sandbagger

Hi all, The engine with radiator assembly is now fitted, along with the cockpit coaming panel and the lower wing. Mike

Hi all, The fuselage sides and top decking had a brown glaze applied, but nowhere else on the aircraft. I've added that and now I'll add the personal and national markings, Mike

Hi all, I've applied the 'Aviattic' linen effect lozenge to the first Fokker D.VII now. Under the decals, although it's difficult to see in the shots, is pre-shading. I've yet to apply the kit decals and weather it all in, Mike

Hi all, A few more bits done. 'Properplane' Heine propeller treated with 'Tamiya' Clear Orange then Hull Red. Weathered with 'Tamiya' Weathering Master Set B (Rust) and 'AK Interactive' Kerosene wash. 'GasPatch' Spandau 08/15 extended handle guns with 'Alclad' Gun metal, then Steel. Weathered with 'AK Interactive' Kerosene wash and 'Tamiya' Rubber Black. Figures assembled and primed for painting - Anthony Fokker ('Aviattic'), Photographer and camera ('Black Dog'). Mike

Thanks. Normally I would add control rods or cables to things like the carburettor, magnetos, tachometer drive, machine gun synchronisation etc. But not on this engine as it'll be mostly covered by the fuselage panels. The accompanying model will be detailed, Mike

Hi all, Well the engine is done. There are details I've not added as this model will have the engine fully enclosed. The second Fokker D.VII will have more detail as its engine will be fully exposed, Mike

This engine is the test bed for the second Fokker D.VII and will be more or less covered by the forward fuselage panels. The next engine will be visible when I build the second aircraft, which will have the internal structure and engine etc totally exposed I know it seems senseless to cover the detail on this engine, but at least I know it's there, Mike

Hi all, The engine is progressing although there's a way to go yet, not including application of the weathering effects: Cylinder fuel primers Fuel manifold and locking rings Coolant pipes Ignition leads Oil filler pipes Exhaust The oil sight glasses were made by dropping PVA adhesive into the holes - it dries clear (good for making windows etc). Mike

Hi all, The fuel primers for each cylinder are built using the 'Taurus Models' fuel priming cups (3219). They'll be painted when fitted to the engine. Mike

Hi all, I decided not to use the 'Taurus' spark plugs after all as although they are good, attaching the ignition leads to the tiny end of the plug was difficult to do without leaving it looking unrealistic. Instead I've made the spark plugs from 0.8 mm and 0.4 mm diameter 'Albion Alloys' brass tube with a 0.31" aluminium nut from 'RB Motion'. This way the fine lead wire I use to represent the ignition lead can locate inside the 0.2 mm bore of the 0.4 mm tube. Mike

Hi all, To enhance the engine detail I replaced the engines pre-molded locking rings for the fuel inlet manifold with the ‘Taurus Models’ engine intake manifold nuts (3211). The kit does not have spark plugs to fit to the six cylinders (two per cylinder), however the cylinders do have a pre-molded location hole for the spark plugs. The plugs to be used are from the ‘Taurus Models’ engine spark plugs (late type) (3204) set. Mike

Hi all, A magneto was located on each side at the rear of the engine. These were driven by the engine through a split drive shaft. Attached to each magneto were six ignition leads, which were routed through support tube attached to each side of the cylinder block. Each cylinder ignition lead exited the support tube through an aperture and was then attached to the cylinder spark plug (two per cylinder). The pre-molded support tubes supplied in the kit seem under sized, so I replaced them with micro-tube. The sump of the engine was essentially a ‘wet’ sump, as the oil reservoir was in the rear and lowest part of the sump. The oil was drawn from this reservoir by the oil pump (located at the rear of the engine) and distributed through the engine, after which it returned to the reservoir to be recirculated. The forward part of the engine sump appears to have been open, as can be seen through the open apertures and the front of the sump in the following photograph. An oil contents sight glass was located on the sides of the oil reservoir at the rear of the sump. Some engine installations had an oil tank installed in the engine bay and outside the engine, although this particular kit does not have this feature. I've drilled out the apertures and created a sight glass on each side - the 'glass' will be made of PVA adhesive once the engine is built. Mike

Hi all, The cooling of the engine cylinders was carried out by cooled water from the radiator being fed by pipes to the water pump, located on the bottom, rear of the sump. This water was pumped through an outlet pipe and through interconnected stub pipes at the bottom of each cylinder. The water was then pumped up through the cylinders jackets and out through the interconnected stub pipes at the top of each cylinder, then forward to the front of the engine and back to the radiator for cooling. The kit supplied cylinder block has the pre-molded coolant pipe for the cylinder jackets, but it looks unrealistic, as it extends through and between the separate cylinders, presumably to act as a solid fixing base for the cylinder block. I've cut this pre-molded pipe away to separate the cylinders and replaced it with short lengths of 0.85 mm diameter plastic rod, with a chamfer at at end to fit the contour of the cylinders. Mike

Hi all, Now that the fuselage is buttoned up I've moved onto the engine. As usual not an OOB build. Modifications will be (I hope). Complete timing gear Fuel priming cups Spark plugs (late type) Intake manifold nuts Ignition leads Engine control Coolant pipes Engine sump apertures Oil sight glass. First off is the removal of the coolant pipe for the cylinder jackets, which is pre-molded in between each cylinder. Also the conical vale springs. Mike

Hi all, The additional linen baffle (wind break) that was fitted to some Fokker aircraft is done. The shoulder straps passed through slots is this baffle and down to be attached to the cross bar of the seat frame bulkhead, which had at the top the standard linen baffle. The coloured shot below is from the Canadian restoration of a war prize Fokker D.VII. It was comprised of parts from different Fokker D.VII aircraft, including OAW built Serial No:6506/18, 8318/18 and 8502/18 and was partially restored in 1963. The B/W shot is of a similar baffle fitted to a Fokker DR.1. Mike

Hi all, The first Fokker D.VII cockpit is complete now and fitted into the fuselage. I've added detail, such as instrument cables, grease pump and fuel pressurization pump pipes, under floor cross bracing, engine control rods etc. I still have to finish it by adding the pilots shoulder harness, which will be attached to the seat mounting frame through the additional linen 'wind break' behind the pilots head, Mike

Hi all, The first cockpit is nearing completion. I still have to fit the instrument panel, compass, tachometer, shoulder harness and engine bearer frames. Also finish rigging the various control lines and the hand throttle and gun trigger cables, Mike .

Hi all, The cockpit side frame tops with 'Aviattic' lozenge applied - tricky to apply but I think worth it, Mike

Hi all, The cockpit is getting close to being closed up now. Mike

Hi all, I'm making a start on the 'full built' Fokker D.VII. Cockpit items (not yet completed) and flight control rigging and cockpit frame cross bracing. Mike

Hi all, As some of you may know, this time last year the modelling community lost 'Des Delatorre', a great inspiration and owner of the 'WW1 Aircraft Models' web site and forum. Dave Wilson, who now runs the forum, has organised a memorial group build in honor of Des. I thought I'd like to attempt a double build, consisting two Fokker D.VII aircraft and two figures. A complete Fokker D.VII - Wingnut Wings Kit No:32027. A 3D printed 'Aviattic' skeletal Fokker D.VII from 'ShapeWays'. Anthony Fokker figure from 'Aviattic'. Photographer figure from 'BlackDog Models'. Mike

Hi all, The build is finished and now posted on the 'WNW ready for inspection' page, Mike

Hi all, It's done, so I thought you might like to see my 16th 1:32 scale build - The Sopwith F1 ‘Camel’. This model represents the Sopwith F1 ‘Camel’, Serial No.B6313 (later modified version), as flown by Major William George ‘Billy’ Barker, CO of No.139 Squadron, RAF, based at Villaverla, Italy during August 1918. This model depicts the later version of B6313, when field modifications were carried out to introduce four cooling slots in the engine cowl, linen covering removed from the centre section of the upper wing and cockpit decking sides reduced or removed. Modified or corrected: Cockpit: ‘Barracuda Studios’ Wicker Seat and cushion (BR32332). ‘HGW Models’ Sopwith Camel seat belts (132590). Copper micro-tubes for fuel supply to engine, main and auxiliary fuel tanks, fuel contents indicator and fuel tank pressurization. Brass micro-tubes for a pipe 4-way union, pipe connectors and fuel filter. Lead wire for gun trigger cables and engine ‘blip’ switch. Rigging wires with turnbuckles for cockpit side frame, under shield and floor bracing. Flight control cables with turnbuckles for ailerons, rudder, elevator and tail skid. Micro-tube for throttle control linkage. External after market and additions: ‘Blackdog Models’ RFC Fighter Pilot 14-18 No.2 (F32014) ‘Copper State Models’ RFC Mechanic (F32-0026). ‘Proper Plane’ wood propeller - Lang type (WP004). ‘Copper State Model’ Tools and Cans set (AE32-005). ‘Aviattic’ linen effect decal - Clear Doped Linen (ATT32094). ‘Aviattic’ linen effect decal - PC12 ‘Light’ RFC/RAF (ATT32092). ‘Xtradecal’ Parallel Stripes (White - XPS2 and Black - XPS1). Various ‘Albion Alloy’ Micro-tube (Brass or Nickel Silver). ‘Steelon’ Mono-Filament 0.12mm diameter. ‘Stroft GTM’ Silicon-PTFE tempered monofil (Blue/Grey 0.08mm diameter). ‘RB Motion’ 0.51mm Aluminium hexagonal nuts (1279-A). ‘EZ Line’ white (heavy). ‘Polak’ grass mat (Wild Meadow (4706). ‘Inperspextive’ made acrylic display case. Brushed silver, black printed - information plaques. 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 reference photographs and information. 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. The gallery will scroll through the various photographs for any particular model selected for viewing. http://igavh2.xara.hosting Mike

Hi all, I think I'll call the rigging done!! There's still few tweaks to the weathering, rigging end fittings and turnbuckles etc and of course the base of the display case, but the Camel is getting close to completion. Mike

Hi all, The cross bracing for the outer wing struts, cabane struts and forward fuselage are done. The line tags will be cut away and any slackness in the lines sorted, once the remaining wing landing and flying wires are rigged. Mike