1:32nd scale Bristol Scout C

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
As my build of the Hannover Cl.II is drawing to a close, I'm starting research for my next build.
This will be the 'Copper State Models' Bristol Scout C.
The aircraft I intend to build is Scout serial number 1260 (not a kit scheme).

Bristol Scout C, serial number 1260 was one of a batch of 24 aircraft built under contract CP 67209/14 (serials 1243 to 1266).
This aircraft was delivered to Eastchurch on the 4th of July 1915 and was officially accepted a week later.
It was at St Pol for a few days before joining No.5 Wing at Dover on the 13th of August for Home Defence.
On the 24th of January 1916 and the 9th of February, it was flown by Flt. Sub. Lt. R.F.S Leslie to defend against enemy seaplanes that were attacking Folkstone, Dover, Broadstairs and Ramsgate.
The aircraft required repairs after it overturned on the 29th of June, but was damaged beyond repair on the 10th of August and written off on the 4th of September 1916.
The Bristol Scouts had various armament fitted, which included Lewis machine guns mounted obliquely on one or both sides of the fuselage.
Also forward facing on the top forward fuselage decking or forward facing on the upper wing.
During one period, 1260 had a Lewis machine gun fitted on the top forward fuselage decking.
It seems strange therefore that this aircraft was not fitted with any form of synchronising mechanism to stop fired rounds hitting the rotating propeller.
Evidence of this can be seen on similar period Scouts with this armament fitted, by wrappings around the propeller blades that were aligned with the muzzle of the machine gun. 

Mike

[DocRob]

Nice choice Mike, I will order the Scout soon and look forward to the build. I will have a blueprint then, with your great logs.
I may do a twin build, as I have this huge fellow in my stash.

Cheers Rob

[sandbagger]

Hi all
A quick update.
The supplied pilots seat and cushion parts are of good quality.
However, I chose to replace them with a seat from the 3D printed ‘Gaspatch’ British wicker seat/cushion (22-32249) set.
This seat fits exactly onto the kit seat base, which just needed the seat cushion sanding away.
The 'Gaspatch' seat was then simply secure onto the base, using thin CA adhesive,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The Scout had at the forward sides of the fuselage, an access panel that was used to gain access into the forward cockpit from both sides of the fuselage.
These panels opened upwards with two separate hinges on the top edge and were secured closed with two latches at the bottom edge.
The kit fuselage halves have these detailed panels pre-moulded.
Unfortunately, the panels cover all of the cockpit internal detail.
Therefore, I chose to modify the panel on the port side of the fuselage in the open position, allowing visibility of the cockpit detail.

The opening panel was cut from the fuselage half then filed to shape.
The panel was made from 0.2 mm thick plastic card.
The top hinges and latches are represented by 0.3 mm diameter tube and plastic card.
The panel stay rod will be added later in the build.

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
During its service life the Scout had various weapons fitted and in different locations on the aircraft.
From rifles, Lewis machine guns and even duck guns fitted to the fuselage side, to machine guns fitted on the fuselage decking in front of the pilot or over wing mounted guns.
Different type of over wing gun mountings were used and either fixed or movable.

In the following photograph of 1260, it can be seen that it’s over wing gun mount was possible the Bristol Scout Lewis No.5 mounting Type1 - ’Christy pattern’ dated March 1916.
This mounting allowed the weapon to be fired over the rotating arc of the propeller or fired vertically upward.
It also allowed for the ammunition drum to be replaced, unlike the fixed mount version.
The mounting was basically a single metal tube attached to the underside of the upper wing centre section, which was cut back to the wing rear spar (to allow the weapon to pivot over the cockpit).
The gun and its mounting were off-set to the starboard side of the centre section.
At the cockpit end of the tube was a pivot mounting in the upturned top of the tube.
When fired over the rotating propeller the gun was locked in the horizontal position, but when fired vertically the hand grip of the machine gun was simply clipped into a fitting on the starboard side of the cockpit decking panel.
The horizontally positioned weapon was fired using a pull cable from the gun down into the cockpit.
When fired vertically it’s probable the pilot could operate the trigger by hand.

To represent this weapon fit I used a ‘Gaspatch’ 1:32nd scale Lewis Mk.1 half stripped heatsinks (13-32052).
Also 'Albion Alloy's' Brass tubing and rods.
The trailing edge of the upper wing required cutting back to the rear spar to allow the Lewis gun to be pivoted to to cockpit for reloading or firing vertically.

The fuselage clip fitting still needs to be made as well as a magneto starter switch (mounted on the post side of the fuselage near the cockpit,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Cockpit parts painted.
They'll be weathered eventually.
The hollow engine crankshaft has been drilled out at the carburettor air intake cone.
Also I've added the engine fuel and oil supply pipes.
I still have to add the oil supply pipe from the cockpit port side frame and the supply and return oil pipes to the cockpit located Pulsometer.
I also need to add the fuel tank and associated pipework.
I'm waiting for information on those. 

So for now it's onto rigging before assembly,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The cockpit rigging is underway.
'Proper Plane' 1:32nd scale resin turnbuckles, 0.04 mm diameter tube and 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament.
The rudder, elevator and aileron lines are just tube as the cockpit space is a bit restricted to fit turnbuckles.
I still need to add fuel tank and oil supply modifications, but won't have that information until next week.
So in the meantime I'll make a start on the figures,

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've made a start on adding oil and fuel pipe details into the forward area of the fuselage.
The kit fuselage halves have access panels into this area of the fuselage, but they are moulded as part of the fuselage.
Therefore the kit does not supply any of these details as if built as supplied, this area of the fuselage is not visible.
However, I'm having at least one of these access panels open, so the inside of the fuselage will be seen.
First to be tackled are the oil pipes for engine lubrication.

I believe the oil system was as follows: 

On earlier Bristol Scouts, the oil tank was located in the fuselage at the rear of the pilots cockpit.
A supply pipe from the tank was routed along the cockpit left side frame to the near the rear of the engine bulkhead.
A pipe connected the oil supply to the oil pump reservoir.
It seems the engine provided drive to the oil pump which I believe had a centrifugal type impeller which pumped the oil out of the pump.
The oil was pumped back through a pipe to the oil Pulsometer, located in the cockpit.
The glass bowl on the Pulsometer gave the pilot a visual indication of engine lubrication.
From the Pulsometer the oil returned through another pipe and was connected to the engine crankshaft, which was partially hollow.
The oil mixed with fuel from the simple carburettor, located on the rear of the crankshaft.
The fuel/oil mixture was drawn through the engine crankshaft into the rotating engine to provide ignition and lubrication.
The used fuel/oil was vented out to atmosphere through the cylinder exhaust valves.
Hence why rotary engine heavily stained the fuselage, landing gear and wing roots so much.

The first pipe created is the connecting pipe between the side frame supply pipe and the oil pump.
This was made using 0.3 mm diameter Brass rod and 0.5 mm diameter Brass tube.
The rod/tube was bent to locate into holes drilled into the supply pipe and oil pump.
It was the covered with braided black tube (‘ANYZ’ 0.5mm black braided line (AN011), then sealed at each end with thin CA adhesive.
The excess was cut way to reveal the brass ens of the tube/rod.
It was then secured in position using thin CA adhesive.

Next up are the pipes connecting the pump outlet to the Pulsometer and the return pipe to the engine crankshaft,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The Pulsometer pipes are done.
To extend the length of the kit pre-moulded pipes, I joined two 0.5 mm diameter Brass tubes together with thin CA adhesive.
These were Copper colour painted.
They were secured to the cockpit left side frame, again with the CA adhesive.
Two lengths of 0.3 mm diameter Copper wire were annealed (softened with heat).
These were bent to fit into the tube ends and the pre-drilled holes in the oil pump and engine crankshaft (through the opening in the crankshaft mounting plate).
They were secured in position using thin CA adhesive.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,

The fuselage underside panel (C8) locates into the joined fuselage halves with two circular rings.

As the rear of the cockpit is not closed off, the forward and larger locating ring will be visible.

Therefore that area on the bottom of the fuselage halves is covered with a cut 0.3 mm thick plastic card.

Once the fuselage is closed up the locator ring as well as the fuselage seam joint will be covered,

 

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The cockpit assembly is rigged now.
It has the rudder, aileron and elevator control cables.
I've also rigged all of the frame cross bracing wires.
These are made of blacked 0.4 mm diameter tube, 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament and 'Proper Plane' resin turnbuckles.
Only four turnbuckles have not been fitted.
Two below the pilots foot board assembly as they can't be seen.
One on the outside of both cockpit side frames, also that can't be seen and also can interfere with the cockpit fit in the fuselage halves.
The pilots instrument panel also fitted.

I still have the fuel tank and associated pipework to do (not supplied in the kit.
Also weathering of the cockpit and inside the fuselage halves,

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
A few modifications to the cockpit assembly.
I've added the magneto HT lead. I've painted it red only so it can be seen inside the fuselage.
Also a fuel tank (bottom only) with collector sump and outlet to the fuel gauge.
The fuel system and its controls are way too lengthy to repeat here on the forum.
However, I've detailed the fuel system in my PDF build log, which I'll post on completion of the model.
The basic engine fuel supply is as follows:
  Sump on the fuel tank through a shut-off cock then a pipe to the fine control valve.
  From the fine control valve, through a pipe to the underside of the carburetor.

Mike

[KevinM]

Splendid work as usual Mike.

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
A few more additions.
The fuel contents indicator in the cockpit was the sight glass type, which was connected by a pipe to its shut-off valve under the left side of the fuel tank.
It indicated the contents of the fuel tank using the 'U tube' principle that a fluid will find its own level.
The pipe is attached to the fuel tank, but the cockpit end will be attached later in the build.

The tank outlet had a shut-off cock, which was operated by a push/pull control on the left side of the cockpit.
The 'ring' handle was made from copper wire inserted into a 0.5 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube.
The tube was bent to shape to to fit along and cockpit left side, under the instrument panels and cockpit cross members then through the opening in the crankshaft mounting plate. 
The front end has 0.3 mm diameter lead wire to represent the operating Bowden cable, which will be attached to the tank outlet later in the build.

Now it's onto the carburettor and main fuel supply shut-off cock control runs,

Mike

[HubertB]

Amazing  !

Hubert

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've gone as far as I can to finish the cockpit details.
I've added the control tubes/cables for the carburetor, shut-off valve at the fine control valve and the shut-off cock on the fuel tank supply pipe.
Also the shut-off valve at the outlet supply from the fuel tank to the fuel contents indicator, including the interconnecting pipe.

I know, I know - don't say it.
But for me it's the satisfaction of doing it, not so much for being able to see it afterwards.

Next up is to close up the fuselage,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Fuselage closed up.
Now to clean up the seams etc,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
A few updates.
The lower wing and under shield are fitted.
Care needs to taken to make sure all locating faces and recesses are clear of paint, especially the wing locating recesses in the bottom edges of the cockpit side frames.
At this stage it's best to secure sponge blocks under the fuselage to protect the exposed control column from damage.

The outer wheel covers have pre-moulded impressions of the wheel spokes.
However, they are pronounced and sharp, so need to be scrapped or sanded to soften them back.

The kit supplied axle seems a little weak and flexible.
I cut off the bungee cord suspension units from each end of the axle.
Then drilled holes of 1.2 mm diameter through the units.
The axle was cut from 1.2 mm diameter Brass tube and 49 mm long, in order to fully locate into the internal wheel spigots.

 

The wing ailerons were drilled and pinned to allow them to be positioned.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
As described earlier in this thread, Scout 1260 had an external starter switch on the left side of the cockpit decking panel.
This was created from pieces of sprue.

The gun latch for holding the Lewis machine gun vertically during reloading or un-jamming was located on the right side of the decking panel.
This was created by cutting spare photo-etch sheet. It will be fitted to the decking panel later in this build.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The Gnome Lambda Rotary engine is complete, including 0.4 mm diameter Brass tubes with 0.2 mm diameter copper wire spark plug leads.
I cut away the kit spark plugs and drilled holes into the cylinders to mount the plugs.
The engine was then fitted to the engine bulkhead and the cowl fitted over the engine.
I had to slightly sand the valve levers on the top of each cylinder to allow the cowl to fit, as they were restricting the fit of the cowl.
Due to the size of the opening in the engine cowl being so small, very little of the engine can be seen.

Now it's on to external pre-rigging,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
As I'm going to apply the 'Aviattic' CDL decals (clear backed) to the model, I primed with a white primer (Tamiya).
The primer was then polished using the 'Flory Models' green/white polishing stick.
This saves having to gloss clear coat before the decals.
It also allows for wearing away primer from some raised detail and a precursor to pre-shading.

So next up is pre-shading and internal structure,

Mike

[DocRob]

Interesting technique Mike, I will keep that stored. This way the spars are much more convincing 'pre shaded' than with the unmasked spray over.

Cheers Rob 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Thought I'd try something different for pre-shading.
The Bristol Scout in particular shows well defined internal structure through the Clear Doped Linen covering.
Rather than trying to represent this by the usual airbrushing, I though of using decal instead.
I've applied three different thicknesses of black decal stripes from the 'Xtradecal' Parallel stripes black (XPS1) set.
These take as long to apply as masking then airbrushing would.
The idea is to over spray the decals with white to fade them back but leave them defined.
The CDL decal will then be applied to cover the surfaces.
We'll see,

Mike

[HubertB]

Interestîg approach, and looking forward to see the results.

Hubert

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've had work done to my home, so haven't been able to model much the last week or so.
However, I'm back onto the Scout now and continuing the underside decals for pre-shading.
The upper wing, ailerons and tailplane/elevator are done.
Once I receive more 'Xtradecal' stripes, I can complete the lower wings and fuselage,

Mike