Group Build: Biplane - barnstormer to fighter

[BarleyBop]

Yellow is looking good

Thinking the same thing, really popping and deep!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

My mom's husband was into that before moving here. Unfortunately he was intimidated by "all the rich guys with their expensive planes" and stopped. Or maybe he just didn't feel like he could socialize with the guys at the airfield. Idk. I was actually thinking about building a plane myself!

I built and flew planes starting in the '80s and a lot in the 90s and in 2000 my son was born and that was it. I told myself when I first started I had a trainer and an OS 40 and the cheapest 4 Channel radio. I think it was a Futaba FM. I still have everything. I could charge up and fly right now but too many rules and regulations with the drones and everything. And the initial outlay to join the club is a little much right now since I let it lapse. But building planes is fun. All you need is a big work surface that is absolutely perfectly flat and level. And you need to be able to stick pins in it. I like using doors. Tape the plans to it. Tape wax paper over that. Voila.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I built and flew planes starting in the '80s and a lot in the 90s and in 2000 my son was born and that was it. I told myself when I first started I had a trainer and an OS 40 and the cheapest 4 Channel radio. I think it was a Futaba FM. I still have everything. I could charge up and fly right now but too many rules and regulations with the drones and everything. And the initial outlay to join the club is a little much right now since I let it lapse. But building planes is fun. All you need is a big work surface that is absolutely perfectly flat and level. And you need to be able to stick pins in it. I like using doors. Tape the plans to it. Tape wax paper over that. Voila.

Put it this way. Back when I was flying at the club probably early 90s. I would go after work in the afternoon around 2:30 hot as s***. No one was there but one guy who liked the heat as much as I did. We would fire our planes up and and start climbing. Around and around going up and up until your plane is just a tiny little Dot. That's when you shut your engine off. The timer starts. Last one down wins. Try that nowadays the FCC would be all over you not to mention the FAA

 

[Ron2]

Put it this way. Back when I was flying at the club probably early 90s. I would go after work in the afternoon around 2:30 hot as s***. No one was there but one guy who liked the heat as much as I did. We would fire our planes up and and start climbing. Around and around going up and up until your plane is just a tiny little Dot. That's when you shut your engine off. The timer starts. Last one down wins. Try that nowadays the FCC would be all over you not to mention the FAA

Things have changed quite a bit. I was shocked to find I had to buy a license plate and register my dirtbikes when I moved here. Now, you have to take a safety course to ride public land. Not sure that will change the amount of accidents tourists have or the idiots. The older I get the more I realize the world is set up for the average knucklehead and the rest of us have to live with it.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Things have changed quite a bit. I was shocked to find I had to buy a license plate and register my dirtbikes when I moved here. Now, you have to take a safety course to ride public land. Not sure that will change the amount of accidents tourists have or the idiots. The older I get the more I realize the world is set up for the average knucklehead and the rest of us have to live with it.

It's plain and simple. Too much government. The 10 most feared words in the world. I'm from the government, and I'm here to help

 

[Rockin' Rob]

It's plain and simple. Too much government. The 10 most feared words in the world. I'm from the government, and I'm here to help

Okay 11

 

[Edbert]

Okay 11

There are three kinds of people in this world, those who can count and those who can't.

 

[Tommergun]

Tried some rigging in 1/72. Don't look too closely!

 

[BarleyBop]

rigging

Who'd a thought this was the origin of Cat's Craddle!
Extra kudos for being the first into the pool!

 

[Ron2]

It's plain and simple. Too much government. The 10 most feared words in the world. I'm from the government, and I'm here to help

That would be Mr. Ronald Reagan. He was the best.

 

[Ron2]

I'm really digging the way this yellow and blue turned out.

 

[BarleyBop]

yellow and blue

Awesome!

 

[Bob T]

I received the interior 3-D decals, monofilament, and micro tubing (for turnbuckles) while we were out of town.



Got a few Doctor appointments this week, but hoping to put some serious time in this thing.

 

[Ron2]

I received the interior 3-D decals, monofilament, and micro tubing (for turnbuckles) while we were out of town.



Got a few Doctor appointments this week, but hoping to put some serious time in this thing.

Are you planning on scratching turnbuckles? If so, please post your process. Looking forward to seeing this.

 

[Bob T]

Are you planning on scratching turnbuckles? If so, please post your process. Looking forward to seeing this.

Planning on use the methods in this article: https://www.austinsms.org/Rigging-Scale-Mode-Biplanes.pdf

We'll see how it goes, as I've never done any rigging before.

 

[Edbert]

Tried some rigging in 1/72. Don't look too closely!

View attachment 195621

I think it looks good, maybe a bit overscale but that is coming from someone who has yet to even try.

How are you ensuring the rigid mounts match up with the upper wings?

 

[Tommergun]

How are you ensuring the rigid mounts match up with the upper wings?

Started with the inboard struts, then a lot of flipping over to align with the top wing laying on the table. Wasn't easy by any means. I'm sure there's a jig out there that could be purchased for such a thing. In 1/72 I tend to just eyeball it.

Oh and I used EZ Line which stretches and gives you a bit more leeway to adjust the struts later if need be.

 

[Bear43]

Planning on use the methods in this article: https://www.austinsms.org/Rigging-Scale-Mode-Biplanes.pdf

We'll see how it goes, as I've never done any rigging before.

I hadn't seen that method before. That looks fairly simple and straightforward for turnbuckles. I'll have to get some supplies and give it a shot, I think.

 

[Ron2]

Started with the inboard struts, then a lot of flipping over to align with the top wing laying on the table. Wasn't easy by any means. I'm sure there's a jig out there that could be purchased for such a thing. In 1/72 I tend to just eyeball it.

Oh and I used EZ Line which stretches and gives you a bit more leeway to adjust the struts later if need be.

I used a slower glue- Revell contacta, to give more adjustment time on my first biplane build. No rigging on this build!

 

[Edbert]

there's a jig out there that could be purchased for such a thing.

I've got some fairly thick/stiff acetate coming in today. I was planning on tracing the marks on the lower side of the upper wing and using that to get them set. I will not be able to add the rigging until the upper is glued in place but I plan (hope) that I can get the strust in and solid before I try to attach the upper wing at all.

Fingers crossed.

I still have a lot of paint work to do before I try.

 

[Edbert]

I hadn't seen that method before.

That PDF is on the website of my local club

 

[Ron2]

Planning on use the methods in this article: https://www.austinsms.org/Rigging-Scale-Mode-Biplanes.pdf

We'll see how it goes, as I've never done any rigging before.

The rigging on that plane is insane!

 

[BarleyBop]

Sea Gladiator by Roden

Rigging still a ways off for this camper...
First have to deal with flash and ejector pin mark 'innies and outties'!

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I have a couple little more knick knacks to put on but basically the body is ready for primer and paint. I will keep the top Wing section off until I can paint the anti-glare section and then I'll glue that on and continue painting. The nice thing about this model is the engineering. The engine and cowling is basically done it just glues in after everything's done. The same with the wings. Which surprised me kind of. So you build the right wing top and bottom as one piece and the left wing top and bottom as one piece. Then you can either glue the wing on straight or have it swung back on hinges.

 

[BarleyBop]

knick knacks

Coming along very nicely. Nothing really subtle about the mechanics of these old birds, is there?

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Got that right! I've never built a biplane before. It's interesting going from Jets and World War II airplanes to something that has a lever to jettison that huge ass torpedo

 

[Ron2]

Ron, 1 thing you can do to simulate wood grain is to use artist oil paint thinned with mineral spirits. It takes a bit of practice but it can simulate wood grain quite nicely and it's easybto remove with mineral spirits if you don't like it. Here's a couple examples:

View attachment 194968
View attachment 194969

That looks really good! Don't know why I miss some of these posts!

 

[Ron2]

Same Roden plane I'm building, only it's the D17S version...For the record, I think it's a very cool plane...

Did you start your build yet?

 

[Bob T]

Did you start your build yet?

I did start it, just before we went on a six days trip. Only the first couple steps though.
Home now, and looking to get back to it.

 

[Bob T]

The yellow is Tamiya LP-8 over Mr finishing white primer.

I've never tried the LP lacquers. Looks good though.