Got some more done on the DH 5.
I've given the under surfaces a wash of "Naples yellow. Needs a bit more work but should be OK. probably knock it back a
bit with a wash of white.
I tried "beating" a cowl out of aluminium take away tray but gave up. Then I looked a the mould (three laminations of 1/8
balsa) so pulling out the rotary tool set to work. Turned out OK I think. Needs a bit of tidying up. Will knock up an engine
to suit. Cleaned up the fuselage as well . Needs more work around cockpit.
cheers
Gordon
Looks very promising. Good luck.
Lou
Thanks Lou,
Just working through what I've got half started before starting anything else .
I'm trying get the DH 5, Flycatcher and CH1 up to the same stage.
Cheers
Naples yellow is my favourite colour to bring my watercolour skies to life.
Barry.
Worked on the cowling and added stringers to fuselage sides ( cotton thread with a couple of coats of primer).
This is the later model of cowl with strengthening strips. Made with a strip of paper and ""Evergreen"1mm half round
strip.
Wheels done using the "sandwich "method. Spokes from cotton thread and a couple of coats of primer.
U/C from brass and spreader bar made.
The "composite'" pic shows it all held together with "blu tack". Inspiration. The pilot I've found along with a Vickers gun in
one of my son's bits boxes that he left. Also is an attempt to make a Vickers gun. Bamboo skewer and corrugated sheet
left over from radiators on Gloster IV.
All I have to do now is prise off the cowling with minimal damage. It's held to fuselage with blu tack to help blend in the lines.
Cheers
Gordon
Looks fantastic. Can you elaborate on the cowling and wheel constructions.
Lou
No worries Lou . I'm away from home the moment. When I get back i'll put something together and add it here.
Cheers
Gordon
From my older brothers "archives" I've got his copy of the Windsock Datafile.
Lots of pictures.
As result I've had to do a bit more work around the cockpit to get that looking right.
Still some way to go.
When I'm satisfied with that I'll try and remove the cowl with the minimum of damage. It's pretty much held in place with
blue tack and primer.
The ribbing on the fuselage side look very realistic in the close up view. Looking forward to more.
Lou
Have done some work on the front of Le Rhone engine to get the shape right.
Eventually hope to get it looking like this .
http://harrysite.net/hsrefs/index.php/aircraft/powerplants/Le-Rhone/LeRhone_9J_110hp_2
Cheers
Gordon
Having seen Lou's Rotary in progress I'd best get a wriggle on with mine
Had a look at the site and found out that I totally messed up on my engine. I mistook the back of the engine for the front and will redo the fuel manifold. So waiting for me to guide the way is not always the smartest thing to do. I will post to my error in the DR1 topic.
Lou
I got confused as well. In the case of the Le Rhone it would appear to be related to HP whether all the working bits are at
the front or rear. Still working out how to make the whole lot revolve ( engine and propeller) .
Gordon
Gordon that should be very interesting and informative. Just how are you going to get the engine and the prop rotating. It seems that describing - or preferably by means of photos - will be at least as big of a job as building your model.
Cliff.
Cliff,
It's a bit of a challenge but I think doable. have a few ideas . Hopefully it will come in a flash of brilliance a little way day the
track.
Gordon
Couple of days off with a lot of rain around.
Inspired by Lou's rotary I've spent some time on mine.
Manifolds from copper wire. Rocker(?) arms from thin gauge wire with small lengths of isulation added.
Spark plugs from small bits of insulation slipped over thin wire from multi core flex.
These will be fitted when I've added the take up at the rear .
The engine for the DH 5 was a le Rhone 110 HP 9J - All the "wobbly" bits are at the rear.
Picture to follow
Cheers
Gordon
Engine is completed except for a bit of touching up here and there.The picture is off the rear. I can't get a "good" picture of
the front. I'll try to get better one later.
Most of the engine will be hidden by the cowl . Still it was good fun to put it together.
Working on simulating the laminations on the propeller.
The Lysander sneaking into the picture is 1/144th and will be the tug for the "Hotspur".
Cheers
Gordon
Very nice looking engine as well as the Lysander. I found that items like the engine are always hard to photograph. Try taking a shot further away but with max size. Enlarge the engine portion in a MS Word doc and do a crop, copy and paste to MS Paint. That sometimes works for me. Again, nice work.
Lou
Thanks Lou
I'll try your suggestions.
The Lysander gets some work done to it when time and other commitments permit.
Gordon
How about cutting the cowl of and putting a nail through it into the engine and prop? Maybe? :-\
Overcome the Camera problem.
Couple of pictures of the engine.
Cheers
Gordon
Beautiful work. Your turned out very realistic.
Lou
Some work done with the cockpit area. Interior cockpit wood work done using .4mm ply . A light wash of red and a splash
clear. All I have to do is get it to slot in from the bottom.
Wicker seat and instrument panel are still in the formative stage ( still wizzing around in my head).
I'll stick a pic up later.
Cheers
Gordon
Just need to cut the slot for the Vickers. Clean up the cockpit. finish the cockpit interior.
This will leave the head rest to be done. Depends on which picture you look at there is either a pad on the front or not.
Cheers
Gordon
Wicker seat has been done using some earthing strap mesh that I picked up and hoarded years ago.
Propeller painted . Cowling separated from fuselage and thinned down on the inside with a rotary tool to allow clearance for
engine.
Pic to follow
What is earthing strap mesh?
Lou
Best way to describe it is fine woven copper. Used to earth equipment racks etc . It looks like fine fly screen .
I'll put a picture in next time I'm home. I picked it up years ago with the thought that it would make good radiator screens.
I nearly drove myself insane trying to weave the seat. From 3 feet away it looks OK ( Not bad for first attempt)
Gordon
A picture is worth a thousand words.
The first one ( taken with phone camera and not the best shows the basic seat frame on a base of basswood.
I left the base big so I could handle it a bit better. When finished I trimmed it up.
You can just make out the attempt to "weave" fine copper wire through it.
The second and third show the seat with the fine copper mesh. ( if you search fine copper mesh on internet you will
come up with some proprietary options)
The last couple show the completed propeller. Basically a couple of laminations of Basswood. I gave up trying to
mask the number of laminations. Done free hand and then rubbed over with a combination raw sienna, Burnt sienna
and lastly Burnt Umber. Tips are grey primer. Two coats of clear finish it off. The seat painted. A bit more work on the
homemade Vickers and the cowling separated and hollowed out using a rotary tool.
Cheers
Gordon
had to split things up ( file size)
"Earthing" is called "Grounding" in my part of the world and I now fully understand earthing mesh and have worked with it during my career. I envy your propeller making skills and your earthing mesh sure looks great.
Lou
Gordon, that is all amazing work. A very lot of detail and thought has gone into your aircraft. It is truly something to be proud of.
Cliff.
Here's a photo of seat in a very unlucky D.H.5. Hard not to laugh at this now but I'm sure there were some fairly tragic consequences.
Thank You Cliff. I'm enjoying building it.
Mark, Thanks for the picture. Lots of detail in it. Answered a question I had for the headrest.
Cheers
Gordon
Some more work on the cowling. Removed some high spots on the inside surface because when the motor was
rotated it used to catch. Also one cylinder was "slightly" longer than the others. Must be close to scale as the cowling
is wafer thin. Plodding away with the cockpit and gun.
Gordon
Your updates are appreciated. Looking forward to some more photos.
Lou
A bit more achieved today. Control horns made using piece of clear plastic packaging which appears to be the right
thickness. Pre- drilled before carefully trimming with scissors. They are black ( permanent marker pen) at the
moment ( so I can see them). Dry fitted to rudder and elevators. Ones for the wings will be added after decals.
Progress made on Vickers Gun. Reference photo in Windsock datafile shows one handle. This was made using a piece
of thin wire with some insulation. There is a picture in a previous update that shows the bare bones of it. Feed guide
etc.., added using scrap basswood.
Cockpit shape has been modified( White area). The barrel will be added when I get some suitably sized tube.
Remote cocking handle yet to be made.
Might tackle the instrument panel and windscreen tomorrow.
Cheers
Gordon
Excellent detailing Gordon.
Lou
Instrument panel done. Windscreen next.
Vickers now has a barrel.
Gordon
Great looking instrument panel. This is becoming a museum quality model.
Lou
Lou,
Thanks for the compliment. I wouldn't class it as museum quality. I'm learning a lot and I'm enjoying the mental
challenges of how to represent parts of the model. It's a good feeling to get the "yes that would work" flash
occasionally.
Cheers
Gordon
Coat of primer on all the struts and the landing gear.
Clear plastic to be used for windscreen buffed up with metal polish to get rid of scratches.
Gordon
Some progress.
Struts painted up with a combination of acrylic paints . Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna to look like varnished wood.
Cockpit finished ( sans rudder bar) . Control column and seat belt belt fitted( tissue with light PVA) and a light wash of Raw
Sienna. Folded over so that the lack of buckles is not obvious.
Undercarriage members have been painted and the generator ? mounting and propeller have been made.
Pics to follow
Gordon
The cockpit.
Beautifully done Gordon.
Lou
Thanks Lou
Engine and cowl attached. Had to do some fine tuning on inside of cowl.
Filled in the join line of the cowl just needs some fine snading.
Bottom wing being readied for attachment.
Pic to follow
Engine and cowling attached.
Looks fantastic Gordon. Looking forward to the finished model.
Lou
I'm probably obligated to report to Lou that relative to his very fine poster I've managed to Download a copy from which I had printed Five copies that I
intend to dispense to local authorities that may be interested.
Cliff.
I printed mine also but have not visited my local shop where I purchase my modeling supplies. It is mostly paints and decal film. We are expecting a bit of weather for the next few days, so construction should move right along. Following that I will place the poster there.
Lou
Worked on lower wing to fuselage join.
Have applied some "Archer" WW1 lacing to the cowl area. Bit fiddly but looks OK . See what happens when paint goes on.
Have trimmed and shaped some bamboo skewer for the tailplane braces.
Intend to do everything related to the fuselage decals , slacing atc.., before putting lower wing on.
Gordon
Good idea. Makes it easier to handle the model. Looking forward to more progress reports.
Lou
Lacing applied and painted. Instrument panel glued on.
White decal paper used for fuselage roundel backing , flight number and squadron marking.
Will apply fuselage roundels and then the fun begins ( start putting things together)
Fuselage roundels applied. Squadron code and flight number added using white decal paper.
Lost one of the rudder decals( slight bit of miss handling ... trying to use opposable thumb and forefinger as tweezers)
Will have to wait till I'm home next print one off.
Cheers
Gordon
Well done Gordon. The fuselage finish is very realistic.
Lou
Bottom wing and tailplane have been attached. So just rolling along and pulling it all together.
Gordon
Suffered some damage around the cockpit on the last transit home.
Repaired that . Have decided to put the struts on then do the rigging and put the top wing on.
Followed by the undercarriage
Centre section struts are just "slightly" out. I think it can be overcome with a bit of judicious bending whilst holding the
my tongue at the right angle.
Rather than sustain any more damage I've left it at home this time.
Cheers
It would be a shame to damage it before completion. It looks fantastic so far.
Lou
Slowly coming together.
Bit of fine tuning required on struts and plan of attack for the rigging.
I had to make up another rudder decal so changed the printer setting to "gloss photo paper".
Came out better than the ones before so apart from the fuselage decals I'll use the new ones.
In the pic the Flycatcher is waiting its turn for some attention.
Cheers
Gordon
I can see the scrape marks on the left decal sheet. I get that rarely, but I still get it sometimes when the paper does not lay flat against the rollers. The right sheet looks excellent.
Lou
The mark towards the bottom of the left one is the "sellotape". I didn't update the margin settings before I printed it.
The right sheet turned out great
Gordon
Thanks for the clarification.
Lou
Managed to get home for Anzac Day and have attached the upper wing.
I'm experimenting with rigging. The "blue tac" on the upper wing is not scale.
The undercarriage is held on by blue tac for effect.
Pretty happy with the result so far.
Cheers
Gordon
Further progress.
Wing rigging completed. Elevator controls completed. Using ezi thread.
Fuel tank pipe added.
Rudder controls won't be done till I summon the courage to apply the rudder decals and
attach to airframe.
Need to make up a pulley for the upper wing aileron control cable and a fairing for the lower wing control run.
Concurrent with this is to make a pitot for the starboard strut.
Picture to follow
Cheers
Gordon
You have been busy. Look forward to the photos.
Lou
Just plodding along with the time I get available.
One step at a time.
As a consequence all I've done for the X plane cook up is mull over a few plans
and scratch my head.
Hopefully get a picture up on Monday/Tuesday my time.
Cheers
Gordon
Picture shows wing rigging complete. Fuel pipe added. Needs a bit of adjustment.
Managed to get one rudder decal on OK.
The undercarriage is still not attached. Just in place for picture.
Onwards.
Gordon
Beautifully done Gordon.
Lou
Thanks Lou
Slowly coming together
Have to clean up the rudder decals.
Roundels done.
Working on aileron pulleys / fairings
So things still to do....
Aileron control runs.
Rudder control run.
Tailplane struts and rigging.
Final rigging to wings.
Add windscreen and gun
Attach undercarriage and rigging.
Attach propeller and spinner.
Cheers
Gordon
This shows the underside.
For Clear Doped Linen I've used white primer, Acrylic "Naples Yellow" and a light top coat and touch up with
Vallejo "Model Color" Ice Yellow. Seemed to work.
Cheers
Gordon
Very nice!
Biggles
Thanks Biggles.
Great progress Gordon, regards Paul J.
Great effect on the linen lower surfaces. This will be a magnificent model.
Lou
Thanks Paul and Lou,
Just plodding along. Cleaned up the rudder decals to my satisafaction and have now permanently attached it.
Have made a pitot but I think I can improve on it.
Blanks prepared for aileron pulleys.
Cheers
Gordon
So this is a plastic model?
No Biggles its been scratch built from balsa/basswood/brass etc..
Cheers
GKB
Okay thanks and very nice!
Still in the rigging shop.
Windscreen has been added
Not much to do now
Gordon
The rigging looks great. I await the finished project.
Lou
Thanks Lou,
Took some time off work and had a short holiday.
back to the rigging when time permits
Cheers
Gordon
Rigging done! Those that went "ping"at the inappropriate time will be left till the patience level reaches an acceptable level.
Undercarriage, gun , windscreen attached.
This just leaves the pitot. I've made one but I'm not happy with it.
It has been finished to represent the aircraft flown by CAPT. Gordon C Wilson. 68 SQN RFC ( 2 SQN Australian Flying Corps) December 1917.
He was the Fight commander of "B"Flight hence the numeral "1".
I will be leaving off the flight commander pennants and Aldis sight.
Nearly done.
Gordon
One more
An excellent build. I would be proud to display the quality of workmanship in my collection.
Lou
Thank You Lou.
It has been a learning curve . But enjoyable.
Cheers
Gordon
Very nice indeed Gordon. A model to be proud of. Regards Paul J.
Inspirational!
Tom (aka ScottZepher)
Thank you Tom and Paul.
Just minor fiddley bits to be done when time permits. Then a final peruse by the quality assurance officer ( me) and she'
done.
Doing the rigging was a good exercise.
Cheers
Gordon
Please provide a photo spread of the finished model.
Lou
Still plodding along. ..
Still have to make up a pitot.
Have applied some Matt Clear ( by brush)to the decals to knock them back a bit.
Bit of a surprise when crackling appeared but I remembered someone in a plastic model mag experiencing the same thing.
All he did was walk away and come back in the morning and all was good. Similar thing happened when I did the lower wing ones as an experiment. Came out Ok. Bit worried about the rudder but I'll see what the result is when I check tomorrow.
Cheers
Gordon
Gordon is there any special way to walk? I should know about this way in fixing mistakes as I've
been walking for years.
Cliff.
Cliff,
No, I meant it as a euphemism . I observed the results and went Mmmmm!
At this stage of the project I don't need any problems.
The results after letting things dry are OK. From 3 feet away and if you squint its hardly noticeable.
On with the pitot.....
Cheers
Gordon
The three foot viewing distance is ideal for most models. Even museum quality models have some small flaw. Stand off scale in flying model uses a 3 meter/20 foot distance for static judging. In that light most models look fantastic. I digress, your models to date do not need that 6 meter distance. Looking forward to the final photo spread.
Lou
Thanks Lou,
The light at the end of the tunnel is getting progressively larger.
Cheers
Gordon
Your D.H.5 looks great Gordon. I've always loved the subject. Don't want to hijack your thread so feel free to delete this post but I wanted to show you my 1/24 scale rubber powered free flight model. I built this about 1984 and I am still flying it :). I have a nice almost scale prop for it but it flies much better with the red plastic prop. The photo of meself on the field was taken at the famous Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York State in the Spring.
Very nice flyer Mark.
No worries Mark. Model looks terrific ! Still flying since 1984. Well done!
Is Rhinebeck still running?
Pitot has been added . Nearly done.
Pictures to follow.
Cheers
Gordon
Finished.
A couple of pictures.
I'll add some more when I finish the base.
Lou, I think you once put up how you did your multiple pictures. A point in the right direction would help.
Cheers
Gordon
Very nice indeed Gordon, best regards Paul J.
Thank you Paul.
Took a bit longer than expected.
Cheers
Gordon
Very nice! Thanks for sharing.
Mark
Outstanding model.
Lou
Multi photo at http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/SMF/index.php?topic=1356.0
Thank you Mark.
Lou , Thanks for the info.
Cheers
Gordon
Added a couple of pictures to gallery.
Plans and info filed away.
On to something else.
Gordon
Could not leave this beauty in the gallery. Outstanding workmanship and well worth the wait. The second photo below shows excellent rib detail.
Lou
(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10144/normal_IMGP2042.JPG)(http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/albums/userpics/10144/normal_IMGP2041.JPG)
Thanks Lou,
Learned a lot.
Cheers
Gordon
Gordon - Looks great. The workmanship and detail certainly set a high standard for those of us new to the hobby to aspire to. - ken
Thanks Ken.
I've been watching your P-51 with interest.
Cheers
Gordon