MR TOM SCHRY
Hi Greg,
Really like all of the builds but can you answer some questions about the Nieuport?
What did you use for the rigging? How was the kit to build?( I have the Hobbycraft version in my stash) What paints/colors did you use?
Thanks,
TJS
Thanks, John, Tom & Crown.
As far as 'to build,' it was pretty typical Hobbycraft: soft detail (and pretty sparse cockpit detail), but nice overall shape and proportions, and generally good fit; I don't recall any real problem areas. One suggestion -- which admittedly I didn't do on this build -- would be to thin the interplane 'vee' struts a bit, as they're kind of 'blocky.'
Rigging was the 'fine' version of the elastic thread product called EZ-Line, which I use for pretty much all my rigging. I pre-measure the lines to about 75% of the length they'll need to span, and use CA to attach home-made 'eyes' made of fine wire as turnbuckles. I pre-drill holes before attaching wings and such, so when it's finished I can just 'plug in' the rigging lines (again using super glue as the adhesive) using a pair of needle-nose cross-lock tweezers. It's a great method that removes all the stress from the rigging job, and since the elastic will 'give' if knocked accidentally, it's very forgiving of ham-handed klutzes like myself.
Paints are my own 'eyeball' mixes of Tamiya acrylics. If you hunt around on the web, there are actual contemporary color photographs (from an early process) of several French WW1 aircraft that can be used as guidance for the proper hues. (You might also do a search for the works of aviation researcher Alan D. Toelle, whose work on original colors has been used by institutions like the Smithsonian.)
I don't have immediate access (on my phone, that is) to the formulas I used, but if you're interested, I'll be happy to look them up next time I fire up the PC.
Cheers.