Steve's Models

[Sailor Steve]

Engine, Fuel Tank, Crew painted and installed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/1-25%201%20Engine%20Tank%20Crew_zpspwzmolhs.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/1-25%201%20Engine%20Tank%20Crew_zpspwzmolhs.jpg.html )

[u crank]

Lookin' good Steve. This model seems to have more detail than some of the others. Or is my eyesight failing me?

[Sailor Steve]

No, you're good. It's a resin kit, and they tend to have a lot of goodies. I still left a lot of the interior out so the pilots would fit.

[Sailor Steve]

Top wing and struts, propeller, intake cover. All that's left is the decals and rigging.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/1-26%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsidwwhgfb.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/1-26%201%20Top%20Wing_zpsidwwhgfb.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Got the decals on, and realized I had forgotten the aileron links and wing kingposts. Installed those and got the tail rigged, but nothing else.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/1-27%201%20Decals%20Aileron%20link_zps8yjtdc0e.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/1-27%201%20Decals%20Aileron%20link_zps8yjtdc0e.jpg.h tml)

[Buddahaid]

That's a nice model. It really is looking the part.:up:

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks, Scott. My own personal feeling is that the British had some really funky-looking planes in this period.

I've had more than the usual troubles with struts that seemed secure suddenly popping off again. Looking back over this thread I get reminded that I've had this frustration all along, but the last two, both still unfinished, seem to be worse than usual. A friend said maybe I just have a bad batch of superglue. It does happen. I'm hoping to get started again today with a new bottle I just purchased. also I'm trying a different brand.

We'll see how it goes.

[Sailor Steve]

After buying a new bottle of superglue I put off doing anything for another week. I planned to finish the RE.8 and then do some repairs, getting back to the FE.8 sometime in the future. After sitting for a week I was suddenly possessed with the desire to pick up the pusher again. Yesterday I glued the tail back together and then replaced the two missing struts. Today I started rigging again and with any luck it will be done tomorrow.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2016-2-4%201%20Rigging%20again_zpshynecnjb.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2016-2-4%201%20Rigging%20again_zpshynecnjb.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

For what it's worth, the FE.8 is done. I could be happier, but it will look okay on the game stand, and I'm glad to have it behind me.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2016-2-5%201%20Done_zpsmr34jn90.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2016-2-5%201%20Done_zpsmr34jn90.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2016-2-5%202%20Done_zpswqlvoziw.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2016-2-5%202%20Done_zpswqlvoziw.jpg.html)

You can't really see the logos, but the propeller is by Trepaco
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2016-2-5%203%20Done_zpsuz8l19g9.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2016-2-5%203%20Done_zpsuz8l19g9.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2016-2-5%204%20Done_zpsko0b5szb.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2016-2-5%204%20Done_zpsko0b5szb.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

I've had an interesting few days. I joined the forums at the website for Finescale Modeler magazine, hoping to find some help with my Siemens-Halske counter-rotating engine. I've gotten no real help so far, though several people are interested. What I have found is that I wish I had joined that forum years ago. I've been aware of the magazine since its inception in 1982, and though I've never subscribed I have bought quite a few issues over the years at hobby shops I've frequented.

I'm glad I joined the website when I did, because they conduct what they call "Group Builds". Everybody builds their own models, but to a single theme. One of the current Group Builds is called 'Mustangs'. You can build the plane, the car or the horse, as long as it's some sort of Mustang. Not right now, thanks.

Another, though, is called 'Boeing Build', in honor of the 100th anniversary of William Boeing's first airplane manufactured under the Boeing name. Anything related to Boeing is allowed, including non-airplane subjects with which the company has been involved, and planes they built on license for other manufacturers. One builder is making a super-detailed B-17 in 1/72 scale, and another is building a large 1/32 model of the P-26 "Peashooter". The Boeing Build has been going on since June 15th of last year, and I discovered it just in time, since the anniversary is June 15th of this year, which leaves me about four months to come up with something.

My first thought was that I have an old kit of the Boeing Model 40, which was a cool biplane from 1925 that had four passengers inside a cabin but the pilot was still up behind them in an open cockpit. Then I found that there is a magnificent resin kit that lets you build a complete interior. Then I found a vacuform kit of the Model 80, a biplane trimotor airliner from just a couple of years later. Then I found a resin kit of the Model 200, a "modernized" version of the 40 with passengers inside and the pilot on top, but this time in an all-metal low-wing monoplane, appropriately called the 'Monomail'.

Thinking about all these possibilities kept me going around in circles for a couple of days, until just a few hours ago when it hit me - why not the Boeing Model 1, since the whole thing is in honor of that airplane? So I looked around, and found that no one has ever made a kit. That's okay. It shouldn't be too hard to scratch-build, since it's a typical WW1-era wood and fabric biplane with a mostly square cross-section.

I found a couple of good three-view drawings, and a bunch of photos of the only two that were built. I also found that there's a full-sized flying replica which now resides in Boeing's museum.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Boeing%201%20BampW%20Replica%201_zpslavohbne.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Boeing%201%20BampW%20Replica%201_zpslavohbne.jpg.h tml)

I plan to email the museum to see if there are more pictures available, and to ask relevant questions, such as the construction of the seats, whether the interior is wood-lined or just framing and fabric, instrument panel layout, pictures of the engine etc. Tomorrow I plan to dump the plans into PageStream, my favorite desktop publisher, and resize them to the correct scale. After that, we'll see where it goes. I also plan to keep working on my game models.

Oh, one other really awesome thing: The Boeing 40. There is a very long story about a man who managed to find one that was wrecked decades ago and completely restore it to flying condition. These videos made my day. They also made me wish I had gotten involved in something like that when I was young.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfNPTuqg6I8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jeyVtW3yxg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQLDzJ4qgUg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IqaNU3M1lc

[Fish40]

Good luck with the build Steve!:up:

[Sailor Steve]

Back to the RE.8 Port side rigging done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-10%201%20Port%20Side%20Rigging_zpsln2f8k7y.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-10%201%20Port%20Side%20Rigging_zpsln2f8k7y.jpg.htm l)

[MGR1]

Just to give you a bell, Steve, but the new Airfix BE2c is now out in the UK: LINK (http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/raf-be2c-night-fighter-1-72.html).

The first colour option is for the aircraft flown by William Leefe Robinson when he shot down the SL11 and the second is an aircraft from RNAS East Fortune in 1916.

The Eindecker is also out: LINK (http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/fokker-eii-late-1-72.html). There's but a single option for this one, an aircraft of FFA 53 from late 1915.

The two are also being released as a dogfight double: LINK (http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/fokker-eiii-be2c-dog-fight-doubles-gift-set-1-72.html).

Different colour options in the twin boxing, the BE2c is from No.13 Squadron in 1916 whilst the E.II is an aircraft from FFA 9b, also from 1916.

I'm not sure how long they'll take to appear in the States, but if you want to try a UK retailer, I'd recommend H.G. Hannants of Lowestoft: LINK (https://www.hannants.co.uk/). I believe that their overseas shipping's not too bad, but they do give great service, I've used them for a good few years now.

Mike.:)

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks for the heads-up. I had heard that they had been released there, but not here yet. I tend to avoid Hannants because of their minimum order price before they'll ship overseas, and the two kits together don't quite make that minimum.

Still, I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks again.

[MGR1]

Nae probs, Steve!:up:

Mike.:)

[Sailor Steve]

Following another nine days' delay, and a month after the project started, the starboard rigging is at least started.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-19%201%20Starboard%20Rigging%20Started_zpsp2bxbo01 .jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-19%201%20Starboard%20Rigging%20Started_zpsp2bxbo01 .jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

RE.8 is done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-21%201%20Done_zpsjha2affz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-21%201%20Done_zpsjha2affz.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-21%202%20Done_zps6zpimwkf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-21%202%20Done_zps6zpimwkf.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-21%203%20Done_zpsdmvqtdbv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-21%203%20Done_zpsdmvqtdbv.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-21%204%20Done_zpsknips1jf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-21%204%20Done_zpsknips1jf.jpg.html)

Propeller by Maple & Co.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-21%205%20Done_zps52gaqvdq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-21%205%20Done_zps52gaqvdq.jpg.html)

[Buddahaid]

The RE8 is great. Nice looking model there.

[Sailor Steve]

Thanks, Scott. The resin kits can be a pain, but ultimately they're worth it.

[Sailor Steve]

I've been gathering supplies and notes for the Boeing. I've ordered photo-etched cockpit details and seat belts. Since this will be a display model it requires extra attention. So far all I've really accomplished is to resize plans to 1/72 and run ideas through my head, and read up on different techniques others have used.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-24%201%20Plans_zpsf8qmkzri.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-24%201%20Plans_zpsf8qmkzri.jpg.html)

Behind the plans is the architectural ruler I've been using since 1975. One of its six scales is 1/720, or 60 feet to the inch. This translates perfectly to 1/72 as long as you don't mind each scale foot having 10 parts instead of 12 inches. I've ordered a real 1/72 scale ruler with scale inches on one side and metric on the other.

The model itself should be fairly straightforward, being rectangular in cross section, but I see three major hurdles:

1. The cowling had three rows of thirteen louvres on each side. I've been researching methods for making scale louvres. I even bought a set of HO scale locomotive louvres, but even before they arrived I realized they wouldn't work. The louvres on the real plane were slanted! I've been experimenting with cutting my own, with varied results, none of them good enough so far. On my way to game tonight I'll stop at the local hobby shop. I've read that Evergreen Plastics makes quarter-round rods that can be made to work fairly well.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-24%202%20Louvres_zpsyyycpp6t.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-24%202%20Louvres_zpsyyycpp6t.jpg.html)

2. The cockpit. There is one photograph of the cockpit, but the angle only allows the steering wheel and instruments to be seen. I emailed the Boeing museum asking if they had information on seat construction and control layout, but haven't heard back yet. On a model like this I really don't want to fake it.

3. The floats. I could spend a fortune buying models of seaplanes in the hope of getting a pair of floats the right size and shape. I think I'm going to end up carving my own. We'll see.

[Sailor Steve]

The Boeing is started. I'll scavenge whatever I can, but for the most part it will be completely from scratch. I have several copies of the plans printed out for the purpose of cutting them up and mounting them to the thin plastic sheet with glue-stick. Some measuring and drawing was required for the bulkheads, which are intentionally oversized so I can sand them down later.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-27%201%20Patterns_zpsvxkgsxof.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-27%201%20Patterns_zpsvxkgsxof.jpg.html)


And then cut the parts out for assembly.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-27%202%20Parts_zps6yc2zlus.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-27%202%20Parts_zps6yc2zlus.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Side Project: While I'm waiting for some detail parts I've ordered to arrive, I figured it's time for some repair work. The first two models I built for this spree almost three years ago, the Bleriot XI and the Caudron G.3, got warped from me leaving the suitcase in the car for too long one summer day. The damage to the Bleriot was minor, and repaired in a couple of hours. The Caudron, however, was a little worse.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/2-28%201%20Warped_zpszfwhedir.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/2-28%201%20Warped_zpszfwhedir.jpg.html)

I'm going to have to take it apart and straighten the wings, replace the struts and re-rig it. It should only take a week.

[Cybermat47]

Looks like a prop blade is missing too :(

I know how you feel, Steve. Whenever I look at my models, I notice imperfections and rush them back to my modelling desk :D

[Sailor Steve]

I've spent the last week trying different methods of making louvres for the Boeing, with no luck. Cutting, punching, gluing plastic rod - all to no avail. I thought the quarter round rod would work, but it was just a little too thick. I had space for eleven louvres where I needed thirteen. I found some thinner rod, but it was whole round and didn't look right.

Yesterday I found a company that makes a louvre press and punch set, but I couldn't find the actual item on their website. Tomorrow I'll call them. Meanwhile I'm going to try gluing a single plastic strip and shaping it with a file. We'll see how that goes.

[Sailor Steve]

After spending a week too sick to even get out of bed, another week too weak to do much more than sit and look at the computer screen, and almost a third week recovering, able to work but mostly unwilling. I've finally coerced myself to start working again.

This is a picture I took Saturday, March 13th. I decided to experiment with a technique I'd only read about - creating the lines where the doped fabric sags inward by scribing the lines from the inside. The tool used is a cheap ballpoint pen, laying the plastic on a soft surface and using a small metal ruler to both guide the pen and hold the plastic still.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/3-12%201%20Ribs_zpsob6pk5jy.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/3-12%201%20Ribs_zpsob6pk5jy.jpg.html)

It was the very next day I got sick, so I never removed the picture from the camera to my storage until today.

Today I mounted the interior lining. Most WW1-era planes just have the exposed wood framework with the fabric on the outside. The Boeing 1 was a custom-build, so I guess a few niceties were added. A photo of the interior shows what seems to be wicker panels mounted to the interior walls with latches of some sort. I was going to cut pieces off an old bedsheet, but now I can't find it. I used coarse newspaper instead, gluing it on then giving it a coat of paint and hand-painting the darker streaks to represent the wicker.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-1%201%20Wicker%20Lining_zpsnpwe9xg0.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-1%201%20Wicker%20Lining_zpsnpwe9xg0.jpg.html)

Last is a picture of the fuselage rib lines from the outside.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-1%202%20Outside_zps4mir36yq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-1%202%20Outside_zps4mir36yq.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

After another two-and-a-half weeks off I finally managed to find the time and energy to start again. The cockpit interior is mostly finished. I have to make the instrument panels and seat belts and assemble it, and then move on to the major assemblies.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-19%201%20Interior_zps2icn6yka.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-19%201%20Interior_zps2icn6yka.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-19%202%20Interior_zps3otnrirl.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-19%202%20Interior_zps3otnrirl.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Only four days this time! I still have to do the instruments and seat belts, but I decided they were best left until after I assembled the fuselage.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-24%201%20Fuselage_zpsvziwbiaq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-24%201%20Fuselage_zpsvziwbiaq.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-24%202%20Fuselage_zpsrvxzdrfe.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-24%202%20Fuselage_zpsrvxzdrfe.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Minimalist instrument panels.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/4-29%201%20Instruments_zpsm9mabobl.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/4-29%201%20Instruments_zpsm9mabobl.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

While I'm waiting for the new seatbelts I ordered to arrive, I decided to continue with the parts away from the cockpit. The rear deck is made from plastic so thin that even the tiniest amount of plastic cement is making it sag.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-1%201%20Rear%20Deck_zps5jj6thkt.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-1%201%20Rear%20Deck_zps5jj6thkt.jpg.html)

I can't fill it with putty, because that is made from the same stuff and might cause even more problems. Remembering making the streamlined fairings for the Voisin two years ago, I think that some hand-painted gray primer will smooth things out nicely. Or I may have to strip the deck off and do it again. We'll see.

[Sailor Steve]

Stabilizer. I thought of using a piece of thick plastic and sanding out the spaces between the ribs, but decided to try the 'scribing' method first. Two pieces of the super-thin plastic with the ribs scribed in, glued together to make a fairly rigid but still thin piece. Unfortunately the angle of the light sort of hides the ribs, but it seems to have worked and they should show up later.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-3%201%20Stabilizer_zpsltcbunz4.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-3%201%20Stabilizer_zpsltcbunz4.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Vertical tail finished the same way. Both tailplanes installed and first primer coat. A bit of cleanup is needed.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-5%201%20Tail_zpsx08qk07d.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-5%201%20Tail_zpsx08qk07d.jpg.html)

[em2nought]

The scribbing with the ball point pen is working well for you. Looks good!

[Sailor Steve]

Seat belts arrived Friday. Just got them installed. It's not photo-etched brass, but a thick decal-like process printed on paper, called 'SuperFabric'. You peel it off with a hobby knife, hold it with tweezers and fix it in place with white glue.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-9%201%20Seat%20Belts_zpskgnn4dsv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-9%201%20Seat%20Belts_zpskgnn4dsv.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-9%202%20Seat%20Belts_zpsmtvw8uzz.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-9%202%20Seat%20Belts_zpsmtvw8uzz.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-9%203%20Seat%20Belts_zpslsu8l6qu.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-9%203%20Seat%20Belts_zpslsu8l6qu.jpg.html)

The close up picture reveals that I still have some sanding to do.

[DragonRider]

Very nice detailed work :up:

[Jimbuna]

So much detail on those belts....so small :cool:

[Sailor Steve]

The frustration just keeps mounting. I need to get the nose done, but no matter how many times I try, I keep failing with the louvers. The best one I've done so far still looks lumpy and bad.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/514%201%20Louvers%20again_zpsucjsioey.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/514%201%20Louvers%20again_zpsucjsioey.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

I think I finally have a set I can live with. The picture shows them as still not perfect, but each row is only 2mm high and 14mm long. In anything but extreme close-up they look okay. I only have eighteen days left to get it done.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-27%20Last%20Try_zpsfg01lz0k.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-27%20Last%20Try_zpsfg01lz0k.jpg.html)

[Jimbuna]

Onward and upward....never say never :cool:

[Sailor Steve]

Side panels shaped and fitted to the nose.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-28%202%20Nose_zpsgmw0g5gc.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-28%202%20Nose_zpsgmw0g5gc.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Radiator built and mounted, upper deck applied.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-29%201%20Radiator_zps7o9trotf.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-29%201%20Radiator_zps7o9trotf.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-29%202%20Nose_zpsvr7lbpor.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-29%202%20Nose_zpsvr7lbpor.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/5-29%203%20Nose_zpsxdt5mwit.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/5-29%203%20Nose_zpsxdt5mwit.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Spent the last two days trimming the cockpit openings, getting it wrong, removing and adding new panels. Today I did a test shot for the green nose and started working on the lower wing.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-1%201%20Green%20Lower%20Wing_zpsz43yfsfi.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-1%201%20Green%20Lower%20Wing_zpsz43yfsfi.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

First step for the lower wing is scribing all the rib lines from the inside, including the little secondary riblets at the leading edge. This made the plastic curl up.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-3%201%20Ribs%20Scribed_zpskwglbq3k.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-3%201%20Ribs%20Scribed_zpskwglbq3k.jpg.html)


Second came the internal bracing. This is cut from some of the RoseWings wing stock I've had for years.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-3%202%20RoseWings_zpsgnqqik0g.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-3%202%20RoseWings_zpsgnqqik0g.jpg.html)


The wing stock is made to represent wings for World War I aeroplanes, so they have that characteristic curved bottoms. The Boeing had a more modern flat bottom, so I had to cut a strip of thick plastic stock to fill the inside of the wing.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-3%203%20Wing%20Section_zps8butnrvx.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-3%203%20Wing%20Section_zps8butnrvx.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-3%204%20Lower%20Brace_zpsdyoym7xl.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-3%204%20Lower%20Brace_zpsdyoym7xl.jpg.html)


Once the insert was dry the whole thing is glued to the bottom half of the wing. Then comes glue applied to the leading edge to soften it up for easy bending. Then the top is folded over.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-4%201%20Internal%20Brace%20Mounted_zpsjtzk8tvt.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-4%201%20Internal%20Brace%20Mounted_zpsjtzk8tvt.jpg .html)

I had a couple of choices here. I could cut the center section out and run brass wire through the fuselage for support for the two halves. I could cut the wing in half, make the right sized holes and put the two halves through the fuselage. I chose the third option: cut out the forward edge to bypass the internal bulkhead. The aft cutout is because the back part of the wing was cut out like that. This left a slot in the fuselage the whole wing could slide into.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-4%202%20Cutouts_zpsoyccrwmh.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-4%202%20Cutouts_zpsoyccrwmh.jpg.html)


And the wing is mounted. This method leaves an exposed area that has to be re-skinned, but the wing remains in one piece and very solid.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-4%203%20Wing%20Installed_zpsl9u2gzom.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-4%203%20Wing%20Installed_zpsl9u2gzom.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

I realized some time ago I was going to have to make my own floats, as the many models of seaplanes available are all from a later period, and the floats are such a different shape that I could spend a lot of money on a lot of kits and never find one that would work. I had some Styrofoam packaging I tried, but I seem to lack the skills to work with it. I ended up laminating several layers of thick plastic together.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-5%201%20Float%20Blocks_zpsme19xjnw.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-5%201%20Float%20Blocks_zpsme19xjnw.jpg.html)


After letting it dry overnight I spent several hours today with a grinder attachment for my Dremel tool, and a few more with a sanding block.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-6%201%20Floats_zpseikhvsj2.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-6%201%20Floats_zpseikhvsj2.jpg.html)

It's going to take a lot more time before it's done, but they're slowly taking on the right shape.

[Sailor Steve]

Four days shaping the floats. Sand a little. Put on a primer coat. Let it dry two hours. Sand a little more. Primer coat. Wait two hours...

Yesterday the floats were done and I sprayed the base coat on. While I was giving it twenty-four hours to dry I spent today building the upper wing. Same technique as the lower. No time to finish the floats, so here it sits waiting for tomorrow.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-10%201%20Floats_zps8qeka4bv.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-10%201%20Floats_zps8qeka4bv.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

Floats finished and ready for mounting. Final paint on fuselage and lower wing.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-12%201%20Floats%20amp%20Fuselage_zpsehu3rccc.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-12%201%20Floats%20amp%20Fuselage_zpsehu3rccc.jpg.h tml)

[Sailor Steve]

Floats mounted. Next is the top wing, rigging and a whole lot of detailing. And only two days to go.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-13%201%20Floats_zps8vulc3hn.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-13%201%20Floats_zps8vulc3hn.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-13%202%20Floats_zpsiwkhy54k.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-13%202%20Floats_zpsiwkhy54k.jpg.html)

[Jimbuna]

Looking good matey, looking good :sunny:

[em2nought]

Louvers turned out excellent.

[Sailor Steve]

Best Laid Plans etc...

I had hoped to have the top wing mounted yesterday and the rigging started today. When I drilled the holes for the cabanes it ripped up the super-thin top decking around the forward cockpit. I put the cabanes in, rebuilt the decking and got ready to put the wing on. The cabanes were too short. I ripped them out, which destroyed the new decking and put in new, longer cabanes. I realized that cutting them would make them uneven, and trimming brass wire is a real pain. I also realized that if I drilled all the way through the wing I could slip it over the cabanes and glue in the struts, which came from a kit. After that I could cut the tops of the cabanes flush with the wing and seal it over. Brass wire is almost impossible to trim flush like that, so I went with plastic. I also set it aside and called it a night.

Today I rebuilt the decking again and did all the work as described above. The control horns still aren't mounted, and the rigging isn't started, and today is the 100th anniversary of the plane's first flight. It's now officially late. It'll still be done, just not when I wanted.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-16%201%20Top%20Wing_zpspa0xk1l5.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-16%201%20Top%20Wing_zpspa0xk1l5.jpg.html)

[Sailor Steve]

I spent Thursday and Friday helping an elderly neighbor run errands. Saturday and Sunday I spent doing research, and yesterday I was just too tired. Today I spent the whole day installing the outer wing braces and kingposts, and the tail braces. I say "the whole day", but most of it was spent making new kingposts, over and over. They're made from .008 guitar string, and that steel wire has to be clipped precisely. I got it too long, and shortening it usually took off too much. It's finally in place.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-21%201%20Outer%20Braces_zpsc8lhsngq.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-21%201%20Outer%20Braces_zpsc8lhsngq.jpg.html)

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/6-21%202%20Tail%20Supports_zps3brcvzav.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/6-21%202%20Tail%20Supports_zps3brcvzav.jpg.html)

[em2nought]

You know we're waiting to see the rigging, and the crew. :yeah:

[Sailor Steve]

Sorry. I spent two whole days filling and sanding around the cockpit area, and I'm still not satisfied with the finish there. The last two days were spent mounting some things on the lower engine housing and trying to adjust the wholes so I can put in the oversized control horns. Today I experimented with the leather cockpit combing. All of these things are giving me fits, and slowing the progress. Add to that the frustration of not making the 100th anniversary deadline and I'm having real problems keeping my interest up.

There won't be any crew, as this will be a display model, and not for gaming. I'm also at odds with myself over what rigging material I'm going to use. I bought some new stuff called EZ-Line, which stretches and is almost unbreakable, but I'm still kind of favoring the nylon line I've been using all along. We'll see how it goes.

[Sailor Steve]

After eleven months of not finishing anything, and seven months of not even touching a model except for a couple of game repairs, I decided I was ready to start something new.

It took awhile to recognize, but after missing the June 15th deadline on the Boeing I became horribly depressed. I didn't do anything for more than a month, and then I saw the ad at Guitar Center for the band looking for a bass player. They liked me, and that got me moving again, but in a different direction. I spent all my creative time re-learning old skills and learning new ones - not easy at my age, or with my personality. Every few days I would look at the Boeing and decide I just couldn't touch it.

Recently the music started to stabilize, and I found myself with more free time. I still can't bring myself to finish the Boeing, but I've begun to think more about all the game models I still don't have, especially since I've still been buying a new one every month.

I finally realized that if I'm not going to finish the Boeing I need to start something new. Rather than continue from where I left off I've backtracked a little, as I've acquired some newer models of old aircraft. Early on I showed a rather beat-up old vac kit of the Royal Aircraft Factory's BE.2c, which I didn't want to tear apart and rebuild, so I just rigged it as it was, which was pretty bad. At the end of 2015 Airfix released new kits of the BE.2c - the first one done in injection-molded plastic, and the Fokker E.II. I've decided to build the BE.2c, and got the kit out and ready to start.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Models/1-16%20Kit_zpso7enje1y.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Models/1-16%20Kit_zpso7enje1y.jpg.html)

[Catfish]

Looking forward to your building 'reports' :up:

If you are building a BE2(c) do you intend to build a special version like Leefe Robinson's 'Zeppelin' killer? The box in the background seems to indicate such a version..
(Was not a Zeppelin in strict sense, but.. http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/wr.php?main=inc/vc_w_l_robinson_page6)

[Sailor Steve]

It will be a standard version, but a whole lot nicer than the vac kit I built 30 years ago or more. The night-fighters had only the pilot, with a gun mounted above the wing. We need more recon planes for the game.