sandbagger

Hi all, During its service life the Scout had various weapons fitted and in different locations on the aircraft. From rifles, Lewis machine guns and even duck guns fitted to the fuselage side, to machine guns fitted on the fuselage decking in front of the pilot or over wing mounted guns. Different type of over wing gun mountings were used and either fixed or movable. In the following photograph of 1260, it can be seen that it’s over wing gun mount was possible the Bristol Scout Lewis No.5 mounting Type1 - ’Christy pattern’ dated March 1916. This mounting allowed the weapon to be fired over the rotating arc of the propeller or fired vertically upward. It also allowed for the ammunition drum to be replaced, unlike the fixed mount version. The mounting was basically a single metal tube attached to the underside of the upper wing centre section, which was cut back to the wing rear spar (to allow the weapon to pivot over the cockpit). The gun and its mounting were off-set to the starboard side of the centre section. At the cockpit end of the tube was a pivot mounting in the upturned top of the tube. When fired over the rotating propeller the gun was locked in the horizontal position, but when fired vertically the hand grip of the machine gun was simply clipped into a fitting on the starboard side of the cockpit decking panel. The horizontally positioned weapon was fired using a pull cable from the gun down into the cockpit. When fired vertically it’s probable the pilot could operate the trigger by hand. To represent this weapon fit I used a ‘Gaspatch’ 1:32nd scale Lewis Mk.1 half stripped heatsinks (13-32052). Also 'Albion Alloy's' Brass tubing and rods. The trailing edge of the upper wing required cutting back to the rear spar to allow the Lewis gun to be pivoted to to cockpit for reloading or firing vertically. The fuselage clip fitting still needs to be made as well as a magneto starter switch (mounted on the post side of the fuselage near the cockpit, Mike

Hi all, The Scout had at the forward sides of the fuselage, an access panel that was used to gain access into the forward cockpit from both sides of the fuselage. These panels opened upwards with two separate hinges on the top edge and were secured closed with two latches at the bottom edge. The kit fuselage halves have these detailed panels pre-moulded. Unfortunately, the panels cover all of the cockpit internal detail. Therefore, I chose to modify the panel on the port side of the fuselage in the open position, allowing visibility of the cockpit detail. The opening panel was cut from the fuselage half then filed to shape. The panel was made from 0.2 mm thick plastic card. The top hinges and latches are represented by 0.3 mm diameter tube and plastic card. The panel stay rod will be added later in the build. Mike

Hi all A quick update. The supplied pilots seat and cushion parts are of good quality. However, I chose to replace them with a seat from the 3D printed ‘Gaspatch’ British wicker seat/cushion (22-32249) set. This seat fits exactly onto the kit seat base, which just needed the seat cushion sanding away. The 'Gaspatch' seat was then simply secure onto the base, using thin CA adhesive, Mike

Hi all, As my build of the Hannover Cl.II is drawing to a close, I'm starting research for my next build. This will be the 'Copper State Models' Bristol Scout C. The aircraft I intend to build is Scout serial number 1260 (not a kit scheme). Bristol Scout C, serial number 1260 was one of a batch of 24 aircraft built under contract CP 67209/14 (serials 1243 to 1266). This aircraft was delivered to Eastchurch on the 4th of July 1915 and was officially accepted a week later. It was at St Pol for a few days before joining No.5 Wing at Dover on the 13th of August for Home Defence. On the 24th of January 1916 and the 9th of February, it was flown by Flt. Sub. Lt. R.F.S Leslie to defend against enemy seaplanes that were attacking Folkstone, Dover, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. The aircraft required repairs after it overturned on the 29th of June, but was damaged beyond repair on the 10th of August and written off on the 4th of September 1916. The Bristol Scouts had various armament fitted, which included Lewis machine guns mounted obliquely on one or both sides of the fuselage. Also forward facing on the top forward fuselage decking or forward facing on the upper wing. During one period, 1260 had a Lewis machine gun fitted on the top forward fuselage decking. It seems strange therefore that this aircraft was not fitted with any form of synchronising mechanism to stop fired rounds hitting the rotating propeller. Evidence of this can be seen on similar period Scouts with this armament fitted, by wrappings around the propeller blades that were aligned with the muzzle of the machine gun. Mike

Hi all, The tie bars between the flying and landing wires on both sides of the aircraft have been added. Made from 0.6 mm diameter plastic rod. The actual tie bars had the wires passing through them. However, this is not possible to do on the model, as the the bars are too thin to drill. Also, the holes would need to be accurately position along the bars and the wires passed through them during final rigging. If the holes are not positioned accurately the wires would be deflected and not be straight. Therefore I had no option but to locate the bars onto the wires and secure then in position using thin CA adhesive, Mike

Hi all, The engine radiator pipes and front exhaust have been fitted. Also the observers 'Parabellum' weapon, windscreen, aerial weight, flare and grenade racks and wireless generator (with added retaining straps and conduit). I still have the propeller to fit and the figure to complete. Also I need to fit tie bars between the flying and landing wires, which are nor supplied in the kit, Mike

Hi all, Final rigging is complete. I tried this time using resin Anchor Points, but won't bother in the future. Although they will take tension in the rigging line, they break away very easily if only slightly knocked. I'll continue to use the metal versions from 'Gaspatch', even though most unfortunately have blocked 'eye' ends, which effectively renders them unusable. I've used 1:32nd and 1:48th scale One Ended version turnbuckles from 'Gaspatch' on this build. There's still more bits to fit and figures to paint, but I'm getting there, Mike

Hi all, The upper wing has fitted. Pre-rigged with resin anchor points, blackened 0.5 mm diameter Brass tube and 0.12 mm mono-filament. Rudder control cables also rigged with 'Proper Plane' turnbuckles, 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament and blackened 0.4 mm diameter Brass tube. Now it's onto final rigging, Mike

Hi all, Landing gear fitted. Wireless aerial and generator assembled and painted. Swivel ring and mountings assembled and painted for the observers Parabellum machine gun. Additional grab handle added to the swivel ring. Now onto the pre-rigging, Mike

Hi Hubert, Yes it is more obvious than usual. I think it can only be the light blue base colour. I did consider applying a very light over spray of the base colour to 'knock it back', but thought it too risky. Actually it's not too obvious viewing the model normally, Mike

Hi all, Weathering applied using 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt fine clay wash. Now it's onto pre-rigging, Mike

Hi all, Assembly has moved forwards and the 'Aviattic' Linen Weave effect decals applied where required. The relevant kit decals have been applied also and the carburettor fuel supply pipe added. Now it's onto applying the weather and pre-rigging before final assembly, Mike

Hi all, A representation of the carburettor control fitted. As there's no reference for the Argus As.III engine, I've based it on similar engines of the period, Mike

Hi all, An update on the Hannover build. The fuselage has been closed up. Fuselage, wings and tailplanes have had their panels and fittings etc painted. Pilots Spandau machine gun fitted as well as the nose cowl and some of the engine access panels (others will be left off). Still some work to be done before weathering then preparing and applying the decals. Mike

Hi all, The original scheme for this aircraft has been changed - see the first post in this thread, Mike

Hi all, Both weapons for the Hannover completed. The pilots 'Spandau' is a combination of the kit supplied parts and the ‘Master’ Spandau LMG 08/15 barrel and jacket (AM-32-023). The observers 'Parabellum' is the ‘Gaspatch’ Parabellum 14/17 resin machine gun, Mike

Hi all, The fuselage is close to being closed up now. I've added: The rudder and elevator control cables, using 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament and 0.5 mm diameter blackened Brass tube. The wireless cable from the from the hand reel in the observers cockpit and through the cockpit floor. The control rod from the clutch control lever (wireless set generator - engine driven), from 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube. I've also fitted the cockpit panel for the pilots machine gun ammunition magazine in the half open position, not that you can see much of the ammunition inside the magazine. The engine and two radiator pipes are only dry fitted. Those, along with the pilots 'Spandau' machine gun, will be fitted after the fuselage has been painted. An engine throttle control will also be fitted at the same stage. Mike

Hi all, The basic engine is done. The radiator pipes and exhausts will be fitted later in the build, Mike

Hi all, Here's the completed shots of the Halberstadt Cl.II ‘Anni’ of Schlachtstaffel ‘Schlasta’ 27b (Battle Squadron), based at Villers-au-Tertre Aerodrome from late 1917. The pilot was Uffz. Fridoin Redenbach and the observer/gunner Oblt. R. Sigmund Kreitmair (Commanding Officer of the unit). Thanks for your comments and support for this build. The build log can be found here: https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/19053-132nd-scale-halberstadt-clii/ As usual a fully detailed build log in Adobe PDF format is available to download from the 'Logs' page on my web site (linked from signature block below). Now to continue with the Hannover Cl.II build, Mike

Hi all, Completed model shots are now up in the WNW Ready for Inspection thread. Thanks for your comments and support during this build. Now to continue with the Hannover Cl.II build, Mike

Hi all, I've started on the Argos As.III engine. I'm using the kit supplied alternative cylinder block, as this does not have the unrealistic solid moulded valve push rods. These will be added later using Nickel-Silver tube. The exit ports of both exhaust pipes have been drilled out as these were also solid moulded. Finally, I've added 0.8 mm diameter tube to the rear ends of the ignition lead support tubes. These will allow for the insertion of ignition leads from the magnetos later in the build. Mike

Hi all, Pilot and observer/gunner completed They are the ‘Model Cellar’ WW1 German two seater crew (MC32016). The finished model shots will be posted soon, Mike

Hi all, As the build of the Halberstadt Cl.II is coming to a close, I've started to prepare for the next model. This hopefully will be Hannover Cl.II, Serial No.690/18 of FEA 8 (Fliegerersatz Abteilung 8), based at Graudenz (now Grudziadz in Poland) in late 1918. I've changed my original scheme to this one as the decals I applied did not go well. Basically the lozenge decal I used were clear backed, which was not the problem. The problem was adding the rib and edging tapes to the wings etc. The cut clear backed lozenge decal, when applied, showed the underlying decal, making the rib tapes way to dark and muted. I did try white backed lozenge decal, but they were way too bright. Basically I should have used the white backed lozenge decal to start with. So, rather than spend more buying replacement decal, I decided to change the scheme to the above. Also, I have a commission build of the CSM Bristol Scout waiting to be started, so time is pressing, Mike

Hi all, Apart for some areas of weathering needed, the aircraft model is finished. The last parts have been added: Wheels ('Proper Plane' 760x100 'Continental') Propeller ('Proper Plane' 'Garuda') Windscreen Aileron controls Observers Parabellum machine gun, Flare ammunition rack, Grenades rack, Flare pistol. All structural and flight control rigging completed. This was 0.08mm and 0.12mm diameter mono-filament and 0.4mm and 0.5mm diameter tube. Also 'Gaspatch' metal and 'Proper Plane' resin turnbuckles. Below are a few shots. Now it's onto the figures, Mike

Hi all, Upper wing now fitted including the two radiator coolant pipes. Just needs a bit of weathering then it's final rigging, Mike