SE5a CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING TO . . .

[wonwinglo]

Grahame,I was just thinking how similar she looks to the Elf in the view here from the rear ! not generally realised is that the S.E.5A had a great influence on designs even years afterwards,as Richard says it is a replica in miniature,having been involved in building full sized and scale models there is no doubt that models are the most difficult working to the smaller scales we use.

By the way congratulations on your retirement from teaching,you are certainly enjoying it and putting your time to good use.

It is also surprising when you have continuity with a project how well things take shape,how did you find time to do full time work ?!!

[Greyhead]

Having added a few more 1/64th ply biscuits the framework was a lot stiffer, however I still wasn’t happy about the strength at the “break” line so I removed the cross braces and epoxied some carbon fibre tows over the joint.





Now that’s a lot stronger!





This raises the question why didn’t I do this in the first place? I go on at length about the virtues of carbon fibre tows and then I fail to spot this obvious application; must be something to do with age!

[wonwinglo]

Lots of extra strength with little weight increase,excellent tip.

[Greyhead]

In my opinion it’s never too soon to start on the instrument panel; they’re a mini project in their own right and whilst enjoyable to do it can be a bit frustrating because the model doesn’t seem to “grow” during the time spent on them, so I like to intersperse the work with the main build so keeping the interest going.


Here’s a photo to show what we’re aiming for, it seems a bit daunting but the idea is to concentrate on an instrument at a time.





I’ve made a start; that’s the easy bit!





This will be the final position.





It’s always useful to check that “Pete” will fit!

[wonwinglo]

Thats some office Grahame,and one that Pete will be quite at home in,for a WW1 panel it is fairly complex and there is a most un-usual feature that I wonder if many have spotted ? the fact that the instrument panel slopes,this is unusual in that most gyro instruments function best in the upright position,but the proof is there as the panel certainly has a slant to it,perhaps this could be something to do with the flying attitude of the aircraft in flight,who knows ?

The panel and cockpit itself is a model in its own rights and just know that you will do full justice to this important feature.

There are some un-usual features there including the advance and retard lever.

Best of luck with the instruments,they should present a real challenge to ingenuity and application.

[Greyhead]

Tip of the day

Starting work on the instrument panel, which has several small pieces of ply and balsa, has reminded me to mention a very useful addition to the workshop.

Like everybody, I suspect, I have a draw (in fact 2 draws) full of “useful” sized off cuts but I also have this old ice-cream container into which I put any small off cuts.

Believe me, there will come a time when you need a piece of 1/16th balsa about 1” x 1” and all you’ll have is a 36” x 4” plank that you bought especially to sheet the leading edge, then you’ll wish you’d not put those little pieces in the bin.

[Guest]

Yep Grahame,

I will certainly agree with you on that last tip, you never know when those little offcuts will serve a purpose and better to use them rather than waste a whole sheet of new wood. I have a tub full of offcuts too !!!

As for your comments on glueing spruce wood, I have to agree with you there, possibly the longer drying time is due to the wood being more dense (very closed grain) and the glue not soaking into the wood in the same way compared to say balsa or ply due to closed grain....Spruce tends to have a smoother surface compared to the other woods....even when you try to rough it up a bit for a keying surface for the glue.

And as for the Model, Congratulations, she is really coming along nicely now and really starting to take shape....a real pleasure too look at.

Regards......Mark.

[wonwinglo]

Saving wood offcuts has been a weakness of mine for years,they do take up a lot of room so what I have found useful is one of those wheelie bins which lives outside,any potentially useful timber whether it is ply,balsa etc goes into the WB,however it is best to set a criteria on what you consider to be a useful size of offcut,otherwise it does tend to build up !

In case anyone is having doubts about how dry the wood keeps,no problems as those swing over lids seal well.

[Guest]

in the photo of the instrument panel there is 2 half circular bits cut out of the little storage box thing ( dont know its name)

are you gonna sdo that to the models panel aswell?

[Greyhead]

Iain

Yes that’s done now; the photo was taken at an early stage. The “storage box thing” holds a spare magazine for the Lewis gun, there’s another one on the cockpit floor between the pilots legs. Sounds a bit dodgy to me!!

After adding extra balsa to the back of the panel the support bracket has been removed and replaced by 2 made from litho plate.

These things do have a tendency to “develop” as they go along.

Grahame

[Greyhead]

This post will hopefully give you an insight into the thought and build processes that go into making each individual instrument. I decided to start with the air pressure regulator, which is positioned lower left on the instrument panel.


First of all I make a rough sketch showing the main components, which I will include, there’s no way that I could make a true miniature.





Then find suitable bits and pieces, in this case some copper wire and tube to fit, three 14BA nuts, a 2mm crimp, a 2mm nut and some 2mm threaded rod, litho plate and 1/8th square spruce.





The wood has crossed holes drilled through and the wire soldered into position; the small tubes and 14BA nuts are then soldered on. The 2mm rod, nut and crimp are soldered together and the whole lot attached to the body using 5-minute epoxy.


When the glue has set the body is cut down and finally sanded to length with the Dremell





The wire is bent around suitable drill bits and the back plate glued on, again with 5-minute epoxy.


The appropriate bits are then painted with silver Solalac.





Sorry about the blurred photo, taking photos this close really needs a tripod!


The finished regulator in position but not glued, I’ll leave that until all, or at least most, of the instruments are made.





The instrument panel has had a coat of stain as has all the wood that will be visible though the cockpit opening. Note the half round cut outs and the metal brackets.


Another photo of the regulator in position.

[Guest]

Absolutely beautiful Guy. A pure pleasure to watch this aircraft model develop and get an insight into your thought processes as you progress it.

There is actually a book out about the building of a model of HMS Warrior, I am sure there would be just as much a market for this thread to be developed into a book.

[wonwinglo]

Grahame,you have entered the construction of these tiny instruments in the true spirit of modelling by making things from scrap,you need that feel for these things something which you obviously have,it is amazing just how much time you can expend on these small details which set scale modelling apart from any other form of model making,but by producing each individual item as a model in itself that interest is maintained,there is a definate thought pattern developing here,and we are experiencing that rare opportunity to be able to look over your shoulder into your workshop and see how it is done,I am certain that your ongoing tutorial will bring inspiration to many,and for that we are grateful.

[Guest]

I'm watching this thread with the greatest pleasure!!

You are doing some brilliant work here Greyhead!

[Guest]

My oh my, what a beauty! You mentioned earlier that you are concerned about the undercamber, and the covering possibly pulling away. I don't know what you plan on using for covering, but I recently covered my 57" Albatros C.III with Polyspan and Stix-it (heat activated) for adhesive. The covering was then sealed with nitrate dope and painted with butyrate. To date, the covering has stayed firmly attached with absolutely no signs that it may detach from the rib. It may be worth your consideration.

Once again, fantastic work, a real pleasure to watch this beauty unfold!