WWI clear dope

Future would do the trick indeed.. Fabulous stuff! The fabric covered bits would benefit from the treatment. As to the wood, I'm sure it was somehow waxed or buffed as it always apperas shiny too. The metal covered areas would not get the Future.

By thwe way, your model looks stunning! What model is this? 1/48?

GREAT looking bird ! I really admire the people that build WW I planes ! Aligning the wings, adding the rigging & the absence of color pictures in that time. SUPERB JOB ! ! !
Did you paint the fuselage, or are those decals?
I agree with dj about the Future. You may want to keep it off the tires, too. Build it up slowly until you get the effect you want.

hi guys - thanks ..... this model is a 1/48 Eduard kit and came with some PE parts. It was built straight out of the box except for the rigging, for which I used stainless steel wire produced by Sea Bird. The fuselage is a combination paint and pencil crayon. First airbrushed a desert yellow (some panels I masked and applied a lighter shade), applied a very thin brown wash and then some minor drybushing. I used coloured pencil crayons to draw in the grain of the wood. Once I have that Future thrown on, I'll try and get a few more pictures shot so you can better see the detail on the wood.

Jgeratic:
I agree about using the Future. In the real aircraft the wood was doped as well as the fabric for finishing and sealing. The metal would be shiny if it was brass (some instrument bezels, etc.) but otherwise either natural or painted. Note that zinc chromate did not come along until later.
Enjoy!
Bruce