Knights of the Sky WWI GB The End

Silentmodeler-

I added you to the list!

Well guys I have found a unique subject for this GB.  Going through stuff to box up for the move I came across a 1/48 Smer Avro 504K, I had forgotten that I even had the kit.  Opening the box and examining the kit made me realize that maybe this is beyond me, building the kit.  You see the kit has raised areas where the decals go, overdone surface detail, no cockpit and on and on.  So I looked up kit reviews and low and behold I found one http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/w1/uhlir504.htm

Now the question is will I be able to turn this kit into something worthy of this GB?  I think with the help and advice from my friends in the GB's I can and will do this (after I get things set up in Florida).

Roy

Roy-

I don't know a lot about WWI aircraft, but I would be more than happy to help you out on that one!  I say "GO FOR IT!"

Your support will be helpfull.  I feel that I may be opening a can of worms with this one.  Be that we will be settling into a new place.  From the review that I read it seems that it can build into a great looking aircraft.  Frank, are you all settled in at your new place?

Roy

wyoroy wrote:

Frank, are you all settled in at your new place? Roy

Not yet, but getting there!  Most of the furniture is here, tools, built models, etc.  Still have to bring the 157 unfinished kits, kitchen stuff, and the motorcycles over.

It will feel great when your done I bet.  I still have to finish some things around the house, get the house sold, pack stuff up (already got some of that done) and move the 1700+ miles to Florida.  In service starts the 13th of Aug so I need to be there some time befor that.  I was planning to work on my GB projects but the wife asked if it could wait till after the move.  I may start sanding the detail off the Avro, I don't think she would mind that.  157 kits....my wife wouldkill me.  She told me that I had to put a dent in what I have befor I start buying a bunch.

Roy

I love detailing cockpits! It's one place where we aircraft modelers get to go totally crazy! Now, for those of you who are embarking on your first WWI build, I think you'll find the offices in these birds quite different than what you're familiar with. They are very simple, but with decent reference pics and some imagination can be beefed up quite a bit to look just as spectacular as their WWII-and-up counterparts. Here are a few from previous builds....the first is from the Eduard D.VII and the second from their 1/48 Pfalz D.IIIa.

Wow!  That looks amazing!  How did you get that woodgrain look?  Did you use the oil paint streak over a tan base?  I really like the way it turned out.

You never cease to amaze me with your talents.

Whoa...........Mike, that is very nice work indeed sir!

Now, I've been pondering this GB quite a bit and all sorts of questions are coming to me as well as a few idea's.

First, some questions:

1. How do you get that wood grain effect on the props?

2. What materials do you use for the rigging?

Now, my idea. I saw this done in the pages of FSM magazine some years ago and thought I might have a stab at it in the future.

It was a dio in 1/32 scale of a British pilot making his way from an old farm building to his Camel. I have tracked down some figures and a kit  so now I am going through my dio accessories to see if I can scrounge together a building. Anyway, I cannot for the life of me find the magazine with the dio in it. Any of you fella's know the one I mean? I know its a heck of a long-shot but if any of you lads find it could you post a pic here?  It would be nice to use for a reference.

Thanks Frank, Dave, & Darren!

The method I use for the woodgrain is really simple. I start with a base coat of a medium-to-light brown acrylic (some olive drabs will work well here, too), then after it's set, I go back with a darker shade, thinned to almost airbrush consistancy, and in one continuous stroke going in one direction I add the grain with a flat brush until I think it looks right (usually doesn't take much because you don't want to overdo it and obscure your base coat). When that's dry, an overcoat of Tamiya clear orange (brushed on) finishes it up, unless I decide to dull it out (that depends on what mood I'm in ). The D.VII in my example has the flat coat, while I left it gloss on the Pfalz. I suppose an intermediate effect could be acheived by using Pollyscale's satin finish.

Darren, there's a few different things I use for rigging. One is .007" stainless steel wire and the other is a product called ezline. I'll hunt down the ezline link for you.

I copied this from another post I made on this thread. It goes into a little more detail about rigging and provides the ezline link too.....

There is quite a bit more rigging on the Albatros than on the D.VII, but rigging is always tedious, no matter how much or how little. The tricky part is working around existing rigging to install more. Here is where careful planning is needed....always work from the inside, out. I use .007" stainless steel wire I purchased from smallparts, Inc.. I just measure the length with a set of calipers, cut is slightly oversize, then test fit and trim until it fits straight. All this is done with the holes already pre-drilled with a #80 bit. There is also a material called EZ-line. I've used this as well, and the kit prep (pre-drilling the holes) is the same as it is for using stainless steel wire, so it's possible to switch mediums mid-stream if you wish. Here's the link.......

http://www.bobeshobbyhouse.com/ezl.html

Thanks Mike!  Do you use the same technique on varnished fuselages?  Say, an Albatros or similar?

Darren-

I don't recall seeing that photo either, but I would really like to see it!

Now, I've been pondering this GB quite a bit and all sorts of questions are coming to me as well as a few idea's.

First, some questions:

1. How do you get that wood grain effect on the props?

I did some reading on this and one idea was to paint the prop the base color.  Then using very thin strips of tape run the tape from one tip to the other.  You could do it one or two times depending on the reference photos, your prop would have to be a laminated wood prop for this to be right.  Again I defer to our resident expert and teacher Mike  Anyway that's my worth.  Remember that I have only read about this, never realy tried it.

Roy

wyoroy wrote:

Now, I've been pondering this GB quite a bit and all sorts of questions are coming to me as well as a few idea's. First, some questions: 1. How do you get that wood grain effect on the props? I did some reading on this and one idea was to paint the prop the base color.  Then using very thin strips of tape run the tape from one tip to the other.  You could do it one or two times depending on the reference photos, your prop would have to be a laminated wood prop for this to be right.  Again I defer to our resident expert and teacher Mike

No need to in this case, Roy. You pretty much hit the nail right on the head! I've tried your method and it works great.

thanks daywalker

and let you all know ill be going to airshow south of rochester, NY. (1941 HAG (Historal Aircraft Group museum))  Ill be taking pictures of world war 1 aircrafts as for references.  Im not sure which one will be there for sure but if you want to see some of my pictures, Ill be more happy to show to you.  it will happen on july 14 to 15.  ill be post up on this gb  feel free to print it   last year they had red baron/sopwith/SE-5a/Fokker DR.1   Im not sure about this year,  they might have from the movie  flyboys  the Neiuport 17 and few others. 

so just let me know if you all wanna me to post it up 

wyoroy

how do you do the signture with all gbs in one?  let me know thanks

Silent-

I'd love to see those pics! 

Silent, I had Darren (darson) fix mine to do this.  All the guys here are great and will do anything to help each other.  Just ask him or someone else if they could animate your GB badges.  I myself have no idea how to do that at this point.

Roy

Daywalker wrote:

Silent- I'd love to see those pics!

Absolutely! Bring 'em on!

Darren-

Me too!  I had considered WWI stuff off and on, but never really gave it a chance.  After seeing Mike's stuff, and feeling the excitement of everyone here, I can't wait to start as well!

Roy,

I guess it pays to have an understanding wife.  When I left Virginia Beach, VA for my new life in "that state up north" (an inside joke for any Buckeye fans), I  packed 22 unbuilt kits.  That was almost 16 years ago, and the last time I actually did a kit count, I was just over 350.  It has been a few years since I tried that stunt, so I just tell my spouse that I have around 400.  What can I say, nuclear power pays the bills, and leaves enough to support a hobby or two.  Anyway, we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in October, and as I have to tell her from time to time, at least you know where I am when I am not at work or out riding my bike.

More Power Scotty wrote:

Roy, I guess it pays to have an understanding wife.  When I left Virginia Beach, VA for my new life in "that state up north" (an inside joke for any Buckeye fans), I  packed 22 unbuilt kits.  That was almost 16 years ago, and the last time I actually did a kit count, I was just over 350.  It has been a few years since I tried that stunt, so I just tell my spouse that I have around 400.  What can I say, nuclear power pays the bills, and leaves enough to support a hobby or two.  Anyway, we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary in October, and as I have to tell her from time to time, at least you know where I am when I am not at work or out riding my bike.

Well put friend

Roy

My wife is also grateful that she knows where to find me in the "off" hours!

I too am getting excited about the WWI GB idea, I have almost always built WWII stuff but earlier this year I picked up a bunch of Revell 1/72 Camels in a clearance store for a buck each thinking I just couldn't pass up a deal like that.  Now all you crazy blokes got me all wound up about this and the build doesn't even start for months.

Dave-

I know how you feel.  I picked up a cheap Roden 1/72 Albatros D.III at my LHS a couple of weeks ago, and have worked on it a lil' here and there as a warm-up.