sandbagger

Hi all, Here's the 1/32nd scale Copper State Model of the Caudron G.III trainer. Belgian Caudron G.III trainer, No.79, Ser No: C.6207, operating from the Air Service pilots school at Juvisy-sur-Orge in France during 1918. The forum build log: https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/20703-132nd-scale-caudron-g3-anzani-engine/ As usual a fully detail build log, in PDF format, will be available tomorrow from the Build Logs page on my web site. https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/ Mike

Hi all, The Caudron will be up in the Ready for Inspection page later this evening. Once again, thanks for your support and comments throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, A few shots of the figures and accessories. Both figures are from 'Kellerkind Miniatures'. The crate and can are from my spares collection, Mike

Hi all, Well, the rigging of the Caudron is finally complete. I didn't post any more shots of rigging progress as there was too much. Anyway, here's a couple of general shots. I've just got the propeller, instruments and windscreen to fit to complete the basic model. Then it's onto the figures and display case, Mike

Hi all, The tailplane of this aircraft could be adjusted to either increase or decrease the angle of attack (AOA) of the tail unit. Lifting the tailplane leading edge increased the AOA and lowering decreased the AOA. Bracing struts were fitted between the tops of the king posts on the tail booms and the fins and also between the fins. As the fin/rudder assemblies were fixed to the tailplane, if the AOA of the tailplane was altered, it meant the fin/rudders would move up or down with the tailplane. Although the centre strut between the fins could be fixed in position, the outer struts attached between the fixed king posts and fins must have been able to move with the change in tailplane AOA. With the tailplane AOA in the neutral position, the three struts would most likely be parallel to the tailplane when viewed from above. If the AOA was increased the fins and therefore the outer struts would move up and rearwards. If the AOA was decreased the fins and therefore the outer struts would move down and forwards. My assumption therefore is that the end fittings of the outer struts must have been able to pivot to allow the struts to move as required. This is all conjecture, but based on the fact that I used the optional photo-etch adjuster brackets and have the tailplane secured in the brackets at a decreased AOA (tailplane tilted slightly downwards). This means that the fin end of the outer struts are slightly forwards when viewed from above. As the distance between the king posts and fins is slightly increased, the kit supplied struts do not fully span the gap between them. To avoid any problems for those who have not yet built their Caudron, I would advise having the tailplane AOA fixed in the neutral (mid) position to allow the struts to fit correctly and be parallel to the tailplane. Mike

Hi all, Front end on its wheels, Mike

Hi all, A bit more progress. The tail booms and bracing struts are fitted. The three different bracing wire sets for the lower wing to tail booms has also been completed. The bracing wires from the lower wing back to the tail booms will be final rigged later, once the tail unit if fitted. So now it's onto assembly of the tail unit, Mike

Hi all, More wing rigging completed. Outer interplane strut incidence wires. Outer lift strut incidence wires. Outer lift strut bracing wires. Twin wing warp control cables. Single wing warp control cable. Lower to upper wing bracing wires. Now the basic wing rigging is finished, it's onto assembly again. I need to fit the two tail booms and tailplane before I can complete the rigging on those components, Mike

Hi all, More final completed. Forward brace wires. Inboard incidence wires. Outer flying wires. Outer landing wires, Mike

Hi all, The inboard twin flying wires are rigged. Also the inboard single landing wires. Both using 0.12 mm mono-filament and blackened 0.5 mm diameter tube. The turnbuckles are Proper Plane resin 1:32nd scale Eye End type (RD-018), Mike

Hi all, The eight cabane strut bracing wires have been added. I used 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament, 0.5 mm diameter blackened tubes and Gaspatch 1:48th scale metal turnbuckles (Type A and C) and Anchor Points. Mike

Hi all, The upper wing has now been fitted, apart from the bracing struts for the outer lift struts. They will be fitted after final rigging of the wings. Despite have a total of 16 struts, there is still some slight sideways flex of the upper wing. The final rigging should make it all more rigid, Mike

Hi all, I've spent four days pre-rigging and creating rigging holes for the Caudron. Here's a few shots, but most are rigging locating holes in the wings and tail unit. Combination of 0.4 and 0.5 mm diameter tube and 0.08 and 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament. Turnbuckles are a mix of Gaspatch 1:48th scale metal and Proper plane 1:32nd scale resin. After assembly I'll final rig the rest of the wires and cables, Mike

Hi all, Subtle weathering applied. Flory Models Dark Dirt clay wash and sealed with Tamiya Semi-Gloss (X35). Now it's onto pre-rigging, Mike

Hi all, A couple of updates to the Caudron. The landing gear appears to have axle coil springs fitted between the tail boom and wheels. I've represented them by lightly wiping over them with a Prismacolor Verithin Argent Métallique pencil (752). The wheel covers were airbrushed with Tamiya Deck Tan (XF55) then had Aviattic Weave Linen Effect decal (ATT32044) applied, Mike