sandbagger 3,095 Posted January 2 Author Share Posted January 2 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 MARU5137 1 Link to post Share on other sites
ericg 9,694 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 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. MARU5137 1 Link to post Share on other sites
spyrosjzmichos 1,633 Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Outstanding job Mike! The wood painting is beautiful! Link to post Share on other sites
sandbagger 3,095 Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 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 Troy Molitor, scvrobeson, geedubelyer and 10 others 13 Link to post Share on other sites
LSP_Kevin 32,002 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 That looks brilliant, Mike! Kev Link to post Share on other sites
sandbagger 3,095 Posted January 8 Author Share Posted January 8 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 Landrotten Highlander, scvrobeson, Trak-Tor and 5 others 8 Link to post Share on other sites
LSP_Kevin 32,002 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 It's definitely not my friend! Kev MARU5137 1 Link to post Share on other sites
geedubelyer 1,412 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 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. Link to post Share on other sites
MARU5137 15,904 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 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. Link to post Share on other sites
Troy Molitor 4,053 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 Looks daunting but your skill set will get this done. Love the updates Mike. Troy Link to post Share on other sites
sandbagger 3,095 Posted January 12 Author Share Posted January 12 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 Hemi, LSP_Kevin, kensar and 5 others 8 Link to post Share on other sites
Troy Molitor 4,053 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 Wow. Just love all your updates Mike. The subjects always are pleasing to the eye but your techniques are cracking to see in action. Link to post Share on other sites
sandbagger 3,095 Posted January 13 Author Share Posted January 13 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 scvrobeson, Trak-Tor, Landrotten Highlander and 2 others 5 Link to post Share on other sites
MARU5137 15,904 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Super updates with techniques that are worth noting. Outstanding work. Link to post Share on other sites
sandbagger 3,095 Posted January 15 Author Share Posted January 15 Hi all, Well that's the pre-rigging of the anchor points done now. Mike Tnarg, LSP_Kevin, MARU5137 and 3 others 6 Link to post Share on other sites
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