Dang it, ruddratt! Just when I'd gotten him off the fence!

15 days to go, gentlemen!

I'm gonna get a splinter in my bum!

What is the difference between the D.v and the D.Va?

wing_nut

I'm gonna get a splinter in my bum!

What is the difference between the D.v and the D.Va?

I got a 3"-long splinter in the right cheek once. Yes, that was a day long remembered at Manor Kidwell.

From Wikipedia:

Albatros responded with the D.Va, which featured stronger wing spars, heavier wing ribs, and a reinforced fuselage. These modifications made the D.Va 23 kg (50 lb) heavier than the D.III, while failing to entirely cure the structural problems of the type. Use of the high-compression 130 kW (180 hp) Mercedes D.IIIaü engine offset the increased weight of the D.Va.^[7] The D.Va also reverted to the D.III's aileron cable linkage, running outwards through the lower wing, then upwards to the ailerons, to provide a more positive control response.^[3] The wings of the D.III and D.Va were in fact interchangeable.^[3] The D.Va was also fitted with a small diagonal brace connecting the lower section of the forward interplane strut to the leading edge of the lower wing. This brace was retrofitted to some D.V aircraft.^[7]

Tim Kidwell

Dang it, ruddratt! Just when I'd gotten him off the fence!

ooops 

Well gents, 14 days to go before we get the GB off the ground!

I went through my kit's instructions last night, making notes concerning the optional parts and subassemblies I will have to use. I'll have to go to the hobby shop sometime next week to get paint colors I don't have.

Thanks for the info on the D.Va Tim.  14 days is gonna be just about perfect.  Should take me just about that long to finish the Kingtiger.

Waiting to hear back from a company who may be able to make me a wooden prop!! But the rigging is giving me nighmares and I've not even started the build yet!

Phil

Tim, I'm definitely looking forward to the start of this GB even though I won't be jumping in right away - still working on the D.VII. This is the 'pit assembly that has since been installed into the fuselage....

...and here's a neat little trick I used to wire up the magnetos..

Phil, I've seen those wooden props - they look amazing and go a long way towards dressing up a kit! As far as the rigging goes, don't sweat it too much. You have more than a few seasoned 'riggers' here to help, and, couple that to working with a medium that's comfortable for you and you'll be all set.

Ruddratt,

Nice! Are you using the recommended Tamiya colors or going it on your own?

Really looks good, Mike.

Wow, Mike, that is one impressive powerplant/'pit assembly. Excellent work.

(Plus, it's fun to see I'm not the only one that uses "reversed" clothes pins as clamps.)

Neat tip for the magnetos as well.

13 days! Can you feel the excitement?

I've hidden the decals Aaron planned to use, and I'm pretty sure the low-res instructions we found the replace the ones I shredded will handicap him appropriately.

Now, if only I could figure out a way to lift my Spandaus' firing pins off of Jeaton1 ...

Feel the excitement? Are you kidding?  Both hairs on the top of my head are standing straight up!

Mike: Wow, that engine and cockpit look fantastic!

I would love to get in on this GB. Have Roden's 1/72 Gotha G.Va/Vb

Thanks fellas! Glad you like it!

Tim, I used photos found online of the Brome County D.VII as a cockpit color reference. Some of the paint is Tamiya, like the XF-22 for the framework. The rest is a combination of Pollyscale, Alclad II, and MM enamels. However I did follow the color call-outs for the engine from the instructions.

Greg, they sure make for some great clamps, don't they!

shivinigh

I would love to get in on this GB. Have Roden's 1/72 Gotha G.Va/Vb

You're in! Welcome to 1914-1918!

P mitch

Waiting to hear back from a company who may be able to make me a wooden prop!! But the rigging is giving me nighmares and I've not even started the build yet!

Phil

Don't worry mate, your not alone. I have never rigged anything like these kits before either. I am going to use EZ line for mine. And as said, i think tehres enough experiance here to help us through it.

Bish

Have a look for Bob's Buckle's UK guy really helpful and he sells the little eye's already made up. I have a few and sure they will help a lot too

Phil

Lots of different ways to rig.  This is the way I do mine.  The nice things about this is when it's done nice and snug it really adds to the overall stability of the wings.  I made the turnbuckles with 0.5 mm brass tube and .006" Uni Wire (for fly tying) and they are essentially Bob's Buckles at WAY less money

One thing to remember is to do the same wire on each side together  meaning whatever wire you do on the left side, do the same one on the right so the pressure balances.  If you do all one side it can pull the wings out of whack. 

I think it was Mike (ruddratt) that showed me a little jig for cutting the tubing to same length. 

Nice tutorial, Marc.

This go-round, I'm going to give these little guys a shot instead of making my own. Picked up a few sets from Ultracast....

http://www.ultracast.ca/products/RB_Productions/32-Scale/RB-P32023/default.htm

...and I can't thank Marc (wing_nut) enough about informing me a while back of these little beauties. Been using 'em ever since....

http://www.ultracast.ca/products/Master/32%20Scale/MAM-32-023/default.htm

ruddratt

This go-round, I'm going to give these little guys a shot instead of making my own. Picked up a few sets from Ultracast....

Thanks for the post, Mike. I was familiar with the MG sets, but I'd never seen Radu's turnbuckle sets before. May have to pick some of those up to try.

Cheers

Oh man Mike!  Thanks for reminding me about the barrels for the MG's.  And I think I too will give those turnbuckles a try.  As long as I am wimping out on the lozenge. linen texture and rib tape i may as well exhibit full wimpage and not makes dozens of eyelets and and little brass tubes.

If you guys talk me out of doing anything else one of  you may as well just come here and buld tis thing for me

To get myself in gear for the GB, I've been working on a brace of 1/72 Airfix SPAD VIIs, one as Guynemer's "Vieux Charles," one as a yet-to be determined camouflaged machine.

For those interested, the post is here.

Looking forward to the GB!

wing_nut

If you guys talk me out of doing anything else one of  you may as well just come here and buld tis thing for me

We'll cut ya some slack this time, Marc!

Greg, those SPADs are amazing! Can't believe the scratchbuilt cockpit detail you added, in 1/72 no less! Incredible stuff!   How are the Airfix decals to work with?

ruddratt

Greg, those SPADs are amazing! Can't believe the scratchbuilt cockpit detail you added, in 1/72 no less! Incredible stuff!   How are the Airfix decals to work with?

Thanks, Mike, for the encouraging words.

I've had mixed experiences with Airfix decals over the years, but these (which seem to date from the early '90s, but stored in ziploc bags since I got the kits a few years ago) were excellent. Thin and flexible, laid down nicely over the "corrugated" rib detail, with just a drop of Solvaset here and there to take care of silvering. I was delightfully surprised.

Phil, i checked out there site, some neat stuff on there. Unfortunatly they don't do any in 72nd, guess thats just going a bit to far.

Greg: Very nice! I'm with Ruddratt on the amazing details you've added to the cockpits. Two thumbs up.

To up the realism of the build, I'm now drinking 1/4 cup of castor oil with every meal. The gauge on my wife's Hate-o-Meter has sproinged its spring.

11 days!

Tim Kidwell

Greg: Very nice! I'm with Ruddratt on the amazing details you've added to the cockpits. Two thumbs up.

To up the realism of the build, I'm now drinking 1/4 cup of castor oil with every meal. The gauge on my wife's Hate-o-Meter has sproinged its spring.

11 days!

Thanks Tim.

Good call on the castor oil. But, just to "up the experience" a bit, might I suggest you add this to your training regimen:

Dress up in a single-piece leather fleece-lined flight suit (and leather helmet, of course). Start the lawn mower and pull it up onto the roof, and sit right behind it for an hour or so at a time. Lean the mixture out periodically until it sputters, then tickle it back to full-bore again. Have the neighbor kids throw rocks at you once in a while to keep you alert. Then, when you're done with your mission, jump off the roof (holding onto the running lawn mower) and guide it to a safe landing on the grass below.

Then go have a drink in the OC. (And share stories of the enemy lawn mower that got away!)

Can't wait for the fun to begin.