Hello! I am returning to the modeling hobby after a 10 year absence. I’m now 56 and started modelling in 1958 thanks to my Dad. I just completed a 1/28 Revell Spad, but wanted more of a challenge so I recently purchased a DML 1/48 version. I built all of the Aurora WWI aircraft in the '60s, but didn’t think 1/48th was SO small! (or is that my eyes??) Any hints on the very fragile looking wing struts, etc? Thanks! Jerry
First off, welcome to the forums Jerry! It’s always a special pleasure for me to see another fan of WWI aircraft! [tup]
Now, about your question. I have that kit and construction is underway on it (along with construction on many others LOL!). When the time came for me to fit the upper wing, I started with the cabane struts glued to the fuselage only and gave them overnight to set up properly, as they seemed fairly beefy and able to support the upper wing on their own (which they can). The interplane struts if I recall are a combo of PE (inner interplane struts) and styrene (the outer ones), and you’re right, the styrene struts are very fragile, but they look great. Very carefull alignment of the cabane struts/upper wing made my second step (the installation of the outer interplane struts) a breeze. I just glued them to the lower wing with some liquid cement using the upper wing as a guide, inverted the plane onto the upper wing, and let it set overnight. Then the next day, while still in place, I applied a little CA to the glue joints on the lower wing, and when that was cured, repeated the process with the inner interplane (PE) struts.
…and as a side note, those tiny PE rigging attachment points that attach to the outer interplane struts are easier to install after the struts are glued in place if you trim off the tab that has no hole in it, bend the remainder of the part as required, and glue it to the installed strut.
Welcome, Jerry.
I did the same as you, built all of those old Aurora WW I kits. One Christmas I got a whole slew of them and they were probably all built by the end of January. I’m about four years older than you, but it was about 1958. Some of these kits are still being sold by a company called Glencoe, same molds but modified so the markings are not in the plastic any more.