Michaelscarborough

Hello, all, This is my fourth WnW build and, after a brief stall, was reenergized for the WnW GB. It will be seen in the diorama, After the Armistice, being inspected by British airmen amazed at the all metal construction. The damage is based on photos of both J.1s at the end of the war, as well as photos of the J.1 in Canada, for which I'd like to thank Richard Andrews, of Aviattic. I used Albion brass for all the visible piping sections and did a lot of grinding of styrene to get it thin enough to appear to be worn Duralumin. The wheel spokes are from the Albatros B.II kit and the rims are from the J.1 kit, ground down...a lot. I've stripped a lot of the engine as seen in the reference photos.....I'd bet the parts were used as spares. The prop hub was scratch built....and, as soon as I finished it, I was told of a beautiful one offered by CSM. Ain't that always the way. The second, engineless fuselage will sit outside the hangar. I have to say I really had a blast with this pair of projects. I enjoy looking over the photos to try and determine just what the damage is and then experimenting with ways of replicating it. Thanks for taking the time to look it over. Cheers from NYC, Michael

That really is gorgeous. Bravo! Cheers

Bravo, Justin! Looks super! The interior is gorgeous. Super wood work, as always. Cheers from NYC, Michael

(LOL!!..JUST REALISED THIS NEVER GOT POSTED! Damn!!) So, are you talking about the whole turret and the guns at full length? As you can see on mine, I just wanted to focus on the Pup itself and so the turret is chopped down as are the guns. But doing a whle turret and guns in 1/32 is an interesting idea. I'm fortunate in having a lathe which I use in my business and all the detailing was scratched. I'm probably repeating myself, but my next project (after the AEG) is to do the Camel onboard HMS Calliope. It's on a specially built platform but there is a gun turret in the scene, albeit much smaller than the main gun turrets that ships like HMS Tiger or USS Texas had. There's definitely a Texas Camel in my future although I don't know if I'll do the whole turret. (Damn, just seeing the picture makes me want to jump right in on the project!) Cheers from NYC, Michael

Great looking build of the Arado, Doug! Do you have a build log? I have just about everything I could possibly need for the Arado in the way of the HpH stuff and after mkt for the kit. (The catapult was my first HpH purchase and I liked it so much I got the Macchi.) I'd be very interested to know what Shapeways would charge for a resin turret. I Plan to do the Camel on Texas but can't imagine doing the WHOLE turret....I live in a NYC house. If I ever get the Felixstowe built, I may have to move my wife out to the garden. Cheers

Hi, Coolbox....re: the platform, the simple answer is yes. But, I am sure they did their best to have the ship, and the turret, as close to facing into a head wind, just as carriers do now. Only a Pup is so light, I'd think it wouldn't take much to have it life off on those short platforms. It is interesting to see that the heavier the plane, the longer the ramp...Pup, shortest; Camels, a bit longer; 1 1/2 Strutter, longest. I have just really gotten into this and want to do a lot more research on the whole subject. It's pretty fascinating. Cheers from NYC, Michael

Thanks, Doug, Interesting....I am planning to do the same with both the Camel and the Arado! I also have the HB W.20 and want to do a scene of it on a U-Boat, as it was intended to be. All I need is for the days to be 25 hours and the weeks to be 8 days. Here're some in progress shots for you: The base is simply four sides of shaped oak with plywood bottom and top: The turret and guns were turned on the lathe and then cut to size. I made the fastening rings out of styrene strip held in front of a boiling kettle. I am still not happy with the section that is made of fabric...it just looks like an old dried out condom. Ugh. Cheers from NYC, Michael

Thanks for the positive feedback, guys! Much appreciated!

Heel erg bedankt, Jeroen!

This was my first WnW build, and my first WWI build in many years, and I sincerely enjoyed the whole process. Having wrestled with old Aurora kits, and even Revell and Airfix kits in the 60s and 70s, building a kit from WnW is an epiphany. The turret mounted launching platforms for the Pups, and other aircraft, vary greatly from ship to ship so I created what I felt was a generic, but historically plausible, structure. Same deal with the tie downs, tail support, turret itself and personal markings. Figures are being worked on now. I was thrilled when WnW announced the Ship's Camel and a similar project is now underway using that great kit. Thanks for taking a look. Cheers from NYC, Michael

I'm just catching up on these older builds now, Jeroen. Really wonderful work.....a deft touch, indeed. Your work as a creative director really shows in your model work.....but, of course, both come from the same brain and imagination. Keep 'em coming! Cheers from NYC, Michael

So...still looking at this thread raises three questions: - How are the ZM kits? I've been building WnW WWI but am being pulled towards some WWII planes, particularly this TA-152. - How did you apply the graphics to the base? - Mr. Hatch, can you pls translate this into American English?: Taking your time paid off, even though I took the pi$$ Cheers from NYC, Michael

The level of imagination is even outweighed by the level of execution. Gorgeous, build, Jeroen. I really admire the paint job, especially the different levels visible. Especially effective on the tail with the swastika etc. Superb base, as well. Glad I started exploring this thread! Cheers from NYC, Michael

That is some gorgeous work, James. Congrats!

Wow....I've been away for a while and it is great to catch up on this. The level of detail and, especially, the wood work is really wonderful. The warmth you've achieved reminds me of well cared for antique furniture. Enjoy your Harley but I look forward to seeing you get back to this! Cheers from NYC, Michael

Yes...flush lips are a must......

Good to know.....thanks for the info. I am always looking for new types of washes and will give these a shot. You are clearly getting great results with them! Keep up the good and inspirational work! Cheers from NYC, Michael

Looking good, Krow! What are you using for the washes?? Cheers from NYC

So...on the deck.....I assume that's wood grain decals but are you adding washes...like Sepia over the decal? It looks really good! Cheers from NYC, MIchael

I'm still here and enjoying your posts......just totally slammed with work. Once I get my new image hosting site figured out, I will start posting again. Cheers from NYC, Michael

Wow...this is excellent...not only the work but the photo tutorial! Thanks! Cheers from NYC, MIchael

OK...let me give it a try.....but for now...TO THE BENCH!!! Congrats on the award, BTW, well deserved...great models and wonderful display! Super spinning prop effect! Tough to achieve but you've nailed it! Cheers from NYC, Michael

Yep...but no matter where I put the cursor, the image goes to the top of the post. It's screwing up my story telling ability. Is this an anti-American thing??? I appreciate the help, dude.....

...OK....no problems getting my pix into Photobucket and no problem getting them inot the box on the site asking for the URL. BUT, all of the photos then go to the top of the post and not where I want them within the post. HELP!!!!! How do I get them where I want them so I can tell the story in order???? Cheers (?) from NYC, Michael

Good choices, Krow..... I have to say this.......look at this sort of research material and amazing detail items like Aviattic's fuel cart and I still shudder at what I was trying to do with minimal research material and all scratch built detail items, and AURORA kits, back in the late 60s and early 70s. Talk about the dark ages. If you want to know how far model making has come since then, just think about this: in those days it was a big deal if you went to the trouble of filling in the seams between the fuselage halves. When Squadron Green Putty first came out, every model building guy in the world suddenly was as excited as if he had a date with Penelope Cruz AND her little sister...at the same time......and the ladies were buying dinner...and were dessert. This is why when people say they think that WnW kits are overpriced, I am really tempted to vomit.....on their shoes. Cheers from NYC, Michael