100th Anniversary of WWI GB

Ok, it is official.

The good folks in New Zealand have received my order for the Fokker E.II/III (Early).  And because I didn't think I could wait until this GB officially starts to dive into the Wignut goodness... I have also ordered the Snipe (Late) that I plan on building while I wait!

I am planning on building the Soviet "Nelly"/Ace of Spades scheme, so I'm not sure that would meet the criterion to be a part of this build (not to mention I want to start it before the GB begins!), but I hope you all will permit me to post up the occasional progress report and request for help.  I am in deep awe of of the work I have seen many of you put up in this genre.  If you'd rather, I can always start a post in the general aircraft forum.

And now the wait for delivery begins!

Welcome Marcus, That is going to be a good project , looks very interesting.

Hey Marcus, welcome aboard man!  Nice to have more ship builders in here.

Dave (our GB leader) has been quite busy with work lately,  but I know he'll be along as soon as he can to add you to the roster.

I have never done a group build, but I would like to join this one.  I would like to enter a battleship the SMS Konig, 1:350 kit by ICM.  I will be adding a P.E. kit.  This battleship played a historical event during the battle of Jutland by turning into the British fleet, taking their fire while laying smoke to protect First squadron during a mistaken turn to starboard forcing the ships to slow down to prevent them from raming each other.  Her history during WWI was to the German's as to what the HMS Warspite was to the British.

Thanks again for all the advice.  That is a real beauty, wing_nut; really inspiring!

I've always been a WWII aviation buff, but I have to say that this GB has got me really interested in the Great War in the air.

I like EZ Line, but its not round and that makes it sometimes a little funny to deal with. It's a little inconsistent off the spool and swort of a flat strip. Plus it gets thinner when its stretched. What I do like is that it's fast. Uni is great stuff too. I use it on ships. My problem is getting to be that I can't see it anymore!

Very informative! Thank you!!!

I agree with Bish.  It's only scary until you've done it.  Scared the crap outta my but it wasn't bad at all.  After 3 WWI bipes I've settled into the way I'll likely keep doing my rigging.  The link below to my site shows how I do it.  It's not th "right way", it's just "my way" and simply offer it up as an alternative material.  I use fly tying thread from UNI Products.  It's not monofilament but when it's tugged tight you can't tell. And it adds a lot of stability. 

The 1st 2 pics show how I darkened the thread on the last build.  Not jet black but looks better than the gray I think.

http://www.wingnutmodels.com/Rigging.html

Guys... I am really getting syked up for this build! More of the things I ordered (PE and such) are starting to arrive, and I've read some more interesting and useful articles and info on both the SPAD and its construction, not only the real aircraft, but also on the kit I chose. I think I've built this kit 3 or 4 times now in my head so as to try and avoid some of the traps and pitfalls I've fallen into in the past. As I told you before, I'm not real good with balsa and tissue, but I've learned some new tricks that I think should help ALOT!

Doug

PS... Yeah the rigging has me a bit on edge too, but I think I've found enough info and pictures so as to be able to pull it off.... I hope.

Blue, I have found rigging to be like a lot of things in this hobby. I have put them off for ages worried that it would be to hard, but when I finally got to it, it was no where near as hard as I expected. I am sure you will be fine, and with the help of some of the guys on here, you will soon pick it up. Since I did the 0/400 last year, I have added 3 more bi planes to the stash and jumped into another WW1 GB, an area I never thought I would be.

Thanks to all for the advice.  I admit the rigging has me a little nervous!  Only one way to learn I guess.

On my Eindecker I used a combination of (mostly) EZLine. The exception was one long run on the upper surface of each wing done with monofilament thread, but as mentioned earlier, the wing attachment points were quite robust on their own. 

I can wade in here, I haven't been able to get into using EzLine, I think because with the rigging, I have had no luck trying to thread it back through the ferrules. In 1/32nd I use 0.4mm brass tube, drilled out to 0.3mm ID. The 0.12mm (2lb test) monofilament that I use will just make it, but unfortunately I have had no luck with the EZLine. Likely because it's too flexible, I'm guessing.  I should add that the Ezline is excellent for rigging in areas that are apt to be bumped and touched in handling.  Then their elastic qualities shine.

ruddratt

Blue, I built the early version E.III and it's a phenomenal kit.  One of my concerns was the possibility of the wings sagging a bit, but Wingnut Wings engineered the attachment points beautifully.  Do yourself a favor and grab some Gaspatch turnbuckles (the single-ended ones) and some EZ Line - it'll make the

Hey, no probs Marc...I'm sure you got in in ya 

Way to put on the pressure

wing_nut

I am so weak.  I tried to resist.  But as we all know...

 

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

 

So if you you be so kind as to add me to the roster with a WNW Albatros DV or DVa (tba)

 

Marc, got you added and thanks for joining.

I am so weak.  I tried to resist.  But as we all know...

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

So if you you be so kind as to add me to the roster with a WNW Albatros DV or DVa (tba)

Nap comes in two weeks when I have my first vacation in two years.

OH!?  your back! Great.

We've been puttiing along driiftin' with the current til you got back.

Now go lay down and catch a nap - you know you want to   I know I do.

Hey guys, sorry for the long absence only having one day off in a week is a killer. Haven't touched a model for almost a month now. Got the list updated and welcome aboard to all the new members.

Looks like I won't be able to put off building that Snipe (or the Roland D.VIa for that matter) for much longer, so Dave, when you get back, if you could change my entry from the Snipe to the 1/32 Wingnut Wings Sopwith Triplane. Thanks man!

To reinforce what Mike said, Blue.  Rigging is a funny thing.  Scary as all get out to start with, then

it grows on you.  I think it's the challenge of it.  Once you do a couple you actually look forward to it...

if only to beat the dragon. ;)  Best of luck with it.  Have fun.

Ernie

Thanks for the tips and encouragement, Mike.

First WNW kit, first WWI, first rigging, so yes, advice like this is welcome!

Blue, I built the early version E.III and it's a phenomenal kit.  One of my concerns was the possibility of the wings sagging a bit, but Wingnut Wings engineered the attachment points beautifully.  Do yourself a favor and grab some Gaspatch turnbuckles (the single-ended ones) and some EZ Line - it'll make the rigging so much easier.  Looking forward to your build.

If this is your first Wingnut kit, man are you in for a treat !

ygmodeler4

I'm 6'8", I don't have the luxury of small fingers :(

'S OK I'm 8' 7 3/4"........... for my weight 

David,

I figure it is time to actually get off the fence and pick a subject, so...

Put me down for one of the Wingnut Fokker Eindeckers.  I love the lines of the aircraft, and am intrigued by its historical significance.  It also looks approachable to me as a Great War rookie.

I'm STILL struggling trying to pick which one, but let's say the E.II/III (Early).  Although I am really tempted by Immelmann's E.I... sigh!

Blue

I'm 6'8", I don't have the luxury of small fingers :(

Resistance is futile! haha