Well it looks like this kit has arrived at my hobby shop.I must say that I am a little apprehensive about building this as it is definitely outside my comfort zone .All of my open structure airplanes to this point have been wood and metal but I feel like I need a change of pace,a new challenge.
The Model Airways Fokker should also be out this month so I will have lots to keep me busy this winter.

Let the fun begin!

It may seem like a strange way to start a build, on a bit of a negative note, but this kit is missing its turnbuckles.
It is important to consider this now because there are many wire attachment points on the fuselage and wings etc.. and it would be much easier to make a decision now than later.My options are to leave them off,make them from tubing or use some photo etched ones I have left over from the Jenny build.I never actually used these on the Jenny but I may have to consider it now due to what looks to be very fragile plastic attachment points. I'll make up a few examples and see what I can come up with.
One important consideration is would it really be noticeable in a shadowbox at normal viewing distance ?

Here is a good example of what I mean. The internal wires are hardly noticeable,there are no landing and flying wires yet installed.

Another important consideration with this build is will I build the complete aircraft sitting on its undercarriage?
wings on or wings off? tail down or in flying attitude?
I will be working on the hangar at the same time as building the airplanes so that I can finalize the overall composition before finally completing anything for good.
Because this is a shadowbox viewable from only one angle it will not be necessary to build and finish everything in the round unless I want to do it for the camera.

The plans suggest building the engine and firewall first but I am more interested with the questions I have to resolve about the fuselage and its internal bracing at this point so I will leave the engine till later.
My initial impression about the quality of the plastic molding of this kit is that it is really superior to anything that I have worked with before.I am no expert when it comes to plastic airplane kits but I have built and modified a few plastic classic cars and nothing compares with this quality.
Yes there are mold ejector marks but they are really insignificant in my opinion and would never be seen at normal viewing distance anyway.I noticed a few plastic bits that looked very fragile and made me wonder about using my normal plastic cleaning procedure of using soap and a soft toothbrush until I realized that they were just part of the manufacturing process too.Like I said I am a real beginner at this.

Next thing on the agenda, do I build a jig to hold the frame during assembly ? The frames are strong now while they are encased in their plastic support structure but when all that is cut away it would be another story.To be on the safe side I think that I will work up a rudimentary jig of some kind.

Plan 2

For the price of the kit they should at least provide the raw materials for making your own.

I think that I will reserve the turnbuckle decision until later in the build when I will have a better idea of their visibility in the diorama.Now it is back to the hangar for awhile.

The R/H hangar wall will soon be finished.I am looking forward to getting at least one corner finished so I can start using it as a backdrop for taking pics.
I want to start on a few ideas that I have for making plastic look like raw wood,not the usual painting of plywood sheets but smaller stuff like wood strips etc..The problem with most plastic is that it is shiny and monotonous with no variation in color.The camel model in this diorama will be placed right next to a wood and metal DR1 for comparison ,which I hope will not be too noticeable.Proper positioning and lighting will also be a big help in achieving this goal.
The camel kit comes pre-painted in that the plastic is already colored to approximately what is on the real airplane ,so what I am really talking about here is surface preparation and weathering to create a variation in the unrealistic monotone plastic surfaces.

The unrealistic monotone plastic look.Boring and lifeless !
(I still can't believe they left out the turnbuckles)

Real wood on my Albatros,there really is no substitute but I'll give it a shot anyway.

" The Contenders "



The Camel and the Triplane


I kinda like this as a title for the diorama more than say the official names for the aircraft.I like it for the curiosity factor alone,someone who is not even familiar with aviation would wonder what this is all about.Contenders ? Camel? Triplane?

1. It would be my contention (if that is the proper word) that if this were a field situation of examining a captured Camel at a depot only part of the aircraft would be stripped. Fuselage, Yes, but maybe not the tail feathers, One set of wings but not both, (maybe with the covered wings leaning against the wall.

HOWEVER...

2. Since this is a museum display both aircraft stripped would show the structure of the planes. Especially since the construction is different!
This being said, perhaps a partially stripped wing or fuselage, to show the fabric cover would be equally educational. (answering the question "Mom, what did they cover the skeleton with?")

My 1.7256 cents, being as I'm Amuric'n. (Wait! After the Great Republican Suicide Maybe its 2.726 cents)

Captn Tommy

Thanks Tommy,nice idea.

Still workin' on the R/H wall.

For those having trouble blending acrylics here is an alternative.It is all about surface preparation.
In this case I will be shading color that is already there in the raw plastic,which makes the job a lot easier,no gesso or painting required and it is permanent and won't rub off.

nother pic

Nother pic