I know I should be working on my DH9a instead, but this is so much fun!

Tim Kidwell

Uh, didn't anyone tell you, you can enter but you can never leave? No, sir, once you're in the WWI Aeroplane GB, you're in until the last day, no matter how many planes you build. 

[Tim, as Rod Serling]

"Consider if you will...unsuspecting aeroplane modelers, trapped in a Group Build from which there is no escape...." Dee dee dee dee, dee dee dee dee...

Jack, that's a fine looking model, congratulations!  

Shiv, Gamera, Greg, Mike and Tim - thanks for the compliments.  Great group build it was, enjoyed sharing ideas (and the odd tribulation), tips, info, and being inspired by the work of others, truly what a group setting is all about.  Adding the vlog, such a cool notion, made it a unique experience.   I think there was mention of some kind of prize at the end, but honestly, I'm more curious about what subject the editors have in mind for the next GB.

I  know some things to do differently next time - rely on the clear type home made decals whenever possible, even if it means changing the underneath paint colour.  Also pre-drill holes before decal application and final assembly.  Said holes could have been made larger too for the rigging.

regards,

Jack

ruddratt

Since work finished for me on the E.III, I've jumped back into my WnW D.VII (Alb) entry for Bish's Gift GB, but if it's OK with you fellas I'd like to post the occasional pic of my progress here as well. This is a great GB, and I don't want to leave the party just yet.

Uh, didn't anyone tell you, you can enter but you can never leave? No, sir, once you're in the WWI Aeroplane GB, you're in until the last day, no matter how many planes you build. 

jgeratic

Some astonishing builds going on here! Never realized how much detail work goes into these planes. Definitely fun to watch!

Jack - wow!!! You absolutely nailed that one! It was pure joy watching it come together - truly masterclass stuff!

Jack - Abso-freakin-lutely beautiful! Truly stunning, the color, the ribbing, the rigging, the multiple tones and that lovely metalwork. That closeup with the radiator decal is perfect--if I didn't know what it was, I don't think I would ever have realized it wasn't real screen. And the trick with the coaming stitching is simple but inspired.

I am in awe.

Nice vlog, men.

Aaron; pathetic.

The broken wing deal turned out ok, and if you look at the post of the tail controls you'll see that the lower wing is back in place.

You had not noticed that I have a second build on the beach. The 1/72 Hansa Brandenburg W.29.

It's the Eastern Express kit and not too accurate, but sometimes a side road allows you to want to get back on the highway....

Dang Jack, she looks great to me! Love everything about her.

I am done.  Again, this is Eduard's 1/48 scale profiPACK  Albatros D.III Oeffag 153.  The crosses and owl emblems are from Pheon's Oeffag set Volume one.

This particular aircraft was flown by Hungarian born Franz Gräser.  He was ranked sixth among the aces of  the Austro-Hungarian air force, with a total of 18 confirmed.  An interesting fact is he never obtained an official pilot's certificate, nor underwent any official flying training.

On to the photos... the last three were shot under natural light.  The rest I had set up  a couple fluorescent lamps at 45 degree angles from the front.  One lamp was brighter and resulted in the pictures having a slight yellow hue from the right side.

regards,

Jack

Jack: Great idea there! The 'leather' looks good, sometimes some of the best results come from fiddling around!

Mike: Thanks!

I was going to try some shading but the other day in a major brain-fart I slapped some of the decals on her. So I guess I'm going to just go ahead and build her as she is. Frankly if I can get the rigging to look decent I'll be more than pleased. I think I've been dragging my feet here due to my fear and apprehension of trying to rig the thing, even though I picked this aircraft mainly due to having the simplest rigging of the 3-4 Great War aircraft in my stash.

Chuck - fine job on the streaked camo for the F.1. Looks like the finish line is fast approaching for you. Looking forward to seeing this one done (the tripes have always been favorites of mine).

Greg - excellent progress on the 'bullet'. Looks like a fun kit - may have to grab me one of those.

Cliff - the finish on the Nieuport looks great from where I'm sitting! A little post-shading between the ribs on the wing surfaces would really make that detail pop. Sometimes I'll use Tamiya weathering powders for that effect, as they're a bit easier to control than doing it with an airbrush.

Tim & Aaron - loved the vlog (as always)! Nice to see your builds coming along!

Jack - man, that is some very clever use of paint in getting that stitched leather look to the 'pit combing, not to mention your prop mask. Looks incredible!

Since work finished for me on the E.III, I've jumped back into my WnW D.VII (Alb) entry for Bish's Gift GB, but if it's OK with you fellas I'd like to post the occasional pic of my progress here as well. This is a great GB, and I don't want to leave the party just yet.

Another great vlog guys, and Aaron, good to see you have some progress to report (and really does look good).  Tim, your prediction on my time table for finishing is safe.  This past week was vacation time, and pretty much every afternoon was spent at the bench.  

Here's something interesting, an old bottle of paint can be a good thing. 

Testors Leather colour, well over a decade old, was used for the  cockpit padding.  Was having trouble laying down an even coat as it was pretty gooey soon on application, quickly creating a skin on top while underneath, the paint was still drying.  Gave me an idea, by using the backside of an exacto blade, indentations were made on the edges to give it that upholstered look.

All that is left is the prop.  To get that laminated look, I took a stab at making my own mask out of sheet styrene.  Pictured is just one side sprayed, but looks like is just might do the trick.

regards,

Jack

Thanks Greg-I'll be going with the 'straight out of the box' (Eduard Weekend Edition) yellow/black....failed attempt at lo-vis....

Great vlog, gentlemen.

Aaron -- Bigfoot and I are officially eating our words. (Okay, I'm eating my words, he's foraging for berries and pine nuts.) Well done.

Jack -- nice link on the CDL, hadn't seen that one before. Thanks for sharing.

Gamera -- nice to see the Nieup coming along. Looks like you licked the Alclad problem.

Bob -- Good to see you checking in. What scheme have you got in mind for the E.V?

Hi guys,

The new vlog is up!

Have a great weekend,

Tim

Thank you Jack-the link is very helpful for this project and hopefully others.

Bob, you got it right, sail colour is in reference to the unbleached linen.  Which ever off white colour you do choose, just keep it flat as  I don't believe the doping process was utilized on the interiors.

Here's an interesting link on interpretations of the various linen colours by country:

http://wwi-cookup.com/sopwith/modelling/cdl.html

Chuck and Greg - nice progress there and both those engines look right on, as does that prop - wow!  The Fokker streaking looks almost there, but as stated could use some lighter sections.  It is a difficult effect to achieve short of resorting to an in scale brush which I figure would be around 4mm wide.

Gamera - looks you achieved a good clean finish with the aluminum.  You can always do some post shading afterwards if you have time.

regards,

Jack

Greetings all-

Again, the quality of the work here has been outstanding....and that's really not a strong enough word.  Everyone's build has been amazing-quality of work, attention to detail, techniques used...stunning.

Ok-I've broken the Fokker E.V out of the box and done some painting on the wood surfaces....still need to hit the prop with some oil wash and then some Tamiya clear yellow...

I do have a question-what color would 'Sail' be for the interior of the fuselage?  I'm assuming an off-white but I have been wrong before....just ask my wife....

cheers

Shooting for new vlog begins ... NOW!

The way the dope was applied back then is exactly the way I do it on full size today, except we add si

alluminium paste for UV protection.

As for the Oeffag, I am finding it very difficult to work so small and fiddly, but it is a learning experience for the WNW 1/32 SE5 I got in the stash. If there is another WW1 gb I will join with that  :-)

Theuns

Chuck & Greg: Those look great guys!!!

I did get the Nieuport painted, I thought about doing some shading but decided to quit while I'm ahead:

Über-nice work there, Chuck! That prop looks a work of art on its own, beautifully "used" weathering. (Is that the kit part, or an AM wood one?) It all looks really good. Look forward to seeing it come together.

Short work on the Morane "bullet." The molding on everything is s-o-o-o much nicer than the first build, and the fit is generally spot-on. Doing it basically OOB, but added paper belts and a perforated Eduard PE seat back in the office.

Had to fiddle with the tailskid mount a bit to clear the rudder (thank you online build reviews), but everything else fit well.

Powerful nine-cylinder engine, most of which will be hidden behind the big schnoz spinner when it.s on:

That's it for now. Already have the wings on, so painting should be right around the corner.

Guys - a general comment here.  I am "chuffed" as our friends across the pond would say with how this Group Build has gone.  I was reluctant to join, but finally caved to Aaron and Tim's arm twisting.  I must say I'm glad I did.  You guys have inspried and informed me, both with constructive comments and beautiful builds.  I've been very impressed with the"chat" and the excellent manners displayed - not always true from what I've seen.  At this point, my biggest fear is that y'all have set the bar impossibly high for any future group build I join...unless of course it's with you guys.  Hmmm.  Maybe an annual get-together?  Maybe in the future they actually figure out how to transport stuff via the internet, and then we can all get a burger from Tim.

Anyway, here's where the Tripe sits at the moment - the Skyraider has forced it into a box, but only temporarily (dead lines must be kept after all).  I still am not quite happy with the streaking - I don't think the lighter streaks show up enough, and the over-all hue is darker than I intended.  Still, for a first effort I learned alot.  All that remains - other than final assembly and rigging - are painting of the guns and struts.  Take care all!

Theuns, you are welcome.

Regarding doping of aircraft, I've read several entries over at the aerodrome forum.  Best I can figure out is that the initial coat or two of clear dope was applied by  brush to ensure penetration of the fabric (and wood?).  Subsequent layers were then applied with a spray gun (invented circa 1890).  Fabric surfaces would receive another coat or two of clear dope, followed by camou colours if applicable, and finally a varnish to water proof.   Note this was a description for German aircraft, compliments of the late Dan San Abbott.

regards,

Jack

Seem to have lost my reply LOL

Thanx Jack, the info helps allot.

Just a question regarding the way the paint (colored dope) was applied at the factory, was it sprayed on or brushed on?

Theuns

Greg, I can't thank you enough for those very nice things you've said.  

No doubt, we are our own worst critics.  It's an individual thing, but I like entering contests... and I am regularly a judge so I know those bastxxxx er... we look for  the general rule is don't pick up the model so i might have gotten away with the elevator.  But seams and glue?  That's the stuff those bastxxxx... sorry... we look for for the first pass to thin the herd.

If I EVER make a comment implying anyone is a lesser model than me, or anyone else for the matter,  you have permission to smack me around.