Hi guys!
What would be the correct color to use for the old Sopwith Camel tires? I’m guessing it would be more along the grey line as opposed to the modern black. Is that correct? For the record, I’m working on the Revell 1/72 scale kit. It’s so tiny! [:|]
Thanks!
Eric
Most pictures I’ve seen the tires have been black. I have the Academy 1/72 kit and boy is it small [^o)]
I share your pain, and am currently at the rigging stage with my 1/72 Revell Camel. I went with a mix of half Rubber and half Flat Black Testors for the tires, both out of the little bottles, to give them a more period look. Others have used a mix of flat black and gloss black, or Floquil’s Grimy Black from their railroad colors line.
Are you going to rig yours? I’m using stretched sprue, my material of choice (being mainly a 1/700 ship guy). Wait until you get to the “X” over the Lewis guns between the front cabane struts dissolves into manic laughter [6]
Thanks guys!
I actually do have that Grimy Black color from Floquil! I like that one a lot so maybe I’ll use that. I’ve just seen some pictures where the tires looked absolutely grey. I wasn’t sure if I could use black for that period of history.
As far as rigging, man, I don’t know. For starters, I like WW1 planes but I just don’t build a whole lot of them. Okay, I’ll be honest. I’m 39 years old, building since I was 7 and I think this is my 3rd biplane ever. So rigging is not high on my skillset. LOL! And I’m actually going to be building 4-6 WW1 planes for a friend of a friend who wants to do her son’s room in an airplane motif. That being said, and to answer your question. I might not rig this one but I might have a go at it for the 1/48 scale bipes that I’ll be working on.
But in all honest and knowing myself, I’m sure I’ll break down and maybe rig the wings. I might spare myself the rigging of the cabane struts. (Those are the sticks that hold the wing up in front of the pilot, right?) [:$]
Eric
My understanding is that for period correctness, tires on WWI aircraft should be grey and could even have a touch of pink. Black tires are the territory of restorations and replicas. Several WWI aircraft modelers I’ve met go for a neutral range grey.
It has been explained to me that in the period of WWI Ingredients, like sulfur, that were part of the vulcanising process for rubber products were carefully rationed and their use prioritised. As such, tires for land vehicles got priority over tires for aircraft.
It does make sense as not everyone was convinced of the practicality of the aircraft in military applications, some saw it as experimental and perhaps not worth vulcanised tires on it’s wheels.
From another standpoint, they may not have recieved vulcanised tires as their ground movement was limited so no need was seen to vulcanise their tires.
Also, in many cases, WWI aircraft didn’t have tires at all but solid rubber bands wrapped around the circumference of the wheels.
Interesting points of view though I will disagree. Carbon black was introduced to prolong the life of rubber tires. The varying colours depended on the amount of carbon black and the type of landing surfaces that were operated from. Cinder landing strips and etc., As to the ground movements, take off & landings under these conditions demanded vulcanized processes. As to the solid rubber bands? Can you give me a source?
Thank you Upnorth!
I’ve seen TONS (or TONNES, if you prefer) of models done with the grey tires. I knew that it had to do with the vulcanization practice but, while doing a Google search, I just came across several pics of the plane with black tires. They were obviously modern pictures and I couldn’t help but wonder if those black tires were just modern additions. It’s like when you see a Mustang flying around with modern antenna whips under the plane.
Thanks again!
Eric
Try Flloquil weather black for tires also. aceses5[proplr]
If this string causes arguments then I’m just going to make it the first Sopwith Camel with retractable landing gear.
Eric
That’s where you need to check your refs… Aircraft like the Fokker Dr-1 and D-VII had inflatable tires as evidenced on many by the small circular cut-out on the wheel-covers near the rim, which were there to allow access to the valve stems. The same applies to many British and French aircraft.
By the time that the Sopwith Camel was fielded, specialty aircraft tires were nothing new, and as you can see from the ad below, aircraft tires have special problems not encountered with cars, motorcycles and bicycles that need to be taken into consideration in tire construction.
I made an interesting discovery in the jewelry section at Michael’s Crafts store. They carry 1/32 smooth black elastic. It looks like thin black wire but it stretches. The smooth finish matches most modeling scales, so it doesnt look like your rigging is giant fraying rope like common thread does. Plus if you’re working with it and need some extra room you can stretch it pretty far, tie it off and it’ll snap back into position nice and straight. You can always paint it to match reference photos. The 1/16" is more common so you may have to hunt around or mail order for 1/32" Hope this helps. Re the tires, I’d go with something medium black. Remember the scale youre working in also affects how bold certain things appear. In some cases, subtle is better than accurate in order to make an overall great impression. It helps to think like a movie director.
Remember, guys, bottom line, it’s your model, and it’s what makes you happy that counts the most.
Although I do confess to wrapping tan waxed thread around the ends of the axels on my Camel to mimic the bungee cord shock absorbing bands they had … which was almost as fun as scratchbuilding the auxiliary air-driven fuel pump!
True enough, the first part… That’s why on 90% of my aircraft builds, I use spurious squadron codes, nose-art, pilot names (usually use my own, lol), and serial numbers but “What makes YOU happy” doesn’t count when folks are asking for help with details & research.
now I know why all my ww1 aircraft wheels have that hole dumb me duh!!! aceses5[^o)]