sandbagger

Hi all, I've added the rear support for the wings, made from 1.5, and 1.1 mm diameter tube with 0.8 mm internal rod. I've also added 0.5 mm diameter rods to the engine cowl, which helps to support the thinly moulded cowl to the fuselage. I need to add a wind blat screen below the rear wing support and a filler cap as well as rudder and elevator control line exit ports under the fuselage. Then it's onto the landing gear. Mike

Hi all, The basic 'V' strut assembly for the top of the fuselage is done. The strut supported the flying and landing wires at the front and the pulley on the rear for the wing warping wires. The machine gun mounting was also attached to this assembly, but that will be added later in the build, as will the rigging fittings. The assembly was made with soft soldered Brass Tube of profiled 1.1 mm and 1.4 mm diameter with internal reinforcing Brass rods of 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm diameter. Now onto the wing supports and landing gear. Mike

Hi all, Also the forward V strut on the underside of the fuselage. This was used for attaching the fixed flying and landing wires to the front spar of the wings. The protruding 0.5 mm rods have a collar of 0.7 mm diameter added to retain the wires, when fitted. Now onto the wing supports, the top V strut and machine gun support, Mike

Hi all, The underside of the fuselage had a 'V' strut, on which the wing warp controls were located. Given the lack of detailed information for this aircraft, it's difficult to figure out exactly how these control were configured. I believe the controls were configured as follows: Two control cables from the rear bell cranks of the control column torsion bar, were routed vertically through the underside of the fuselage. These cable were attached to a control lever at the bottom, rear of the V strut. At the front of the V strut was a 'pulley' and control lever. Wing warp control cables from both the 'pulley' and lever were attached to the rear spar of both wings. Flying and landing wires were attached to another V strut towards the front of the fuselage underside. All wires were routed above the wings to an inverted V strut forward from the cockpit. The wing warp wires were routed over a pulley on the cockpit strut. As the control column was moved left or right, the lower rear levers rotated the front pulley and lever. This caused the trailing edge of the wings to twist either up or down, causing the aircraft to roll in the required direction. So, based on this I scratch made the underside V strut assembly. I used the two control levers from the kit. The struts were 1.4 mm tube with 0.5 mm rod reinforcing. Control mounting rod is 0.5 mm rod. The pulley is a spare photo-etch propeller boss plate, secured onto 0.5 mm thick plastic card. The lightening holes were drilled through using a 0.9 mm diameter drill. Now it's onto the underside forward V strut, Mike

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 1:32 scale build - the French Ponnier M.1, Serial No:18 ‘Le Vampire’ of the Aviation Militaire Belge as flown by Abel de Neef from the Ten Bogaerde (Koksijde) airfield in 1915. The forum build log is here: https://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/11803-132nd-scale-ponnier-m1/ The basic kit is resin and made by ‘Planet Models’ (Kit No: PL253). The list of changes/additions to the model are: Engine: Detailed with Nickel-Silver valve push rods and copper wire ignition leads. Modified or corrected: All wing and landing gear struts were replaced with made Brass tube struts with internal reenforcing Brass rod. The lower wings had 1.0 mm diameter Brass rods added to give adequate support at the fuselage. Rigging is 0.08 mm or 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament with ‘GasPatch’ 1:48th scale turnbuckles and 0.5 mm or 0.4 mm diameter blackened Brass tube. Animation of the ailerons, rudder and elevators achieved by cutting out with Brass rod supports. Aftermarket additions: ‘Xtradecal’ parallel black stripes (XPS1), ‘Aviattic’ CDL aged varnish (ATT32094), ‘Lukgraph’ Dark Plywood (DEC004) - from their Friedrichshafen FF.33L kit (32-30). ‘Wings Cockpit Figures’ Pilot adjusting goggles - (LSK02). ‘GasPatch’ 1:32nd scale Lewis MK.1 Stripped Half Heatsinks. ‘Model Scene’ Wetland Middle (F011). As usual I've created a downloadable build log in Adobe PDF format, for those who might want to refer to it for reference or build details. It contains full step by step descriptions of the model build, its modifications/changes and is also supported with illustrations and photographs. If viewed in Adobe Reader, each build log has book marked chapters/headings for easier navigation through the log. My model website has the gallery page, so to view any model, go to the gallery (in my link below) and select it. If it has a PDF build log, it will be available to download using the 'PDF' icon on that models photo's page. For any photograph, just click the photo to enlarge or reduce the viewing size. Mike

Hi all, I've fitted the top, rear of the fuselage and then filled the 5 mm gap at the rear of the fuselage. I also sanded off the linen tapes on that and replaced them with sanded down 0.2 mm thick plastic card. The kit supplies one photo-etch access panel for fitting to the forward, left side of the fuselage. This panel was used to gain access to the fuselage internal components. The few available photographs of this aircraft and subsequent colour profiles seem to show that some aircraft had this access panel fitted and some did not. Those that did had the panels fitted into wood or metal fuselage panels (certainly not into just the fuselage linen covering). Also, some profiles show the wood access panel to be fitted into either a plywood or metal covered forward fuselage. However, all reference material shows only the left side of the aircraft, not the right side. [b]My assumption[/b] I believe it’s probable that early versions of the aircraft had no forward fuselage side or access panel, but instead had just the fuselage linen covering. On later versions it seems likely that the wood access panel was fitted and into fuselage forward side panels of metal, as used over the forward top of the fuselage and engine cowl. It also seems probable that these panels were fitted to both sides of the aircraft, so full access to fuselage internal components was possible. I couldn't find any evidence to prove otherwise. I scratched the fuselage side panels and access panel with hinges and lock plates from 0.2 mm thick plastic card. Mike

Hi all, The cockpit is complete now. I found the photo-etch cockpit parts supplied in the kit were too flat and two dimensional. Therefore, apart from the compass, single instrument and seat straps, the rest were either scratch built or I used appropriate parts from my 'spares' box. As there is no information on the cockpit detail for this aircraft, I suspect 'Omega Models' used some 'poetic license' creating there parts. The cockpit frame work is 1.0 mm and 0.85 mm plastic rod. The pilots seat is a resin 'Barracuda Studio' part, intended for the Sopwith Camel. Frame cross bracing wires are 0.1 mm diameter blackened Nickel-Silver rod with 0.4 mm blackened Brass end fittings. The hand priming pump is 0.6 mm tube, lead wire and plastic rod. The throttle, although not I think strictly accurate, is from a Wingnut Wings Camel kit. Rudder and elevator control lines are 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament with 0.4 mm blackened tube end fittings. The linen paint is the MRP CDL lacquer and wood work is 'DecoArt' craft Burnt Umber acrylic. Weathering is Flory Models' Dark Dirt wash. I've now fitted the fuselage top rear decking and found it's 5 mm too short at the fuselage rear. So filler needed, Mike

Hi all, The fuselage of this model is constructed from six resin parts, which are the right side, left side, top forward panel, top rear of the fuselage, engine bulkhead and the underside. The underside of the fuselage is a single piece, but the molding of this part is bad. Not only is the part twisted and with air ‘blow’ holes, but the thickness of the molding is uneven, being thick on the right side and wafer thin on the left side. This makes the underside of the fuselage virtually unusable. Therefore I decide to discard this part and make the underside from 0.8 mm thick plastic card, with 0.2 mm thick plastic card strips to represented the linen tapes. I've also decided not to make the kit supplied photo-etch cockpit, which I think is too flat and two-dimensional. So that's the next step, Mike

Hi all, Now that the Hansa-Brandenburg W.20 is finished it's time to start the resin Mosca from 'Omega'. I sometimes wonder if the company is called 'Omega' because of the reaction modelers get when they open the box - 'OhMyG--' As you can see, most of the resin, especially fuselage and wings is so thin in places it's virtually see-through. The instructions are, to say the least, minimal. Hey-Ho - I've built 'Omega' kits previously, so at least I know what I'm in for, Mike

Hi all, The model is now finished. I'm just waiting for the display case to arrive. The last shot for posting is the pilot figure. The next shots will be the completed model, which hopefully will maybe at the weekend. As usual, thanks to everyone for their encouragement and comments throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, Nearly there now. Just the engine/prop assembly with propeller bullet deflector plates to do. Plus of course the pilot figure, Mike

Hi all, The rigging has now been finished, apart from painting the turnbuckles. Still to do are the wheels, tail skid, windscreen, ailerons, engine assembly and the figure, Mike

Hi all, All of the necessary pre-rigging has been done, using 0.12 and 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament with blackened 0.5 mm diameter Brass tube. The wings were then fitted. The ailerons win the upper wing were controlled from the cockpit by external rods and levers, similar to the French Nieuports. The kit parts had rods that were way too short and would not reach the fuselage openings. I cut the rods away from the levers and fitted 0.6 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes with 0.4 mm tube inside. The protruding 0.4 tube fitted into holes drilled through the front end of the levers. Now it's onto final rigging, Mike

Hi all, Photographs of the finished model are now up in the LSM Finished page. Thank's to everyone for the encouragement and comments throughout this build, Mike

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 1:32 scale build - The German ‘Hansa-Brandenburg W.20’. This model is from ‘Omega Models’ and is resin. This aircraft was a single seat float, designed to be carried in a water tight container on a type of submarine. The intention was to surface and remove the aircraft from its container, assemble it then launch it for reconnaissance missions. After landing near the submarine, it was be taken onboard, disassembled and stowed back in its container. The special submarines were never built before hostilities ceased and the three prototypes were eventually put into storage. The basic list of changes/additions to the model are: Engine: The resin engine replaced with the equivalent engine from ‘Wingnut Wings and detailed with Nickel-Silver valve push rods and copper wire ignition leads. Propeller: The resin propeller was replaced with a special made wood laminate from ‘ProperPlane’. Modified or corrected: All wing, float and tailplane resin struts were replaced with hand made Brass Tube struts with internal Brass rod. The entire engine support frame was hand made using Brass tube and rod. Rigging is 0.08 mm or 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament with ‘GasPatch’ 1:48th scale turnbuckles and 0.5 mm or 0.4 mm diameter blackened Brass tube. Animation of the ailerons, rudder and elevators achieved by cutting out with Brass rod supports. The beaching trolley and trestle were scratch built, apart from the wheels which were from a 'Kellerkind' model. After market used: 'Aviattic’ Clear linen effect (ATT32236). ‘Aviattic’ German Naval Hex (faded) (ATT32113). ‘GasPatch’ Elite Accessories 1:48th scale metal Turnbuckles. ‘Wings Cockpit Figures’ 1:32 scale Seated pilot (LSK 07A). ‘Elan Miniatures’ 1:32 scale German Naval pilot (EL19). ‘Elan Miniatures’ 1:32 scale RFC Mechanic (modified) (EL41). Coastal Kits’ 1:32 scale Abandoned Airfield Display Base (modified for 3D effect). As usual I've created a downloadable build log in Adobe PDF format, for those who might want to refer to it for reference or build details. It contains full step by step descriptions of the model build, its modifications/changes and is also supported with illustrations and photographs. If viewed in Adobe Reader, each build log has book marked chapters/headings for easier navigation through the log. My model website has the gallery page, so to view any model, go to the gallery and select it. If it has a PDF build log, it will be available to download using the 'PDF' icon on that models photo's page. For any photograph, just click the photo to enlarge or reduce the viewing size. http://igavh2.xara.hosting]Mikes WW1 Aircraft Models Mike

Hi all, Just a few updates. I've applied and sealed the weathering ('Flory Models' Dark Dirt clay wash). Also added the pilot's foot plate, made from spare photo-etch) to the lower port wing, which is not in the kit. The replacement 'GasPatch' Lewis Mk.1 machine gun has been fitted. Now onto the pre-rigging, Mike

Hi all, I've applied the decals. The Clear Doped Linen are the '‘Aviattic’ CDL aged varnish (ATT32094), The plywood fuselage are the ‘Lukgraph’ Dark Plywood (DEC004) - from their Friedrichshafen FF.33L kit (32-30). I still have to finish weathering and maybe darken the wood decals, Mike

Hi all, I've pre-shaded the parts ready for applying plywood effect decal to the fuselage and linen effect decal to the flight surfaces. The fuselage if the aircraft was covered in plywood but it's difficult to tell if the plywood was applied as single sheets or as separate panels. One photograph seems to show a panel join, so I've gone for separate panels. Panel lines scribbed with nail lines added each side using a 'Rosie the Riveter' (1.0 mm). Mike

Hi all, Just a few updates. The kit supplied resin propeller was base coated with 'Tamiya' Buff (XF55) then had 'DecoArts' Burnt Umber acrylic brushed on. Finally a sealing coat of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311) mixed with 'Tamiya' Clear Orange (X26). Forward fuselage and spinner base coated with 'Tamiya' black gloss (X18) then over coated with 'Alclad' Duraluminium (ALC-102). Slot cut forward of the cockpit to house the 'GasPatch' Lewis machine gun. The brass created struts were base coated with 'Tamiya' Buff (XF55) then had 'DecoArts' Burnt Umber acrylic brushed on. The four interplane struts were then clear gloss coated to have 'Xtradecal' 1.0 mm wide black decals applied to represent the linen bindings around the struts. Finally all of the struts were sealed with a coat of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311). Now it's onto pre-shading the model prior to applying the CDL and plywood effect decals, Mike

Hi all, I've been asked on several forums about making struts from Brass tube and rod. The tool I use is the 'Strutter' made by 'Albion Alloy's' This tool, plus others, was available to purchase on the previous web site, which is no longer online. I contacted 'Albion Alloy's' and this was the reply I received today: "Hi Mike, Many thanks for getting in touch and so pleased to hear your comments regarding the Strutter. We do indeed intend to put the details of how to purchase the hobby tools we do on our website. This will probably happen in the next couple of weeks and I'll keep you informed. Best regards, Matthew at Albion Alloys" There web site: https://www.albionhobbies.com/]https://www.albionhobbies.com/ Video using the 'Strutter': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o10w7aVmIk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o10w7aVmIk So keep checking their web site if you are interested in the 'Strutter', Mike

Hi all, I decided to replace all four interplane struts as the kit parts were also soft white metal alloy. Made from 2.0 mm diameter Brass tube and 0.5 mm diameter rod, soft soldered the profiled, Mike

Hi all, The landing gear and wing struts supplied in the kit are molded in white metal. Consequently the landing gear in particular bends extremely easily and I suspect may not even take the weight of the model. Therefore I recreated the landing gear struts and axle using brass tube, rod and styrene sheet. The struts are 2.0 mm tube formed around 1.mm rod and soft soldered then filed and sanded to shape. The axle is 2.0 mm tube crushed flat on one aide around 0.8 mm rod. Styrene strips off 0.5 mm thickness were glued to the front and rear of the rod, then sanded to an aerofoil shape. I'm not sure yet whether I'll replace the wing struts - we'll see, Mike

Hi all, I can't finish the Hansa-Brandenburg W.20 as I'm still waiting for the propeller. Also I can't progress the Ponnier M.1 until I receive the replacement Lewis gun, so that I can modify the fuselage accordingly. So I've started researching what will probably be the 'next' model, which will be the last of the problematic resin kits I have. This model will represent a Mosca-Bystritsky MB bis fighter, flown by the Imperial Russian Air Force from 1916. The Italian aircraft designer Francesco E. Mosca worked at the Russian Duks factory, along with Bezobrasov, Lerkhe and Yankovski. The initial MB design, first flown in 1915, was a two-seat reconnaissance aircraft, similar to contemporary French Morane and Nieuport monoplanes. During 1916, a smaller and faster single seat version was developed as the MB bis. The MB bis was similar in construction to the MB, being constructed largely of wood with a linen covering. The wings were mounted in the shoulder position with gaps between the wing roots and sides of the fuselage, which allowed for easier access to the cockpit and gave the pilot an improved field of view. When being transported on the ground, the wings were folded to lie along the fuselage sides and the tail-planes were folded forward and upwards. The aircraft used wing warping, rather than aileron control and was powered by a 80 hp (60 kW) Le Rhone 9C engine. The armament consisted of a single 7.7 mm machine gun (type and make not known, but looks to be a Lewis variant). The machine gun was mounted in one of two ways. The forward firing machine gun was fuselage mounted and fired through the arc of the propeller, which was fitted with deflector plates to prevent damaging the propeller. Otherwise, the machine gun was mounted on the fuselage to fire either upwards and outside of the propeller arc, or was mounted parallel to the fuselage, similar to the earlier French Nieuport fighters, again to fire outside the arc of the propeller. A total of 50 MB bis fighters were built up to 1918 and a few additional aircraft of this type were reportedly built after the revolution. Mike

Hi all, The engine cowl and the two side panels have been added (the engine will fit inside the cowl). Also the kit supplied resin carburettor air intake pipes have been replaced with chamfered 1.8 mm brass tube. This was done as the tubes are angled downwards from the fuselage sides and have chamfered ends, unlike the kit parts. Also added the filler cap as it needed to be sanded away during the fuselage assembly. Finally the lower wings had just one small resin locating stub for locating against the fuselage sides. I replaced them with 1.0 mm diameter rod - the front rod passes through the fuselage into the opposite wing. The rear rods locate the wings at the correct angle to the fuselage, which was not feasible with the original single locating sub. Mike