sandbagger

Hi all, The 3D printed control rods for the aileron and the tailplane support struts are printed to scale. Therefore, they are rather weak. I chose to replace them with Brass tube of 1.0 mm diameter for the aileron control rods, which will be blackened. Also, flattened 0.7 mm diameter tube for the tailplanes support struts, Mike

Hi all, Supplied metal reinforcing rods pass through the wings/fuselage and the tailplanes. Entry holes are left at the wing tips and outer ends of the tailplanes. I used UV setting resin, which was applied to the holes, set then filed/sanded to blend with surrounding surfaces. A light coat of grey primer was airbrushed to check the smoothness of the filled holes, Mike

Hi all, The landing gear and engine have been sorted. The engine as expected was tricky to clean up after removing the support trees. It will be modified with ignition leads/plugs and pipes, although most of the engine is buried inside the fuselage and under the access panels. The landing gear struts were cleaned up, taking care to not flex and break them. Also the tops of the struts were sanded slightly to allow them to fully locate into their fuselage recesses Mike

Hi all, All of the parts were separated from their support trees using just single blade nippers (DSPIAE). The resin is tough so no breakages or damage was caused. The upper wing has been test fitted using the supplied 1.2 mm diameter metal rods. The fuselage halves and lower wings also test fitted. I did find that when using the supplied 1.2 mm diameter rods, the lower wing leading/trailing edges were not aligned to the fuselage wing roots. Therefore, I used 1.0 mm diameter rod, which gives a small amount of play to align the wing correctly to the fuselage wing roots. Similarly, the supplied 1.0 mm diameter rods for the tailplanes were loose in the 1.2 mm diameter locating holes in the tailplanes and fuselage. Therefore, I used instead 1.2 mm Brass tube. Mike

Hi all, I've today received my kit and initially I'm impressed. The kit was very well packaged with separate padded envelopes containing the parts. Instructions are now included in the kit, whereas before they needed to be downloaded. Also, all of the parts are now separately printed and bagged, so no longer all contained in a boxed print. There does not seem to be any surface imperfections or print striation lines. None of the parts were damaged in transit. The shipping charge covered importing into the UK so no customs charge added. As to how easily the parts can be separated from their support trees and then how fragile they may be will be the challenge, Mike

Hi all, I'll be building the 3D printed model of a Roland D.II scout by MDesign in Bulgaria. This particular aircraft is Roland D.II (Pfalz built), Serial No: 2895/16 of the 1st Aeroplane Detachment, Bulgarian Air Service during 1918. This aircraft was built under license by Pfalz and was marked with the later style of crosses on the wings, fuselage and rudder. The aircraft also carried a legend, forward from the fuselage crosses, which when translated into English read Prince Kyril. He was Kyril Heinrich Franz Ludwig Anton Karl Philipp, Prince of Preslav, Bulgaria, Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke of Saxony and was the younger son of Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand. However, he was not a WW1 pilot. The legend refers to the aircraft being intended for use in the defence of where he was born, which was Sofia on the 17 January 1895. Being 3D printed and a limited run kit, it should prove interesting if not challenging, Mike

Hi all, I've put this build on hold for two reasons. Others are building this aircraft and I'm following their builds. Secondly, I've ordered the 1:32nd scale LFG Roland D.II 3D printed model from MDesign Scale Model Studios. It's an aircraft not produced in 1:32nd scale and although a limited run should prove an interesting or challenging build. I also have the book Bulgarian Hunters by Mitko Mitkov as a reference. Once the kit has arrived I'll start the build, Mike

Hi all, The model is now complete and in the 'WNW and WW1 Ready for Inspection' thread. As usual, many thanks for your comment and encouragement during this build, Mike

Hi all, Here is the 'Wingnut Wings' Jeannin Stahltaube, Serial No: A.283/14 at Aldershof-Johannisthal aerodrome during 1915. The build thread is here: As usual, a fully detailed build log, in PDF format, can be downloaded from the 'build logs' page on my web site: https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/ Mike

Hi all, As my build of the Jeannin Stahltaube is nearly complete, I've started preparing for the next model. The Wingnut Wings RAF FE.2b, Serial No:A385 of No.100 Squadron, RFC operating from St. Inglevert, France during 1918 and flown by 2Lt L.G Taylor and 2Lt L.E LeFevre. Mike

Hi all, The tail is now fully rigged. Line is 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament, 0.4 mm diameter tube and Proper Plane turnbuckles (RD-005). Now it's onto the final few pieces (windscreen, vent pipe, exhaust pipe, propeller) to finish the model, Mike

Hi all, The control and restraining cables for the upper and underside rudders are now finished. Line is 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament, 0.4 mm diameter tube and Proper Plane turnbuckles (RD-005). Now it's onto the final rigging, which is the tail bracing wires, Mike

Hi all, The underside tail warp control lines and restraining cable are now finished. Now it's onto the rudder control and restraining cables, Mike

Hi all, The upper tail warp and restraining cables are rigged. A combination of 0.08 or 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament, blackened 0.4 or 0.5 mm tube. Turnbuckles are Proper Plane 1:32nd resin (RD-005). Wheels are also now fitted. Now it's time to rig the underside cables, Mike

Hi all, The wings have now been rigged. I've added the drags wires from the fuselage to the outer underside of the wings. Also the wing warp control cables. Finally, the wing outer bracing wires. A combination of 0.08 or 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament, blackened 0.4 or 0.5 mm tube. Turnbuckles are either Gaspatch 1:48th metal (Type C) or Proper Plane 1:32nd resin (RD-005). Now it's time to rig the tail, Mike