-24-15, 02:42 AM

Actually I did, much to my surprise. I've been using an enamel "flesh" (white guy flesh) tone for my pilots, but it dried up. The acrylic I replaced it with went on much better, but when dry was too light for my liking. For me 1/72 is way too tiny for adding blushes and other colors to just parts of the face. I took a small drop of light wood color, dipped a piece of brass wire in it and then dipped in some thinner, until it was almost clear. Just one drop of that on the face and it spread and came out the way you see it.

Sailor Steve

07-25-15, 03:39 PM

After more than a month away from it I might finally get to finish the BE.12. I finally managed to order an engine, but when it arrived it was the wrong one. It wasn't his fault. It seems that thirty years ago when they made these someone mislabeled the package, and that was the one he sent me. He said he'd check again, but it's been weeks and I haven't heard back. I finally ordered an old Airfix RE.8 kit for cheap. The kit is pretty bad, but all I need are the cylinders. I can fix the rest.

Here is the BE.12 nose before the work starts.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-28%201%20Engine%20Before_zpsm7luw02p.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-28%201%20Engine%20Before_zpsm7luw02p.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-28%202%20Engine%20Before_zpsvwwxgbku.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-28%202%20Engine%20Before_zpsvwwxgbku.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-25-15, 04:16 PM

First step is to cut away some of the nose to accommodate the two extra rows of cylinders. I couldn't use the nose of the RE.8 because it's a completely different shape. The whole thing is going to have to be built up from scratch.

One of the cylinder banks just sitting there to gauge the proper length.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-28%203%20Cutout_zpsmqmqsleb.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-28%203%20Cutout_zpsmqmqsleb.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-26-15, 04:31 PM

Yesterday I cut a new firewall out of very thin plastic and glued it in place, after which I glued four pieces of thick plastic together to make the new engine block. I had to stop there since I used a regular plastic cement, which takes a long time to dry.

Here is the basic start point. Next to it is the V8 engine block from the vacuform BE.2c kit.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-29%201%20Engine%20Block_zpsdbbgfnyk.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-29%201%20Engine%20Block_zpsdbbgfnyk.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-26-15, 07:04 PM

Engine block sanded to shape and installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-26%202%20Installed_zpsqc4fjjtf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-26%202%20Installed_zpsqc4fjjtf.jpg.html)

MGR1

07-26-15, 08:08 PM

Not sure if you know about this, Steve, but Airfix have announced a new tool Eindecker and a completely new Be.2c in 1/72:

http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/workbench-behind-the-scenes-at-airfix/

Both are due out in the UK at the beginning of 2016, so maybe a month or two later for the US.

Mike.:)

Sailor Steve

07-26-15, 08:32 PM

:o.....:).....:D.....:rock:.....:sunny:

No, I did not know. The descriptions sound good, the 3D models look great, and I am very excited! Especially the digitally sculpted pilots. Given todays modelers' penchant for display without pilots, I'm glad they included them at all. There are some very nice vac models of the BE.2, mostly the earlier A and B models, but no injection-molded BE.2c, ever.

Thanks for the update.

Sailor Steve

07-30-15, 11:22 AM

I took one day off, and have spent the last three days doing five minutes' work once every hour. I puttied up all the holes around the engine. Let it dry for an hour. Sanded it down. Looked at all the dings and dents. Applied more putty. Let it dry for an hour. Sanded it down. Applied a coat of primer. Let that dry for an hour. Looked at the imperfections. Applied more putty. Let it dry. Sanded it down. Applied primer. Lather, rinse, repeat.

After three days of this it's finally where I want it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-30%201%20Sanded_zpsbsptfras.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-30%201%20Sanded_zpsbsptfras.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

07-30-15, 01:45 PM

Cylinder banks and intake installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/7-30%202%20Cylinders%20amp%20Intake_zps6ctzbvcp.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/7-30%202%20Cylinders%20amp%20Intake_zps6ctzbvcp.jpg. html)

Sailor Steve

08-01-15, 07:56 PM

Exhaust stacks mounted, engine painted. The BE.2 and RE.8 had the stacks run to the rear, so that's the way the kit items are. Only the BE.12 had them run to the middle. I had to make these out of brass wire. It took a couple of days.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-1%201%20Exhaust%20Stacks_zpsy3unnq0y.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-1%201%20Exhaust%20Stacks_zpsy3unnq0y.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

08-05-15, 07:02 PM

Three days of rigging, detailing and painting, and the BE.12 is done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-5%201%20Done_zpsjdyd2bil.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-5%201%20Done_zpsjdyd2bil.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-5%202%20Done_zps2ylbzgc9.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-5%202%20Done_zps2ylbzgc9.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-5%203%20Done_zpsdpxyhld6.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-5%203%20Done_zpsdpxyhld6.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-5%204%20Done_zpsde4k0jiv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-5%204%20Done_zpsde4k0jiv.jpg.html)

Starboard close-up showing V-12 engine and hand-made exhaust stacks, plus the Vickers gun mounted where the pilot can't reach it.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-5%205%20Done_zpsrt2mi0pz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-5%205%20Done_zpsrt2mi0pz.jpg.html)

Propeller by Lang. It's the old Airfix RE.8 kit propeller, and I didn't try to fix it at all.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-5%206%20Done_zpsxccnf22q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-5%206%20Done_zpsxccnf22q.jpg.html)

em2nought

08-06-15, 04:28 PM

The scratch built engine came out pretty sweet!

Sailor Steve

08-06-15, 04:51 PM

The scratch built engine came out pretty sweet!
I would have been happier if I could have got the Aero Club cylinders and exhaust, but overall I'm satisfied.

Sailor Steve

08-06-15, 05:26 PM

My next project is going to be a major kitbash/scratchbuild. It's the Siemens-Schuckert E.I, a very late and very rare eindecker.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/E.I%202_zpsg2btyezq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/E.I%202_zpsg2btyezq.jpg.html)

The body was wider and of a different shape than any other German monoplane, and will be modified from an old and very poor vac kit of the Pfalz E.I. The wings were close enough to the Fokker's that I'll be able to make those do with just a little reshaping. The tail planes were completely different from any others and will have to be built from scratch. The landing gear are also unique and will also have to be scratch-built.

The engine and propeller are something completely different. The Siemens-Halske SH.I was an attempt to negate the torque and centrifugal force inherent in a rotary by having the engine and propeller turn in opposite directions. I'm not sure I can manage to do it in 1/72 scale, and if I fail I'm good with that. My inspiration is from someone else who made it work.
http://www.dishmodels.ru/gshow.htm?p=9420

Unfortunately even with an online translator he doesn't actually explain how he did it. I hope to consult some local model railroad experts about the ins and outs of making tiny gearboxes.

This is where it starts.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-6%201%20Kit_zpspttve1yy.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-6%201%20Kit_zpspttve1yy.jpg.html)

Buddahaid

08-10-15, 09:18 AM

That came out nicely Steve. That link to the Siemens model build is pretty amazingly fine detail for such small detail. I have only a vague idea how he made the counter-rotation gearbox from the blurry photos though. Ah I see it was a link to a good photo.

Sailor Steve

08-12-15, 01:42 AM

I have no idea at all how he did it. One poster pointed out that on the SH.III the crankshaft rotated in the opposite direction but the propeller itself was fixed to the engine. It seems that for all his skill he actually got it wrong.

Buddahaid

08-12-15, 11:23 AM

What goes on is the gearbox frame is fixed to the engine by the outer tube shaft and so it also rotates driven from the lay gears. At first I couldn't see why the engine didn't just rotate in the same direction because I was trying to make the gearbox fixed and there was a gear missing. It's an equal and opposite force situation.

Sailor Steve

08-12-15, 05:31 PM

I've been sitting and thinking about this one for six days now. I was going to use the cheap, dumpy old Pfalz E.I vac kit as a starting point, but after I converted the only available drawings to 1/72 scale and cut out, sanded and put the fuselage together it was much too narrow. Another problem is that the SSW E.I was the only eindecker to have the tail come to a vertical knife-edge rather than horizontal. I finally hit on the idea of taking a spare ICM Fokker E.IV kit and turning it on its side. After putting the fuselage halves together and letting them dry overnight I cut off the rear end to use as a frame to which the skin will be mounted. Next comes the cross-framing. So far I only have the rearmost brace glued to the Fokker tailpiece and the floor mounted. A lot of shaping and fiddling lies ahead.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-12%201%20Started_zpshx8qmje2.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-12%201%20Started_zpshx8qmje2.jpg.html)

I'm still debating whether I even want to try to make the contra-rotating engine.

Sailor Steve

08-14-15, 08:47 PM

I've been fiddling with the fuselage, and I may end up having to start over from scratch, as it's too narrow for the engine I want to use. I can use another engine, but even if I do start again it's no big deal.

I talked to a guy at the local model railroad store and it turns out the monthly meeting of the Northern Utah Division of the Rocky Mountain Region of the National Model Railroad Association is tomorrow. I have the name of someone who might be able to help me.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-14%201%20Working_zpsx596buai.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-14%201%20Working_zpsx596buai.jpg.html)

Buddahaid

08-15-15, 02:43 AM

The answer is here.
http://technology.infomine.com/enviromine/issues/fig7.gif

Sailor Steve

08-15-15, 08:55 PM

I made my way to the NMRA meeting, and when I asked for the guy I need to talk to I was told that he was in Florida. The next meeting isn't until September 19th, so the Siemens-Schuckert E.I is on hold until then. I thought about going ahead and building the airplane anyway, and either leaving the nose unfinished or just completing it without the contra-engine, which I might not be able to make work anyway. Then I realized I was tired and wanted to build something simple.

Next on the list is the Martinsyde G.100, nicknamed the Elephant. No one seems to know where the nickname comes from, but according to Chaz Bowyer in his book The Flying Elephants one NCO described the plane as looking like "...a pregnant elephant, preparing to pounce." Windsock Datafile 70 author J.M. Bruce says that while the G.100 was not a particularly large airplane by later standards it was significantly larger than the Bristol and Nieuport scouts in use at the time.

The G.100 was powered by the 120-hp Beardmore engine also used in the FE.2b, and the later G.102 had the 160-hp versions.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-15%201%20Kit_zpsez86bgtg.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-15%201%20Kit_zpsez86bgtg.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

08-17-15, 07:41 PM

Interior done and painted. One interesting feature of the G.100 was that the radiator was behind the engine, just in front of the fuel tank. This left the front end open, so the engine could be seen from in front.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-17%201%20Interior_zpsg5azxcvc.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-17%201%20Interior_zpsg5azxcvc.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

08-18-15, 09:06 PM

Fuselage together, tailplanes installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-18%201%20Fuselage%20amp%20Tail_zpsaia6uwu2.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-18%201%20Fuselage%20amp%20Tail_zpsaia6uwu2.jpg.htm l)

Sailor Steve

08-19-15, 08:57 PM

Lower wings mounted. This took a bit of work, as the portion between the fuselage and the first rib is not covered, and just gluing the wings on would mean two small butt joints with no other support. As with the Vickers FB.5 I drilled holes in the fuselage and the wing spars and ran brass wire completely through the body and into the wings. They aren't going to break off any time soon.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-19%201%20Lower%20Wings_zps5gyjgapa.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-19%201%20Lower%20Wings_zps5gyjgapa.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

08-26-15, 05:46 PM

You put something off for a day, and the next thing you know it's a week later.

I drilled holes for the landing gear, cut brass wire and mounted it into the holes, put the axle in place and it was crooked. Took it out, cut the gear struts down, put the axle back in and it was crooked. Cut it down a bit more, put the axle back in and it was straight. Test-fitted the prop and it dragged on the ground. That's when I gave up and took a break.

A week later I pulled the brass wire out and glued the resin landing gear struts in, mounted the axle and it may not be as strong as the wire version, but it's straight.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-26%201%20Landing%20Gear_zps9zr04y4t.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-26%201%20Landing%20Gear_zps9zr04y4t.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

08-27-15, 05:33 PM

First primer coat. There are quite a few seams and rough spots to be filled and sanded.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-27%201%20Primer_zps88awxtvu.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-27%201%20Primer_zps88awxtvu.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

08-30-15, 06:04 AM

Painting's mostly done. The model will represent a plane that served in Palestine, so the paint is PC-12 (reddish brown) rather than PC-10 (brownish green).

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/8-29%201%20Paint_zpsxtxplqgg.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/8-29%201%20Paint_zpsxtxplqgg.jpg.html)

Aktungbby

08-30-15, 12:41 PM

.....represent a plane that served in Palestine so the paint is PC-12 (reddish brown) rather than PC-10 (brownish green)That is so.... PC!:yep: :O: :yeah:

em2nought

09-03-15, 10:46 PM

This one needs to go in a diorama box with this in the background http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TzFCmtVtNMc/hqdefault.jpg

Sailor Steve

09-05-15, 08:38 PM

After a week of delays and other projects, and three tries before it was straight, the top wing is finally on.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-1%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsq01s3jfk.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-1%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsq01s3jfk.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

09-06-15, 07:51 PM

Wingtip skids and control horns mounted. Struts, skids and horns painted to look like wood. Gloss topcoat applied. Decals tomorrow.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-6%201%20Skids%20Horns%20Gloss%20Coat_zpsleugkrrt.j pg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-6%201%20Skids%20Horns%20Gloss%20Coat_zpsleugkrrt.j pg.html)

Sailor Steve

09-07-15, 09:40 PM

Decals are on.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-7%201%20Decals_zpsytsncmxp.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-7%201%20Decals_zpsytsncmxp.jpg.html)

There are more colorful Martinsydes, but not by much. One paint scheme had a large white 'A 1' on the top wing and a black version of the same on the bottom, with white '1's on the nose. I chose this one because it was a presentation aircraft with an Australian squadron and I liked the presentation logo. It turned out to be easy enough to do with my desktop publisher, and I used it to make the serial numbers as well.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-7%202%20Decals_zpsxqlyvdnd.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-7%202%20Decals_zpsxqlyvdnd.jpg.html)

Jimbuna

09-08-15, 05:37 AM

Very nice :sunny:

DragonRider

09-08-15, 08:07 AM

:up: Nice

Sailor Steve

09-10-15, 07:59 PM

The same night I posted the last pictures the engine came loose. I tried using the brass wire to apply glue to places I couldn't see, and it didn't work. After a couple of hours I tried squirting some glue into the opening under the engine. It worked, but it also ran down the port side of the model, over the decals and under my fingers. The decals lifted of, leaving me cursing in frustration.

The next day I sanded down the spilled glue and repainted the port side. That night I replaced the decals. Yesterday I started rigging the port wings. Today that side is done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-10%201%20Rigging%20Started_zpszbgbvroi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-10%201%20Rigging%20Started_zpszbgbvroi.jpg.html)

em2nought

09-11-15, 07:25 AM

Darned castor oil getting all over everything. :)

Sailor Steve

09-11-15, 08:21 AM

:rotfl2: :yep:

Sailor Steve

09-12-15, 08:29 PM

Main rigging is finished. The control wires, propeller, gun and pilot still remain.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-12%20Main%20Rigging%20Done_zpszke9btln.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-12%20Main%20Rigging%20Done_zpszke9btln.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

09-15-15, 07:17 PM

And another one's done. The Martinsyde G.102 'Elephant'.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-15%201%20Done_zpskgff0vcb.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-15%201%20Done_zpskgff0vcb.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-15%202%20Done_zps1uxzuvu3.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-15%202%20Done_zps1uxzuvu3.jpg.html)

The personal presentation marking:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-15%203%20Done_zps5nll29le.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-15%203%20Done_zps5nll29le.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-15%204%20Done_zpsm69grjrl.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-15%204%20Done_zpsm69grjrl.jpg.html)

I used a flash on these last two. In this one you can see the radiator behind the engine.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-15%205%20Done_zpsxph6kurd.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-15%205%20Done_zpsxph6kurd.jpg.html)

And the exposed front of the engine. The little metal panel covers the magneto and wiring harness. Propeller by Lang.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-15%206%20Done_zpsy3qsf6si.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-15%206%20Done_zpsy3qsf6si.jpg.html)

em2nought

09-16-15, 09:41 PM

Looking at that nose, you'd think Republic built these.

Sailor Steve

09-17-15, 01:33 AM

I had to think about that, but yeah, it does look like the nose of an F-84. :yep:

Sailor Steve

09-18-15, 07:48 PM

Two years ago I posted pictures of my repaired Morane 'P'. Keeping things in the order they come up in the game I've had that model in a suitcase full of "old" models. Now it was time to move it over to the new case, but I felt there was something missing. I did some research and found a source for WW1 French squadrons. It told me which groups used the 'P' and what the squadron markings looked like. I copied, converted and printed the insignia of Escadrille 140, and added Morane-Saulnier badges and tail stripes, and after 25 years or more it's finally finished.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-17%201_zps6cqoeozf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-17%201_zps6cqoeozf.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-17%202_zps93mxgxdu.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-17%202_zps93mxgxdu.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-17%203_zpshkcgo1r4.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-17%203_zpshkcgo1r4.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

09-19-15, 12:04 PM

This afternoon is this month's meeting of the model railroad group, and I'm hoping to finally talk to the guy who might be able to help me with the counter-rotating engine for the Siemens-Schuckert E.(.

Meanwhile War Times Journal came out with a set of pre-dreadnought ships I've been longing for, so I ordered them a couple of months ago and set them aside for a convenient time.

These are the 'Admiral' class barbette ships. The first, HMS Collingwood, was finished in 1887. The barbettes each hold a pair of early 12" guns. Five more were ordered - Anson, Benbow, Camperdown, Howe and Rodney. They differed from Collingwood in having 13.5" guns. Production of those guns was slow, and Benbow ended up with a pair of spare 16.25" guns meant for the big turret ships Victoria and Sans Pareil.

Since the models come in clear plastic I waited until I had them mounted and primered to take the first picture.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-19%201%20Primered_zpsh8knagor.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-19%201%20Primered_zpsh8knagor.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

09-24-15, 08:29 PM

The day after the last shot I gave them a white base coat. The next day I drilled holes and installed the bottom part of the masts. After two days of doing other stuff I got the masts finished today.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-24%201%20Masts_zpsuwfsamzq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-24%201%20Masts_zpsuwfsamzq.jpg.html)

em2nought

09-24-15, 08:50 PM

Those look nice.

Too bad they never made a Jutland set in the comic books for $1.50

http://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic58873_md.jpg

Sailor Steve

09-24-15, 09:58 PM

Considering how many ships were at Jutland, that set would probably have cost $20 even then. :sunny:

Sailor Steve

09-25-15, 05:18 PM

Black hulls started. In the course of their careers they received different paint schemes, but always the same white, black and buff. I decided to paint them to represent all the different versions. Some will have the original black hulls, white sides and guns. Some will have black upper sides, barbettes and guns, and at least one will be in between, with the black extending halfway up the superstructure, covering the barbettes but not the guns. In addition I modified Anson to have the larger signal mast forward, which I don't see on any photos of the other ships.

So far the initial black is on. Still to be done are the wood decks, buff funnels and masts, the water and some touch-up work.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-25%201%20Black_zps5fcygrpw.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-25%201%20Black_zps5fcygrpw.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

09-26-15, 07:58 PM

Painting's all done. I still have to do the water, labels, and flags.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-26%201%20Painted_zps7c7bgphg.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-26%201%20Painted_zps7c7bgphg.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

09-28-15, 04:29 PM

The 'Admiral' class barbette ships.

Line Abreast.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%201%20Line%20Abreast_zpsi5pmjshz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%201%20Line%20Abreast_zpsi5pmjshz.jpg.html)

Side view of Collingwood.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%202%20Collingwood_zpsf9etvrc9.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%202%20Collingwood_zpsf9etvrc9.jpg.html)

Line Astern.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%203%20Line%20Astern_zps8abssqmc.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%203%20Line%20Astern_zps8abssqmc.jpg.html)

HMS Collingwood, as she appeared shortly after completion, July 1887. Four 12" guns.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%204%20Collingwood_zpsnammfdr3.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%204%20Collingwood_zpsnammfdr3.jpg.html)

HMS Benbow, June 1888. Two 16.25" guns. As she appeared mid-career, about 1895.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%209%20Benbow_zpsor2wjq5q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%209%20Benbow_zpsor2wjq5q.jpg.html)

HMS Rodney, June 1888. Four 13.5" guns. Also about 1895.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%208%20Rodney_zpshqlr8psi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%208%20Rodney_zpshqlr8psi.jpg.html)

HMS Anson, May 1889. Four 13.5" guns. As she appeared late in her career, about 1899, with enlarged signal mast.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%205%20Anson_zpsqcq2dfoq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%205%20Anson_zpsqcq2dfoq.jpg.html)

HMS Camperdown, July 1889. Four 13.5" guns. As she appeared early in her career.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%206%20Camperdown_zps9vfjcbtm.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%206%20Camperdown_zps9vfjcbtm.jpg.html)

HMS Howe, July 1889. Four 13.5" guns. Also early on.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%207%20Howe_zpsmavoddfi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%207%20Howe_zpsmavoddfi.jpg.html)

Jimbuna

09-29-15, 11:43 AM

Very nice....best wishes to the admiral :cool:

Aktungbby

09-29-15, 01:46 PM

The 'Admiral' class barbette ships.

HMS Rodney, June 1888. Four 13.5" guns. Also about 1895.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%208%20Rodney_zpshqlr8psi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%208%20Rodney_zpshqlr8psi.jpg.html)

really absolutely lovely details! seems a trifle short of lifeboats (6-8) though?
HMS RODNEY https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/The_Rodney_steaming_and_firing.png/120px-The_Rodney_steaming_and_firing.png (enlarges)https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/HMS_Rodney_%281884%29.jpg/120px-HMS_Rodney_%281884%29.jpg:arrgh!: Keepin' it small here!:O: Footnote to sneaky planning: She was a development of the design of Collingwood (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Collingwood_(1882)), but carried 13.5-inch (342.9 mm) calibre main armament as against 12-inch (304.8 mm) in the earlier ship. This necessitated an increase of some 800 tons in displacement, and an increase of some 18 inches (46 cm) in draught. This in turn produced a significant increase in the immersion of the armour belt, which was further increased when the coal bunkers were full. While this meant that under full-load condition the top of the belt approached the water-line,:huh: the view was taken that combat with a heavily armed enemy was very unlikely in the immediate vicinity of a British port,:shifty: and steaming to a more distant potential battleground would use enough fuel to reduce the draught and bring the top of the belt well above water.:-? Given that hopeful thinking, those life boats were important!:yep:

Sailor Steve

09-29-15, 05:17 PM

Next project: A Nieuport 12. The 12 was a development of the 10, with a 110hp Clerget engine and a longer upper wing. It is recognizable by the V-strut, which is vertical on the 10 and sloped outward on the 12. The N.12 was never built in a single-seat version, the plane being so much more powerful that the two-seat 12 outperformed the single-seat version of the 10. Originally meant to be a well-armed reconnaissance plane, the 12 ended up serving as a two-seat fighter.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/9-28%201%20Kit_zpsoqcmyhve.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/9-28%201%20Kit_zpsoqcmyhve.jpg.html)

There was a resin kit made for awhile, but examples are hard to find and quite expensive. I found a pair of them for a fairly good price and ordered them back in May. A month later I sent an email enquiring about them, and the supplier said he would look into it. I sent him a couple more emails and never heard back. A couple of months ago Jim called him for me, and the guy talked about supply and delivery problems related to the current immigrant crisis. He said he'd do what he could, and let me know one way or the other. I still haven't heard from him. I already had one of the old vacuform kits and managed to find another. I've pretty much given up on the resin kits, or of ever getting my money back.

Sometimes life just happens.

Sailor Steve

10-27-15, 06:57 PM

Well, after a month of travelling trip troubles, working on my ship game, doing new research and studying the airplane in question, I finally got back to the Nieuport 12. I had previously cut out all the interior pieces. Yesterday I sanded them down and put them together. Today they got painted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/10-27%201%20Interior_zps2ky66qlp.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/10-27%201%20Interior_zps2ky66qlp.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

11-05-15, 08:56 PM

Some more delays, but I finally got some work done. I originally bought two N.12 vac kits years ago. I converted one to a Nieuport 10, and planned to build the second as a 12. Along the way I sort of scratch-built a single seat 10 for a friend, and borrowed the fuselage of the second kit to make it easier. Not so long ago I bought the two plastic kits for my N.10 project, and rebuilt my original 10 for a later version.

I recently bought a third vac kit in order to make an early and a late model N.12. Since the older kit is missing the fuselage I needed to scratch-build a second one. The picture I posted earlier was of the interior of the kit body with interior installed. Once I had that together I had to use it for a guide to cut sheet plastic to make the second body. That is partially assembled around the interior.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/11-5%201%20Interior%202_zpsgeafxwmk.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/11-5%201%20Interior%202_zpsgeafxwmk.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

11-14-15, 10:10 PM

Another ten days gone by, andI finally have the second fuselage together. Now it can go back in the box and wait however many months it takes for me to get back to it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/11-14%201%20Fuselage%202_zps7fmkqadj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/11-14%201%20Fuselage%202_zps7fmkqadj.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

11-15-15, 08:25 PM

Tailplanes and lower wings installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/11-15%201%20Wings%20and%20Tail_zpswaftkcvm.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/11-15%201%20Wings%20and%20Tail_zpswaftkcvm.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

11-30-15, 07:00 PM

Another two weeks of delays, or just not bothering. In two months I've done maybe ten hours of work. I was seriously considering setting it aside for real and starting something new. Today I made a small effort and finally got the landing gear installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/11-30%201%20Landing%20Gear_zpsjhkbvv4q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/11-30%201%20Landing%20Gear_zpsjhkbvv4q.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-01-15, 05:45 PM

Upper wing halves cut out, sanded and glued together.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-1%201%20Top%20Wing%201_zps90lbuvwg.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-1%201%20Top%20Wing%201_zps90lbuvwg.jpg.html)

The early versions of the N.12 had windows in the upper wing center section to aid the pilot's view. The original kits had a clear plastic piece with the windows molded in, but I've long since managed to lose both of them. The new kit I bought didn't have it. After all these years they were probably yellowed anyway. This means I'm going to have to attempt to make it myself. We'll see how it goes.

Sailor Steve

12-02-15, 07:07 PM

My original plan was to cut a section out of the center of the wing and add framing, but the best photographs I have show that most of them had the fabric removed from the entire center and covered with a clear material. I ended up cutting away the entire center and building the framing for the whole section. The main spars are plastic with all the smaller frames and ribs being thin brass wire.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-2%201%20Top%20Wing%202_zpssfsw1jat.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-2%201%20Top%20Wing%202_zpssfsw1jat.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-04-15, 06:42 PM

Yesterday was spent tearing apart and rebuilding the open framing, because it was too wide. I couldn't just narrow it, because then the top wing would be too short. I had to move the two outer wires closer and add thin plastic inserts to close up the gap so the cabanes would fit.

Today the cabanes went in and the first test coat of paint. The 'French Yellow' is just a little too dark, so after the finish sanding is done the second coat will be lighter. The upper surfaces will be camouflaged anyway, so it doesn't matter too much, but for future use I want it a tad lighter.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-4%201%20Cabanes%20amp%20Primer_zpsbamqzx1f.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-4%201%20Cabanes%20amp%20Primer_zpsbamqzx1f.jpg.htm l)

Aktungbby

12-04-15, 09:30 PM

http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/Maire/Nieuport/Ni12/Ni%2012%20003.jpgWow! new one for me; what was the 'clear' material?

Sailor Steve

12-04-15, 10:19 PM

It was probably Cellon, invented by Arthur Eichengrün in 1908. A 0.25mm thick flexible plastic film used for making windshields for cars and planes, its most famous use was probably the "invisible" planes made by the Germans during the war, the best known of which was this eindecker.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Cellon%201_zpsgs5pn5ih.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Cellon%201_zpsgs5pn5ih.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Cellon%202_zpsiitwpil3.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Cellon%202_zpsiitwpil3.jpg.html)

Tests showed that while the plane was nearly invisible from the ground, from above the sun reflecting off the skin was like a giant beacon saying "HERE I AM!"

Oh, yeah. Eichengrün is also known for the controversy over whether he was the inventor of Aspirin.
http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/Aspirin/%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F/html/INVENTOR.htm

Sailor Steve

12-05-15, 08:07 PM

Main paint done. It's an early camouflage done "in the field", at a French Escadrille de Marine.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-5%201%20Main%20Paint_zpsv9wmmnnf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-5%201%20Main%20Paint_zpsv9wmmnnf.jpg.html)

YoYo

12-06-15, 09:05 AM

Like it! Rise of Flight climate ;) !

Sailor Steve

12-06-15, 04:04 PM

Yet again I'll be attempting to build one of the super-detailed engine kits from Small Stuff Models. This one makes either the Clerget 9z (110 hp) or 9B (130 hp). The cylinders, pushrods, spark plugs and valve rockers are all separate pieces. The first one I tried, the Oberursel 0.I, was a complete mess. If it works it will add a lot. If not, I have other single-piece engine castings I can use. They just don't look as good.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-6%201%20Engine%20Kit_zpsddvyrgpj.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-6%201%20Engine%20Kit_zpsddvyrgpj.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-06-15, 05:58 PM

First task was to glue the cylinders to the crankcase.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-6%202%20Cylinders_zpswxn0j9ut.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-6%202%20Cylinders_zpswxn0j9ut.jpg.html)

Next was to drill out the back and install the mounting pin and tubes that will hopefully let it spin.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-6%203%20Mounting%20Pin_zpsxecfoveu.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-6%203%20Mounting%20Pin_zpsxecfoveu.jpg.html)

All the little holes where the tiny pushrods, rocker arms and sparkplugs can be seen.

Sailor Steve

12-06-15, 07:51 PM

Exhaust pipes mounted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-6%204%20Exhaust_zpsgab3azvc.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-6%204%20Exhaust_zpsgab3azvc.jpg.html)

DragonRider

12-07-15, 09:16 AM

I love the paint work on this aircraft. And Wow to that small detailed engine work going on there :o
I hope it all works out well for you :up:

Sailor Steve

12-12-15, 07:43 PM

I didn't touch the model Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday I got to work on the tiny pushrods and rockers, and got more and more frustrated at my inability to get it right. Then I did some checking and found out that it's not going to fit inside the cowling anyway. Thursday we got together for a game and yesterday I spent recovering. My knees hurt and I didn't sleep well anyway.

Today I dug out one of the kit engines, which looks pretty good by itself, and painted and mounted it.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-12%201%20Engine_zpsc0pnjhht.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-12%201%20Engine_zpsc0pnjhht.jpg.html)

I have two more of the Small Stuff engines. The Mercedes D.III looks like a fairly simple build, but I expect I'll have the same fumble-finger and fit problems with the Oberursel U.III. Still, this one's getting finished. It's only been another two-and-a-half months.

Sailor Steve

12-13-15, 09:53 PM

Cowling installed, wood sections painted, pilot painted and installed. The observer is also painted, but he has to go in last due to the nature of his gun mounting.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-13%201%20Pilot_zps8kaeclik.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-13%201%20Pilot_zps8kaeclik.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-14-15, 11:40 PM

Markings are on:

Cockades on the bottoms of both wings. With the Nieuports they feared that ground gunners might not see the tiny ones on the lower wings.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-14%201%20Markings_zpsd3dh6drt.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-14%201%20Markings_zpsd3dh6drt.jpg.html)

The camouflage was applied in the field, so the top markings were painted over

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-14%202%20Markings_zpsrj24jtrw.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-14%202%20Markings_zpsrj24jtrw.jpg.html)

This machine was from a naval escadrille, hence the anchor on the tail.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-14%203%20Markings_zpssdnykvoq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-14%203%20Markings_zpssdnykvoq.jpg.html)

Unfortunately the decals didn't set properly, so I'm going to have to make tiny holes in them and add more setting solution. It should work, but if not I'll have to take them off and do them over.

Sailor Steve

12-15-15, 07:40 PM

Observer and gun. The Etévé mounting was yet another attempt to overcome the lack of a synchronized gun for the pilot. Slow, heavy and cumbersome, it was all the Allies had in the way of a forward-firing gun for two seaters.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-15%201%20Observer%20amp%20Gun_zpsliddlc4f.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-15%201%20Observer%20amp%20Gun_zpsliddlc4f.jpg.html )

Sailor Steve

12-16-15, 09:54 PM

First thing today I cut the rear supports for the gun ring loose and reset them. Then came several hours of fidgeting and fussing and fighting, but the top wing is finally on.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-16%201%20Top%20Wing_zps5uvtdbo6.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-16%201%20Top%20Wing_zps5uvtdbo6.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-17-15, 10:59 PM

All done but the rigging. It should be finished tomorrow.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-17%201%20All%20but%20the%20Rigging_zpsc3qst81q.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-17%201%20All%20but%20the%20Rigging_zpsc3qst81q.jpg .html)

Sailor Steve

12-18-15, 07:59 PM

After more than two months of fiddling around, the Nieuport 12 is finally finished. It's been a slow year compared to the previous two, but at least something is done. I'm quite happy with it.

Front quarter view.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-18%201%20Done_zpsdyj4m7ev.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-18%201%20Done_zpsdyj4m7ev.jpg.html)

Rear quarter view.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-18%202%20Done_zpsnc0w3gzg.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-18%202%20Done_zpsnc0w3gzg.jpg.html)

Right close-up, showing the Etévé mounting.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-18%203%20Done_zpsiikdbmim.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-18%203%20Done_zpsiikdbmim.jpg.html)

Right front close-up, showing the 110-hp Clerget 9z engine.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-18%204%20Done_zps1iubqmtz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-18%204%20Done_zps1iubqmtz.jpg.html)

Top view, showing the cutout. The clear material is a small piece of plastic food wrap.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-18%205%20Done_zpsziazav2c.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-18%205%20Done_zpsziazav2c.jpg.html)

Engine run-up. I've mentioned many times about having an engine not fit properly, or for some other reason having it not spin, or at least not spin well. This one spins the way it's supposed to.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-18%206%20Done_zpshkmt4kgq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-18%206%20Done_zpshkmt4kgq.jpg.html)

Buddahaid

12-18-15, 09:41 PM

It came out nicely Steve. I'm sorry for the modelling frustration you endured because I empathize completely. Some simpler projects just fight you seemingly out of spite while other complicated ones go smoothly. I like the color scheme on this one as well.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Sailor Steve

12-19-15, 09:14 AM

Thanks, Scott. Hope your Christmas is a good one too. :sunny:

Sailor Steve

12-19-15, 12:13 PM

Next project: A resin kit of the FE.8. It came after the DH.2 and was inferior, so didn't make a big mark on the war. It did produce one ace, however, and will be a welcome addition to my collection.

The Nieuport 12 took more than two months, thanks mostly to my doing other things. I'm hoping to have this one done in as many weeks.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-19%201%20Kit_zpsfw7qbfii.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-19%201%20Kit_zpsfw7qbfii.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-19-15, 09:50 PM

Interior done...NOT!

They have a nice interior, but it's so narrow inside that I have to put the pilot in before I put it together. I also have to sand his arms down or he still won't fit.

They give a nice resin engine, but like the ones from Small Stuff it has a lot of tiny parts to glue together. The extra tiny pushrods are just to tricky for me. I looked around my stuff to find another Gnome Monosoupape, but couldn't find one. I ended up drilling nine tiny holes in the crankcase and using that super-fine guitar string. It looks about right.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-19%202%20Engine%20Interior_zpsv0reqj3g.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-19%202%20Engine%20Interior_zpsv0reqj3g.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-20-15, 10:23 PM

Pilot in, fuselage haves together. Engine is finished with guitar-string pushrods and monofilament line spark plug wires.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-20%201%20Fuselage%20Engine_zpsumwrxeuc.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-20%201%20Fuselage%20Engine_zpsumwrxeuc.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-21-15, 08:20 PM

Lower wings mounted, basic paint applied. The body isn't painted yet because it's going to be grey, and I want to let the wings dry overnight before I put masking tape on them.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-21%201%20Basic%20Paint_zpsddo611tz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-21%201%20Basic%20Paint_zpsddo611tz.jpg.html)

GT182

12-22-15, 08:05 PM

Steve, I didn't read thru all the pages so I'm going to ask. What airbrush do you use? I was given a compressor but the airbrush with it is iffy whether it'll work ok. It wasn't taken care of so I'm looking to buy a new one. Pasche comes to mind from the old modeling days gone by.

Sailor Steve

12-22-15, 08:44 PM

I bought this kit (http://www.amazon.com/Master-Multi-purpose-Professional-Airbrushing-Airbrush/dp/B006HJCP8S/ref=sr_1_12?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1450834436&sr=1-12&keywords=airbrush+compressor) when I started building again two years ago. I tried all three brushes and pretty much exclusively use the G-25 (the larger of the two gravity feed models). It does a pretty good job.

Paasche has a great reputation, though I've never used one. I used to have a Badger 100 and a Badger 150. The 150 was great for very fine spraying such as mottled camouflage on WW2 Italian and Japanese planes. These days most brushes seem to do the job. One thing I do these days is read all the reviews on Amazon, whether I buy it from them or not. That way you get a good idea of what users liked and didn't like.

Whatever you go with I would recommend a double-action brush, which lets you keep the air flowing while you fine-control the paint flow. With a single-action the air and paint come through at the same time and it's harder to control if you're doing any kind of fine detail work.

[edit] While I've considered getting another Badger 150, because it comes with three different needles which give a wide variety of spray patterns, lately I've been thinking about something like this (http://www.amazon.com/Iwata-Medea-NEO-TRN-Trigger-Airbrush/dp/B00HJ75NF4/ref=pd_sim_21_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41PJpnmlR-L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR110%2C160_&refRID=0NCJJ5A7BBPX89K0XYJX). I think the spray-gun style trigger might be easier on the hand.

em2nought

12-25-15, 01:12 AM

Merry Christmas Sailor Steve. Enjoyed your thread this year.

http://www.schs.ws/schs2/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/christmas-truce2.jpg

Buddahaid

12-26-15, 02:22 AM

I think you are mistaken about the airbrush action. A single action airbrush has a fixed, although adjustable, air flow and you control the amount of paint with the button. A double action has the button controlling both air flow and paint amount making them more versatile but also more difficult to use.

Sailor Steve

12-26-15, 06:05 AM

Huh. I thought that was what I said. But then I often express myself poorly. :dead:

Buddahaid

12-26-15, 10:52 AM

I see what you meant now and I got it backwards on the single action. It's the paint flow that set by an adjustment wheel so the button just meters the air flow. I have both types and use the single action mostly because it's easier to clean mainly, and the type of painting I'm doing doesn't need much variation most times so just setting the wheel for the need means fewer mistakes. I'm sure if I used the double action enough to be highly skilled I'd use it more.

Sailor Steve

12-26-15, 11:49 AM

Well, you're definitely right about the difficulty with the double-action. Lately my finger tends to cramp after a too-long session, which is why I'm considering trying to get one of the trigger-action brushes. It works just like a full-sized spray gun.

Sailor Steve

12-26-15, 07:48 PM

Another five days gone. Sometimes I had other things to do. Other times I didn't feel like doing anything. Today I got the upper wing on, and that took several hours of measuring, drilling, cutting and fitting.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-26%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsecm10ab5.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-26%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsecm10ab5.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-27-15, 07:00 PM

Tail boom and stabilizer.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-27%201%20Tail%20Boom_zpsdn1qivqo.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-27%201%20Tail%20Boom_zpsdn1qivqo.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-28-15, 08:01 PM

Landing gear and tail.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-28%201%20Landing%20Gear%20Tail_zpsmi907ngc.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-28%201%20Landing%20Gear%20Tail_zpsmi907ngc.jpg.htm l)

Sailor Steve

12-29-15, 07:45 PM

Detail painting mostly done. It needs a little touching up, decals and rigging.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-29%201%20Details_zpsu73ma1e0.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-29%201%20Details_zpsu73ma1e0.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-30-15, 08:23 PM

Decals on, engine installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-30%201%20Engine%20Markings_zpsrv7ef9cr.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-30%201%20Engine%20Markings_zpsrv7ef9cr.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

12-31-15, 09:20 PM

Rigging started.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/12-31%201%20Rigging%20Started_zpsewndrkit.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/12-31%201%20Rigging%20Started_zpsewndrkit.jpg.html)

Sailor Steve

01-17-16, 07:45 PM

I didn't touch this model for more than two weeks. Every day I would look at it and think about it, but couldn't bring myself to get started again. I wasn't sure why, but now I know.

Thursday I cut a slot in the foam in the case for it, and took it to game night unfinished, to show what I had so far. When I got back home I figured I would be ready to start again. Friday I took it out of the case to find two struts and the tail broken off, plus what rigging there was all messed up, just from riding in the case. Then I remembered the frustration I had when I started the rigging and had struts breaking off until there was more glue than parts.

Today I tried putting the tail back on only to find it wouldn't line up straight. Then I replaced one of the missing struts, and looked at it, and the wings were now crooked. So I gave up again.

Tomorrow I'm planning to take off the tail and the top wing and all the rigging, clean up all the glue mess and try starting again. If it's not done by the end of this week I might just set it aside and start something else.

I want it done, but the frustration is getting to be too much.

Sailor Steve

01-19-16, 06:04 PM

I meant to take the FE.8 apart yesterday, but didn't touch it. Today I decided I might keep waffling for another month, and it had been long enough. I put it aside and got out another project to start.

This one is another resin kit of a Royal Aircraft Factory plane - The RE.8. It was meant to be the next generation reconnaissance plane, but ended up being another mediocre stop-gap. Looking like a slightly larger BE.2e, the RE.8 was powered by the RAF-4a V-12 engine used in the BE.12 single-seater. The main improvement was in finally having the pilot in front and the observer in the rear, the former having a Vickers machine gun and the latter a Lewis gun (or two) on a fully-developed ring mount. By the time it entered service it was already outclassed by the Armstrong-Whitworth FK.8 and it was only a few months before the DH.4 made them both completely obsolete. Because of the number it was commonly called "Harry Tate" after a famous contemporary comedian.

The only 1/72 scale kit has been the Airfix model, released in 1956. Big, clunky and poorly molded, it could only be made into a realistic model with a lot of work. This kit is a fairly new resin version made in Poland by Choroszy Modelbud.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/1-18%201%20Kit_zpsz1hbvl7w.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/1-18%201%20Kit_zpsz1hbvl7w.jpg.html)