Just did the last look at the group build showcase for February. Not long now!
Well, I have all the rigging done on the DH-9a, Future is curing now in prep for decaling tomorrow, then the last bits and pieces like the scarf ring go on.
I really do think I will finish this in the next couple of days. Wahooooo!
Way to go, John!
I’m thinking the nose art for this one might be “Revenge of the Laggards”, but I’m too lazy to make the decal.
Here are the finished pictures, it’s been a long road but worth it, it looks very nice indeed in the display case. It is easily the most detailed model I have ever built, and while a real modeler would do better I am quite pleased with it. As large as it is, it is still quite delicate and takes very careful handling. I couldn’t come up with any real good game plan for what to leave until last to prevent damage, and did all the rigging before decals and final touch up paint. There was a long period of very careful handling. I left the control surfaces off until all the rigging was done except the parts involving the surfaces, and instead of just gluing them on I drilled and pinned them all with .015 music wire. I can’t see how the glue joints would ever survive, there just isn’t enough contact area. The last parts I put on were the windshields. I did break one rigging wire while installing the gun below the cockpit, but survived replacing it. You may note that the radiator fit is a little loose, that is because it is just pressed on and moved a bit during the pictures. The upper cowl, prop, and radiator all can be removed to show the engine.
I took the pictures using my Pentax K-5’s high definition resolution, HDR, function, it electronically combines several exposures to give better averaging of bright and dark areas. With all the dark colors on this one I think it worked well. There was some loss of sharpness, I think, but because of the large size of this model perhaps the only way to photograph the details is with closeup pictures. The exposures were about 4 seconds average, at F40 with an 18-55 lens set at 55mm.
Ha!
John, welcome home! She’s lovely!
Edit: And now in the Hall (Aerodrome) of Fame. CONGRATS!
Thanks, Tim!
Wow John she’s a sweetheart! Great job.
John - beautiful job! A crown jewel for your case…
Great work, glad you let us all see it
Phil
John, she looks wonderful! [Y]
Great job and congrats on getting her done. Interesting choice of markings too, I think you were the only one in the group to choose American livery.
regards,
Jack
Thanks, guys. Now I feel like it’s OK to drink from my mug!
Jack, it just made the model seem more personal to put it in US markings, somehow, and I like that early Marine Corps insignia, it has some style. Nothing against the Brit’s though.
It hardly seems possible that the start of the Great War will be a century ago next year, where has the time gone?
Just for fun:
looking damn nice! Congratulations for finishing the build
Yes, she looks fantastic John, really sharp looking bird!
I just downloaded my Feb. e-mag issue of FSM. Nice spread in there for the GB. Well done all!!! And thanks to Tim and Arron or getting it in the mag.
Gentlemen!
As Marc has pointed out, the FineScale Modeler World War I Group Build gallery is in the February 2014 issue. We couldn’t get everyone in, but those who aren’t in the magazine proper are honored in the accompanying online gallery.
Again, I want to thank all of you for hanging out with Aaron and me on this group build. We learned more from you guys than you can possibly know and had a great time along the way. On top of it all, we ended up with a couple of SWEET fighters!
We’re gonna starting kickin’ it into high gear on the FSM Heroes & Villains Group Build now. For those of you joining us over there, make sure to get moving too. March is coming up faster than we realize. And those of you who aren’t building along with us, don’t be shy. Come on over and at least give Aaron and me some grief (useful comments would be appreciated too).
Jeaton: I still haven’t gotten my firing pins back …
Best,
Hi guys,
This will probably be one of the last posts into this thread, but I thought the venue appropriate.
We are just finishing up editing the FSM July 2014 issue, in which a two-page how-to will appear written by our very own Wing_nut, generated by the work he did on his Albatros D.Va.
Congratulations, Marc!
Right on, congrats Marc!
regards,
Jack
Very cool, Marc - congrats! Look forward to seeing it
Congrats Marc, I will also read it with great pleasure!