WnW Junkers J I "After the Armistice"

[Michaelscarborough]

Here're some pix of making the stove. I think it was an old Verlinden resin piece and I just cut it apart to be able to hollow the interior and add the lighting and coal. BTW, the small riffler-like looking tool in the bottom picture is a souvenir from a root-canal. I'm not sure what the technical name is but they are AMAZING for hollowing out tight spots or enlarging holes....like in a tooth root!:

[Michaelscarborough]

Back at it.....I decided to go ahead and completely rewire and relight the entire project. Ugh. Ripping out all the previous work, and creating all new shades, etc, created a ripping feeling in my gut, but, in the end, it was well worth it. So, thank you, Jeroen, for the deadline extension. Once all the pieces and figures are in, I will go back and make sure all the lights are hanging straight down!

A history note for those interested: In 2005, I created a Veterans' Shrine Altar in an old church in Brooklyn. The church was built in 1904 and, as they were sparing no expense, hoping it would be chosen to be the Cathedral of Brooklyn, it was one of the first large structures in NYC to be completely lit with electric light. Amazingly, even though it is no longer used, most of the original system is still in place and most of the bulbs still work! I asked to see it at night once, when all the modern lighting was turned off, and the effect was truly beautiful....golden light! So, that is the effect I am trying to get in the hangar, as the church is the closest reference I have to what an electrically lighted building in 1919 would have really looked like.

[Michaelscarborough]

Making progress on the J.1 fuselage that will be outside the hangar.

Decals - I chose to use the lozenge scheme as seen on the J.1 that was eventually brought back to the museum in Canada and am using the weathered lozenge from Aviattic.

Painting - For the painted sections, I'm using the hairspray technique to show the green worn off to reveal the primer underneath. LOTS of weathering to come!

Details - I'll be showing the fuselage without the stabilizer so I needed to fill that section. I also chose to insert brass tubing into the holes from which the control cables extend, as the flat openings on the kit don't match my particular plane. I also added the fuel filler holes that are absent on the kit. 

Thanks for looking in.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

[crazypoet]

Nice approach to wrinkling the fabric!

[Michaelscarborough]

Thanks, C.P.....I've been wanting to try that for a while.

I'm starting to get the figures base coated and putting them in place under the new lights to see what I need to do as far as highlighting and shadowing them. It's a weird mix of those strictly under the influence of the interior lights and those that are partly lit by the interior lights and the ambient room light. It will drive me nuts if I let it but I keep repeating to myself, "it's a hobby, it's a hobby...."

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

PS: Posting pictures is the best self-critique, eh! Just seeing confirms that I need to further weather the insignia these souvenir hunters have cut from the fabric, so they will match the rest of the fuselage.

First thing I see in this picture is the rope that is holding up the AEG wing in the background. I forgot to make the hanging rope ends hang like they were real rope, not string. I did it everywhere else in the scene....forgetting to do it here would be tragic. (No it wouldn't ...it's just a hobby, it's just a hobby.) 

[GusMac]

It is just a hobby Michael and one you're damn good at! The pictures look great and the little issues you spot from them will only enhance things further.

[kkarlsen]

Wow, that's very nice indeed!

 

Kent

[Michaelscarborough]

GusMac, thanks for your kind words and reassurance that it is indeed JUST A HOBBY!!!!! I will repeat that to myself as a mantra while working. (Perhaps I need a wee dram to fortify ma'sel...LOL!)

OK....gettin' dirty now....I applied some oil washes, then did some sponging with acrylics followed by dotting with tube oils and general messing around with thinner. I may go back and add some rain streaks and evidence that it's been out in the elements all winter. This is the faded lozenge fabric from Aviattic but a bit more fading may be in order. I need to wait until the whole scene is together and see the color balances before I go much further.

I faded the paint on the rudder by laying on a base coat of CDL-ish color, then a coat of clear base, then the green over that. I then went back with a MILDLY damp brush of thinner and just stroked GENTLY downward. Too much stroking can make things happen too fast. (Kinda like a date in high school.)

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

This is the look I'm after.....minus the engine......

 

[Michaelscarborough]

The finish line is in sight......

Some say, God is in the details, while some say the devil is in the details. I try to invoke the help of the former and avoid the latter...although creating the details does seem to produce a lot of satanic-style cursing....  Lots of color corrections and touch-ups still to do but the will be easier once it's all in the same place at the same time.

The SUPERB fuel cart from Aviattic...I'm still playing with the level of rust.....a bit of artistic license may be pushing the level of age:

Next up, the oil pan...a fine bottle of Malbec was opened strictly to create this piece. Being a dedicated environmentalist, I felt the need to drink the wine so it would not be wasted.

Finally, a true piece of artistry, a center section of Pup upper wing donated by George Taylor, whose skills with a scalpel rival those of any brain surgeon. This was done with paper and is a test piece from his ongoing build of an RNAS Pup on skis...which I hope he finishes because it is a real masterpiece.

Thanks for having a look.

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

 

[crazypoet]

Those are *gorgeous*

[DocRob]

That is a Piece of art, Michael. I can't wait to see everything finished. From concept to realization everything looks perfect and what makes it even better, interesting and eye catching. Your work on the fuselage is stunning, there is no plastic feeling left, just rotten metal. You achieved something special in turning plastic, wood and metal into a convincing picture, like a frame in a movie or the moment captured in a Foto.

Cheers Rob

[Umlaufmotor]

I really love your work, Master Michael - excellently implemented.

Servus

Bertl

[Michaelscarborough]

Thanks so much, Rob. Your kind words are very much appreciated. Und Bertl, vielen Danke Eure Gnaden! Thanks very much! I have learned so much from you that your kind words freut mich sehr.

So...a little update......not surprising that every time I post new pix, I see things that still need attention. I'm sure you all know the feeling! LOL!

Allied airmen being amazed at the all metal construction:

The main door is finished and well hung.....:

 

Thanks for visiting.....on to the finish line!

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

[JeroenPeters]

Inspirational!

That oil can looks the bizniz!

Also loving the lozenge on the fuselage...

[Michaelscarborough]

Just about done.....

I decided to add a derelict AEG rudder to go with the wing section. Again, I used Aviattic decals:

Cheers from NYC

 

[Michaelscarborough]

I'm closing this chapter for now. There are adjustments that will be made before I take this to World Expo I Chicago, but, for now, I am pretty much cross-eyed.

Here's where it stands:

AFTER THE ARMISTICE - THE SOUVENIR HUNTERS

This has been a lot of fun and I have to say I have learned a lot. It's a great bunch of talented guys here and I very much appreciate all the feedback and encouragement along the way.

Next up....AEG!

Cheers from NYC,

Michael

 

[Kais]

Michael,

I notice the string turned into rope!

"It's JUST a hobby"!

As if !

Brilliant result.