How to align biplane wings?

[CANicoll]

Ok, I'm on my fourth build and I just don't have a great method for getting the top wing properly aligned (meaning ahead) of the bottom wing.  Invariably the struts to the fuselage are way off if I start with the outbound struts. Is starting at the fuselage the better way?

 

Anybody got any tips on the best way to align the two wings?  I'm building the Italeri/HobbyCraft 1/32 Sopwith Camel.

 

Thanks in advance!!

 

Chris

[Joe66]

Build or buy a jig that will hold the fuselage, and the wings. There are a couple of good commercial jigs avil. Also, there are at least a few good articles on the 'net about building inexpensive jigs.

 

Joe

[LSP_Kevin]

I just leave the top one off.

 

Kev

[DeanKB]

Jigs are the way to go long-term.

 

Shorter term, I'd start with the nacelle struts and work outwards. Glue all the struts into the bottom wing first, then align the top wing. The struts should be more or less aligned if the kit is any good, so the top wing fits the correct angles. 

 

Maybe use a temporary cardboard jig. I used to use the box, with the angles drawn on the inside of the box.

[DrDave]

The trick is to stand the model on the wing leading edges in the corner of the model box. Leave it like that for a few hours and they align. It's on the WNW hints and tips page.

[Guest Clunkmeister]

Yes, what Dr. Dave says.

 

1. Install cabanes first at the correct angle. Eyeball them as needed.

2. Pre rig the wires into the top wing the install turnbuckles into bottom wing and align them as close as the Mk.1 eyeball allows.

3. Install interplane struts.

4. Install top wing from the center out. Align using Mk.1 eyeball.

5. Then do as Dr. Dave says.

6. Run rigging

Edited June 10, 2017 by Clunkmeister

[CANicoll]

This has been helpful, and humorous at the same time.  Ok, looks like I need to either get serious and buy/build a jib (I had a feeling that was coming) or go the mono-wing rout that Kev suggested.      I have to tell you, Kev's suggestion has a lot of merit!  And I've not gone the turn-buckle route just yet - I'm still in very amateur status when it comes to the WWI kits. 

 

The HobbyCraft/Italeri kits are not as well engineered so the pieces align themselves reasonably well.  Now I'm ruing not having my boys Lego's around for me to build a quick jig out of (of course they are both in their 20's now!).  I'll hunt around the internet for a jib-building lesson.

 

Thanks guys!  No club meeting till August but want to get this wrapped up this month if I can.

 

Chris

 

UPDATE:  Just ordered a jig from JH models for both the large and small sizes.  Pretty cheap, ~$20 each so I figured why not.

Edited June 10, 2017 by CANicoll

[Guest Clunkmeister]

WNW D.Vll. Or Rodent Dr1

[CANicoll]

Clunk - I think you are right.  When I dive into the WNW madness (and I have plenty of encouragement from lots of folks here) those would be the kits I would start with.  Cheers for the suggestions!

Chris

[CANicoll]

The Jigs should show up tomorrow - I got both sizes: 1/72-1/48 and the 1/48-1/32.  This should be fun to actually have the right tool to get this working right.  I have an Eduard Fokker DVII I might try now.  Rigging is still and issue tho....  

[CANicoll]

From UMM-USA.  I've ordered a few things from them before.  I placed my order Saturday morning, and they will arrive today - UMM actually got the order and shipped within a few hours so that is pretty cool.  The prices have dropped pretty significantly.  I have 3201 already and its huge, so ordered the smaller version 4801, as well as both 4802 and 7202 biplane jigs.

 

Here is the link to the jigs.

 

Good luck,

Chris

Edited June 12, 2017 by CANicoll

[Out2gtcha]

Their bipe jig is good, but only for smaller WnW sized bipes. I tried to put my HpH Walrus on it, and NO go. However, when it comes time to glue on my D.VII upper wing, it will fit pleasantly.

 

The boys are correct, if you want to jump into Sir Peter stuff, the D.VII Im working on is indeed a MoJo BOOSTER!  VERY little rigging, straight forward build with great (but typical, IE scraping mating surfaces) WnW fit.

Great stuff. Im througholy enjoying myself, and havnt built a thing in over 8 months prior. 

[CANicoll]

Brian and guys:

 

Thanks for this and we will see when I get the mojo up for a WNW kit.   .  So I got the 1:48/1:32 jig together and started on getting the upper wing on the Sopwith Camel.  Definitely will take some practice to get everything set up just right to then apply the struts, but I also see where this will save a lot of cussing and other unpleasantness when it comes to getting that top wing aligned.  

 

One thing I see that that JHModels rig doesn't really help set is the stagger of the top wing over the bottom.  I had to slide the fuselage/lower wing back pretty far to get that top wing properly aligned.  Now, the instructions also don't really help when it comes to setting it (but maybe better kits like WNWs have that defined?).

 

But I have 6 of the 8 struts on now and waiting for the cement to fully set before I attach those last two.  MUCH easier using the jig!

 

I was too busy putting the jig together and getting the wing on to take pictures but will see if I can write a review or something of the jig unless one has already been done.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice!

 

Chris

[CANicoll]

OK, I have to laugh at myself, even with the jig.  You all probably already figured this out, but I'm learning the hard way:  So I actually have 7 1/2 struts attached.  One is just not going to quite reach all the way to where it should.  Its about 1-2mm short.  No worries.

 

What is funny (to me anyway) is that the top wing is canted slightly askew compared to the bottom wing.  Like 3-4 degrees canted!  I see the problem NOW, but clearly this was not on my radar screen last night when I set the struts.  Another lesson for the book:  make sure the wings are aligned!  LOL.

 

Chris

[Shawn M]