Model Airways Sopwith Camel 1/16 scale [COMPLETED BUILD]

Dean62 said:
It’s hard to find any WW1 pilot figure models in 1/16 scale. But…I found one to go with my Albatros D.Va kit. The most famous pilot to fly one.
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Excited about this, even includes his dog. ;)
Of course I have not ruled out building the Fokker DR1 tri-plane. Trying to decide between the Model Airways or Artesania Latina version. Both look really nice!
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I worked for many years, almost my entire working life to be exact, for the company that built and supplied the radial engine which powered his fighter aircraft, the Fokker Dr1. He would come to the company to choose his engine, the Oberursel UR 2.
 
LuigiSoft said:
I worked for many years, almost my entire working life to be exact, for the company that built and supplied the radial engine which powered his fighter aircraft, the Fokker Dr1. He would come to the company to choose his engine, the Oberursel UR 2.
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That is very interesting, thanks for sharing! Those were very different times, when the pilots had influence and say so, regarding the aircraft they flew. By WW2, all of that changed! ;)
 
LuigiSoft said:
I worked for many years, almost my entire working life to be exact, for the company that built and supplied the radial engine which powered his fighter aircraft, the Fokker Dr1. He would come to the company to choose his engine, the Oberursel UR 2.
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Oberursel has a long, very interesting history.
 
Dean62 said:
Tension wires with turnbuckles are done. Then center section of wing could be finished after that.
Looked like this after tension wires…
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Then the additional boards were added for the center opening frame…
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Then the wing was finally done!!!
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Total progress on the airplane…engine, propeller and upper wing…
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Now I can start on the lower wing! ;)
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What a beautiful wing structure.
 
Dean62 said:
Update on the models:

Cockpit cover…

View attachment 293986
A lot of cutouts for the guns.
There is more work to do, I don't have all of the details in yet, but getting there! ;)


Let's look at the assy and parts...

The frame with guns...

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add the metal motor cowling...
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add the wood cockpit cover...
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add the metal gun cowling...
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That's all I am adding as far as cowlings and covers. Just have to finish with the detail on these.
Then I am starting the lower wing!

A quick rendering...
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Nice CAD- models. A very time consuming activity. This reminds me of the guy who spend a lot of time digitizing the Fokker G1, that was an absolute labor of love. Don't think he's finished yet: https://www.fokkerg-1.nl/index.php/en/replicaen/19-digital-mockup
 
The left lower wing was framed after capping the ribs…
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Then I added the aileron spars, trimmed all 4 spars and tapered the ends. Then added the cross braces. Now both sides are at the same stage and I will build them in tandem. I also beveled the ends of the main spars where they join in the middle. This will allow the wings to angle upwards at the proper dihedral.
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Today I added the small ribs to the large spar, after sanding the char off the edges, and sanding both faces to get the lazer burn off of them.
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Next was the control line pulleys. After filing them and painting them, I drilled holes for them in the large spar and glued them in place. You would not have room after the leading edge goes on. Not to mention you couldn’t drill a hole either. ;)
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I should mention the metal casting should have primer painted on first, so the paint adheres properly. I use Vallejo surface primer.
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Next the leading edges were glued on after sanding the front of the wing to ensure it was flat across the entire length. Then the ends were trimmed in preparation for sanding the profile.

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Next sanding the profile on the leading edge was done… as mentioned before, I make sure one side of my sanding block is taped so I can slide it on the work surface while holding the wings flat. I change the angle of the block as I progress. This ensures a constant profile along the edge.
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Leading edge done on the right lower wing…
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Then the left lower wing was sanded…
AB55791F-A3FF-4EF1-841B-29409191550F.jpeg

Nothing more satisfying than having the leading edge profiles completed! A lot of sanding!
Then I sanded both wings with 600 grit sandpaper.
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At this stage, next I will be fabricating the wings tips and adding the trailing edges and straps. Then I can add clear with stain.
See you next time. ;)
 
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Wow you're a fast drinker. On picture 1 the cup of coffee/tea is still filled to the brim and by picture 4 it's gone! :) Seriously though my friend, I wish I could say anything worthwhile on your log, but my knowledge on all things aviation is limited to flying a control-line model as a child. After that I got given an RC sailplane, but I quickly ripped out the R/C equipment and transferred it to a 1/8 scale gas racing car. And with that my airplane days were over. As soon as you start the Nieuport,I will tag along regularly.
 
Heinrich said:
Wow you're a fast drinker. On picture 1 the cup of coffee/tea is still filled to the brim and by picture 4 it's gone! :) Seriously though my friend, I wish I could say anything worthwhile on your log, but my knowledge on all things aviation is limited to flying a control-line model as a child. After that I got given an RC sailplane, but I quickly ripped out the R/C equipment and transferred it to a 1/8 scale gas racing car. And with that my airplane days were over. As soon as you start the Nieuport,I will tag along regularly.
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Thanks for dropping in Heinrich. You don’t have to know about airplanes. It is still the same skill sets as ship building. Cutting wood, sanding, filing, gluing, staining, soaking and bending, painting, working with metal bits and castings, and of course rigging (tension wires). ;)
 
Dean62 said:
Today I added the small ribs to the large spar, after sanding the char off the edges, and sanding both faces to get the lazer burn off of them.
View attachment 294774

Next was the control line pulleys. After filing them and painting them, I drilled holes for them in the large spar and glued them in place. You would not have room after the leading edge goes on. Not to mention you couldn’t drill a hole either. ;)
View attachment 294775

I should mention the metal casting should have primer painted on first, so the paint adheres properly. I use Vallejo surface primer.
View attachment 294776

Next the leading edges were glued on after sanding the front of the wing to ensure it was flat across the entire length. Then the ends were trimmed in preparation for sanding the profile.

View attachment 294786

Next sanding the profile on the leading edge was done… as mentioned before, I make sure one side of my sanding block is taped so I can slide it on the work surface while holding the wings flat. I change the angle of the block as I progress. This ensures a constant profile along the edge.
View attachment 294779View attachment 294780
Leading edge done on the right lower wing…
View attachment 294781View attachment 294782

Then the left lower wing was sanded…
View attachment 294783

Nothing more satisfying than having the leading edge profiles completed! A lot of sanding!
Then I sanded both wings with 600 grit sandpaper.
View attachment 294785

At this stage, next I will be fabricating the wings tips and adding the trailing edges and straps. Then I can add clear with stain.
See you next time. ;)
Click to expand...
The wing build does seem pretty straightforward to me, at least you make it look like it's a walk in the park. Also the wing design appears to be quite simple; due to the non-tapered wing design, the ribs are all similar and perpendicular to the spars. Any challenges left for you?
 
Making a wing tip for the lower right wing. I am using the same hollow aluminum tubing I used on the upper wings. Then I made gussets for each end.

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Then I added the struts…
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I add pva glue around the gussets and struts to mimic a weld in those areas. It will be painted black like the upper wing.

Then the trailing edge was added and all of the straps. The straps are cut from thin copper tape. Tedious work installing them. I make a line to mark where to start them, so they are the same.
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I also sanded the leading edge where it blends into the wing tip.

So the wing tip and trailing edge added to one side! Left side next…
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Thanks for looking!
 
RDN1954 said:
The wing build does seem pretty straightforward to me, at least you make it look like it's a walk in the park. Also the wing design appears to be quite simple; due to the non-tapered wing design, the ribs are all similar and perpendicular to the spars. Any challenges left for you?
Click to expand...
It is straight forward, as far as wing building goes. Very similar to the wooden RC airplanes I built. I don’t thing the wing profile is any easier on a semi-symmetrical or symmetrical wing. These have a slight concave profile on the bottom. Either way you are soaking cap strips in water and bending them around the rib.
Then the ribs are installed on the spars. Then it’s time for the cross braces, leading edge ribs, the leading edge, wing tips, trailing edges, straps, then compression bars, and finally tension wires and turnbuckles.
The addition of the compression bars and tension wires is new for me. ;)
So even though it’s a new type model, the detail required, and how I accomplish it, uses the same or similar skill sets as most models. Especially wood and metal models. Plastic models are all about painting. I used to have an airbrush and do camouflage on my plastic airplanes. So I developed my painting skills and techniques doing those. Working with the metal parts was a new thing for me on ships.
But each and every model has its own challenges and unique approach. This is a very busy and detailed model, the order and how you build it is very important. And all of the control cables are run, and the control surfaces are supposed to work with stick and rudder movement. So it’s a working static model. That looks to be a new and interesting challenge! ;)
 
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