FlyingLow Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 I started couple of weeks ago and was motivated by Old Man's scratch build to show some work in progress. The choice of good WW I plastic kits is very limited and I wanted to challenge myself anyway so I decide to scratchbuild it. No need to talk about importance of this plane, perhaps just two statistics. Pilots in Sopwith Camel shot down more planes in WW I than with any other plane. Other, less flatering stat is that more pilots got killed in accidents than being shot down by enemies. The reason of course being inherently unstable plane, which makes it extremely manouverable but also very dangerous to fly. In this scale hollow fuselage is almost impossible so i decided to make it full. I used styren 0.020" (0.5 mm) and to make shaping and sanding easier I laminated the body using two different colors of styren. To glue them toether I used generous amounts of thin CA and pressed them together. I also used the same type styren for the engine covling. Just wrapped it around a knife handle and glued it with CA and dipped it in hot water to keep the shape. I used same technique for wings and propeler. Here is a photo of roughly shaped parts: The whole construction should look something like this: And if you are woindering how big (small) is this thing, here is a comparison to the match (sorry to copy you Pierre): Thanks for looking and any hint, idea or criticism are welcome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Patrick_Nevin Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Thanks for looking and any hint, idea or criticism are welcome. Do you take kudos? That's a very pretty (and I imagine extremely challenging) model. Impressed, sir Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rocat Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 wow! I love these projects, will surely follow yours! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Old Man Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Looking very nice, Sir! Laid by the match makes it particularly impressive. Is this a war-game project? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingLow Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) Do you take kudos? That's a very pretty (and I imagine extremely challenging) model. Impressed, sir :) I take those gladly too Thank You. wow! I love these projects, will surely follow yours! Thanks Rocat. This is my first WW I scratch build I hope it will succeed. Looking very nice, Sir!Laid by the match makes it particularly impressive. Is this a war-game project? Thanks Old Man. No I just got into 1/144 modeling by chance and really got hooked to it. Besides, it is very convenient in terms of display space required. Edited June 6, 2009 by FlyingLow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lucien Harpress Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 I just want to comment on the irony of your scratchbuild inspired by Old Man to mine (also inspired by Old Man, btw). You chose to scratch one of the smallest aircraft ever in one of the smallest scales ever. I decided to build the BIGGEST biplane ever built (the SSW R.VIII). Made me chuckle a bit. Very nice work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fred Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 It might be interesting(if not convenient) to see a side-by-side of this Sopwith Camel and Lucien's SSW R.VIII. Failing that, could I(we) see the big one, too? T I A Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingLow Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks. Lucien I would like to see your build too. I was working on creating a rib effect on the wings this weekend. After some trial and error it seems that easiest way to do it is by applying tiny styren strips. I used smalles I could get 0.01" x 0.01" (0.25mm X 0.25 mm). To be able to align them properly I first printed lines on paper and attached wings to it. I used Tamiya Thin Cement as it gets nicely sucked along the whole length. Because I expected a lot of sanding I wanted strong bond so I used it generously: Then I used Mr. Surfacer to "soften" them up a bit: Next was a lot of sandind to almost completely remove plastic strips. Here they are after Tamiya White primer: Bottom: I am quite pleased with achieved, so it is time for final rough shaping. I cut out openings from the top wing and separated bottom and inserted brass pins for later attachment to the fuselage: That's for now, hopefully I will find enough time next week to finish shaping the fuselage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lucien Harpress Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Nice wing work. I'm actually working on the wing ribs myself right now, although my technique is a bit different. As for my build, here's the In-Progress thread. I'm going to update it soon, as I've done a bit of work on the wings that isn't up yet. SSW R.VIII Scratchbuild I have a 1/72 Sopwith Triplane that I'm planning on comparing it to. A 1/144 Camel? The wingspan of THAT would probably be about one half of the horizontal tailplane of the R.VIII! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Wow! This is really a marvel of modeling! I can't wait to see more! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Old Man Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Damn, Sir! That is beautiful work on the ribs! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingLow Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 (edited) Thanks everybody for nice words. It was time to do some more sanding. First I thinned the sides of the cockpit then I made couple of cuts for Vickers machine guns. Unfortunately I sanded off a bit too much material on the nose so I had to add thin styrene plates on each side: Using thin copper wire and piece of fine cloth I built a seat. First attempt turned out too big so second try was needed: I couldn't help myself but paint a bit. In reality it is slightly less yellow than on this photo: Oils were used to simulate wood structure on propeller, floor and instrument panel: I will soon have to decide or a concrete plane, any suggestions? Edited June 15, 2009 by FlyingLow Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Impatient Pete Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 That is sooo cool! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Isaac Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Wow! A Sopwith Camel in 1/144? Too cool! Please you are not going to do any rigging. If you do, I will cry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingLow Posted June 22, 2009 Author Share Posted June 22, 2009 Thanks Pete, Isaac and everyone else looking. BTW. Isaac I do plan to rig the plane, how successful it will be unfortunately nobody knows :-) I made very little progress, was away on business almost the whole week. I started on a part that makes or breaks the look of WWI model, the engine. Not much is needed to build one, some sprue leftovers, screws from glasses repair kit and a lot of patience. I first printed the star to be able to align the cylinders: About one hour later I had this: Some paint and dry fit looks quite promising: I am currently experimenting with materials for rigging, I hope this nylon line will work: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Excellent! It's coming alone very nicely! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingLow Posted July 7, 2009 Author Share Posted July 7, 2009 Thanks Slick. I was able to make very little progress lately, interior is finished and time is to install it: After Tamiya primer I detailed the exterior a bit: Tail counstruction: Main components thrown together: Decals: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted July 7, 2009 Share Posted July 7, 2009 HOLY CRAP! Look at that instrument panel! This is looking awesome! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChristopherC Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 This is just stunning! Incredible scratchbuild, and I see you plan to rig it! When you're done you'll have to do a size comparison shot next to your MiG-29. Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingLow Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 Thanks Chris. Since I am mostly building 1/144 I have quite a fleet already and will surely make some pictures next to the rest... when I am done of course. This last weekend I only managed to splash some paint on it: That is all for now, thanks for looking. Because of my travels I will have to take a little break from modeling and will be back in mid-August, enjoy the summer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kingoalie Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Wow this looks great! :D Be safe on your travels and I can't wait to see this finished! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slick95 Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Excellent job! It looks outstanding! Be safe on your trip! SLICK Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tomcat Fan Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Excellent job... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
S.C.Williams Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 I must have lost this one! What a great job man!! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingLow Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share Posted July 14, 2009 Thanks guys, I really appreciate it In the mean time I decided which bird to build, I am going for a Camel flown by Canadian ace William G. Baker - B6313. Some history and nice drawings HERE. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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