Topic: 1/3 Scale Sopwith Triplane build thread

  My old Pup "Betty" and Mudflaps old 1/4 scale Pups even though way off scale look far better with 20 years of filth and wear IMO  than a clinically clean new airframe.

Oi!! I cleaned that! 

On the staining front, I always try and do it in one hit since overlapping onto already dry stain runs the risk of darkening that area

Yes, you're right Ian but my impatience got the better of me and I wanted to see how it looked!

Of course you probably have more patience than I

Er, no    See first point

I'll just have to be extra careful

Alan

Latest update

Started work on the port side cheek cap strips - I think I mentioned before it's a tedious task

Added the support hoops beneath the stringers on the rear turtle deck and put the floor in the locker area behind the cockpit. 
I thought it might be a useful  space to put stuff (not sure what though!).    I've also started on the rear machine gun mount.  More ali tube and channel "soldered" together with Alutight.   Oh yes, a bit more staining too.



Another 5 years should see it finished at this rate

Alan

I'm guessing as the weather has not been great for flying you have got lots done on the tripe 

I'm guessing as the weather has not been great for flying you have got lots done on the tripe 

I think I have tempted in to the dark side by buying ready built models and then not building for yourself! 

You boys just don't understand!

A triplane build needs time to mature and mellow - it's not a process that can be rushed you know

Anyway, been too busy working on my fleet of purchased RTF models - getting them ready to fy  
Now, if only I had a spare wedge, I know of a nice 1/ 4 scale WW1 that needs to come my way.

Lucky I can't make Tibbers tomorrow - still loads to do on my P51 but at least I'm making headway with it.

Alan

Now, if only I had a spare wedge, I know of a nice 1/ 4 scale WW1 that needs to come my way.


Alan

Please do tell us more!!

Please do tell us more!!

 

Academic anyway - no fundage available

At last!   I can remove the cloak of invisibility from the fuselage.   

I give you; "The Bones" (well, all but the tailplane's).
 
It's a bit of a beast.  How on earth am I going to rig and carry it about    
Three wing panels from each side permanently rigged as blocks is going to leave two big chunks of aeroplane to accommodate 

Anyway, see it can look like an aeroplane!

   

I might actually get back on with the build when the P51's finished.

Alan

I might actually get back on with the build when the P51's finished.

Alan

Nice Alan.... so I still don't need to rush the Floh then. 

Looking good

Hi Alan

It looks brilliant when's the maiden planned for?

Alan

It looks brilliant when's the maiden planned for?

Whoops! Sorry Alan.

Maiden is planned for ................ when it's finished. 
Sorry, that's the best estimate at the moment

But, I have at last made some more progress. 
 
Having looked into the possibility of trying to get hold of some streamlined steel tube of the right section at  the right price for the undercarriage I had to admit defeat.  So, over the last couple of evenings I have mainly been cutting and silver soldering B&Q's finest steel tube.    The section will have to be built up with wood in the time honoured fashion.

The main legs have been assembled and silver soldered to some channels that wrap round the lower longerons.  They were folded up out of 20swg steel.    Blind nuts will be soldered to the inside web so that the undercarriage can be bolted in place from the outside flange through the longerons.

This is what it looks like so far



Onwards and upwards

Alan

Glad to see you doing a bit, looking good 

So did you make the mould from your Rotherham Pump for knocking up more?  What's occurring here have you any progress?

So did you make the mould from your Rotherham Pump for knocking up more?  What's occurring here have you any progress?

No Shaun.  I did speak to someone who does a lot of castings for model railways and he didn't think it would be too successful.   As it's only taking an impression with silcon rubber I might have a go anyway if I ever get a "roundtuit"

Not done any modelling but at least I've burnt 1/4 of a gallon of Contest 10 over the last 2 days

Alan

Not done any modelling but at least I've burnt 1/4 of a gallon of Contest 10 over the last 2 days

Alan

That's good to hear mate however you cant fly in the dark so perhaps a lil building in the evenings