After my rather large (and involved) Bv 222 build, I decided I needed to switch it up a bit. I’d seen the movie “Flyboys” a while ago and instantly got the hankering to try a biplane model, something I’d never done before. After a quick trip to the ol’ LHS, I thought this might fit the bill just fine:
I knew nothing about the aircraft (and still only generally know what it is), but it looked cool, didn’t look too difficult, and was cheap.
I haven’t done much yet. It’s been a quick build so far, as I don’t plan to get very involved with it.
Now, I will tell you right now that this won’t be 100% accurate. I’m not out to perform any miracles here- I just want to see what it’s like to build a biplane, rig it, and finish it.
Alrighty, another update for y’all. I’ve managed to get the major colors on this thing, and in a day or two I can get this sucker decalled… but not to get ahead of myself, here’s the photos:
As I was wisely advised to keep this model in sections (for now), I plan to get everything done on these two sections, THEN put them together, rig it, and finish it.
The colors are probably not 100% accurate, but I just googled the Humbrol paint numbers and mixed up an appropriate “close enough” shade with the colors I had. I really don’t care too much, as this kit is all about the rigging, not the paint job.
Interesting and very catchy color scheme…one of the many things I like about these 2-winged birds…they’re never boring! What do you plan on using for your rigging material?
Not sure yet… I’ve looked at some fishing line, but all of it looks too thick for 1/72 scale. I’m shying away from stretched sprue for the fact that it breaks way too easy for my tastes. If I can find some elastic thread that’s thin enough, I would prefer it to anything else.
We’ll have to see. I’ll get more serious on what I’m going to use after the wings are together.
No, I’m still chippin’ away at the Goose in the background. Most of my work hasn’t been postworthy lately, so that’s the reason for the lack of details. I’ve removed the aileron and flap from one wing and need to clean up the flap actuator housings with a dremel or something before scratchbuilding a new flap and aileron. Then to do it all again for the OTHER side…
Also the battery box is installed and partially wired.
ruddratt- Hm… very intriguing. I will see if I can find something similar around here first so I don’t need to wait around for shipping, but it actually looks like pretty nifty stuff. Thanks for the link!
Happy I could help, Mike. I found out about this stuff from a few posters on the Ship forum. I’ve tried it and it’s pretty neat, but I’m still not quite ready to give up using my standard material, which is 0.005" & 0.007" stainless steel wire (I guess old habits die hard). The beauty thing is that the preparation necessary for either material is the same, so I’m cleared for a change in strategy right down to the last moment before the actual installation begins.
Me, too, I’m a fan of straight wire, 0.005" is what I use for 1:72. Titanium wire is nice, it’s a bit darker than stainless stell, and a bit stiffer (but that could just be pure imagination). It so happens that the last biplane I rigged was the very same Avro 504K from Airfix (it has plenty of rigging). If you would like to have a look, check out /forums/15/675985/ShowPost.aspx#675985
Nice looking 504, I must say! That undercarriage is still giving me nightmares, though… It’ll be fun when I get THERE…
I may have to look into the use of wire for rigging. I’m just trying to weigh the hassle of measuring each indivudual wire to that of using thread, gluing it, cutting it, and cleaning up the holes. I’ll have to see.
The decals are now all on. I just need to seal them with another coat of Future and then flat coat the thing. Hopefully I’ll get some pics up tonight or tomorrow.
After a rather interesting night painting and gluing struts, I was somehow able to attach the top wing to the fuselage in one piece, with all the stuts going into all the correct holes, and the upper wing turning out decently straight. Whatcha think?
Next up: getting back to Hobby Lobby to see if they have anything suitable to rig this thing with!
Unfortunately this biplane build isn’t going to have a happy ending. I go to set it down for half a second, turn to get something, come back and set my hand down-
__CRACK
Oh God. It was a horror show. Struts busted in half, bend all to h**#, wings snapped off- don’t get me started.
Nothing was salvageable, and I’ve decided (unwisely or not) to wash my hands of the entire thing. So the last week or two of work was for nothing, and my first biplane will have to wait.
It’s a pity, as it was coming along nicely, but it has certainly happened to all of us. I hope you at least got the satisfaction of King Konging it across the room and against a wall! If not, get to it, you will feel much better.
Be sure to pick up the remaining bits and pieces afterwards, and toss them in your spare parts bin though.[8D]
Oh, believe you me, I got MORE then enough milage out of the, as you put it, “King Konging” stage. Maybe TOO much… [:-^]
There wasn’t much to salvage, anyway. The interior was probably too basic as it was, and there wasn’t much else to the kit, to tell the truth.
Ah well. After a quick jig to the hobby store, I got something to (hopefully) fill the void, Enocre Model’s 1/72 Polikarpov R-5. Sure, it’s a bit after the time of my previous foray, but I think that is looks cool. And besides, it’s Russian!
