Keith, thank you for the tip!
I haven't tried another time yet (it will be my 4th...), but I'll take your advice for sure! And I'll post some pics too!

Terri, I have to say that I don't like the Smoke Invisible Thread (SIT) very much... in my opinion it is not thinner than 0,12 mm fishing line I usally use, but it seems more soft. As a risult I find it is almost impossible to slip inside a turnbuckle to form a loop. As a note I should add that I am using 0,4mm brass tubing as turnbuckle and I am sure I did not cut them properly which led to some pinching that could also have a negative impact on the loops. But, TA-DAH!, after returnig to the fishing line it actually went better !
So... ehm... maybe it is better for me to leave SIT to girls!

Now, after this critique, I pray mercy to the court in hope for a mild sentence!!

Ciao
Edo

No worries Edo , we use what is the most comfortable for us . You tried it , didn't like it . Nothing with that my friend .

Hallo friends!
After a fiew days breack I am here with some update.
I finished painting and started rigging: as you know I decided to stay with fishing line and I think that I am now proceding smoothly.
Here are some pics:


http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af290/Edo0606/intero03.jpg[/IMG]

In this last picture, you should be able to see the smoke stain from the exahust. I simulated them with pastel powder (maybe I'll try to do a better picture next time).

Here is the underside:




In these pic you should be able to see the pipes I added for the tank and the radiator.

The prop now.
I am not convinced at all of the results of the lamination.
Above all, even if we assumed that the shape of the lamination is correct, I cannot understand how the upper surface will connect to the underside: in fact, if they join on the hedge, then the shape will not curve correctly... and if they curve correctly they don't join!
Does anyone have a clue?





Thank you all!
ciao
Edo

Hi Edo !

I must say , you did one fine job on your Pfalz D.IIIa
Your best build so far and a sexy one at that Vast improvement on your rib masking as well .

As to the prop it will be easier for me to show some pic's on how to this rather then typing it out . Don't worry about the back side matching up with what is on the front . The laminations would be off center to each other any way .

Starting from the right side on the prop facing you . When drawing in the first line this would cross over on to the back side of the left prop blade and vs veras from the left to the right , which you have seem to have done that . One thing which I notice is the bleeding from the ink you used along the edges , this should be nice and neat , wood doesn't bleed , if you haven't clear coated it you can feather this in a bit to blend it better .

Don't worry Edo , you are doing a fine job so far !

Edo,
Excellent progress on your Pfalz my friend.Love the paint scheme too.As for your prop I can only second what Terri has said.Looking forward to seeing this sexy little kite complete.

Regards,
Gregory Jouette

Hi Edo,

Looking good – very nice paintscheme on this Pfalz – I think your prop is off to a good start!

Best Regards

Mikael

Hi Edo:

I like your Pfalz. It looks nice, good paint scheme, good counter shading, rigging all looks good. I can see the prop is giving you fits. It is hard to keep a straight line with the pen, and as Terri Said, maybe try to do the same on the back side without trying to match the grain. The main thing to remember is effect. If you had a photo to go buy it would be easier. Maybe scope out the archives for photos of models with a pattern that you like. Your coming along nicely.

Good luck

Mark

Edo,

Great looking Pfalz! Excellent work all around. Finish her up and lets have a look.

Dwayne

Hi guys!
Thank you for the nice comments....
but it is very strange now to read them as... DISASTER struk during the week end!

I had finished rigging and was ready for the last touches when I decided to use Lifecolor trnsparent gloss finish.
May be I under diluted it, or maybe I spryed too near... anyway: this is the result... (hold on tight...)


Even though it says "water soluble" any wash i tempted was useless: a thick whiteish layer has been laid down that can be scratched (as you can see on tha cak of the fusolage) but there is high risk to damage the decals...
I think that this project is deadly compromised...

It is my 2nd time I loose a plane due to matt finish: any idea on how do it properly?
ciao
(a very sad) Edo

Hi Edo!

OUCH!!! Truly sorry to read of your trouble, and on such a nice build as well

I've heard that this can happen if the varnish is too old, or that differences in temperature/moist air can do this... But I don't have any good answers of how to avoid it.

Hope you can fix it somehow...

Best Regards

Mikael

I'm very sorry to hear of this mis-hap .

I have never used the product that you have so I can't comment on that . But I have used simluar types with unpleasent re-sults . Mixing the product fully is one you have to watch for and how much you end up thinning it . Which by the looks of how it flowed on the surface is over thinned and to heavy of a coat . As to fixing this , well you will have to strip it all off and start over again with the painting and will need new decals . Or you could try and spray some Testor dull coat of gloss coat , but this might not work and make worse then it already is . Another option would be to really heavy weather the aircraft . Either way Edo , this is not a easy fix and what ever you end up using to remover the gloss will damage the decals and paint . If you do decide to start over agin I have this kit in the stash and can send you the decals from the kit .

Hi Edo:

Sorry to see that. You may want to try applying Future with a Q-tip, in light strokes in a small area to see if that will restore the original finish, if so, do the whole model and then try Testors Dull Cote. I have never had any trouble with Dull Cote, other than the smell, it has always worked flawlessly for me.
Otherwise, it looks like you could try to salvage it for parts. You did a great job on the interior and the engine, and those pieces could be salvaged. I did that on my SE5.
Good Luck Edo

Best
Mark

Greetings Edo,

Try clean airbrush thinner on a cotton swab.

Hi guys!
Thank you all! You are real friends!
Indeed, yesterday, I was really down about what had happened, but after reading what Terri and Michael had said it seemed just inappropriate to let down.
You gave me new motivation and yesterday night I stayed up late to try to fix the problems. To tell the truth I had not tried to use the thinner or future as Mark and Stephen had suggested but I stripped all the paint.
In the beginning I was very sceptic, but now, with the work done, it is not as bad as I imagined.
The surface is still relatively in good shape, the interior and the engine are in good conditions, I replaced almost all the turnbuckles... it feels like a new beginning and I am in a positive mood again!
The area that worries me most is that of the sturds, as I had to cut their pins and now I don't know how to hold them in position: any idea on how to fix this problem?

Mark I'll try Testors dull coat as you said for sure! Thank you for the tip!
Stephen: your support is very appreciated indeed: next time (even if I hope there never will be one again) I'll try what you said first.
And Terri: thank you my friend! I really appreciate your help and support. Your offer is most welcome: I'll PM you my personal address.

This really is a great community! I am very proud and happy to be part of it!
Thank you, thank you!

ciao
Edo

Hi Edo

– Good to hear that you are working throgh the problems, you'll get there in the end, and with good results!

As for the struts – I would drill small holes in the base and top of the stuts, and in the location point in the wings and fuselage. Then insert short pins made from brass or copper thread in the struts, using superglue.

I nearly always do this on my builds anyway, as it gives a stronger joint, and an easier fit.

Hope this helps

Mikael

Hi Mikael!
Thank you! the sturds seems so fragile...but I'll surely try what you suggest!
I'll let you know!
ciao
Edo

Edo – Use a really small drillbit 0.3-0.4 mm no more – you don't have to drill too deep either, just enogh to get the new "pin" securely into place.

You should be alwright, its easier than it sounds, the Pfalz has pretty sturdy struts

Good Luck

Mikael

No worries Edo , we are all here to give each other help and support when needed . We have mis-haps from time to time .

Mikael is right . Pinning the struts is a easy task and will add greater strengh to a weak aera already .

Keep us posted on the progress and any questions just ask

Hi all!
It has been a while since my last post, but now I am here to apdate you on this project.
I took my time to clean the Pfalz after the 'disaster' and now it is almost completely repainted.
SO have a look and tell me what you think.
Cheers!
Edo

Very nice come back with the paint Edo !

I agree-a fine recovery, which certainly deserves a toast.

Hi all!
It has really been a while since my last post, but here I am with some update!
First of all, let me again thank you very much for the support you have shown me, that brought me to finalize this project which would have been otherwise left downn!

A particular thank you goes to Terri, who sent me the decals all the way from Canada!! Thank you my friend!

Now it is time for some pics: even if I think it is not as beautiful as it could have been, I think that the final result is still acceptable. What do you think?










That is all! I hope you'll enjoy it...
My new project (on the workbench already!) is a very ambitious one... you'll see...
So long, thank you all again!
Ciao
Edo

Hi Edo:

Nice recovery on the Pfalz. Good on yer for sticking with it and redoing it. It looks great. A big tip of the hat to Terri for helping you out with the decal support. This is a great forum isn't it?

Best
Mark

Hi Mark!
Thank you for the kind worlds!
A great forum, indeed. 'Cause great people hang out around here!

ciao
Edo

Wonderful recovery Edo, most, myself included would have given up in dispair.

Terri amongst others is a real diamond, we are all here to help oneanother but people like Terri go the extra mile.

Keith