Macchi M-5

[europapete]

All I can say is "yep, what Dean said!" Mike, this is an awesome build and a great tutorial for the rest of us. Regards, Pete in RI

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've added radiator cowl support struts (0.5 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube).
Also the air pressurisation pipe (for fuel tank) between wind driven pump and the fuselage fuel tank. Made from 'PlusModel' 0.3 mm lead wire.

 

Now to do are:

 

The auxiliary pipe between the fuselage and the intake manifolds.
The throttle control rod from the cockpit to the two carburettors.
The fuel supply pipe between the fuselage fuel tank and pipe between the engine carburettors.
Oil pressure pipe between the engine and the cockpit gauge.
Magneto wiring from cockpit starter magneto to engine.
 
Mike

 

 

[CZPetrP]

WOW. It looks like a real machine.

[Rocat]

Amazing skills are required for such a beutiful work, Maestro!

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've attempted to represent the various controls from the cockpit to the engine.
Given the limitations of the model (especially after so many alterations) and a lack of information, some 'poetic license' was employed.

The auxiliary pipe from between the fuel the intake manifolds (0.5 mm Nickel-Silver tube with 0.8 mm brass tube connection).
The throttle control rod from the cockpit to the two carburettors (0.2 mm Nickel-Silver rod - throttle lever and support from 'spare' photo-etch).
The fuel supply pipe from the fuselage fuel tank to pipe between the engine carburettors (0.5 mm Nickel-Silver tube with 0.8 and 1.0 mm brass tube connection).
Oil pressure pipe from cockpit exit to engine (‘Model Factory Hire' (MFH) 0.4 mm black tube). 
Cockpit starter Magneto wiring from cockpit exit to engine magnetos (‘Model Factory Hire' (MFH) 0.4 mm black tube). 

 

Now it's onto prepping the rigging before the upper wing is fitted,
 
Mike

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by sandbagger

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
On the homeward stretch now.

 

The upper wing with pre-rigged lines, has now been fitted.
That included of course the scratch made struts - tricky but done.
The tail unit (fin/rudder and elevators) has also been fitted.

There's a way to go before the aircraft is finished, let alone the figure and display base.
Some of the things needed include the necessary paint touch-ups, final rigging, tail plane support struts (scratch), attach wing floats, gun sight, upper wing vent pipe (radiator).
One last major job left to do are the wing outer bracing struts, which as usual, are not supplied in the kit.

 

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
These are not very good shots but I thought I'd post up the rigging installed, along with the wing floats.
There's a bit of painting to do then it's onto rigging and bracing the tail unit,

 

Mike

 

 

[Troy Molitor]

That is really a gorgeous looking aircraft.  

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've some progress on the wing outer bracing struts, which are not supplied with the kit.
Created from 0.9 mm diameter tube, formed into an aerofoil shape and with internal 0.5 mm locating rods soft soldered.
Beforehand the locating holes of 0.6 mm diameter were drilled into the upper and lower wings.
I've still got the central cross bars to do, but nearly there,

 

Mike 

 

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
As the aircraft model is more or less finished, I've started on the pilot figure.
The figure is the ‘Allarmi’ WW1 Aces of Italian A.F. (32063). 
The figure had a walking cane in the right hand, but I've removed that as I intend to have the figure leaning against the fuselage.
I also chose to use the head without flying helmet and goggles, as the aircraft will be on its beaching trolley and trestles (so not about to fly). 

 

Mike

 

[scvrobeson]

Brilliant work Mike.  Always elevating the base kit with a lot of touches and fixes.

 

 

Matt 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The pilot figure has been painted.
With that done the Macchi M.5 model is now finished, apart from setting it up on its display base.

 

Thanks to everyone who followed this journey and for your encouraging comments on what turned out to be a 'challenging' build.
I'll be posting up the completed model photographs once the display is done, which hopefully will not be long,

 

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

The finished model is now up on the 'Ready for Inspection' page,

 

Mike