Mike Dowling
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from Rick310 in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
After some trimming, sanding, filling and more sanding she doesn't look so bad now after all. Still some work to do on the bow to get the shape right but the second planking should help with that.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from Knocklouder in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
After some trimming, sanding, filling and more sanding she doesn't look so bad now after all. Still some work to do on the bow to get the shape right but the second planking should help with that.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
Side bracing complete. I have decided to leave the under fuselage bracing until after I have done the control wires, I think it will give me more space.
I have also attached the tailplane and hope to rig it later today. I kep't knocking the tail skid off so I have sneakily attached a wire to the pin it rotates on which I hope will keep it in place.
A question for you John. The instructions say you have to brace the control stick to do the wires. How on earth did you do that ?
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
I forgot to take pictures underneath !!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
Update folks,
The cockpit is more or less finished. There is the surround to do (I think it's called combing) and a few more pipes which have to be done later. I had a huge fight with the machine guns which took me ages to fit but got there in the end. I hated the seat which came with the kit so have customised one which I think looks a lot better. Also added a firewall that wasn't included in the kit.
Next stage is to tie loads of turnbuckles onto the sides before doing the fuselage cross bracing.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
I really do find the instructions for this build confusing. The five plan sheets all vary slightly in their measurements so trying to get sizes right is a real challenge. Also I realised when I started that the 'supplies' to build the plane with are less than generous and in some cases simply not enough. I have had to add some spare wood from other builds in order to make up the shortfall.
Anyway, enough of my whingeing, the fuselage is done and next it is on the really fiddly bits !!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
I was really brave and cut them off !! Not too bad actually with a razor saw. Sanded them down and then put them back together again !!! This time with hinges ! I have to say I nearly had a complete sense of humour failure doing those hinges - very tricky but they even go up and down. I'm impressed anyway !
I started the fuselage sides the other day but I have had to take them apart three times because of the stupid 'various scale' plans that I seem to have. Just when you get something spot on anther plan looks miles out ! Hey ho, we love modelling really. I have put in the corner pieces which get deadeyes and rigging attached later.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
The wings are nearly finished now. I just have to be really brave and cut off the ailerons (!!!) before hinging them, doing the dihedral for the lower wings (blocks drying) and putting on the aileron horns.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
Oh dear ! A whole update I put in seems to have vanished so I will do it again. Oops, I may have put it in John B's log by accident ! Sorry John.
Anyway I have finished both wings up to the varnishing stage and am awaiting the order for my spray varnish.
So, meanwhile I have drilled all the tiny holes required in the compression bars and wired in turnbuckles in advance of fitting them where required. I figured it would be easier to put them on first. Any way I have shown a few (not all !) for your interest.
I have also started the empennage (!) although what is wrong with tailplane and elevator ? The brittania metal castings were far too small and a lot of adjustment of the ribs, rib caps etc was needed to get them in
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
Well folks, just to show you that I have not been idle, the top wing is at a 'stage' waiting, according to the destructions to be varnished.
This leads to a question John, how did you get all the metal bits that have yet to go on to stick after you had varnished yours ? I know that CA and varnish don't go well together.
After all the help, advice etc and now, because I don't mind showing my efforts warts and all, here is something that could be a propeller. I don't say it is but it looks a bit like one and I think it's the best I can do without starting all over again. One edge is rounded and the other really sharp but it doesn't show very well on the photo. I reckon it might look OK when it goes on ! Maybe!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from GrandpaPhil in Sopwith Camel by Mike Dowling - FINISHED - Model Airways - 1/16
Hello Folks and welcome to a new build.
I know it's not a boat but there do seem to be an increasing number of us widening the horizons so to speak !!
Whilst this is supposed to be a kit build from Model Expo (Model Airways), if it wasn't for the huge number of cast metal pieces I reckon it would rate as a scratch build !! You will see what I mean when you look at the box contents. Not a lot for what is a pretty pricey model.
Included are some laser cut parts, mostly the wing ribs, A big bag of metal pieces, some separate wood, 5 sheets of 1/1 plans, a parts list 28 page instruction manual. Oh and the box of course !!
I have also included a picture of some Hasegawa 1/16 Camel bits that I acquired !!
My reason for acquiring same was for my cunning plan (!!!) which is to half cover the model and leave half as a skeleton so I needed some bits like the engine cowl to cut in half later. I also got the Hasegawa seat as it looks so much better than the supplied effort.
So, here we go. I reckon I am going to need a lot of help so the more watchers the better.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from SiriusVoyager in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
It is ages since I tried to do a build log on this forum so I thought it was about time I did! I have made loads of models since my last but not done logs on any of them. I love the look of the tall ships and I have recently finished the Occre version of the Amerigo Vespucci with full lighting and loads of changes to the kit instructions to make her more like the real vessel. I am going to try and light the Gorch Fock as well although I wonder sometimes why I set myself these challenges. I can already see from the instructions that I will have to make a few alterations to the kit but otherwise I hope to build her more or less out of the box this time without looking too carefully at the real vessel.
At first look the instructions are the usual Occre quality, the wood looks good and the fittings fine. I will change the navigation lights so that I can fit lights. I don't like the photo etched stanchions but changing them costs a lot as I know because I changed them on the AV so I will put up with them this time. The sails again are usual for Occre but to be honest they do look OK in the end. I made some for the AV as the kit didn't come with them but they didn't really come out better so I will stick with those provided. Let's see what else I find as I go along.
For those who want to know this is what is in the box!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from king derelict in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
All three decks on now and a coat of sealer which shows up the caulking quite well I think. The next stage is to add some parts between the bulkheads for strength and a bit more surface area for planking. The fairing, a job I always dread!!!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from king derelict in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
First deck on and gluing. I am not impressed with the poor quality of my planking but the supplied wood in this instance supposedly is sycamore which I don't think I have used before. The planks unfortunately were of a variety of widths and thicknesses and this along with that deck being in three pieces was not the easiest I have done. Because of the different thickness I just couldn't get a really smooth finish. For the rear and front decks I had some spare wood of a very similar colour and, as you will see has resulted in a much better finish. It is very unusual in my experience for Occre to provide such poor quality wood, they are usually so good. Never mind I will plod on!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from Snug Harbor Johnny in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
I finished the dreaded fairing and am actually quite pleased with it. Maybe practise has helped. Bulwarks are on, a bit of a struggle as they didn't want to bend. I did some handrails before I put them on as they would have been a right fiddle afterwards. I made the handrails a lot thinner and with different eyelets from the kit as the suggested parts were far too big. Also put on what they call the 'master strakes' each side. 5mm x 3mm and again not an easy bend despite a good long soak. I guess they will be a good guide for the rest of the planking.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from RichieS in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
I finished the dreaded fairing and am actually quite pleased with it. Maybe practise has helped. Bulwarks are on, a bit of a struggle as they didn't want to bend. I did some handrails before I put them on as they would have been a right fiddle afterwards. I made the handrails a lot thinner and with different eyelets from the kit as the suggested parts were far too big. Also put on what they call the 'master strakes' each side. 5mm x 3mm and again not an easy bend despite a good long soak. I guess they will be a good guide for the rest of the planking.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from ccoyle in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
I finished the dreaded fairing and am actually quite pleased with it. Maybe practise has helped. Bulwarks are on, a bit of a struggle as they didn't want to bend. I did some handrails before I put them on as they would have been a right fiddle afterwards. I made the handrails a lot thinner and with different eyelets from the kit as the suggested parts were far too big. Also put on what they call the 'master strakes' each side. 5mm x 3mm and again not an easy bend despite a good long soak. I guess they will be a good guide for the rest of the planking.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from king derelict in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
Definitely not potatoes although it is interesting that you so cleverly observe that my wife does love my home cooked chips!! They are lovely pieces of heavy Scottish quartz!! Just the job for holding things down.
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Mike Dowling reacted to yankee clipper in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
Argument in the crews quarters Mike. In your picture of the first deck laying, are those stones or potatoes you are using for weights?
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from Mirabell61 in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
Thank you Nils, glad to see you are still there and creating your wonderful models.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from Mirabell61 in Gorch Fock by Mike Dowling - OcCre
All three decks on now and a coat of sealer which shows up the caulking quite well I think. The next stage is to add some parts between the bulkheads for strength and a bit more surface area for planking. The fairing, a job I always dread!!!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from mtaylor in Hello from the Scottish North Coast
You might have a look at Occre kits. I have done a lot of them. They are not too badly priced, their instructions are really good (except perhaps for rigging) and their wood quality generally fine.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from mtaylor in Hello from the Scottish North Coast
Welcome indeed to the growing Scottish contingent!
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from Keith Black in Hello from the Scottish North Coast
You might have a look at Occre kits. I have done a lot of them. They are not too badly priced, their instructions are really good (except perhaps for rigging) and their wood quality generally fine.
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Mike Dowling got a reaction from Scottish Guy in Hello from the Scottish North Coast
You might have a look at Occre kits. I have done a lot of them. They are not too badly priced, their instructions are really good (except perhaps for rigging) and their wood quality generally fine.
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