sandbagger

Hi all, The model I'm currently working on is the Sopwith F1 ‘Camel’, Serial No.B6313 (later modified version), as flown by Major William G Barker, CO of No.139 Squadron, RAF, based at Villaverla, Italy during August 1918. So far the cockpit, engine and propeller are done. Mike

Thanks all. DocRob: The linen effect decals from 'Aviattic' are the way to go, but they are different in application to standard decals. The material of the decals is strong and flexible, but does need to be applied to smooth and preferably gloss surface, normally white or cream coloured (to show through the lined effect). Any dust or surface imperfections will result in 'silvering', which I've found more difficult to sort out on these decals. Also I've found that although you don't really need them, decals softeners have little effect - however the decals conform well enough without them. If necessary I use Tamiya X20A thinners instead for bedding down lifting edges etc. If you download my build log for the W.29, you'll find a section in there about decals, http://igavh2.xara.hosting/ Mike

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 15th 1:32 scale build - The German ‘Hansa-Brandenburg W.29’, a twin float, two seat naval patrol aircraft. This model represents the Hansa-Bradenburg W.29 (CM3G version), No.2512 as flown by Oberleutnant Friedrich Christian Christiansen of ’Seeflugstation 1’, Zeebrugge, Belgium during July 1918. The basic list of changes/additions to the model are: Engine: Exhaust pipes. Spark plugs. Cylinder fuel primers. Push rods. Valve springs. Rocker arms. Ignition lead support tubes. Ignition leads. Rear coolant pipe. Crankcase vents. Speed control gear. Fuel filter pipes. Modified or corrected: ‘GasPatch’ Spandau and Parabellum machine guns. Gun installations. Cockpit control cable pulleys. Cockpit control line routing. Cockpit flying control lines. Pilot’s control wheel. Throttle quadrant. Rigging points. Radiator top pipe. Tachometer drive cable. Animation of control surfaces Aftermarket additions: ‘Gaspatch’ 1:32 scale Parabellum 14/17 machine gun (15-32069). ‘Gaspatch’ 1:32 scale ‘Spandau’ 08/15 machine guns (15-320619). ‘Aviattic’ Bleached Clear Doped Linen (ATT32044). ‘Aviattic’ German Naval Hex (faded) (ATT32113). ‘HGW Models’ fabric seat belts (132562). ‘GasPatch’ Elite Accessories Turnbuckles. ‘Copper State Models’ 1:32 scale German Naval Crew (F32-034). ‘Copper State Models’ 1:32 scale German Naval Ground Crew (F32-037). ‘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 My next model will be the ‘Wingnut Wings’ Sopwith F1 Camel (modified version) of the Canadian ace William Barker. Mike

Thanks guys - it took a lot of modifying and corrections to the old Hobby Craft kit, but I think it looked OK in the end.

Hi all, I forgot to bookmark the various parts of the PDF build log on my site. I've replaced the build log now with a fully booked copy. You can select the required bookmark now in a PDF reader, such as Adobe DC, Mike

Impressive model and very well made and painted. I have thought of building 'Lukgraph' and 'Silver Wings' models, but they are mainly inter-war aircraft and at the moment I build aircraft from WW1 only. Are 'Lukgraph' models resin? Mike

Hi, Many thanks for the encouraging comments - they go long way to keeping the motivation going. I'm doing a float plane next as I want to try resin water effects on a larger scale - we'll see, Mike PS: Oops - I posted this in the 'WNW Finished' page, but it's not a WNW model - sorry.

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 14th 1:32 scale build - The Bleriot built Spad XIII C.1, Number 26 of ‘C’ flight, 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, based at Rembercourt, near Verdun, France during September 1918. This was one of the Spad XIII’s flown by Francis ‘Frank’ Joseph Anthony Luke Jnr, the ‘Arizona Balloon Buster'. This kit is the old Hobby Craft Spad XIII 'International' kit, which is I believe was the only 1:32 scale of the Spad XIII made. The kit was, as expected, fairly basic and had no engine at all. In fact the whole forward fuselage was blocked off. I didn’t recall ever seeing this kit made with an engine installed, so I decided to give it a go. The basic list of changes/additions to the model are: Scratch built: Radiator shutter control rods (Micro-tube). Radiator drain valve (Micro-tube). Cockpit head rest support frame. Fuselage internal storage and cross members (Micro-rod). Engine bulkhead. Decking panel right gun - ejection chute. Forward gun mounting brackets (thin brass sheet). Engine access panels - wire mesh. Ventral fuel tank cap. Fuselage lifting straps. Fuel tank rip (jettison) panel. Oil cooler drain valve (Micro-tube). Ring gun sight and mounting bar (thin brass sheet). Undercarriage struts. Wing inboard 'H' struts (Micro-tube). Wing outboard rear struts (Micro-tube). Wing strut rigging fittings (photo-etch). External aileron operating bell-crank and rods (Micro-tube). Exhaust pipe support brackets (Micro-tube). Cockpit: - Fuel, oil and vent pipes (Micro-tube) - Cockpit frame wire bracing - Additional instrumentation - Instruments pipes/cables (Micro-tube) - Gun firing cables (lead wire) - Fuel rip panel T-bar handle (Micro-tube) - Mallet (freeing gun stoppages) (Micro-tube) - Pilot's seat cushion (Milliput) - Rudder bar foot straps (lead wire) - Top frame above pilot's head - Flight control cables Engine: 'Wingnut Wings' Hispano-Suiza V8 engine built (detail modified) - Ignition leads, support tubes and magneto connection (Micro-tube/lead wire) - Engine support beams - Carburettor air intake - Air breather and pipe (Micro-tube) - Fuel manifold primer valves (Micro-tube) - Cooling/heating system pipes and filler (Micro-tube) - Gun cooling jacket ‘stay’ rods (Micro-tube) - Various fuel, coolant and control rods (Micro-tube) Modified or corrected: Rudder, Ailerons and Elevator animated. Louvres in engine panels opened. Engine valve gear cooling fairings drilled. Forward decking panel separated. Engine cowl cooling apertures created. Fuel filler aperture. Cockpit surround panel modified. Forward fuselage, decking panel and cockpit floor modified. Exhaust tail pipes Aftermarket additions: 'Proper Plane' hand made propeller (De La Granville) 'Aviattic' Spad XIII wheels. ‘Aviattic’ decal and figure set (Frank Luke Jnr) 'HGW Models' seat belts. 'Gaspatch' .303 standard Vickers machine gun (modified). ‘Gaspatch’ Vickers ‘Balloon’ machine gun (modified). 'Gaspatch' turnbuckles. 'Albion Alloys' micro-tube. 'Steelon' 0.12 mm mono-filament. 'Polak' grass mat. 'Wings Cockpit' and ‘Copper State' figures. 'Airscale' instruments bezels. 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. NOTE: Due to the complexity of this build, the PDF build log is large at over 200 pages (download size is close to 10 Meg). 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. PC link: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm Mobile device link: Igavh2.xara.hosting My next model will be the ’Wingnut Wings’ 1:32 scale model of the German ‘Hansa-Brandenberg W.29’, a twin float, two seat naval patrol aircraft.

Hi all, Getting close now - rigging, aileron controls and propeller and it's done, Mike

Hi all, Just as an update, I'm working on the final rigging and once that's done I should be finished, apart from the propeller, which be on in a couple of weeks, Mike

Hi all, Just a small update as I'm waiting for turnbuckles to arrive. I've filled the time working on a few minor bits, such as display base accessories and the wheels, and fitting the exhaust pipes with micro-tube support brackets, the foot step and at the rear the fuselage lifting straps. Mike

Hi Rob, Thanks for your comments. The old Hobby Craft kit does need a lot of modifying to bring it up to an acceptable standard, not least the addition of an engine, which the original kit does not have. However and despite this being the longest it's taken me to build a model, the end results (I hope) will be worth it, Mike

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 14th 1:32 scale build - The Bleriot built Spad XIII C.1, Number 26 of ‘C’ flight, 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, based at Rembercourt, near Verdun, France during September 1918. This was one of the Spad XIII’s flown by Francis ‘Frank’ Joseph Anthony Luke Jnr, the ‘Arizona Balloon Buster'. This kit is the old Hobby Craft Spad XIII 'International' kit, which is I believe was the only 1:32 scale of the Spad XIII made. The kit was, as expected, fairly basic and had no engine at all. In fact the whole forward fuselage was blocked off. I didn’t recall ever seeing this kit made with an engine installed, so I decided to give it a go. The basic list of changes/additions to the model are: Scratch built: Radiator shutter control rods Radiator drain valve. Cockpit head rest support frame. Fuselage internal storage and cross members. Engine bulkhead. Decking panel right gun - ejection chute. Forward gun mounting brackets. Engine access panels - wire mesh. Tyres spokes and valve. Ventral fuel tank cap. Fuselage lifting straps. Fuel tank rip (jettison) panel. Oil cooler drain valve. Ring gun sight and mounting bar. Undercarriage struts. Wing inboard 'H' struts. Wing outboard rear struts. Wing strut rigging fittings External aileron operating bell-crank and rods Cockpit: - Fuel, oil and vent pipes - Cockpit frame wire bracing - Additional instrumentation - Instruments pipes/cables - Gun firing cables - Fuel rip panel T-bar handle - Mallet (freeing gun stoppages) - Pilot's seat cushion - Rudder bar foot straps - Top frame above pilot's head - Rudder, Aileron and Elevator cables - Pilot’s seat belts. Engine: 'Wingnut Wings' Hispano-Suiza V8 engine built (detail modified) - Ignition leads, support tubes and magneto connection - Engine support beams - Carburettor air intake - Air breather and pipe - Fuel manifold primer valves - Cooling/heating system pipes and filler. - Gun cooling jacket ‘stay’ rods. Various fuel, coolant and control rods. Modified or corrected: Rudder, Ailerons and Elevator animated. Louvres in engine panels opened. Engine valve gear cooling fairings drilled. Forward decking panel separated. Engine cowl cooling apertures created. Fuel filler aperture. Cockpit surround panel modified. Forward fuselage, decking panel and cockpit floor modified. Aftermarket additions: 'Aviattic' Spad XIII wheels (modified). 'HGW Models' seat belts. 'Gaspatch' .303 standard Vickers machine gun (modified). ‘Gaspatch’ Vickers ‘Balloon’ machine gun (modified). 'Gaspatch' turnbuckles. 'Albion Alloys' micro-tube. 'Steelon' mono-filament. 'Polak' grass mat. 'Aviattic' and Copper State' figures. 'Airscale' instruments bezels. The following shots show where I'm at right now. The next step is to start fitting the upper wing prior to rigging. Mike

Hi, Many thanks for the encouraging comments, Mike

Hi all, I deleted this as it's a double post.

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 13th build - Sopwith Pup, Serial No: A6156 “OS” of No.54 Squadron, RFC, based at Flez, France during April - May of 1917, as flown by Capt. Oliver M Stewart (5 victories). The model had some aftermarket addtions: 'Aviattic' PC10 and CDL linen decals. 'HGW Models' seat belts. 'Gaspatch' turnbuckles. 'RB Motion' aluminium nuts. 'Albion Alloys' micro-tube. 'Steelon' mono-filament. 'Polak' grass mat. As usual I've created a downloadable build log in Adobe PDF format, for those who might want to use it. I've revamped my website, 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 from the 'Adobe' icon on the models photo's page (click the photo's to enlarge). http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm My next model is the Hobby Craft Spad XIII C.1 of, of course, Frank Luke Jnr, 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, 1918.

Junkers D.1 - already announced at the Nuremburg show.

Hi all, I thought you might want to know that Des Delatorre, who ran the web site 'ww1aircraftmodels.com and his own forum, sadly past away today. Des was a great WW1 aircraft modeller, who not only built models OOB but also was a master of scratch building early aircraft. He was a really nice guy and will be sadly missed by the modelling community.

Yes WW1 aircraft are my thing - after serving in the Royal Air Force for 27 years I'd had enough of the 'twin fan, two man, all aluminum pursuit ships'

Many thanks for your encouraging comments. Someone spotted I'd fitted the propeller a bit too close to the engine cowl!! Easily fixed

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my latest 1:32 scale model (my 12th), which is the Fokker E.V flown by Hans Goerth whilst serving with MJF III in 1918. The model is the fairly recent release from MicroMir and although updated by them, still leaves a lot of corrections and modifications by the modeller to bring the end result up to standard. During this build I replaced the kit supplied cockpit side frames, pilot seat support frame, pilot step, ground crew grab handles, undercarriage struts and wing support struts with scratch built versions, made from Brass micro-tube and solid rod. The wing support struts and the undercarriage struts were made with an aerofoil section and reinforced internally with solid brass rod. They were fitted to the model without using the ‘Pheon’ supplied jig that came as part of their decal set. The engine was replaced by the ‘Roden’ version and the two machine guns by ‘Gaspatch’ equivalents, whose turnbuckles were also used. The lozenge 'fabric' decals were from 'Aviattic'. The display base includes a figure from ‘Copper State Models'. The access panel wingnuts and Fokker style fasteners were from 'Taurus Models'. As usual I have compiled a comprehensive build log in Adobe PDF format. It includes step by step build details, supported by colour photographs and also covers the kit corrections and modifications as well some information on the pilot and aircraft. It can be viewed and/or downloaded from the linked Fokker E.V images here: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm My next model will be the Wingnut Wings Sopwith Pup (RFC version).

Here's a few shots now the model is in its display case.

Thanks Rob - That was exactly intention of using those two figures, sort of 'Really??' The colour scheme is slightly lighter on the wings than the fuselage, as I guessed on linen covered wings, the colour would look lighter than the same colour applied to the plywood covered fuselage. During testing the aircraft easily exceeded the speed of the current operational fighters, which was the intention. Unfortunately, as you can see, the pilot had virtually no downward vision, hence the undercarriage was trashed during a test flight, after which the 'inspectorate' showed no further interest in it.

Hi all, Here's my latest 1:32 scale model, the 11th from my stash. It's the Planet Model DFW T28 'Floh' (Flea) and is my first resin kit build. I felt the need to correct or modify quite a lot during the build and it's all covered in the build log, along with a brief aircraft history. The build log can be viewed or downloaded from here: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm The basic colour scheme for this aircraft was very light and lacking in character. Although as a prototype only it wouldn't have flown much, I decided to 'weather' it up more like an operational aircraft. I also animated the flying control surfaces, again to 'liven' it up. There is very little data and only a few photo's of this aircraft, but one shows a civilian figure sat on the starboard lower wing and who could have been one of the two senior designers, so I adapted a figure from MiniArt and also added a mechanic from Model Kasten. The rigging is 0.12 mm mono-filament with GasPatch turnbuckles. I'm now working on the MicroMir Fokker E.V with Aviattic lozenge decals, Roden engine and Pheon decal markings.