1:32 scale Ansaldo A.1 'Balilla'

[sandbagger 3,095]

20 hours ago, spartacus2000 said:

Great detail and work done so far I arrived a little late to give you some tips and photos for the cockpit and engine but if you are interested I can sppedire the photos I took some time ago at the Trento museum. Let me know via pm

 

Hi,

Thanks for your offer of photographs.

I think I have it covered but I'll sure PM you if needed,

 

Mike

[ericg 9,694]

2 hours ago, sandbagger said:

 

Hi Eric,

Yes it's quite common for some resin kits to suffer from distortion after a period of time.

Metal rods at the wing roots aid in supporting that end of the wing, but not the outer area of the wings.

Unlike styrene, resin moulded parts don't have 'memory', which is why I think good manufacturers of resin kits secure the main parts on boards/cards in the kit.

It's probably why distorted resin parts are more easy to heat treat than styrene parts, to get them back in shape.

Also thin resin parts are brittle and easily broken, hence the use of metal reinforcing rods moulded into the parts.

I think another reason, particularly with wing droop, is the rigging material used.

I use mono-filament (fishing line), which doesn't 'give' so holds things in shape.

Stretchable rigging line, such as EZ, can stretch many time its own length, so can't retain parts in shape or give structural strength to a build.

I've not had any resin model I've built yet show signs of sag - hopefully they'll stay that way,

 

Mike   

 

All good points, but I have built many resin kits over the years and have plenty of experience with biplanes. Out of all the kits that I have on display, this one is the one that has sagged. I did notice that even though the parts were supported with integral metal rods, the top wing was particularly flexible. 
 

Just something to be aware of that’s all.

[spyrosjzmichos 1,633]

Outstanding job Mike!

The wood painting is beautiful!

[sandbagger 3,095]

Hi all,
The basic fuselage is now complete, apart from the windscreen and flying wire anchor points.
The final display will be the aircraft undergoing engine maintenance, so the engine front twin cowl panel will be removed.
I’ve added the coolant/vent pipe from the rear of the radiator header tank, made from 0.5 mm tube.
Two bracing lines were fitted between the forward fuselage cabane struts and an inverted tubular ‘V’ frame, which was attached to the insides of the fuselage and over the top of the engine camshaft. 
This was made from formed 0.8 mm diameter tube with ’GasPatch’ resin 1:48th anchor points.
A tubular retaining frame was fitted over the inverted ‘V’ frame and attached to the inside of the fuselage sides.
This was made from annealed 0.375 mm diameter copper wire.
I’ve changed the aircraft serial number by replacing the number 3 with the number 5.
The supplied decal for the particular aircraft is 16538.
However is seems the only ‘Balilla’ aircraft serial numbers recorded for No:70a Squadriglia were 16550, 16555, 16556 and 16558.
Therefore my assumption is that this aircraft serial number was probably 16558, not 16538.
Also this aircraft had two light coloured bar markings on the left of the turtle decal, just behind the cockpit.
The exact colour of these bands is not known or if they were repeated on the other side of the turtle deck.

 

Now onto the undercarriage before starting on the wings and rigging preparation,

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LSP_Kevin 32,002]

That looks brilliant, Mike!

 

Kev

[sandbagger 3,095]

Hi all,
Some modellers think photo-etch 'is your friend'   :eek2:
Here are the wing and strut rigging attachments plus the aileron control levers.
All are photo-etch and with self-aligning 'hinged' anchor plates for attaching the rigging lines.

 

Mike

 

[LSP_Kevin 32,002]

It's definitely not my friend!

 

Kev

[geedubelyer 1,412]

You know when someone builds a model that looks so good you just want one in your cabinet? This is one of those!

 

What a beautiful model Mike. It just keeps getting better and better. 

 

Cheers.

[MARU5137 15,904]

Mike ,

EXQUISITE modelling. 

Your finesse in building this Balilla is PHENOMENAL. 

I adore the methodical,  meticulous work and your eye for detail is Super.

Pristine in every way.

 

Of course you are SO very skilful in building bygone aircrafts.

KUDOS.

 

[Troy Molitor 4,053]

Looks daunting but your skill set will get this done.   Love the updates Mike.  

 

Troy 

[sandbagger 3,095]

Hi all,
I've finally applied all of the required decals.
Accurate cutting out of the decals is necessary for the wing coverings and alignment of edges is necessary.
Slight overhang of dried decal was gently sanded away.
Weather, although slight, was done using 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt fine clay wash, sealed with 'Alclad' Semi-Matte lacquer.

 

Now it's onto fitting the photo-etch rigging anchors before pre-rigging is carried out.

 

Mike

 

 

[Troy Molitor 4,053]

Wow.  Just love all your updates Mike.  The subjects always are pleasing to the eye but your techniques are cracking to see in action.     

[sandbagger 3,095]

Hi all,
An example of pre-rigging a twin flying wire anchor for the lower wing roots.
A combination of 0.08 mm and 0.15 mm diameter mono-filament and 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm blackened brass tubes.
All together there will be sixteen various types of hinged rigging anchors to pre-rig before the wings are fitted,

 

Mike

 

[MARU5137 15,904]

Super updates with techniques  that are

worth noting.

Outstanding  work. 

 

[sandbagger 3,095]

Hi all,
Well that's the pre-rigging of the anchor points done now.

 

Mike