I guess I’ve been quiet for awhile (since completing the group build) but I have been checking in from time to time. A couple of things have occupied my time, including redoing my workspace (The Junkers taught me that I needed more room), putting in an airbrush hood and some heath issues, but I haven’t been idle. I finally completed the Roden DH 2 (for better or worse).

I figured tackling a kit like this might help me be promoted from WWI Apprentice Modeler to Modeler Junior Grade. There were times when I thought about quitting, as it seemed that I was way over my head. In the end, I would not have completed it without using EZ line and Bob’s Buckles. I did use wire for the booms, for support and to prevent too much bowing of the spars. The rigging is straightforward if done in stages, just tedious. Tim West’s rigging guide is a must. This is my interpretation of Hawker's machine from 23 November:
Enjoy

Hi Dennis,

The rigging in this DH.2 is crazy..I really admire your efford you just dedicated to handle with it.
I think there is too much light on photos..it would look better when you reduce a little bit.

Nice done!

K

Thanks Krzysztof

The rigging was tedious, but not too bad if you do it in steps. It would never have been finished without EZ line and Bob's Buckles (first time using both).

Sorry about the photos. It's a new camera and I'm still learning how to use it. The EZ line is also difficult to visualize.

Hello Dennis:

I think you summed it up nicely. "I finished it". I think it looks great. It is a daunting kit, and I have put off doing it for a long time. One of these days.
Hats off and tip of the pin on your accomplishment.

Best

Mark

Dennis your a step or two above me with this one, its a kit I would quake at.... all that rigging and easy broke bits... hats off to you.

Oh and a nice build to boot

Dennis,
Very nice; someday when I get good at this I'll tackle one of these! It's got to be, as Mark I think said, an intimidating subject. You have presented it very well and hats off to you!

Cheers,
Lance

Nicely done Dennis! The rigging just makes everything come together. Give us your imressions on the E-Z line and the kit please.

Thank you all. Your comments are most appreciated.

Stephen, the kit needs a fair amount of work-lots of pits, defects and ejector pins that needed cleaning. I had gotten used to Wing Nut's quality with the Junkers and I had to reset my assembly mode-lots of dry fitting and shaping. I used a lot of aftermarket materials-Eduard photo etch, the Vector Gnome and the Pheon resin seat. The booms had no alignment pins, and the struts were not much better, so I drilled out the ends of the booms, struts and insertion points on the wings, and used 28 gauge wire in the holes as pins. That worked well and gave very good support. In the end, if I had to do it again, I would wait for the Wing Nuts DH.2.

The EZ line works great with this kit, particularly with Bob's Buckles. It's the only way I could do the control cables. I bumped quite a few lines during assembly, and all they did was bend and return to shape. They have so much give that I could rig between the inboard and outboard struts before placing the outer struts. You just need a good light source, magnifying optics and patience. The downside to the EZ line is that it offers no support, which is why I use wire for the booms.

It least this build got me ready for the Wing Nuts Fee. I have the FE.2b (early) in the stash but it will be a little while before I tackle that one.

Hi Dennis,

Nice top see you've tackled the DH2 – looking very sharp as well. I do agree with you – the rigging is not all that difficult, if you take it in stages. Tim Wests rigging diagram helps too!

Best Regards

Mikael

Hi Mikael and thanks.

In addition to the usual (Osprey, Windsock and Squadron) references and Tim West's rigging manual, I also used your build as a guide, particularly for the interior. It would not have been finished without it.

Very nice piece of work Dennis. Rigging looks terrific. I have one in the stash and looks like a nice "get your feet wet" motivator for the Fee. Did you mention what size ezline you used. The smaller of the 2 i assume...0.003 I think.

Hi Marc and thanks

Actually, I used the .006 inch line (0.15 mm). I checked around and the best price was off the Wing Nuts site with no tax and free shipping. However, they tend to run out quickly once they get it in.