Piet

WOW!   you've done a lot so far!   looks very good   Is the frame plastic?.........I see mold lines on the parts.  this might even answer some of the dilemma between A.L. and Model airways  {model expo's brand of kit}.   to weigh in on the bending question,  think that the bending line cuts into the thickness of the PE.  bending into the line will give you a smooth corner or edge,  and evens the thickness of the part being created,  on the inside of the bend.   you won't have any telltale marks on the outside of the bend either.  as most know,  this is a one time shot.......no way to correct anything once bent to shape.  I've not done too much with PE,  but to me,  logically,  I think this is the process for bending the parts.   I did have a bending tool for PE,  but I traded it along with a bunch of other stuff,  for a Billing's Bluenose model that was partially built.  I will soon have a chance to experience some PE......the river boat has some.  I feel cheated a bit,  'cuz there is no bending involved      your doing a super job on this build.......the sub assemblies look very well done as well   

All the cockpit instruments are now installed. I took the precaution of laying in the cables before putting the seat in and am glad of it. I don't think I could have threaded them through some of the tiny holes afterwards.
 
Next step is to install all the cross brace tensioning cables and there are quite a few!!
 
 

Not quite my friend. What might sway your choice is that the rudder, ailerons etc on the Sopwith were supposed (!!!) to move when the model was finished. On this one, despite the appropriate cables, they are not supposed to function.

Are u buildin one a week now ?????????? 
looks good .i,m tempted !!!
 

I also discover that the piece behind the pilots seat is called a bulkhead though it doesn't really compare to that on a boat. Anyway, I have 'rigged' it on !

It will not look as though I have done very much but, all the required 'c' shaped pieces are on. I think I fitted about 28 although loads more were supplied. Each one had to be filed down after removing from the sheet - that was fun!Maybe that is why there were so many allowing for the fact that you were going to 'lose' some!
 
I thought you might like to see one! It'son the end of my finger.
 
I have also added some other parts on the fuselage frame. I have also painted it all ready for the next step which is fitting the cockpit accessories that I have already made up.
 
 

Yes, that's very nice work Marcus. I believe you have started something with your build. You have generated a lot of interest in these marvelous machines with some good information in the how these things work.  Some great links too, which is very much appreciated.
It so happens that I have a few drawings on the way from the Netherlands and may just join in building one to sit on my fishpond pump housing. I think a wip watermolen should  look real nice there and it'll cover that ugly black lid. Problem is though, that I have to remove it twice a week to clean the skimmer and filter. But that's a small price to pay for having something nice to look at, and typical Dutch.
 
To answer your question Marcus about the lights, no, I have not yet build a mill but a few lights in the VOC ship. My suggestion is to light every floor, assuming the miller lives in the mill. As you know many mills have a separate house next to the mill as their home, not the mill.  A solar panel should work nicely. You could also buy a low voltage garden light system, put the cabling in a plastic conduit and bury it.  Plug it in with a timer. You do need access to the lamps though because they don't last forever. Just a thought.
 
@ Jan, yes, that's the mill I visited in ter Haar, Drente. We were lucky finding the miller there and had a grand tour of the mill. We even bought a big bag of flour. Here is my pen and ink with ink dry-brush drawing of that very mill.  That's the one they transported from the fort in Boertange.  That fort now has a replica.
 

the title is: Storm has past.
 
Cheers,

I've built the model Airways Fokker. Haven't built this one so I cannot compare the two. But, the instructions for the Model Airways was very good. In the beginning I did not like the instructions but as the build progressed I really learned to read the instructions and follow them exactly and things would go fine. It was not an easy build but by being careful, dry fitting parts, following instructions and having great patience it finally became finished.
 
Like most models it is not the "difficulties" that will beat you, it is doing the same thing over and over and over again that will (I think) make people quit. So be like a mule and never, ever quit and you will do fine.

I think it will be rather hard to compare the two, as you stated, Mike: " Historically the Fokker and the Sopwith were built in completely different ways " It seems to me the kit manufacturers did as well in their way

Thank you for the question and I understand why you ask it. However, not at all easy to answer. Historically the Fokker and the Sopwith were built in completely different ways I discover. The Sopwith had a wooden frame whereas the Fokker had a metal one etc etc. So this kit is proving to be true to the real thing but a totally different build technique.
I find the lack of written instructions and no plan sheets quite difficult as that would be our normal way of working but conversely the Fokker instructions have far more photos and the video clips are proving invaluable. It can be very difficult knowing which way up, round, pieces should go and there is not always an obvious answer.
 
So really I think I have to reserve judgement for now which I realize is not a great deal of help to you.

Better or worse than the model expo kit ?????????
 i,m fishing ???
 

I have made up the rudder bar, the control stick and the 'thing' that will go behind the pilots seat.
I have also started the fuselage frame.
 
You need a really good magnifying glass and a degree in manual dexterity for this kit. I cannot believe how small some of the parts you have to stick on are. That control stick has six separate pieces.
 
The frame requires loads of 'c' shaped pieces at the angles which will eventually take the tensioning wires. That will have to wait until another day. My eyes have gone on strike for today!
 

hi Mike , glad to see u go started .. logic tells me that the grove should be on the inside of the bend ,especially if it is only a slight bend . but i could be wrong !!! good luck .

So, an afternoons work, 26 pieces assembled and painted, the lower seat belts bent and put on and I decided to be kind to the pilot and give him a leather set.
Only another 730 something pieces to go !!
 
By the way, the belts are actually a beige colour but they have come out yellow on the camera. Sorry.

I don't think it does but definitely, definitely don't get it wrong like I just did because if you have to bend them back - they break !!!!!!! 

Those could be conflicting views but I wonder now - does it really matter ?

I bend so the grooves will be on the side less/not visible
 
Cheers

I always bend away from the grooves....

Hey John, brilliant to see you ! You are most welcome. What's the answer to my bending dilemma, I am sure you know.

I'm pulling up a chair for this ;-)  
Looks good, Mike!
 

Fellow modelers, I should know the answer to this having done so many but, if a piece of metal is pre scribed for bending, do you bend into the groove or away from it ?
 Anyway, a start has been made !! One seat and safety harness painted. The harness is brass and has to be bent to look like straps later.
 
And, just to confirm that my Sopwith does indeed fly from the ceiling .....
 

Gary is right Peter, that video is crazy ! The thing is it is too quick to pick up some of the techniques and won't help with the rigging. Very nice of you to post it though, thank you.
 

Wow, Peter, that video you pointed to is nuts.   Must've taken him twice as long to build the model, stopping to take all those pictures.

Not as challenging as yours, this one is at 1:72. PE and some plastic ... I think I'll keep my eyes open for the one you're building
 
 

 
a wee bit over 3"

I remember recently seeing a remarkable stop motion video of the building of this kit.  Happily, I was able to find it again:
 
Stop motion build of AL Fokker Dr. I by Tom Grigat
 
Maybe it will even help with some of your assembly questions.