Thanks for the kind words, Keith,
My rails actually broke on removal from the sprue; I tried repairing briefly and then resorted to logic and replaced them. As for the seat, I agree. The addition of a cushion adds a lot to the cockpit appearance. I believe most types had either a cushion integral to the seat or one scavenged and added at the units; makes sense for both warmth and comfort. I notice a vast selection of cushions in the SE5a material I've got.
Cheers,
Lance

Not a great progression from a week ago; too much work world and too little time for important things like this project!
I installed the fuel valve panel once the "plumbing" that loops into view on the left side was added. There were two copper loops to add pre-installation.

Also added the two hand pumps to the right fuselage wall with their pipes and the compass. The compass has a decal face from the WNW Sheet, bezel from Aeroclub, and I put a few drops of future on the face to glass it over.


The fuel tank and Ammo cans were completed and added to the former and at this point are posed for the photo. The upper portions of the two fuel lines at the front had to be replaced as I had broken them in a clumsy moment on sprue removal and they are now long lost to the "floor monster". The door on the ammunition can face is Eduard PE. Last, I attempted to replicate a stained and oxidized effect on the fuel tank; depending on the light I quite like it or hate the result, can't make up my mind on it.


Just two more days of six straight of what was supposed to be a very much part time low key job and I can get going again. Next step is to get the rudder and control column added, rig the flight controls, and then switch to the left side of the cockpit.
Thanks for looking and all suggestions/comments most welcome as always.
Cheers,
Lance

Beautiful detail! Feel like I could climb in.....

Nice and busy detailing in the cockpit, Lance - like it a lot!

Mikael

Agree with Mikael , you doing one hell of job on this build !



Terri

Oh My lovely work Lance but you missed the drain off for the fuel control valves... (joking... or am I? knowing how AMS grabs you.)



Keith

Mike, Mikael, Terri and Keith,
Thank you all for the comments; means a lot coming from the folks I'm trying to at least come close to on the talent and results scales!

Keith,
"Dohhhhhhh"!!! However I saw a TVAL DVa photo spread on another newer site several days back that showed a "cockpit fuel drain" tube in the area of the right lower wing root and I was considering a session back in the books to find details on the interior layout of the drain. Is that the one you refer to? I was unsure if the DV had it as well however logic would say yes. Can you direct me to a reference that illustrates the inside layout of the drain from the fuel valves panel? (it's not too late to add it in)
Nice catch, and appreciated!
Cheers,
Lance

P.S.
For Keith,
Ignore my request; the same source has several good views of the drain inside and out. It will be added; thanks for the heads up on this one.
Cheers

Wow Lance, this is looking great! Awesome cockpit detail! Keep up the good work.

Mark

Thanks for the compliment, Mark. I've got a few days at home now, hope to get the cockpit and engine etc. wrapped up. More photos soon.
Cheers,
Lance

Will be looking forward to your up-date Lance



Terri

Hello Lance:

This is really coming along nicely. I like the knob addition. Very convincing. Your fuel tank pressurizing bycicle pump apperatus is nicely done as well.
Looking forward to the next update.

Best

Mark

Terri, Mark,
The "imminent" update will be somewhat behind; spent most of today in the various TVAL Photo spreads on-line and also re-read Stephen's initial Review of the kit. I did get the the Fuel Control Panel drain line in, hang up presently is how much detail to include on the left side of the cockpit and on the various flight control components.Having a ball with all this which is what it`s all about.
More to follow as soon as I can get control of the tremendous influx of information. Hard to believe the sources out there..............

Cheers,
Lance

I'm not sure where the time has gone; haven't had a minute for this build for a week or more. Between "real world" things, an inventory of yard equipment to get running post Winter, and working on a simple thread for another site the week has flown by! I intend to get going this coming week; in the interim thought I'd update with a few pics of the Neindorf Prop I hand made for this build. It was convenient to do this stage of the build now as hand carved props were the subject of my "How To " article.
The prop is still unfinished; that is to say not yet stained, sealed, nor varnished. I have two to chose from; each has its' high points. I really prefer the laminated effect of the second one however the shape of the other is, in my eyes, more accurate.


If all goes well I'll be working away at the remaining cockpit items nlt then Tues. but hopefully tomorrow.
I am really looking forward to getting back into this build!
Cheers,
Lance

Even naked she's a beauty.

Plays devil's advocate and votes for prop no 1

To my eye it looks better, unless you plan to stain the laminations on the second... Then the jury would be out again.

Keith

Thanks Stephen; she's growing on me for sure.
The "Albies" have to be the best looking of the warbirds of the Great War,sleek, lean, and mean all over.
As for the props Keith, I plan to stain both today, will get some photos posted to compare the effects later.

Cheers,
Lance

Hi Lance:

I have to agree with Keith. Whatever you decide, they both look outstanding. Kudos and accolades and I am sure that awards will be forthcoming and be part of your permanent file.

Best

Mark

Lance – I have to agree with the others – the props look absolutely awesome. Looking forward to seeing them with some stain/laquer


Mikael

Very little progress, this is really going slowly with all the distractions and chores to be done. I did finish off the props; stained in a medium brown colour and sealed with two sanded coats of Uretane and a third thinned down one. I decided to forego the usual final coat of Tamiya Clear Yellow or Orange as the shade looked good as it was. Here are two views of the final choice and one of the "spare" which didn't measure up. Poor lamination effect and I definitely shaved it too much, got a front profile that's far too narrow.
This one will be used:


And this one will go to the spares box:

After Keith pointed out that I missed the drain pipe from the Fuel Control Panel I was able to install it using some of the TVAL DVa photos as a Reference. It still needs a bit of black "wash" to tone it down, if I can get a brush in there........

I've been slowly working on the control stick adding the throttle, gun trigger wires and throttle cables, control locking lever, and the elevator flight control cables. Lots of fiddling around however it's ready to install, hopefully early tomorrow as I have a full day of window and door trim painting to do and any leftover minutes will go to more "Spring Cleaning' of the home spread.
Thanks for looking and for the comments; more to follow if I survive the "Home Improvement" frenzy.
Cheers,
Lance

Awful when life gets in the way, good to see some excellent progress, Now I've something to chase...


Keith

Finally, some significant progress; I'm just about ready to button her up.
The sequence of construction for the cockpit was rather complicated; I wanted a fully rigged flight control set up and that necessitated a "one sided" approach. (The cockpit detail had to be built into one side of the fuselage prior to "close up".)
Over the past couple of days I've completed the control stick add-ons including throttle and cables, gun trigger wires, control locking lever and all associated flight control cables. It looks pretty "rough" here, prior to final painting, but once painted and installed, I was very pleased with it.

The comparatively small number of components for the left fuselage side were completed and installed; the magneto wires and spark advance control rod were "scratched" from sprue and copper wire respectively and the magneto key and chain were added from the Eduard PE Set. Note also the partial fuselage former that was cut away earlier and installed on the left Fuselage half to accomodate routing of the mag. wires and spark control rod.

The fairlead openings for the elevator control cables were drilled out and cleaned up. I'll be adding the Photo Etch fairlead grommets prior to painting the fuselage.

And now the cockpit; very busy in there! Additions were the Aux. Throttle seen on the extreme left, the altimeter and clock on either side of the Tachometer on the heavy pipe cross brace/LMG Mount (Done with Waldron punch bases, Aeroclub bezels, and WNW Decal faces with a coat of Future to form a lense.) , and of course the flight control stick finally in place. Once the stick was positioned and secured the flight control (elevator) cables were tightened and secured with CA.
Here she is in all her "Pre Button UP" glory; a lot will not be visible however I know it's there. The only detail left out were the aileron control cables from the wheel on the joystick base going up (eventually) to the upper wing. Those will be added from upper wing down into the fuselage behind the fuel tanks once the upper wing is in place.


So now I'm ready to button her up. I'll be doing that tomorrow along with a lot of drilling for rigging points and getting the forward (engine compartment) formers and engine mounts done.
I am really looking forward to getting some paint on the fuselage and getting at the wings etc.
Thanks for looking and all comments welcome!
Cheers,
Lance

Nice to see you getting there with this one Lance. Looking good.

Keith

Yep, looking really nice Lnace!

Mikael

Lance,
What can I say other than Outstanding work,from paint to details my old friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

I'm late coming to this build Lance, but you sure are doing this kit up nicely. Your attention to detail is outstanding, and far beyond my humble efforts when I built this bird. In looking at your engine, I particularly like the rocker springs you made. As for your cockpit, all I can say is that it's top drawer all around. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Cheers,

Chris