Morane Saulnier Type BB biplane--the build

[scottzepher]

I cut the fuselage from a block of Basswood, which would let me create some nice detailing and still make the "Jasta" deadline (back when it still mattered).  I had the basic shape cut out that afternoon:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottzepher/1309045976/in/set-72157601832797119/

Most solids have smooth fuselages, but I wanted to give it the look of a fabric-covered frame.  Easier said than done:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottzepher/2840101550/in/set-72157601832797119/

It wasn't until I had been able to return to the project (the contest long since past), that I resigned myself to the fact that handwork was a little out of my league at this scale, at least for now.  So, I broke out the Dremel, popped a Silicone Carbide wheel on the end, and very carefully passed the wheel back-to-front, the width of the wheel making an approximate scale bevel.  
I was happy with the results:



http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-1734

More to come . . .

[Oceaneer99]

Scott, that worked pretty well!  I'm always afraid of using Dremel-type tools because I messed up a lot of things with them when I was young, such as a disastrous episode involving my Swiss Army knife handle and a buffing wheel.  But I've started to give them another try, and it seems to go better now.

I used one to cut the shape of a handmade round gouge, and am thinking of cutting a V-gouge the same way.

Garet

[scottzepher]

Thanks Garet!  I think the handwork will be more feasable at 1/32nd scale and above.  I love this plane, and I plan on building larger ones in the future.

Tom (aka ScottZepher)