I will stop at the hardware stor on my next trip to Versachi's.

I never thought about the O-rings. Great idea I might actually try to do that on my next Alby.

The smaller ones are in the maturnity bin. . .Ok I'll stop.. . .No I won't.

Here are some of the brass pieces added to the Part of Poland instrument panel.

Now for those of you who don't plan on adding photoetch, here is a modification to the kit Instrument Panel.
Drill out the gauge faces carefully. You don't want to distort the molded bezels with the heat generated by a motor tool. You put the clear panels on first then add the decals attaching them behind the clear plastic by their faces. Let dry then paint the decal backs and the clear with white or black depending on the gauge details. Viola!

Stephen,
Nice looking panel! Thanks for sharing the technique!
RAGIII

Thanks Rick!

While I am closing up the fuselage here is a bit for the viewers to chew on.

A. How many license builders were there for the SE 5a type in 1917 - 1918?

B. Which one(s) does the Roden mold represent?

Mine will be in the works as it were. My chin panel in place is but closed. I will see if I can do some images later. Now that the two in-box reviews are done I can get back to my builds. Then I have to get ready for the Eduard Spad XIII. That will be in the box as well but I really want to see how that one stacks up against the old DML kit. So I may have to build it too! Busy busy busy! Not complaining I like it!

Stephen,

Got a Roden SE5a question for you. When you were getting ready for the PoP interior framework PE, did you scrape off all the Roden interior "structure"? Looking at your posts..........it looks like you did, but can't be sure and the PoP instructions certainly don't say. Hate to scrape, then see....OOPS........

Regards
Steve

Greetings Steve Yes scrape it down. Eliminate all interior surface detail. Also I used the Pop flooring as it came. Instead of one floor piece there should be two with a gap between them. The bottom of the fuselage is fabric and there are some needed cross members to be seen. So to do it correctly you do a false bottom to represent the fabric bottom. Then the cross members and then the two wooden foot plates.

The crucial item is the "sit" of the motor. In general the Pop items are very good. BUT! If they make a mistake that translates to their fret, They don't tell you about it. You "the modeler" have to figure it out for yourself to make everything fit.

Greetings all;
I have spent a little bit of time today carving out ther pulley inspection stations. Below is Larsa's image. Mine will be done after work tonight and I have some other images to post as well. I still have one more to cut out.

Looking great, Stephen. That cockpit is superb!!! Makes me want to try one of these 1/32 birds.

Mark

I assume you refer to the 1/8" too high for the engine and the PoP fret? I was planning on looking out for that one.

Cool....always enjoyed a good mystery. Not in modelling though.

Steve

Part of the problem is not with the fret. I am convinced the motor is a bit too large. But there is noting we can do about that for now.

Here are some continuing build images.

The chin pan is installed.

But needs a bit more filling at one edge.

While this was done a couple of weeks ago I thought to reference the removal of the oil filler access as this was a feature usually associated with the Hispano Suiza motor. This version is of course the Wolseley Viper. The oil filler was relocated on production models.

Though most experimental versions including the first Viper installations did have the diamond shaped access. Even later in the war the airframes retained for experiments in exhaust, radiator and engine modifications were the early production SE 5a airframes.

The water droplet on the rigging is evidnce to my sweat poured in to the build.

I like the sweat...........It's usually blood on mine.

Your build is getting me a bit nervous about mine. I am building mine in separate "assemblies" to "be assembled" later. I was hoping for a kind of "Ford Model T" assembly line where everything fits. You've got me working on the fuselage PE now for a fit check.

Is that PC10?

Good update there Stephen.

Regards
Steve

Never hurts to double check. I am just glad someone can benefit from my experience. In my humble opinion this is a factyory fresh version of PC10. It could change drastically in the elements after a certain amount of frontline service. PC12 by the way is a deep almost chocolate colour. From the factory, manufacturers were limited by their contracts but in the field and at repair depots it tended to be a different story.

I have two images of a Viper powered SE 5a where they painted white sun rays over the basic colour scheme but it seems more like PC12 rather than PC 10.

Stephen,
Looking great! I wish I had taken the time on my build of this kit to utilize some aftermarket stuff. I think the PC 10 looks right on.
RAGIII

And in some light, it looks almost black!

looks like a good "Scale" PC 10 to me Stephen.

Hmmm. I don't have the PART etch for my 1/32 SE. I do however have a lot of Evergreen strip and a few soft drink cans lying about...

Cheers,

Hugh

Here are some online references by the way.

Vintage Aviator.

Memorial Flight

Continuing with the guns. First the Lewis gun .303 & Modified Foster Mount.


Next the Vickers .303 Note the DML PE gun Jacket roller fits the 1/32 Pop Vickers perfectly at the thicker end.

Continuing the Vickers .303.

Excellent craftsmanship Stephen . I always enjoy your builds , looking forward on seeing more .

Excellent!!!!

I'm watching closely..........

Regards
Steve

Stephen, the pe parts on the Vickers and Lewis really look great. I see you are on the same path with the inspection panels on the wings and tail that I took. Keep posting, I am impressed as always !
RAGIII