Model Airways Sopwith Camel [COMPLETED BUILD]

Almost a month has gone by. Some or little progress. A little life here and there gets in the way. But, tried to do some catch up work. I do not think I am going to be building another airplane for a long time.



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Thank you all for the likes. I know I did not take a step-by-step log of this build. I admit that this build was just too frustrating and I hate to say, that I will be glad when I finish it. I do not mean to be negative about it - and really I am not - it is just that this model was pretty tough to build.

I would say the most frustrating are the Britannia Metal pieces (their brittleness). Then in most cases even using a 2 part epoxy, the parts just would not stay bonded. CA glue posed another problem with a lack of bonding power. Britannia metal and wood (bonding) just isn't good - - at least from my experience.

So, with all that said, here is where I am with it. I am getting ready to install a few more parts to the lower wing assembly, then on to installing the upper wing.

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Just add the engine and she will be ready for flight, maybe some skin on the wings.

I have seen one other builder years ago who did the skeleton on one side and added fabric covering on the other like some of your POF ship hulls are done.
 
Hi Kurt - that is a good idea. However, I am really ready to put this one to the side. Even though there is a little rigging in this plane, it is very frustrating to do.
 
Thanks Jim, et al.

Well, I used to fly RC planes back in around 1986. It is amazing how far that hobby has come with quarter scale, lifelike rotary engines, jet engines, etc.

While I am here and if you are following, this, (forgive me, but) I wish to repeat myself again:
IMPORTANT SUGGESTION:
It might be worth your while to take inventory of all the parts. I had some missing, and some deformed. Mostly metal. However, M.E. replaced them with no problem. I did not take inventory and wished I had. If you do, then it is wise as you can get all the replacements you need at one time. It is a long process, but in the end it is worth it.
As I was building the last 4 wing struts, I did not have enough end brackets that go into the ends of the struts. Dang M.E. - - - and among other missing items and such. I can say that nearly all 100% parts must be cleaned up - reshaped - redrilled - reformed - or either just fabricate it yourself.

I would much rather pay more $$$ for a kit that is well supplied with high quality parts.

So nearing this build, I can only give this 3 stars at the most. Gold StarGold StarGold Starand that is being very gracious. It just takes way too much work for this model to look half way decent.
 
Almost done. Threaded or rigged the aielrons. One continuous line. Using a bracelet bead wire would have been better as the thread has flextime to it and takes a lot of control stick to make flaps work. But it is what it is as they say.


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Thanks Jim.

I will be taking final photo shoot soon.
 
You're welcome. One thing I failed to mention, I was surprised that the propeller and the radial engine both turned as one unit. I guess that was before they figured out how to gear the propeller shaft to turn on its own keeping the radial engine stationary.
 
Final Photos (not exactly happy with the outcome. Even using a black cloth background, I still could not get the lighting like I wanted. I still do not have a photo-shot box setup. I just did the best I could with what I had.


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