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

[LuigiSoft]

Oberursel has a long, very interesting history.

If you are interested here is the link to the website of the historical society in Oberursel. It is mainly in German and some of the info is in English.:

Motorenfabrik Oberursel - GKMO eV

Die 1892 gegründete Motorenfabrik Oberursel, seit dem Jahr 2000 ein Standort der Firma Rolls-Royce Deutschland, gilt als die älteste noch aktive Flugmotorenfabrik der Welt. Sie geht zurück auf eine 1882 aufgebaute Fabrik für Müllereimaschinen, die seinerzeit erste Maschinenbaufabrik in...

gkmo.net

 

[Kurt Konrath]

Thank you Adi!
The Britannia metal castings leave a lot to be desired! They need a lot of clean up, and the detail is less than plastic or resin. And finally they are heavy! It’s amazing how heavy this fuselage is getting and the motor is not on yet!
In conclusion, I would have preferred they use plastic or resin because I am painting most of it anyway.

Britannia metal casting are old school and cheap, they don't have to pay to have someone design new resin molds or get new equipment to process them.

 

[Dean62]

If you are interested here is the link to the website of the historical society in Oberursel. It is mainly in German and some of the info is in English.:

Motorenfabrik Oberursel - GKMO eV

Die 1892 gegründete Motorenfabrik Oberursel, seit dem Jahr 2000 ein Standort der Firma Rolls-Royce Deutschland, gilt als die älteste noch aktive Flugmotorenfabrik der Welt. Sie geht zurück auf eine 1882 aufgebaute Fabrik für Müllereimaschinen, die seinerzeit erste Maschinenbaufabrik in...

gkmo.net

Thank you, I will look into that!

 

[Dean62]

Britannia metal casting are old school and cheap, they don't have to pay to have someone design new resin molds or get new equipment to process them.

True, but I would be willing to pay more to get better quality!

 

[RDN1954]

If you are interested here is the link to the website of the historical society in Oberursel. It is mainly in German and some of the info is in English.:

Motorenfabrik Oberursel - GKMO eV

Die 1892 gegründete Motorenfabrik Oberursel, seit dem Jahr 2000 ein Standort der Firma Rolls-Royce Deutschland, gilt als die älteste noch aktive Flugmotorenfabrik der Welt. Sie geht zurück auf eine 1882 aufgebaute Fabrik für Müllereimaschinen, die seinerzeit erste Maschinenbaufabrik in...

gkmo.net

Very interesting read, thanks for sharing.
I thought Rolls-Royce is nowadays owned by BMW. At least the aero-engine division is.

 

[LuigiSoft]

Very interesting read, thanks for sharing.
I thought Rolls-Royce is nowadays owned by BMW. At least the aero-engine division is.

No, the car division is owned by BMW. The aero-engine division is a separate company, owned wholly by Rolls-Royce Plc with the mother company in Derby, England. RR has a subsidary company in Germany, consisting of two sites, one being in Oberursel.

 

[Dean62]

Today was assembly and tubing…
I installed the main tank, the straps that hold it in place, then the tubing for the fuel lines.
Then I installed the fuel level sight glass, and then the tubing to the fuel tank for it (2 lines).
Then I installed the fuel pressure system and lines. I added a straight fitting at the end of the line that goes to the pump on the cabane strut. That will be added later in the build, so I just needed to have a connection point.
Then I installed the oil tank and the oil line.

Next is the ammo canisters that I have to start assembly on and paint after making adjustments.

Pics of today’s progress…

 

[Jimsky]

I think, precise attention to details you made, and great job in general building this model, the best advertisement for this kit, mi Amigo!!! Model Airways should pay you!!

 

[Dean62]

I think, precise attention to details you made, and great job in general building this model, the best advertisement for this kit, mi Amigo!!! Model Airways should pay you!!

Thank you Jimsky! Much appreciated!
They should pay me for dealing with their crummy Britannia metal castings!

 

[RDN1954]

Thank you Jimsky! Much appreciated!
They should pay me for dealing with their crummy Britannia metal castings!

I've seen wonderful CAD-models from your hand, resulting in rather nicely printed 3D-parts. Why not toss out the crappy castings and go for the more successful approach?

 

[RDN1954]

No, the car division is owned by BMW. The aero-engine division is a separate company, owned wholly by Rolls-Royce Plc with the mother company in Derby, England. RR has a subsidary company in Germany, consisting of two sites, one being in Oberursel.

You're correct, originally BMW had a majority share, later BMW stepped away, leaving Rolls-Royce as the owner.

 

[Dean62]

I've seen wonderful CAD-models from your hand, resulting in rather nicely printed 3D-parts. Why not toss out the crappy castings and go for the more successful approach?

Since I don’t actually own a printer at the moment, I try to keep the amount of parts printed to a minimum, as a courtesy to my friend.
Should I decide to invest in a printer, then that would change! In fact I fear if I buy a printer, then I will end up modeling and printing my own models, piece by piece! I wouldn’t need a kit!

 

[Dean62]

Today I added the ammo canister and the instrument panel. Afterwards I added the machine guns and the sight.
I drilled holes in the end of the machine gun barrels to add realism, I also extended the gun discharge chute and made it hollow inside for realism. I added bolts heads to all mounting straps and the sight bar on the guns.
Also I added pipe clamps wherever it was possible. I have added so much detail, I honestly don’t remember everything and won’t bore you any further with a list…ha ha! But if you look closely you will notice these things!



Then I test fitted the cowling to check clearance with the guns, etc.


Then I test fitted the cockpit cover…it is just sitting in place loosely, but once glued down will fit tight. This exercise is just to verify clearance with the guns, and to check fuel tank filler access hole locations. So far it looks good…


Next will be the seat and the tail skid…the list goes on! After that it will be time for all of the turnbuckles and tension wires!
I will leave the bottom ones off until I have run all of the control wires to the empannage assembly.

 

[Pathfinder65]

Excellent, excellent. Adding all those small details must be a chore, but the results are worth the effort.

 

[Dean62]

I added the tail skid…it has rigging!
They used a bungee cord which acted like a shock absorber.


Then I decided to try to make something decent out of the provided seat. First I cleaned it up and glued it to the seat bottom and painted the bottom.


There was a big gap and no supports…sigh! So I added the vertical supports that cross …


As you can see I also decided to make a seat cushion, which was standard. But I also decided to make a upper cushion that goes on the bulkhead behind the seat. I have seen this added on the real airplane.


Then I painted the seat and cushions…


Then they were installed in the fuselage…


As she sits now with current progress…

 

[pianoforte]

Wow, the seat is absolutely perfect . Wonderful Dean.

 

[Peter Voogt]

I added the tail skid…it has rigging!
They used a bungee cord which acted like a shock absorber.
View attachment 298947

Then I decided to try to make something decent out of the provided seat. First I cleaned it up and glued it to the seat bottom and painted the bottom.
View attachment 298948

There was a big gap and no supports…sigh! So I added the vertical supports that cross …
View attachment 298949

As you can see I also decided to make a seat cushion, which was standard. But I also decided to make a upper cushion that goes on the bulkhead behind the seat. I have seen this added on the real airplane.
View attachment 298950

Then I painted the seat and cushions…
View attachment 298951View attachment 298952View attachment 298953

Then they were installed in the fuselage…
View attachment 298954View attachment 298955

As she sits now with current progress…



View attachment 298957

Now it is a real Rattan woven chair. A comfortable seat, Dean. The pilot will appreciate that!

 

[Heinrich]

Superb detailing Dean. It's like Peter's Ducati - you can get lost in them!

 

[Dean62]

Wow, the seat is absolutely perfect . Wonderful Dean.

Thank you very much Adi!

 

[Dean62]

Now it is a real Rattan woven chair. A comfortable seat, Dean. The pilot will appreciate that!

Thank you Peter!