sandbagger

Hi all, Not a great shot but here's the two models on their bases, Mike

Very nice model and I also like your idea for displaying the models with the box tops Mike

Impressive model - like others I had to look twice to realize it wasn't the real deal, but shot with a backdrop. Way to go.

Thanks everyone - your too kind, Mike

Hi all, The model is now complete and posted up in the 'LSM Aircraft Finished' page. Very many thanks for your generous comments and support during this build, Mike

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 18th 1:32 scale build - the German Fokker D.VII fighter. The major airframe components are 3D printed from the ‘Shapeways’ web site. The airframe structural components were designed by ‘Aviattic’ and engine parts by ‘Bob Monroe’. Other components for the model were ‘donated’ from the ‘Wingnut Wing’ kit of the Fokker D.VII (OAW built) (Kit No: 32030). This model, with associated figures, will eventually be part of a dual Fokker D.VII display. I know I don't often reply to your generous comments, but rest assured they are very much appreciated, Mike The basic list of modifications and additions to the model are as follows: ‘Taurus Models’ engine intake manifold lock rings (3211), ‘Taurus Models’ engine fuel priming cups (3219), ‘Taurus Models’ engine complete timing gear - conical valve springs (3209), ‘Eduard’ Swordfish hinge and panel set (32204), ‘RB Productions’ British wire terminals (RB-P32013). Spark plugs. Cylinder fuel primers. Valve springs. Ignition lead support tubes. Gun synchronization mechanism. Ignition leads. Oil reservoir sight glass. Hydraulic pipes. Intake manifold lock rings. Sump oil tube. ‘Flugzeugwerke’ (Bob Monroe) (printed by ‘Shapeways’) Mercedes D.III Oil Pump, Mercedes D.IIIa Cylinders (hollow), Mercedes D.IIIa Crankcase and engine block, German Aircraft Magnetos, Mercedes Cylinder clamps, ‘Aviattic’ (printed by ‘Shapeways’) Rear fuselage frame. Tail plane. Rudder. Elevator. Ailerons. Fin. Upper wing (3 sections) (scratch bracing tapes, leading edge ‘saw tooth’ fairings). Lower wing (two sections) (scratch bracing tapes, leading edge ‘saw tooth’ fairings). Tail skid (with scratch made suspension cables and springs). Wings leading edge ‘stacking pads’. Rear fuselage decking panel. Cockpit padded surround. ‘Aviattic’ Fokker seat. Undercarriage assembly – scratch built including brass struts. Fuel, oil and coolant pipes, Engine controls – throttle, magneto, alternator, spark advance, hand throttle. ‘REXx exhaust. ‘Proper Plane’ Heine propeller (wood). ‘GasPatch’ Spandau machine guns. Gun installations. Cockpit control cables – rudder, ailerons and elevator. Cockpit cross bracing lines. Gun firing cables. Gun synchronization mechanism. Engine controls. Instrument leads/cables. Fuel pressure pump pipe. Seat harness. Rigging points. External flight control lines. ‘Steve Robson’ handmade wheels and tyres. Photo-etch radiator. Radiator shutter and control cable/pulley. All internal cross bracing cables. Aileron control cables with associated pulleys. 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

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 18th 1:32 scale build - the German Fokker D.VII fighter. The major airframe components are 3D printed from the ‘Shapeways’ web site. The airframe structural components were designed by ‘Aviattic’ and engine parts by ‘Bob Monroe’. Other components for the model were ‘donated’ from the ‘Wingnut Wing’ kit of the Fokker D.VII (OAW built) (Kit No: 32030). This model, with associated figures, will eventually be part of a dual Fokker D.VII display. I know I don't often reply to your generous comments, but rest assured they are very much appreciated, Mike The basic list of modifications and additions to the model are as follows: ‘Taurus Models’ engine intake manifold lock rings (3211), ‘Taurus Models’ engine fuel priming cups (3219), ‘Taurus Models’ engine complete timing gear - conical valve springs (3209), ‘Eduard’ Swordfish hinge and panel set (32204), ‘RB Productions’ British wire terminals (RB-P32013). Spark plugs. Cylinder fuel primers. Valve springs. Ignition lead support tubes. Gun synchronization mechanism. Ignition leads. Oil reservoir sight glass. Hydraulic pipes. Intake manifold lock rings. Sump oil tube. ‘Flugzeugwerke’ (Bob Monroe) (printed by ‘Shapeways’) Mercedes D.III Oil Pump, Mercedes D.IIIa Cylinders (hollow), Mercedes D.IIIa Crankcase and engine block, German Aircraft Magnetos, Mercedes Cylinder clamps, ‘Aviattic’ (printed by ‘Shapeways’) Rear fuselage frame. Tail plane. Rudder. Elevator. Ailerons. Fin. Upper wing (3 sections) (scratch bracing tapes, leading edge ‘saw tooth’ fairings). Lower wing (two sections) (scratch bracing tapes, leading edge ‘saw tooth’ fairings). Tail skid (with scratch made suspension cables and springs). Wings leading edge ‘stacking pads’. Rear fuselage decking panel. Cockpit padded surround. ‘Aviattic’ Fokker seat. Undercarriage assembly – scratch built including brass struts. Fuel, oil and coolant pipes, Engine controls – throttle, magneto, alternator, spark advance, hand throttle. ‘REXx exhaust. ‘Proper Plane’ Heine propeller (wood). ‘GasPatch’ Spandau machine guns. Gun installations. Cockpit control cables – rudder, ailerons and elevator. Cockpit cross bracing lines. Gun firing cables. Gun synchronization mechanism. Engine controls. Instrument leads/cables. Fuel pressure pump pipe. Seat harness. Rigging points. External flight control lines. ‘Steve Robson’ handmade wheels and tyres. Photo-etch radiator. Radiator shutter and control cable/pulley. All internal cross bracing cables. Aileron control cables with associated pulleys. 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

Hi all, Last bits fitted. Propeller, exhaust, pilot's foot step and the two rear fuselage rear lift handles. Just the display case and base to complete this build, but that shouldn't take long to sort out, Mike

Hi all, Nearly there!! Upper wing and wing support struts fitted. Wheels fitted. Twin aileron control cables (upper wing to cockpit) connected with turnbuckles. Propeller finished. I just need to fit the exhaust and propeller and that's it. Mike

Hi all, The aileron control cable exterior turnbuckles now fitted. Next step - fit the upper wing, Mike

Hi all, The inner aileron pulleys and the inner wing control lines are done as well as the trailing edge support wire. Once I've added the control cable turnbuckles it'll be time to tackle fitting of the upper wing, Mike

Hi all, The aileron outer control cable pulleys are fitted. Made from photo-etch set intended for the Sopwith Triplane and modified to suit the Fokker D.VII pulleys. The control lines are loosely routed for now. Next are the inboard pulleys, Mike

Hi all, The upper wing is nearly there. I just have the ailerons and their control cables and associated pulleys to add, plus the trailing edge wire. After that it'll be fitting the wing and struts, engine exhaust and propeller, wheels and aileron control cables connected - then that'll be it, Mike

Hi Rob, 'Spoked Wheels' look good and cheaper than Steve's wheels, but I'm not sure they are still producing wheels these days - I could be wrong. Hi all, The upper wing has been assembled and the plywood 'saw tooth' fairing added, Mike

They were made for me by Steve Robson in Australia. He has a FaceBook page. They are sterling silver rims with drilled brass hubs and hand fitted spokes. Not cheap but I think necessary for this model. 'Gaspatch' have resin spoked wheels for British aircraft (Palmer-Cord tyres). Also I understand another popular third party may be looking to produce spoked wheels, like Steve's, but early days yet, Mike

Hi all, I'm calling the undercarriage assembly done. The wheels are not permanently fitted yet - they'll be the last thing to be fitted. So now onto the upper wing and struts etc, Mike

Hi all, Just a lick of paint on the struts and cross bracing to attach and the undercarriage is done, Mike

Hi all, Front undercarriage struts made using 1.4 mm brass tube and 0.5 mm brass rod, soft soldered for strength, Mike

Hi all, The lower wing is now installed, with some slight adjustments to clear the fuselage side frames and to give adequate access to the single wing strut mounting location. Next is the undercarriage, once I've completed making the undercarriage struts from brass tube and rod, Mike

Hi all, The basic undercarriage assembly is done now. I still have the undercarriage struts to make and attach before I can fit the assembly to the fuselage frames, Mike

Hi all, The undercarriage fairing assembly is basically built. Made from 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm thick plastic card, 1.2mm, 0.8 mm and 0.5 mm brass rod and tube. The wheels are hand made by 'Steve Robson' out in Australia. It's still to be finalized and painted etc. I'll also need to make the struts as the kit supplied items fit into the kit fairing and therefore are not long enough to attach to the angled support blocks on each side of the exposed axle box ends, Mike

Hi all, The lower wing is finished now, with the trailing edge wire fitted and overall 'dumbing down' carried out using 'Alclad' Light Sheen lacquer mixed with 'Tamiya' Smoke (X19). So now it's on to scratch making the undercarriage fairing and axle assembly (not available as a 3D printed part), Mike

Hi all, The lower wing is nearing completion. It's been painted with 'Tamiya' base coat then oils for wood effect. Internal wing bracing with turnbuckles added. Leading edge 'transportation 'bump stops' added. Internal double bracing 'zig-zag' tapes installed (instead of the original 'strip wood' struts, which were removed). I still have the trailing edge wire to install (for attaching the wings linen covering). Also the final weathering will need to be added Mike

Hi all, The leading edge plywood 'saw tooth' fairing is tricky to do, but can be done. Structure drawing of 1/72 scale resized by 160%, then printed, cut out and used as a template on 0.2 mm thick plastic card. The fairing is test fitted and adjusted where necessary then secured in position using thin CA adhesive. Starting on the top of the front wing spar then once set, rolling the wing over the fairing and applying adhesive at the same time., Mike

Hi all, The 3D printed lower wing is detailed enough, but as normal there are details that can be added to make it more authentic. Early production Fokker D.VII aircraft were fitted with bracing tapes that were routed across the wings between the front and rear wing spars and between the rear wing spar and the wing trailing edge. These tapes were routed in a diagonal ‘zig-zag’ form, up and over each wing rib. However later production aircraft were fitted with 10 mm square strip wood as replacements for the earlier tapes. The 3D printed wings represent the later, strip wood version. Although these strip wood struts can be left to make the model build easier, I've chosen to remove the wings strip wood struts and represent the earlier bracing tapes. In addition, the two wing halves, when test joined at the centre section spars, showed a higher than expected dihedral angle. Therefore I had to shave away material from the spars to achieve the correct angle. Finally the leading edges of both wings were fitted with 'saw tooth' plywood fairings, which will need to be scratch made, as will the trailing edge support wire for attaching the linen covering. So far: Spars adjusted. Strip wood bracing removed. Diagonal bracing struts added to inner and outer trailing edges. Holes drilled at the wing strut attachment points for attaching the wings internal cross bracing cables. Wings scrapped clean of wax support material, assembled and primed. The upper wing, which is in three sections, will require similar treatment. Mike