Scalephantomphixer Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Finished at Last :)It took 17 months of hard work, interesting research and training to achieve this model, featured with a great deal of "hand-made" parts, some so tiny they are hardly noticeable to the bare eye. The kit and the sprues with all parts, except the instructions leaflet and the scratch-built parts. Missing is the Part photo-etch, which is a great help to populate the inside of the hull. The wings, with an impressivly large span, are hold together with a maze of rigging wires, most of them double, as featured in almost all British WWI airplanes. The control surfaces are all deflected. The command wires, with their brass pulleys, combined with the complex rigging gives the impression of a flying kite. Drag was not yet well known to aircraft engineers... The upper part of the hull remains open to unveil the fully equipped inside: seats, steering wheels, command wires, radio, navigation table and instruments, fuel tanks, dashboard and even a first aid box with its red cross. Every engine, measuring only 3cm, is built with 127 parts, most of them being scratch-built additions. The radiators are PE, as are the propeller hubs. The valve camshafts are made with soldered brass and has tiny valve springs. The V-12 Rolls-Royce engines have a total of 48 valves ! Along the front center mast the aileron command wires run upwards to the brass pulleys, turned on a watchmaker lathe. I painted the hull with artist's oils to simulate wood. The bow is upgraded with a bunch of ropes. A pair of Lewis machine guns mean no good for the mighty German Zeppelins! Two little footsteps helped the four-man crew boarding the plane. Protection of the flight crew was restricted to two tiny windshields. At the back of the engines are the oil tanks. Four exhaust pipes lead the hot gases away from the upper wing fabric.A double Lewis gun mount aims at bad fates for Zeppelings. Above the center of the hull are two small propellers, acting as fuel pumps as soon as the airplane caught up speed. Under the lower wing are two bombs, targeting German U-Boote. The floatplane sits on a wood trolley, allowing the plane to be pulled out of the waters and manoeuvered on the ground. Eventually a fine aircraft model, recalling the old-time memories from when flying was a hard experience, for which you needed thick leather jackets with furred inside, a warm leather helmet and googles, along with warm boots and a solid will to stand the lengthy patrolls over the North Sea. Flying is long stretches of boredom and sheer moments of terror Learning watchmaking and how to use the precision tools was a great help to build parts that would have been impossible to evenen think about in 1/72! The building thread can be read here Thank you all guys for the supportive comments along the long months it took to complete this highly interesting build. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gishuk Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 truely amazing, this is a masterpiece Quote Link to post Share on other sites
infideon Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 what can i say? best of the best! another museum grade master piece! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dthank Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 (edited) It has been a long road, but the results are quite impressive. Great job! What's up next for you? Edited February 22, 2010 by dthank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 A Masterpiece by a Master Modeler ! Thank You again Pierre for including us along the way on this magnificent build ... Gregg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
POMPEO Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Superb, the work is fantastic thank's for shearing cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aigore Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Simply stunning! A masterpiece!! Been a wonderful trip from start to finsih...thanx for that Pierre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mkimages Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Once again, my mind is boggled. Truly incredible work. Thank you for sharing it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dragan_mig31 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 :) :wub: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Mikester Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Amazing piece of work! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Amazing level of details on this build! Big to your long and dedicated work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gambler Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Simply outstanding!! What a piece of work, a masterpiece. Jeff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
acad Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 (edited) A masterpiece for the museum collection, no words are suitable to describe your incredible build. Thanks Pierre :worship: Edited February 24, 2010 by acad Quote Link to post Share on other sites
copey Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 That is a stunning piece of work, I am truly gobsmacked.............even impressed the wife Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalephantomphixer Posted February 26, 2010 Author Share Posted February 26, 2010 Thank you guys ;) ...gobsmacked.............even impressed the wife There is no nothing to add to that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lucien Harpress Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I remember stumbling across this build on another site a LOOOOONG time ago. Really really nice seeing it finished. Goes without saying that this here is something special. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chukw Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 As I said before, it's a real triumph- cheers! Has anyone from Roden contacted you? I would imagine they must be quite chuffed to see their kit get the Pierre Treatment! chuk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Simply stunning work good Sir! Jaw dropping from the get go! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Pierre, STUNNING..CLASSY..SEXY....AWESOME....and that is just you....Just teasing you.... IMPRESSIVE BUILD and I am floored.... HOLMES ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Backfire Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Pierre, it is a masterpiece! It should be placed in a museum so that many people can see it firsthand. Your work is truly inspirational. Thanks for sharing it with us. Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RedHeadKevin Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 (edited) I've had my jaw dropped all along on this build. It's incredible. As I asked in the build topic, has anyone seen one of these kits built straight from the box? I don't know how they could make all that rigging look good with a kit. The extra work you put into this, especially the engines and rigging make this kit truly impressive. The small size makes it even more incredible. Phenomenal work, as always Pierre. Edited March 2, 2010 by RedHeadKevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Voltaire Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Une merveille. The WIP took my breath away so many times... Do you ever sell your masterpieces, Pierre? Just wondering about what the going rate would be! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Barneydhc82 Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Pierre, your Felix is incredible. Congratulations! Just remember to feed Herman the spider; he prefers filet mignon medium rare. Barney Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Very well done Pierre! Just incredible work and attention to detail and finish. cheers Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Troll Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 Finished at Last :) Fantastic job, Pierre! Just fantastic! 17 months... That's perserverance for you. Wow! Now...Tell me more about the dio. "Just add water" ;-) Jorgen "Troll" Toll Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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