Floats and Boats: Amphibious Aircraft Group Build

panzer948

I really want to jump on this GB

Panzer948, you're on the list. I am looking forward to watching this WN kit come along. I have been eyeballing some of these for awhile now. I am curious to see how good they are.

Welcome aboard.

BK

Steve, that is just amazing. Such a simple scene, but it really works, and the little touches like the rope really add to it.

And some more great lessons in water as well, somthing there for all of us to learn i think.

Steve, you nailed the lapping shoreline waves!  Well done!

Hello everyone - 

Well I finally finished my first build and I'm ready to dive head first into this great looking GB. I have deceided to build two float planes (1) military and (1) civilian. I am starting out with the Trumpeter 1/48th HU-16A Albatross. I looking forward to learning a lot from each of you. Thank you for having me in this GB. If you don't hear from me in about two weeks send a search party....I'm sure they'll find me some where in all these parts (LOL) 

Some PE and metal landing gear

That is a nice plane . I used to see chalks airways take off from the port of Miami in the 80's they were loud and powerful 

crown r n7

That is a nice plane . I used to see chalks airways take off from the port of Miami in the 80's they were loud and powerful 

 

Awesome....I'll need to check, but when I was younger I believe we flew on one from Long Beach, CA. to Catalina Island, CA.

Oh man Hunter, that looks great.......I want one!!!

modelcrazy

Oh man Hunter, that looks great.......I want one!!!

 

Steve - 

I was a little overwhelmed when I opened the box...after opening all the spure bags I started to get pumped up. I know if you got one it would be great looking. 

I'll speak with Dallas and maybe he'll suprise you with one 

Hunter, I've been wanting this kit. I want to do it up all "Expendables" style. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

BK

Brandon - 

Man that is a great idea...I would love too see you build that. If it looks anything like your AH-1Z Viper it would be sharp! That build turned out awesome 

Some base color and starting on decals

That's going to be a nice looking Goose heepey.

Wow heepey, that is really coming together nicely. Could this be completion #2 coming down the home stretch? Cool beans!!!

BK

At some point in this build I have to scratch some landing gear - the kit only has the top half. Then there are the antennae and the float wires and the bow cleat and...

Mean while here is another float project I need to get back to

Good looking projects coming along guys.

------------------------------------------

I've started a bit on my Hanriot, but not enough to post photos.  Been devoting much more time on research, and there seems to be two schools of thought (though nothing definitive) towards the finished surfaces: either overall aluminum finish, or clear doped linen surfaces.

Here is a photo from ealry 1918:

The French began applying aluminum finishes to their aircraft in 1916, and it had a lot of beneficial qualities on these fabric covered machines.

Anyhow, did a little colour study, and looking for opinions as which looks more correct, or which do you  prefer more?

regards,

Jack

According to the Windsock Datafile, the early versions were in aluminum, after which they went directly to the five-color camoflage scheme. They speculate that some might have been painted in the overall yellow scheme (not CDL), but that it's impossible to tell from the photographs. Given that information I would guess that if an HD.1 is a single overall color it's most likely aluminum. That said, no matter what the color dope used it looks like the forward metal panels are bare aluminum.

Only going by the pic and the sketch, I'd choose the top one. But that's me, I'm not as concerned with dead accurate more than I am concerned that the kit "represents" the subject in a resonable manner. So, what I am saying is, don't paint it pink.

BK

Thanks very much Sailor Steve and BrandonK.

Would that be the Windsock Datafile No. 92?  I was strongly leaning for an aluminum finish before I stared asking questions, so your response really helps with that. 

I think the only bit I will change up is for Horizon blue on the floats.  Apparently shades of this paint that coloured the infantryman's Adrien helmet, was also described as being used on metal fittings of aircraft.   So I figure the pontoons need some kind of protective coat against salt water.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

Thanks very much Sailor Steve and BrandonK.

Would that be the Windsock Datafile No. 92?

That's the one.

I think the only bit I will change up is for Horizon blue on the floats.  Apparently shades of this paint that coloured the infantryman's Adrien helmet, was also described as being used on metal fittings of aircraft.   So I figure the pontoons need some kind of protective coat against salt water.

I would guess the floats were made out of wood, and looking at the photo you provided I would also guess that they were painted the same color as the fuselage, which means that I would go with aluminum. But of course that's just a guess, and one of the beauties of identifying colors that old is that until we find an actual statement we have no idea what the reality was. Blue probably would work just fine.

Or, as someone said in a discussion on The Aerodrome forums about PC-10, "You can paint it any color green you like, and no one can definitely say you're wrong."

Steve, now I never thought the floats were fabricated from wood.  I just assumed it was a frame work made from wood, and then covered with aluminum sheets .  I might have to re-think the paint colour here and revert to aluminum.

====================

So here are some photos from the bench:

On the left side, below the dime, is inital gluing of the fuselage halves.  Not sure if it is warpage or what, but only applied cement at the cowl end and once that was set, some hand held pressure coaxed the back half together.

Next to that is Small Stuff resin engine of the Clerget 9B/Z (130/110 hp) Engine.  This will be a like mini kit to build, I count about 46 pieces in total.  Even a tool is provided to handle the tiniest detail.

Lastly, Minute72 PE detail specifically dedicated to the Hanriot.

The PE cockpit detail is done, and although the instructions do indicate four points to attach control wires, I'll likely skip that being 1/72 scale.  The seat cushion is not affixed so it can be painted separate.

Lower wing attached, and dry fit of the PE detail inside the fuselage.  The interior required both walls and floor sanded down.

regards,

Jack

Jack, that is a bitchin little etch cockpit. SO nicely done. Awesome work.

BK

It's looking quite good so far.

jgeratic

Steve, now I never thought the floats were fabricated from wood.  I just assumed it was a frame work made from wood, and then covered with aluminum sheets .  I might have to re-think the paint colour here and revert to aluminum.

I took another look in the DataFile, and they say nothing about the construction of the pontoons. Some online research turned up nothing as well. Other aircraft I've seen pictures of had wood floats, and I can't imagine aluminum skinning being that strong during that period. I could be wrong, of course. it wouldn't be the first time.

Next to that is Small Stuff resin engine of the Clerget 9B/Z (130/110 hp) Engine.  This will be a like mini kit to build, I count about 46 pieces in total.  Even a tool is provided to handle the tiniest detail.

I've tried and failed a couple of times to build Small Stuff rotaries. That said, when properly built they are spectacular. Good luck with it.

Lastly, Minute72 PE detail specifically dedicated to the Hanriot.

I have to agree, that cockpit is gorgeous.

The interior required both walls and floor sanded down.

I experienced that when I built a resin Albatros C.V a couple of years ago. It can be a pain.

Thank you Brandon and Steve.

Sounds like the cockpit construction is just a warm-up before tackling the engine.  There certainly is a lot of delicate parts, and resin at that.

regards,

Jack

Hello Jack - 

Sir, that is some beautiful work on that pit...wonderful detail. I cannot wait too see you progress in this build. I am definitely watching this until she is complete. Great Job!

Jack, impressive as always. Love that PE framing.

Hello everyone - 

I got a little time at the bench today...not much, but enough time to get this assembled. I hope to have 3 days at the end of next week to got more accomplished. I have been working a lot of overtime so what little time I do have gets divided between the Mrs. and my builds.

The communication boxes and radio equipment

I noticed a lot of the pieces were out of square and did my best to correct them without making it worst. Will continue to improve on my dry fitting to ensure a nice clean look. Hope all of you are well.

That kit looks like it's got some pretty nice detail Hunter. Not bad.

Looks like its going together nicely Hunter. Some good looking detail there.

Steve and Bish - 

Thank you...had a time with the radio and communication boxes. Each one had four small parts and needed some TLC due to being slightly out of square. I am really looking forward to this build because of the piece count, smaller details, paint scheme and PE. I thought it would be a good chance for me to learn the PE aspect of it since there is only 16 pieces that are PE. If I do mess up, I have found where I can reorder just those pieces and try again.

I need to focus on making sure during the "dry-fitting" stage to make sure everything looks correct. No gaps or misalignment. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words.

Hunter, I am really enjoying watching this kit come together. All the unique builds in here really bring new lifeto the forums over the standard, more popular kits that get built. Very nice.

BK