BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Steve thanks for your explaination. The problem with the kit design was that it had a nut on the top surface, that's the part I didn't like

smcouch77

Bob. Was your SE5a 1/4 Scale, and how much does it weigh.
I made the step plates on the wings using a method I found on another build thread.It's an excelent thread with a lot of really good ideas. Check it out.http://www.scale-models.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2417 . The method is to solder a bunch of music wire side by side on a tin plate, lay lithoplate over it, and scribe lines with a sharpened piece of wire.
I've also made some progress on the dummy engine. I made the block and rocker covers seperatly. The mateing surfaces are 1/32" ply. I taped two peices together, drilled 1/8" holes for the lugs, then cut them out on my band saw. this way everything lines up when they'er glued together. The spark plugs are toothpicks with a #1 nut and a peice of white shrink wrap. The wire is wraped around a brass pin and soldered. The end of the plug is drilled out for the pin.
Steve

smcouch77

I'm not sure why Grey Head's link didn't work, so I'll try again.
http://www.scale-models.co.uk/showth...t=2417&page=24

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Steve thanks for the link.. I joined!

My Plane is almost 1/4 scale. The wing span is 73 inches so its about 91% 1/4 scale. The weight is 17.5 lbs. I had to add 2 lbs up front to get the CG right [:@] But it flys fine at that weight. My engine is an OS 120 pumper with a 16/8 prop. I think the plane flies at Scale Speed by all appearences. The first take off looked EXACTLY like the video of the Full Scale plane over in France... was SO COOL!

If I wern't so lazy I would add more stuff to my SE5a too.. Your doing a bang up job bro!.

smcouch77

Thanks, Bob, for the info on your plane. I'm wondering how big I can go and still meet the FAI weight limit of 13 lbs.(C/L) Out on the flight line 1/6 scale looks so small and lonley
I did some more to the dummies. I added the flanges for the exhaust. They are 1/32 ply. the nuts, bolts, and washers are 00-90. The aluminum wraps with the rivets are .005 foil. The exhaust tubes are Estes 1/2" dia rocket tubes. I wrapped the front ends with bond paper and spray adhesive to "thicken" them up a bit and sealed the paper with SIG Clear Dope.
Here's a pic of what I'm aiming for.
Steve

timfarrar

Steve :

That is just awsome !!!

Where do you get those little nuts and bolts ? 00-90


SEEYA, TIM

abufletcher

Steve, 1/6 scale is ok. You just have to stop building scouts! The 1/6 scale Albatros CI that Chris is gearing up for (and which will probably be my next build) is 51" long and has a 85" wingspan. But it's still be using a 90 size engine (at this point we're planning on a RCV 91). The 5" white WB wheels are perfect -- as is the 1:6 scale Parabellum kit.

And if that's still too small, you could build yourself a 1:6 scale C/L Gotha! Now THAT would be something to behold!!!

BTW, the engine looks stunning. Don't know why I should be surprised.

abufletcher

But yeah, I know what you mean. [sm=red_smile.gif]

smcouch77

Hi Tim. I get the small stuff at http://www.microfasteners.com/. If you just need a few you can find them at a model train store, but they cost a lot more.
Hi Don. I hope you're enjoying your vacation. Are you suggesting that I build something other than SE5a's? Blasphemy!
Steve

abufletcher

I've always wondered about those guys who build corsair after corsair after corsair -- nothing but corsairs their entirely modeling life. [sm=bananahead.gif] I just didn't realize that WWI guys could become addicted too.

There are already WAY more aircraft -- even just WWI aircraft -- that I would like to model than I'll even be able to work my way through at a model a year (which is about as fast as I seem to be able to work).

As far as vacation goes, I'm enjoying doing things with the family but am missing working on the model. I even found myself looking at a little Guillow's stick and tissue kit the other day. So to get my "fix" of modeling I'm thinking of working on the a "tope" version of my photo dummy engine. Tope is an art technique whereby photos are built up in multiple layers (and shaped) to create the effect of a 3-D object. I've already experimented a bit with this and it looks pretty darn convincing.

smcouch77

That sounds like an interesting process. post some pics
Steve

smcouch77

Progress is a little slow lately. This is my busy season for work. I have made some progress on the exhaust. Also I added the half moon latches for the lower cowl and the brackets for the exhaust. hopefully I'll finish up this weekend and get started on the Lewis gun and rail.
Steve

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Steve are you planning to attend the Dawn Patrol event at Dayton next month? ..Just wondering.

smcouch77

Hi Bob. Sorry, I won't be able to be there this year. It's on the same weekend as the FAI team trials. Maybe next year.
Steve

timfarrar

Bob and Steve :

The Dawn Patrol you guy's are talking about !!
Is it the same as these guy's ?
http://www.hoosierdawnpatrol.com/

Thats a cool site !!!


SEEYA, TIM

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

Tim.. no this dawn patrol is at the AF Museum in Dayton in Sept...

http://www.gwaero.org/horizon.html

Steve.. I'm thinking you'll make the team.. easy!

smcouch77

I finished up the engine & exhaust.(Well, at least for now) There will always be a little something more to add. I'v started on the Lewis gun & mount. It's coming along pretty well. I'll post some pics of it tomorrow.
Steve

MaineBear

I thought it was a the actual plane BEAUTIFUL !!! Can wait to see what details you add next.

Dick

smcouch77

Thanks Dick. I finished the Lewis gun & mount this evening. The only big detail left is the scale prop & hub. Of course there are hundreds of "Little" things I'll add as time goes by. I've been told that scale planes are never finished. I believe it's true.
Steve

abufletcher

This quote is usually attributed to Dave Platt. However, he continues on to add: "...you just quit working on it."

smcouch77

Here's the last of the major details. A scale prop and hub. Now I can work on the weathering. If the average life expectancy of pilot & plane was three weeks, How much weathering could the average SE5a have?
Steve

abufletcher

Steve, once again, absolutely stunning!

As to your weathering questions, Dave Platt (in an article in the MAN book on scale modeling) talks about how "weathering" is really a terms covering a range of things of which "wear and tear" is but one aspect. Unfortunately, my copy is back in Japan. But he talks about dusting the model in a light grey wash to create scale athmospheric perspective, grit and grim (of which WWI aircraft were lightly to have a fair bit), and oil stains from normal operation.

I'd think more in terms of what a shiny new plane would look like after even a few dawn patrols landing in mud and flying through rain.

smcouch77

Thanks Don. I agree that dirt and water will be the most obvious weathering. I saw a method that used a very small amount of grey paint in a lot of water, wiped on from front to rear. It gave a subtle water streaked look. I'm going to try it with dirty water. Heck, it works on windows If I don't like it I can wipe it off. Then ther is the scuffing on the tread plates, stirrup, and around the cockpit. I'm sure they didn't wipe their boots off before stepping on the seat.
Steve

abufletcher

To weather my EIII I applied an very thin wash of black+sienna over the entire model -- I really just slopped it on. This had the effect (IMHO) of bringing all the different parts together and eliminating the uniform look of the antique solartex. Then I slopped on more of the wash in places that I figured would have gotten a lot of ground dirt kicked up on it (i.e. bottom and sides of fuse). Finally, I added some "drips" running diagonally (as if the aircraft was sitting at the field). I also used cotton to blot on the wash heavier still about the fuse near the rear of the wing roots.

I did all this AFTER I added the markings but BEFORE I did the final clear coat with PU.

I'm hoping to do bit more on the Snipe (but then Snipes were only on the front lines for a matter of weeks before the Armistice).

smcouch77

Hi Don. Do you have any close ups of the EIII that you could post here? Or maybe some links to weathered planes?
Steve