sandbagger

Hi all, The fuselage is now closed up. Next is to prepare the wings, tail and associated pylons, before I can prepare for their rigging, Mike

Hi all, The fuselage is ready to be closed up. This when most of the work done will no longer be visible - hey ho. I've added the kit supplied photo-etch seat belts and basic engine fuel supply pipes from 0.5 mm diameter lead wire. Also basic spark advance and throttle controls from 0.3 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube. These are from the pilot's cockpit to the engine carburettor and left magneto (right will not be seen). Once I've cleaned up the fuselage seam joints, I'll final rig the crossed bracing wires at the sides of the engine bay. These were left loose as the frames are flexible and fragile, so can easily be damaged. They are more rigid once the fuselage halves have been joined. Mike

Hi all, Here's the basic engine completed. I've added spark plugs from blackened 0.5 mm diameter Brass tube. The ignition leads are 0.2 mm diameter lead wire from PlusModel. Weathering is Flory Models Dark Dirt wash and AK Interactive Kerosene wash, Mike

Hi Doc, Yeah I know 🤭- I was a bit lazy and normally add a drop of detergent. However little will be seen of the fuselage sides once the fuselage is closed up, Mike

Hi all, Some progress on the model. General painting was done using 'Tamiya' acrylic paints thinned with Mr. Hobby self-levelling thinners (MLT). The weathering is Flory Models Dark Dirt fine clay wash. The wood effect was done using brushed Windsor and Newton Griffin Alkyd oil paint (Raw Sienna). The rigging is 0.08 and 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament with blackened 0.4 and 0.5 mm diameter Brass tube (Albion Alloy's). The rigging includes fuselage crossed bracing wires, wing warp control cables and tail warp control cables. Next is to complete the pilot and observers lap belts and the engine, so that the fuselage can be closed up, Mike

Hi all, This is the Roland model Kit No:635 with changes to be a French version. The model represents a Sopwith 1½ ‘Strutter’ (1.B2), Ser No.326 ‘7’ of French Escadrille SOP226 during 1917. The fully detailed build log is available to download from the Build Logs page at: https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com Forum build thread is here: Mike

Hi all, The completed model shots are now up in the WNW and WW1 Aircraft Ready for Inspection page. Thanks for your support and comments throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, As the Sopwith 1.B2 model is close to being complete, I thought I'd start on the next model. The 'Wingnut Wings' Jeannin Stahltaube, Serial No: A.283/14 at Aldershof-Johannisthal aerodrome during 1915. This aircraft was normally doped with German Field Grey. However, it seems this aircraft had not yet had its wings doped, so were still Clear Doped Lined (CDL), Mike

Hi all, Here are the figures. Both are ‘Kellerkind Miniaturen’ - French mechanic (54089) and (54112). Apart from the display case, the model is complete. I will post the final shots of the build in the coming week. Thanks for your support and comments throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, The model is now complete and here is a quick shot. I will of course post larger and detailed shots of the model once its in the display case. I'm currently working on the figures to complete the model, Mike

Hi all, The upper wing has been fitted. I found it best to fit the fuselage cabane struts first. Those struts are rigid when fitted and take much of the load from the upper wing. Once secured in position, the wings can be flexed slightly to locate and secure the interplane struts. Now it's onto final rigging, Mike

Hi all, The engine has now been fitted with the Aviattic 3D printed engine cowl. Many of the French aircraft had a single, larger cooling slot in the lower, front of the engine cowl. As opposed to the British type, which had two cooling slots at the same location on the engine cowl. Also, the modified Gaspatch Vickers machine gun was fitted. Finally, I created a pilot's windscreen, which was off-set to the right of the breach block of the Vickers machine gun, Mike

Hi all, More updates. The landing gear assembly is complete. The interplane and fuselage cabane struts are done and have slightly larger diameter brass tubes fitted to the strut end locating pegs. This was done as the locating holes in the wings are larger than the strut pegs. The underside of the upper wing has been pre-rigged with 22 lines. Lastly, the upper wing ailerons only have been pre-rigged. This is for the rear interconnecting control line that will route between the wings and their ailerons. Next is fitting of the upper wing, Mike

Hi all, A few updates. The underside of the fuselage with the rocking shaft and cover, bomb cassette panels and the airbrake control pulley with cable. The airbrakes have been fitted. The 'Proper Plane' Waring and Gillow propeller. The observers Lewis and mounting with 'EZ' line for the pulley cords. The wheels with 'Aviattic'' weave effect linen covering. I've applied wood effect to the interplane and landing struts, but need to paint the metal fittings etc, Mike