sandbagger

Hi all, Bristol F.2b, Serial No. A7194 of No.111 Squadron RFC, Deir-el-Belah, Palestine during 1917. As usual, a fully detailed build log, which includes all materials, modifications, rigging etc for this build can be downloaded from the 'Logs' page on my site. https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/ Build log is in the Works in Progress forum. Thanks for your comments and support throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, The figures are now done. The two mechanic figures were from 'Kellerkind' (54107) and 'Copper State Models' (F32-052). The Camel and rider were from the 'Master Box' Commonwealth AFV Crew (S3564). The decorations on the camels saddle cloth were created from the 'Xtradecal' White parallel stripes (XPS2) decal set. The decorations on the camels breast strap were created from: 'Xtradecal' White parallel stripes (XPS2) decal set Cut from scrap lozenge decal from a 'Wingnut Wings' Fokker D.VII kit. The harness rope is copper wire painted with 'Tamiya' Dark Yellow (XF60) then dusted with dark earth pigment,, Mike

Hi all, The final bits fitted, Engine exhaust pipes, propeller and observers Lewis machine guns. So the aircraft model is done. Now it's onto the figures and display base, Mike

Hi all, Aileron control cables added. Materials used were: ‘Stroft GTM ’ mono-filament of 0.08 mm diameter line. 'Model Factory Hiro’ (MFH) 0.4 mm diameter Clear tube (P-957). Mike

Hi all, The wing rigging is complete. Includes the: Twin flying wires (8 pairs) Single landing wires (8) Interplane strut incidence wires (8) Drag wires (2) Cabane strut bracing wires (6) Aileron control cables (2). Created with 0.08 and 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament, 'Gaspatch' 1:48th scale metal turnbuckles (Type C) and resin streamlined wire end fittings. Now onto fitting and rigging the ailerons, Mike

Hi all, Upper wing fitted and pre-rigged. In total there are: 6 cabane strut bracing wires 2 drag wires 8 incidence wires 8 landing wires 16 flying wires (8 pairs). Pre-rigged using 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament and 'Gaspatch' 1:48th scale Brutish late turnbuckles (for streamlined wires). Now it's onto final rigging to the lower wings before adding the aileron control cables, Mike

Hi all, Construction so far. Now it's onto the pre-rigging stage before fitting the upper wing, Mike

Hi all, I've added the fuel tank pressure pipe from the 'Rotherham' wind driven pump. The pipe is 0.275 mm diameter Copper wire (annealed), Mike

Hi all, I've rigged the crossed bracing wires for the landing gear and between the wing and fuselage. Materials used were: ‘Steelon ’ mono-filament of 0.12 mm diameter line. 'Model Factory Hiro’ 0.4 mm diameter Clear tube (P-957). Mike

Hi all, I've rigged the following flight controls cables and bracing wires: Twin rudder cables, twin elevator control cables, single tail plane adjuster cables, upper fin bracing wires and tail plane bracing wires. Materials used were: ‘GasPatch’ Elite Accessories metal turnbuckles Type C (1:48th scale). '‘Stroft GTM’ Mono-Filament 0.08 mm diameter line. 'MFH’ 0.4 mm diameter Clear tube (P-957). Now it's onto more construction work, Mike

Hi all, A couple of additions to the model. The filler on the top of the fuselage, forward from the pilots cockpit, had a copper pipe fitted in the neck of the filler. That pipe was routed towards and down through the fuselage and into the cockpit. Holes of 0.4 mm diameter were drilled into the filler neck and through the fuselage. Annealed copper wire of 0.28 mm diameter was bent to shape and secured in the holes with thin CA adhesive. The radiator shutters were controlled by the pilot, using a lever inside the cockpit, routed through the side of the fuselage to a bell-crank. This was connected to the operating bell-crank located on the right side of the radiator cowl. The two levers were connected by two crossed cables. Mike

Hi all, The propeller and observers Lewis machine guns. The 'Proper Plane' propeller has 'Tamiya' Buff (XF55) linen wrapping at the blade tips. 'Tamiya' Weather Master Set A (Sand) was sponged lightly along the curved leading edges of the blades (to represent sand erosion). The lift cords for the twin Lewis machine gun mount were made from silk thread, Mike

Hi all, Here's the basic fuselage, wings etc weathered. I wanted to keep the weathering subtle, given this aircraft was operating in Palestine, not the Western Front. The linen effect decals were airbrushed with a tint of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311) with a few drops of 'Tamiya' Desert Yellow (XF59). I've used 'AK Interactive' weather pencils Sand (10009) and Smoke (10003) to very lightly highlight around the fuselage stitching and along rib tapes. Mike

Hi all, Here's the basic fuselage. The linen effect decals were airbrushed with a tint of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311) with a few drops of 'Tamiya' Desert Yellow (XF59). Additional weathering was applied using 'Flory Models' Sand and Dark Dirt clay wash. Also 'AK Interactive' Kerosene (AK2039) and Oil (AK2019) washes around filler caps etc. The engine upper access panels are temporarily located for the photographs, Mike

Hi Kevin, Thanks. The intention is to represent the PC10 colour as faded in the Palestine climate. This aircraft operated through 1917 with No.111 Squadron (RFC) and was then passed on to No.1 squadron (AFC) in February 1918. I working right now to add some weathering to the parts before continuing with the construction, Mike

Hi all, Just the basic figures assembled for the model. ‘Kellerkind’ RFC mechanic middle East (54/107), ‘Copper State Models’ Aussie Digger (F32-052), ‘Master Box’ Camel and rider from box set (MB3564). I used a 'Pyrogravure' (essentially a very small soldering iron) to heat and form the fur on the camels and texture for the saddle blankets and tassels. Mike

Hi all, The basic decal and fuselage painting are done. I used ‘Aviattic’ Bleached Clear Doped Linen (ATT32044) for the undersides. The Off White Linen (ATT32241) for top surfaces and the rest PC10 Medium Linen (ATT32090). All applied on a gloss white base coat. The painted forward fuselage and panels were airbrushed with 'Hataka' lacquer paint and mixed to match the PC10 decal colour. 'Hataka’ black top paint Vert Fonce (C124) with Medium Green (CO19) to a ration of 50/50 and thinned with approximately 35% ‘Mr. Colour’ self levelling thinner 400. The white serial number was created using cut masks from de-tacked 'Tamiya' masking sheet. Still a bit more to do for weathering and detail painting before construction continues, Mike

Hi all, The basic modification to the engine access panels, although not yet finished. The upper access panels have had their blisters removed. Also, the panel locating tabs were removed and their locating recesses filled. These panels were secured together with an added 0.5 mm diameter Brass rod to represent the centre hinge. The three lower panels have had their air intake scoops reduced in thickness to look more in-scale. Mike

Hi all, Photographs of this particular aircraft show what seems to be an ‘in-field’ modification to the two upper access panels over the engine The blister on each panel was needed to clear the panel from the engine upper coolant pipes. On this aircraft the blisters were cut away in order to provide an opening for, I assume, additional engine cooling, as the aircraft operated in the warmer climate of Palestine. Also the upper right access panel will be displayed open and therefore the two upper panels need to be modified accordingly. It's not clear if all of the aircraft in this squadron had the in-field modification carried out on the two upper access panels over the engine. Mike

Hi all, I've added the cockpit bracing wires. These are 0.2 mm diameter Nickel-Silver rod. Each was cut to the required length then secured in position using CA adhesive, Mike

Hi all, The cockpit is nearly completed. The pilots seat is a replacement from 'Gaspatch'. I've added the control cables for the ailerons, rudder and tail plane incidence control. The elevator cables are external, so not in the cockpit as such. Also I've added the trigger cable on the control column for the pilots Vickers machine gun. Finally I added control rods from the pilots throttle quadrant and the radiator shutters control. Weather was done using 'Flory Models' wash (Grime). The cockpit assembly is now fitted into the closed up fuselage. However I do have a problem to solve. I got distracted, so unfortunately, I fitted the cockpit into the fuselage without any bracing wires fitted. I now have to try and fit them all through the cockpit opening in the fuselage. It happens, Mike

Hi all, The basic Rolls-Royce 'Falcon' V12 engine is complete. There are other parts that can only be fitted once the engine has been installed in the fuselage. I've added representations of carburetor/magneto controls and fuel supply/drain pipes. Although the rear of the engine will hardly be visible once installed. I've also added oil pipes, spark plugs and ignition leads. All with a combination of: 0.2 and 0.3 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube (controls, spark plugs) 0.3 and 0.5 mm diameter Brass tube (fuel supply/drain pipes) 0.4 mm diameter flexible tube (black) (oil pipes) Steel coloured silk thread (ignition leads). Weathered with oil paint and enamel wash. Mike

Hi all, Here's the basic Rolls Royce 'Falcon' V12 in-line engine. It still needs additions, such as ignition leads, controls and pipes and weathering, Mike

Hi all, Here's the Hansa-Brandenburg W.12, Serial No.1184 (C3MG) as flown by Fl.Mt. Urban and Lt. Ehrhardt of C-Staffel, Zeebrugge, during December 1917. The detailed forum build log is here: https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/19483-132nd-scale-hansa-brandenburg-w12/#comment-232828 As usual, a fully detailed build log, which includes all materials, modifications, rigging etc for this build can be downloaded from the 'Logs' page on my site. https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/ Thanks for your comments and support throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, The final shots are now up in the 'WNW Ready for Inspection' page. Thanks for your support and comments during this build, Mike