sandbagger

Hi all, I'm being sent a 3D printed conversion set to convert the Wingnut Wings SE5a (Hisso) kit to a Wolseley 'Viper' engined SE5a. This set has been in development for two years. I'll be testing it on a Wingnut Wings kit and report back to the creator. If it goes well we could see a conversion set release in the future. If not, I'll report any findings in the hope they can be tweaked and I can re-test if necessary. I can always revert to the Roden kit build if I need to, Mike

Hi all, The next model will be the Roden 1:32nd scale SE5a 'Viper' engine. Duncan William Grinnell-Milne flew three SE5a aircraft and all three were named ‘Schweinhund’. So called in reference to 2 years in captivity as a German POW. The most famous of the three was his red painted SE5a thought to be serial number C.1194. He last flew this particular aircraft on the 23rd of January 1919. This aircraft was built by the Royal Aircraft Factory as one of a batch of 100 aircraft (C1051—C1150) and was powered by the 200hp Wolseley ‘Viper’ engine. The aircraft was taken to No.2 Air Issues (Issues Section) from the Reception Park in France on the 17th of October 1918. From there onto No.56 Squadron (RAF). After the end of hostilities, the aircraft was transferred to No.1 Squadron (RAF) on the 23rd of January 1919. Eventually it was sent through the Reception Park back to England on the 5th of February 1919 and then struck off charge. I have already built the Wingnut Wings SE5a 'Hisso', which is on my web site. However, at that time I wasn't writing build logs, which I will for this model. This will be one of a two model build hopefully. The other model is not WW1 obviously and will not have a build log. Mike

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

Hi all, The painting of the linen wrappings and metal fittings is done. 'Tamiya' Medium Blue (XF18) the sealed with Semi-Gloss clear (X35), Mike

Hi all, The flight surfaces are finished, except for weathering, detail painting. The undersides have a darker outline of the internal structure, representing structure shadows. Grey primed then MRP Dark Wood (MRP-262) applied. Structure masked off and Tamiya' Deck Tan (XF55) applied. Masking removed and lighter coat of Deck Tan applied to fade back the darker structure. The top surfaces have lighter rib tape markings. Grey primed then MRP Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256) applied. Structure masked off then MRP Dark Wood (MRP-262) applied along the structure masks. Masking removed and a lighter coat of MRP Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256) applied to fade back the lighter structure. Covered with Aviattic Weave Linen Effect decal (ATT32044). All other decals are kit supplied, Mike

Hi all, Just a few things to show. The wood effect has been applied to the tail booms and struts. Tamiya Dark Yellow (XF60) base coat with brushed Windsor&Newton Griffin Alkyd oil paint (Burnt Umber). The upper surfaces of the wings, tailplane and elevators have been painted. As have the two fin/rudders. These will have Aviattic Weave Effect Linen decal (ATT32044) applied later in the build. Now to repeat the masking and painting on the underside surfaces !! Mike

Hi all, Just a point of interest. The early version of the Caudron G.3 had a straight trailing edge on both rudders. The elevators had scalloped trailing edges that increased towards their inboard centres. The later version rudders has scalloped trailing edges. The elevators had straight inboard edges at their centres. However, the kit supplies rudders as the early straight edged type, but the elevators are of the later type. If matching the versions is required, the only reasonable option would be to modify the rudder trailing edges to the later version. Luckily for me, the previous photograph clearly shows a Belgium Caudron G.3 with early version rudders and later version elevators, which is how this model will be configured, Mike

Hi all, Cabin version number 2. This time with linen weave effect decal applied and alternative serial numbers, Mike

Hi all, Well, at 75 years of age I think I'm entitled to make a mistake every so often !! I was looking at the cabin last night and kept thinking there was something missing. Then I realized - the linen effect decals for the cabin. Hmmmmmm ? The cabin was finished with all of its rigging, paint, decals, sealing clear coat and weathering applied. I did think of leaving it but the wings and tail would have linen effect decals, so ------- I've stripped the exterior of the cabin back to the base coat and repainted the surfaces. Next up is to apply the 'Aviattic' Linen Weave effect decal (ATT32044), then the kit decals. Fortunately there are three sets of Belgium serial number decals in the kit. Then it'll be weathering and sealing coat. I'll be back, Mike

Hi all, The cabin is finished now, apart from adding the windscreen. That will be added at the end of the build. Weathered with Flory Models Dark Dirt clay wash and Tamiya Weathering Masters. The propeller is test fitted only, Mike

Hi all, The carburettor fuel supply pipe and control rod added. Both added using PlusModel 0.3 mm diameter lead wire. Rod painted with Mr. Color Stainless Steel (213). Pipe painted with Tamiya Clear Orange (X24), Mike