Edhamp

Putting everything together, the following pictures show work to date. Still plenty of details to add as well as service markings. There is a delay in getting hold of some parts and decals I need to complete this work. Included above and not previously covered for anyone who might wish to detail their Storch are the following:

a) flare pistol, which fits in holder on the fuselage tubular frame
b) tail trim wheel, which also linked to the meter.
c) magnetic compass, with light
d) sun visor roller blind, suitably weathered and faded, which was held below the compass,
e) Various control rods etc, most of which were external and visible in the cockpit.

Still to add are fuel lines, various cables, seat belts etc

flartz

Spectacular. I am in awe of your work Ed. Can't wait to see the finished product in all it's scale glory. Sean

Edhamp

Thanks very much Sean. Long way to go but I am enjoying seeing the model slowly come to life.

cheers
Ed

Prekin

My Feedback: (19)

Hi Ed!
These pictures are from your model or from real Storch???
It looks great! How long did you make this part?

Edhamp

These are model pictures of work completed so far! I hope I will have it ready for next summer.

I just got the Delrin chain today for the non-functional flap actuating linkage. It looks just right for the job. The postage from the US cost almost double the value of the items sent! It is about 1/8" wide and very fine.

Ed

Prekin

My Feedback: (19)

Your model looks like real Storch. I´ve just had the same problem with the postage from the US. But the expensive scale pilot or some scale item is better than no pilot or item.

flartz

Hi Ed. Don't worry about a little thing like cost. You're creating a masterpiece!!! Great work. Keep it coming. Cheers. Sean

Edhamp

Quite right Sean, its not the cost, just the principle! I also put in the internal fuel lines that run down from the wing root. Saw somewhere that these were secured with cord so did the same.

.

Edhamp

Instrument Panel (cont)

The instrument panel is completed, received the cockpit nomenclature from Nigel at Flightline Graphics today, together with the masks for my chosen colour scheme (see earlier). Excellent work and great service. Could not wait to see what the finished panel would look like. The small text is sharp at 2mm and nicely solid. Dry rub is really the only way to go here and it makes all the difference to the panel. I have a few more stencils to put in and around the cockpit . Also added one or too other details to the panel such as the chain that stops a key or peg from getting lost I guess. Wish I knew what some of these knobs and controls did!




Next job will be to fit the extensive glazing and frames, which has got me scratching my head at the moment as I find a compromise between what will pass as scale and the actual items I have to work with. I do not like the prospect of drilling a couple of hundred holes and using the overscale metal domed rivets that have been supplied with the kit. The frame on the full size is fairly smooth and is covered in rib tapes or similar, with no screws/rivets visible.




I also need to reproduce the two large ventilation window panels with the associated hinges, catches and handle. These stand out on the full size and need to look right. I-ll be glad to move on from the cockpit onto something else.

peersy

Hi ed

Am loving your storch build!
I'm in the process of building an own design 1/4 storch with metal fuz and folding wings (pics below) and wondered if you could tell me where you got the delrin chain?
regards
chris

Edhamp

Thanks for posting Chris. Brilliant own design. My skills do not go that far! I thought about making the wings folding but decided too complex a job to modify the existing kit but it sure makes transporting and field assembly easier. I will just have to simulate the panels.


I finally managed to track down some chain here http://www.rodmiller.com in the USA
Apparently there is a shortage due to production problems in China, which seems to be the only manufacturing source.


cheers

Ed

peersy

Hi Ed
Many thanks for your kind remarks,however it is'nt all my own work I co build my aircraft with a good friend who we affectionately call sparticus. the folding wings were a complete nightmare to get working but do look the biz when finished.
Many thanks for the link to the drive chain I can now finish the rest of the interior.
regards
chris

Edhamp

Gun Mounting

The MG13 cupola ring gun mount with lens glass is something that needs attention. It is clear from pictures that there a gear wheel and ring allowing the whole gun mount to be rotated using large locking handle, as well as the gimbal mount for the gun itself.

I made up the bits from odds and ends. You need to carefully cut out the round lens part from the clear canopy vacuum moulding supplied with the kit. The ring is actually cut from a plastic flowerpot and then built up.



The assembly is mounted and secured using some black rubber tube to simulate the canopy internal frame, and various detail added.



A major task to tackle on this bird is the canopy glass and frames. You do get some aluminium strips in the kit and some small dome rivets. Several hundred in total are needed and supplied for the whole structure. This is one of the hardest and also most tedious part of the build. The rivets as supplied are too large and nowhere like scale, also the suggested layout of the frames is not correct. You needs to drill a couple of hundred holes, some into the tubular frame so make sure you have plenty of drill bits because you will need them!

I started to fit the top and front windows. I decided it is easier working with one or two windows at a time cut out from the clear thick sheet that is ready marked and shaped. I put the rivets as supplied in my spares box, instead I used some tiny screws from Mick Reeves models,

It is work in progress and when finished the frames need to be covered in ribbing tape as per full size practice to blend in with the fabric covering. Also the various panels etc need fitting as in the photo. The roof panels are removable so the framing needs to simulate this.

Edhamp

Cockpit Windows

The large opening vent windows for the pilot are something that you cannot ignore and give the model character. I made some handles and stays and used some small brass hinges. I have not actually cut a hole for the window, I think this would weaken the window and it is bound to flop about. Instead it looks fine if you place the opening section over the main window and it is secured with the fixing screws for the hinges, handle, stay etc

.

Fitting the canopy and frame continues to be work in progress and will take some time yet.

Edhamp

It has been a while since I posted here. Still going strong but a little more slowly for those still following. Work continues on the canopy frame, and engine cowl areas. Getting close to covering the fuselage. The canopy frames also need to be covered to simulate tape.
The first pic shows the foil and sheet covering for the cowl and the cover for the flap gear wheel just under the window which is a prominent feature on the side. The other pics show the area below the cockpit floor with the rudder servo where I will fit the SBUS receiver and the fibre glass sheet covers simulating the lower panels and fasteners.

Edhamp

More pictures of the cowl area at different stages. The working scale triangular hatches will provide access to a Powerbox sensor switch, ignition and charging sockets. Note the finished cockpit vent windows and the upper non-slip panel which simulates ribbed rubber and mounting frame strips.

Edhamp

Some views from inside the cockpit, also the rear gun mount details and the small ventilator no doubt came in handy in the hot desert . I did not use the large rivets supplied with the kit to attach the canopy frame as they are rather overlarge. I used some tiny screws from Mick Reeves. When covered in tape and painted up I hope to "loose" these screws.

jwrich

My Feedback: (17)

Just Super Work!! Thank you for posting your build, love the pictures.

Merry Christmas
Rich

Edhamp

Thanks Rich, this is turning into a labour of love (with much swearing and tantrums in between when things do not work out!) have a good Christmas too and I hope Santa brings you something nice to fly!
Ed

flartz

I'm still totally in awe of this build Ed. Spectcularly amazing stuff. Sean

Edhamp

Thanks again Sean for your nice comments. Ed

Edhamp

Covering

Starting to think about covering the fuselage now before I can finish the cockpit frame details. On the full size the covering is joined at the centreline underneath using laces and eyelets to pull the two sides together. This is quite an obvious feature seen from underneath and extends all the way along the fuselage length. I simulated this with some solartex covering folded over onto itself. Through the fold was threaded some push/pull cable. Two halves were made and joined together with a strip of covering from behind. This was then stitched with thread to simulate the tie cord and then attached to the fuselage and shrunk in the usual way. Weathering/painting will help enhance the look. The lower cover is also shown in place.

Edhamp

Some more pictures as covering continues. Details include the cargo bay cover and first aid box on fuselage side, the flare exit shute, various hatches and latches. The rib tapes come from Mick Reeves models and are 1/4 and 1/5 scale. I will use these on the wings once I have made some simulated stitching strips. I also need to find some small zip fasteners to make up the prominent inspection access in the fabric that is just behind the RHS cockpit window. Just when you think you have added all necessary details you spot something else. Once painted and weathered everything should highlight nicely.

Edhamp

Some more pics of further detailing work. Rib tapes added to cockpit frame etc, inspection access, ground plug

I am hoping using a light coloured tape and black luggage door cover will provide some subtle contrast once painted over to make things more lifelike. Too many scale models are painted in a uniform identical shade colour throughout whereas on full size colour could vary from panel to panel, over access areas, different materials etc.

Edhamp

Time I spent some time in the wings for a change. The wings and tails have open and closed areas that are fabric covered, some metal covering and various added components such as the mass balances and leading edge slats, which are metal.

A problem undertaking this work is that the original Storch came with mostly wooden wings and tails whereas later licence built version used more metal in thier construction for the ribs etc, and so there are significant detail differences. I have tried to simulate the various materials used with a combination of metal foil, litho plate, built up painted panel using spray primer, etc etc.

The pictures show the wing fuel tanks, wing tip with navigation lights, mass balances etc.

On the full size the wings could be folded back, Not on this model, but the various hinged panels and at the wing root and sections needed to be simulated
.

Again the range of material used and different finishing techniques will give the with provide depth and contrast to the final surface to make it look as real as possible.
Sometimes making things look real can conflict with making things to perfect scale. If there is a decision to be made I tend to favour the former approach.