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jablackwell
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jablackwell got a reaction from CaptainSteve in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Thanks, Gary! Glad you are enjoying the build. I've been watching your progress on the Blue Jacket, and that has been fun. Also - thanks for the kind words r.e. the eclipse images. I have some 65GB of imagery from the event. It's going to take a long while to sort it all out! If interested, I just posted a new video of the event in wide field:
Back to the Camel: The empennage is almost completed. The horizontal stabilizer and rudder were attached. I used some small snips of copper wire as brads to reinforce their attachment, and it seems to be working rather well. Those can be seen in the close-up shot below. The bracing wires are in place, too. The last bit is to attach the control cabling from the rudder pedals and stick.... I got the rudder lines installed, but I am not quite sure how I am going to get the elevator cabling done... the drawings in the manual have them backwards(!), but I think the verbiage in the text is correct. Ah, well.... language! Here are some images....
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Mirabell61 in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Attaching the rudder and horizontal stabilizer is one thing.... getting all the control cables from the cockpit to the empennage is a whole other story! My goodness, this was a taxing effort, but well worth the patience. Using a pair of tweezers, toothpicks with cyanoacrylate glue and a ton of time, I have the rudder pedals moving the rudder and the control stick moving the elevators, and all in the proper directions! Phew. I have provided a closeup image of the fuselage which shows the control cables running back to the control surfaces. I also could not resist an image of the engine in place.... just to see what it's going to look like in the end.
Having finished the empennage, it was then time to work on the lower wing and undercarriage assembly. This was straightforward enough. The wing actually needed little adjustment to be level and square to the fuselage.... I was happy with that! The undercarriage frame and axle are in place. I am beginning work on the cabane struts for the upper wing. The wheels are also being painted a nice OD green... ready for their day in the light.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
I have made some progress, though slowly: classes have started up again, and I am back into the full swing of teaching for the fall term. That said, the top wing is in place as are the inter-wing struts and some of the cabling. It's tedious, slow and very rewarding. I also have the pitot tube installed as well as the air pump for the gas tank (odd flying machine!). I am also in the middle of my biennial flight review (FAA requirement) as a pilot, and have been blocked from flying due to the remnants of storm Jose. Phew! Lots going on! Some pics:
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from CaptainSteve in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
I have made some progress, though slowly: classes have started up again, and I am back into the full swing of teaching for the fall term. That said, the top wing is in place as are the inter-wing struts and some of the cabling. It's tedious, slow and very rewarding. I also have the pitot tube installed as well as the air pump for the gas tank (odd flying machine!). I am also in the middle of my biennial flight review (FAA requirement) as a pilot, and have been blocked from flying due to the remnants of storm Jose. Phew! Lots going on! Some pics:
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Fokker Dr.I by Torbogdan - FINISHED - Model Airways
All,
Sorry that this post I am writing goes a little off-topic of the Fokker build log. This is in response to Nirvana, Per. Are you requesting that aircraft build logs not be posted here on this forum? My understanding is that this sub-group, called "Shore Leave" is for the following, and I quote:
Follow 3 This is the area that many wanted, and perhaps didn't even know it. If your topic is nothing to do
with the world of ships or ship modelling, then here is the place to post it. General chat,
Birthday announces, non-ship models, etc.
No politics. No religion. No inflammatory topics.
It appears to me that this is the place to post such a log. Have I missed something?
Thanks,
~john
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jablackwell reacted to Robin Lous in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
gorgeous!
Robin
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jablackwell got a reaction from CaptainSteve in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Attaching the rudder and horizontal stabilizer is one thing.... getting all the control cables from the cockpit to the empennage is a whole other story! My goodness, this was a taxing effort, but well worth the patience. Using a pair of tweezers, toothpicks with cyanoacrylate glue and a ton of time, I have the rudder pedals moving the rudder and the control stick moving the elevators, and all in the proper directions! Phew. I have provided a closeup image of the fuselage which shows the control cables running back to the control surfaces. I also could not resist an image of the engine in place.... just to see what it's going to look like in the end.
Having finished the empennage, it was then time to work on the lower wing and undercarriage assembly. This was straightforward enough. The wing actually needed little adjustment to be level and square to the fuselage.... I was happy with that! The undercarriage frame and axle are in place. I am beginning work on the cabane struts for the upper wing. The wheels are also being painted a nice OD green... ready for their day in the light.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Robin Lous in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Continued work on the elevator today - all done, now. Once the rudder is complete, I'll snip away the central support (left from the manufacturing process) and then have a completed empennage.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Torbogdan in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Attaching the rudder and horizontal stabilizer is one thing.... getting all the control cables from the cockpit to the empennage is a whole other story! My goodness, this was a taxing effort, but well worth the patience. Using a pair of tweezers, toothpicks with cyanoacrylate glue and a ton of time, I have the rudder pedals moving the rudder and the control stick moving the elevators, and all in the proper directions! Phew. I have provided a closeup image of the fuselage which shows the control cables running back to the control surfaces. I also could not resist an image of the engine in place.... just to see what it's going to look like in the end.
Having finished the empennage, it was then time to work on the lower wing and undercarriage assembly. This was straightforward enough. The wing actually needed little adjustment to be level and square to the fuselage.... I was happy with that! The undercarriage frame and axle are in place. I am beginning work on the cabane struts for the upper wing. The wheels are also being painted a nice OD green... ready for their day in the light.
~john
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jablackwell reacted to popeye the sailor in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
you've made quite a bit of progress since I last looked in super looking build John!
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jablackwell got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Fokker Dr.I by Torbogdan - FINISHED - Model Airways
Hi Per,
No worries! No worries. I really did not know what is right or wrong half the time when I am on forums.... so I had to ask. Thank you for your input. The LAST thing I want to see is this forum for ship building to end.... It has been tremendously helpful to me as a new ship modeler.
I am just taking a rest from ships and taking on a plane for respite. I am intrigued that there are two of us here now working on planes... and they happen to be arch rivals in the aviation world. There is a delicious irony (or perhaps coincidence) here.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from AndrewNaylor in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Attaching the rudder and horizontal stabilizer is one thing.... getting all the control cables from the cockpit to the empennage is a whole other story! My goodness, this was a taxing effort, but well worth the patience. Using a pair of tweezers, toothpicks with cyanoacrylate glue and a ton of time, I have the rudder pedals moving the rudder and the control stick moving the elevators, and all in the proper directions! Phew. I have provided a closeup image of the fuselage which shows the control cables running back to the control surfaces. I also could not resist an image of the engine in place.... just to see what it's going to look like in the end.
Having finished the empennage, it was then time to work on the lower wing and undercarriage assembly. This was straightforward enough. The wing actually needed little adjustment to be level and square to the fuselage.... I was happy with that! The undercarriage frame and axle are in place. I am beginning work on the cabane struts for the upper wing. The wheels are also being painted a nice OD green... ready for their day in the light.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from AndrewNaylor in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Thanks, Gary! Glad you are enjoying the build. I've been watching your progress on the Blue Jacket, and that has been fun. Also - thanks for the kind words r.e. the eclipse images. I have some 65GB of imagery from the event. It's going to take a long while to sort it all out! If interested, I just posted a new video of the event in wide field:
Back to the Camel: The empennage is almost completed. The horizontal stabilizer and rudder were attached. I used some small snips of copper wire as brads to reinforce their attachment, and it seems to be working rather well. Those can be seen in the close-up shot below. The bracing wires are in place, too. The last bit is to attach the control cabling from the rudder pedals and stick.... I got the rudder lines installed, but I am not quite sure how I am going to get the elevator cabling done... the drawings in the manual have them backwards(!), but I think the verbiage in the text is correct. Ah, well.... language! Here are some images....
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Mirabell61 in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Finished stringers on the fuselage. I learned, again, and again, to read the instructions before diving into things, having glued some cables into place only to find out that the glue clogged holes I needed for future cabling down the road. D'Oh! .. and finished the fuselage for now. With wings and empennage completed, it is time to assemble all the parts together with control cabling.....
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Mirabell61 in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Oil tank, ammunition cans and instrument panel in place along with the rear gun mounts. Now working on the frame stringers along the fuselage.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from CaptainSteve in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
All,
Back home from the eclipse data collecting trip. If interested, feel free to peruse my blog on this and other topics: http://www.regulusastro.com/
- And now to work... and to work on the Sopwith. Not much to report. Status:
- Working on all the cockpit connections for air, oil and fuel lines. It is a rather convoluted bit of artistry with little in the way of help in mapping it all out. I have been trying to rely on various images and plans found online and in books, but a good set of blueprints would be best.
Images attached: The makings of the instrument panel, the interior of the cockpit looking down and from the side, and the finished panel. You'll see the throttle assembly and the control "stick" assembly are now in place.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from CaptainSteve in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Thanks, Mike. It is a fun model. The kit? Well, it has its good points and its not so good points, like all kits, I imagine. Like ship building, I have found that reading ahead really helps! I am also not such a fan of Britannia castings.... With some effort, filing, cutting, drilling and sanding, then some primer and paint, it can look pretty good.
Continued progress on the front end of the Sopwith. The engine mount is in place along with the rear supports and engine accessories. On many modern planes, this stuff is in front of the firewall with the engine, but not here. Behind the firewall is the carburetor, the magnetos, the starter (manual), and pumps. The brass tubing going out to both sides of the fuselage are air intakes that go right to the carburetor. THAT assembly literally rests right at the pilot's legs, just in front of the control stick. Talking about exposed!... a fuel tank behind you, and the engine right in front....
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from CaptainSteve in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
The fuselage is complete: phew! The front gun mount is in place (the rear mount waits until the engine accessories are installed). The seat and gas tank support rails are also installed.
Now onto the engine accessories before tackling the cockpit, panel and controls.
The hangar and shipyard will have to close for the upcoming eclipse: headed out to see mom in Denver then onto Wyoming for the eclipse itself. I'll post some pics assuming we have clear skies.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Robin Lous in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Serious headway made on the fuselage these past couple of days. The port and starboard sides were done first, and triple checked for alignment. They were then joined at the nose with what will become the engine mount later on in the build. Horizontal formers were then placed on the top and bottom along the length of the fuselage. This will end tomorrow with the joining of the two fuselage sides at the tail. Note the little metal tensioner eyes in the corners. Wires and turnbuckles will go in there. Along the top will be run a series of stringers from the tail to the back side of the cockpit. Such fun keeping this all aligned! I had better finish this soon so I can catch up with the other Syren builds! ;-)
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Continued work on the elevator today - all done, now. Once the rudder is complete, I'll snip away the central support (left from the manufacturing process) and then have a completed empennage.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Torbogdan in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Wings, top and bottom, completed. Dihedral added to the lower wing. Hinges added to the ailerons. Now working on the empennage (elevator first). Lots of metal bending going on ;-)
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from Duanelaker in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
Top and bottom wing now have tensioners. The trailing wing edge has been added. Ailerons have been separated from the wings (using a small XActo saw... very nerve wracking). Now to hinge the ailerons and then move onto the fuselage.
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
The method worked pretty well.... that is, keeping the straight edge in place while aligning the ribs. Status: the fore and aft spars are in place, the ribs glued and aileron spars also in place. The lower wing has been cut in half, ready for their re-joining with the correct dihedral. That will come after tension stringers have been added. More to do!
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jablackwell got a reaction from Mirabell61 in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
David: nice to have you on board!
Ron: thank you for the review. I am happy that the MA kit is wood: I am enjoying that a lot. The wing ribs are about as accurate as laser cutting can make them without them getting too fragile. Seeing real Sopwith's in the shop, all their components are more fragile... they were pretty light weight with thin components.
This week finished the wings' wooden components and am about to add their compression bars and tensioning wires. I am ...just... almost concerned about cutting free the ailerons. We'll see how that goes!
~john
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jablackwell got a reaction from popeye the sailor in Sopwith F.1 Camel by jablackwell - Model Airways - WOOD
All,
The wing ribs and caps are complete for the bottom wing now. Phew! That was a workout in patience. It is time to run the fore and aft wing spars through them (skewer time) and then fit the leading edge. Then for both wings it will be time to add small details: spreaders, wiring, pulleys and such for the ailerons. I decided to go with a straight edge clamped to the work surface to help with alignment. We'll see how that works out. The recommendation is to thread the spars in first, then sand the leading edge. If the cutting was done well enough, using a straight edge at the front should be doable.
~john
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