sandbagger

Hi Kev, Yes exactly that. 'Aviattic have two primary types of linen effect decals: 'White' - these decals are printed on a white layer, so are not translucent and can be applied on any base coat colour without it showing through. 'Clear' - these decals are translucent and to get the effect of the linen weave, need to be applied onto a light base colour, usually white but can be tan, grey etc. The 'weave' effect decals are translucent but with no other colour, just the weave effect. They should be applied over the appropriate base colour so the weave effect shows

Hi all, I decided to employ the same technique I used for the Ansaldo 'Baby' and create the linen effect using the 'Aviattic' weave effect decal (ATT32236). This was not an easy task for the fuselage, as it has a round section which also tapers towards the rear of the fuselage. This meant that I couldn't apply the decal as large pieces, as they would have folded and creased as they were applied towards the tapered rear of the fuselage. Instead I had to cut multiple paper templates to span only two fuselage longerons at a time. Then trace these templates onto the decal sheet, cut out

Hi all, I've replaced the kit supplied Vickers Mk.1 machine gun with one from 'GasPatch'. The actual aircraft had a ring site fitted to the weapon, which wasn't on the kit part, so I used a spare from a 'Wingnut Wings' Sopwith Camel kit, Mike

Hi all, The underside of the wings and fuselage were said to be a light blue colour, in order to reduce the absorbed heat reflected from the ground. It is thought the propeller spinner was of the same colour. The colour of the upper surfaces has been depicted as either a red/brown (PC 12) or an olive green (early PC10). The kit instructions and most colour profiles have the PC12 colour. However, the ‘Windsock’ Data file No:52 colour profile is PC10. As always the definition of colours from early monochrome photographs has always been problematic and the shade differences between PC

Hi All, I've been working on the undersides of the Bristol, which had the lined doped in light blue to help reflect the heat whilst operating in Mesopotamia. First was to prime grey then mask off the wing ribs and fuselage longerons. Then pre-shade using 'Tamiya' Smoke (XF19). Lightly overspray with 'Tamiya' Light Blue (XF23). Then remove all masking and a final light top coat of the light blue. The propeller assembly was done at the same time. Now it's onto painting

Hi all, I've added the bungee type suspension cord to the axle ends, using 'EZ' heavy line (white). Also the half hoops at the axle ends, inboard from the base of the undercarriage struts. Made from annealed 0.4 mm diameter rod. Mike

Hi all, The wings are supported by a strut assembly over the cockpit. The kit supplied struts are intended to be 'butt' glued together at the top and into shallow recesses in the fuselage sides. Not a very satisfactory assembly and probably not really strong enough to take the weight of the solid wings with rigging. Therefore I've replaced them with aero-shaped tubing with 0.4 mm diameter rods for locating into the fuselage. The whole assembly is soft soldered for strength, Mike

Hi all, Here's the shots of the completed Italian Sopwith ‘Baby’ (Serial No. So.5005), built under license by the SA Aeronautica Gio Ansaldo of Turin. The resin model is from 'Lukgraph. A fully detailed build log, in PDF format, will be available to view or download from gallery 2 on my site (just click on the PDF icon) from the site link below. The forum build log for this model can be found here: Mike

Hi all, Just a few updates. I've modified the front end to accept a 'ProperPlane' laminated propeller ('Lang' type). This entailed replacing the propeller shaft on the engine with 2.0 mm tube and filing the front face of the spinner support ring. Also sanding the rear face of the propeller hub, re-profiling the spinner cut-outs and thinning the walls of the engine cowl and spinner. The Vickers Mk.1 machine gun was replaced with a 'GasPatch' version, which required lengthening the fuselage recess to accept the weapon. The two ammunition feed guards were also s

Hi all, The cockpit is ready to be fitted into the fuselage, when most of it won't be visible (why do we do it). Additional pipes are 0.4 mm diameter lead wire. Engine control rods are 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube, chemically blackened with 'Black-It'. The supplied seat harness was photo-etch and looked remarkably the same as the 'Eduard' set for the WW2 Fairy 'Swordfish' aircraft. Needless to say I replaced them with the coloured textile set from 'HGW Models', Mike.

Hi all, Most of the cockpit has been assembled now. The control lines and bracing lines are 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament, with 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tubes and 'Gaspatch 1:48th scale turnbuckles. I've still fit the engine controls and rods and the pilot's seat with harness. Then it's a bit of weathering and finally sealing, to add the semi-sheen finish to the wood work and leather seat cushion, Mike

Hi all, I'm working my way through the cockpit assembly. Most is assembled ready for painting. There are other parts to add after they've been painted. I've drill 0.3 mm diameter holes and added 'GasPatch' 1:48th 'one end' turnbuckles to the rudder bar. Added a 0.3 mm rod to the control column to add strength to its attachment to the floor (hole drilled to receive the rod). I've also drilled 0.3 mm diameter holes across the control column for the elevator control wires. The instrument panel of the cockpit right side frame is orientated incorrectly in the instructions.

Hi all, The engine for the Bristol is done. It's the basic kit engine with just the ignition leads added. The leads were made from twisted 0.125 mm copper wire and annealed to soften and discolour them. The engine was painted with 'Alclad' lacquers - Black Base (ALC-305-60), Steel (ALC-112) and Exhaust Manifold (ALC-123). The kit engine was used as it is a good enough quality not to require an aftermarket version. Besides, once fitted, very little of the engine will be visible inside the engine cowl and behind the propeller and huge spinner. Now it's onto the

Hi all, After the trials and tribulations of several resin model builds recently, I thought I'd do a 'mojo' build. I've chosen the 'Special Hobby' 1:32nd Bristol M1.c 'Bullet'. This particular model build will depict the Bristol M.1c ‘Bullet’, Serial No. C4907 of No.150 Squadron RAF, operating in Macedonia during 1918. This aircraft was flown by Lt. K.B. Moseley, who was credited with the shooting down of an Albatros D.V on the 9th of July, 1918 over the Rupel Pass. This same aircraft was also flown by Lt. J.P. Cavers, who was credited with the shooting down of

Hi all, I've now completed the bracing wires for the main floats. Now I'm finishing off the ailerons and their control cables. The cable pulleys for the upper wing are resin and I don't think are strong enough to take the tension on the rigging line. Therefore I disregarded them and instead made pulleys from 0.2 mm thick plastic card and 0.8 mm brass rod. Once the ailerons are sorted I only have a few items to do, such as the pitot tubes, pilots step, float keel etc. Also I'm waiting for the display case and propeller to be delivered, so I can complete this model.