Build(s) for Canvas Falcons I Campaign. Seeing that I've been building Early Aviation subjects exclusively - I've opted to build my entry as a Dual (and even VS) build.

The entries will be rather colorful:

Captain's G.H.Lewis' geared type Hispano-Suiza powered Vicker's built SE.5a

OAW built Fokker D.VII, piloted by Wilhelm Scheutzel with "Seven Swabians" renditions on fuselage flanks



Both kits are ordered, partially received and pending completion of the Pfalz D.XII

Hi Ivan

I hate to say it, but Canvas Falcons 1 covers the first year of the war so, strictly speaking, these beauties should wait - Michael has planned a four-year series of builds.

All the best

Rowan

From the Campaign Rules:




This may be interpreted as all Early Aviation subjects are eligible for this year, though I think I will re-consider these builds and find a plane from 1915 to go with the spirit of the campaign.

Lost 6 months somehow - must be the new addition to the family and increased workload in real life, though can't help but feel like a Rip Van Winkle... Since the post, the Fokker has been completed and I'll post updates as they were intended. The SE.5a is plugging along, though progress will continue in real-time once I post current progress. Time between posts will compress and I don't want anybody to think it's real modeling time

On with the show, the Fokker D.VII completed cockpit with framing and engine installed.









Pretty straightforward, added control wires for the controls, except for the ailerons - the latter are too far under the ammo bins to be seen (IMO). The frame has rigging that's visible through wide open cockpit - be careful not to twist the framing by applying the pressure to the lines though, as it's easy to buckle.

Added sparkplugs out of stretched sprue. The particular aircraft will have one of it's top cowlings off, so the extra detail won't be wasted.

Rip Van Winkle or not it's a great rendition of the cockpit. I like the used look of the cockpit and engine grime and oil. Look forward to the rest of the suppressed time show.

cheers

Michael

Hi Ivan

That is lovely work on the cockpit and engine! I've got one D.VII in the Stash and this is a reminder that I should seriously consider buying another...

All the best

Rowan

Catching up on the old pictures:







SE5a beginning build is nothing to be excited about, though there are some interesting details one can sink their teeth into.

I have opted to sand down molded internal rigging and replace it with wire. The engine cowling will be on, so I'm only spending passing detail on the interior wood. This being the early WnW kit, the internal surfaces have a good number of ejection indentations to take care off.

Lewis spare magazine (option for empty holder) and flare (?) pistol are a nice touch.

Early stage regret - I have neglected to drill the holes into the seat base for control wire installation, so this build will proceed without pedal / stick wires... However, not like this build will miss the copious amount of wire still to stretch.

Seven Swabians receives the much awaited fuselage and decals - I've opted to apply decals early, as the historical aircraft's scheme is just so awesome:

"The Artful Dodger" is still looking rather dull, as it won't receive its decals until much later - rigging means a lot more handling and chance to mar the area with the markings.















I tend to "finish" areas as I work through the build, which means that rigging is happening in stages, rather than final steps. The tail has sprouted its bracing wires.

The instrument panel took some time, as it's more complex than German machines I usually build.

The instructions leave off the engine towards the end, so this is also very different and refreshing process for me.

Back onto the Fokker:











Per photographs in the instructional manual, The starboard engine cowling has been left off while the other side is fully covered... It's likely to have been flown that way but just as likely taken off for maintenance - I'd like to think the former.

The lower wing was fully painted, sealed with gloss, covered with kit provided 4 color lozenge (5 color for other schemes), blue ribtape, National markings and detail decals. Wing was pre-fitted to the fuselage prior to construction as it's likely for thick paint to get incorrect dihedral.

Lesson from this build, so far - it's best to leave off top cowling installation until after wing struts are installed. You kinda need the to make sure that the front attachment point of the strut actually adheres to the engine frame.I eventually got it, but it was a lot more difficult.

Serial numbers on the tail are on port side only, one of them should have been installed on the rudder, instead of both sides of the tail fin... (pardon the incorrect terminology)

Tail portion is finished and rigged, most of the markings, Vicker's gun installed and Hispano-Suiza engine - mostly to be covered by respectable cowlings, but visible in close inspection.











The SE5a has certainly been an ugly duckling of a kit - its details and complexity comes in late in the game, leaving me wondering if I've missed a step. The worries are abating as the build proceeds - gradually picking up steam.

Landing gear installed, engine / Vickers are cowled, all the rigging lines are anchored...

While this kit remains OOO, I couldn't resist an attempt at "wrapped" center wing struts - Tamiya masking tape wrapped tightly around the styrene, primed, painted and given a coat of Future. While the effect is a little thick, it does greatly strengthen the spindly struts and adds to the look.

















Rigging lines look a tangled mess and make it look more complicated than it is - all lines running from fuselage to wings are tandem, double lines that just don't want to stay together... But good for scaring beginners off of Early Aviation subjects - it's not that bad once you have a couple of these under your belt...

Rigging is set for "through the wing" method - Upper wing is tapped and ready, though lots of clean up ahead once the lines are set, cut and sanded on the upper surface.

Starting to look like the SE5 I wanted to build!

The D.VII has been completed - has been for quite a while now, but staggering pictures to make it seem like a true dual-build...

With OAW gone extinct, thinking of picking up another D.VII (whatever's still in stock) and decal set - just in case I want to build another "Seven Swabians", down the line.























Special touch is the top wing, center mounted flaregun. More or less had to figure out the angle from the photographs, think I've gotten it about right.

Notable issues with the kit I've discovered - landing gears / wing struts are accurate in size but quite fragile in styrene that thin. Future consideration for white metal aftermarket parts that are worth the extra (surprise, I've built another Fokker since).

Packaging - out of 3 Fokkers I've purchased, 2 kits had broken horizontal tail plane support struts and I couldn't find the broken off bits (either lost when unpacking on both or damaged prior to packing). Had to graft and shape replacements out of stretched sprue. Think one had broken landing gear strut as well...

Otherwise, very happy with the progress and learned a lesson or two on how to (and how not to) tackle a D.VII. Unlike the SE.5a, it gave promise from early stages and never had the ugly duckling double take I gave to the SE5 up until mid-build.

Hi Ivan

It looks brilliant. Let's get it on the frontpage as a Feature.

All the best

Rowan

Hi Ivan,

Great build and I like the well used look. Looking forward to its sparring partner being completed.

cheers

Michael

Thanks to all!

"The Artful Dodger" is "near" completion - all is done minus the propeller, letting the washes cure and Lewis drum...

... pew, pew, pew!

Ivan,
Love the DVII! You're right about the rigging being scary. I wimped out at my LHS yesterday. I couldn't decide between the Albatross DV, and the Pfalz DIII...so I bought an Fw 190 to save me from rigging.

Gary

Either Albatros or Pfalz are great beginners for rigging virgins - though I'd recommend Roland CL.II... The latter has slightly less rigging, bust just enough to get a taste, plus it lacks the center wing struts and its outer wing struts are thick and wide...

Depending on how you do your rigging, it's easy to overtighten wings to go out of alignment and struts to bow (if you use wire through the wing method). Plus my biggest challenge with early Albatros builds was not to crush wings while holding almost finished model in hand.

"The Artful Dodger" has been completed:

Hi Ivan

Lovely job! The staining and streaking on the underside is very effective.

All the best

Rowan

Thanks! I also like the way the streaking turned out... I'm half contemplating adding another layer of "wet" shiny streaks or call it good. I have a nasty habit of screwing up finished work but continuing to mess with it (digital artist dilemma - no "Undo").

As we say in the industry, "the artist's job is never done - it gets taken away from him" (or her, I am him)

Awaiting final scorecard result, summarizing both build experiences.