Topic: Blackburn B2 build pics!

Well, Brian, we may well meet up at OW this year then!   

More progress on the fuselage as it all starts to come together.  The undercarriage is fitted, as are the dummy exhausts and oil tank.


The pilots has some gauges to peer at.....


Graphics by ModelMarkings.com
http://www.modelmarkings.com/


Pilot from Pete's Pilots (painted by Netty)

I have to say it's looking superb Tim. I wonder who might lift the Shuttleworth Trophy this year?    I'd say you're in with a pretty good shout with the B2 Tim. Oh that rivet detail......

I haven't finalised what I'll be bringing to OW Tim, but it'll probably be my second DB Moth. It's still in kit form at the minute, but the bench is about to be cleared in the next day or two....  The last one took me about 2 months to build, but that was 20 years ago. This one could take a bit longer, as I'm going for a little more detail second time around!

Beautiful job, you've made a cracking job of the Aluclad

Ian.

Thanks for the encouragement lads!

It goes without saying that the camera is quite kind to the reflective finish of the model.  In truth there are countless little faults, so don't be too disappointed when (if?) you get to see it in the flesh, OK?

tim

Tim, besides building these lovely creations, your photos are always beautifully presented, you are a professional studio photographer, right!!???

How large an area is the white background?

Ian.

You know something Ian, I hadn't noticed the studio background and lighting, despite being involved a bit with wedding and studio photography many moons ago. I guess that's because I'm now looking with my modelling "hat" on rather than my photography one.....

I have to admit it does look stunning though.....

P.S. Don't worry Tim, at OW I shan't go poking my nose under the wing or anything. People might start thinking I've lost me ferret.......

Gents,

I do have something of a history as a wedding and portrait snapper, it's true.....

The 'studio' I use is very simple.  A couple of old studio flash units in the loft, allied to a 8 feet wide roll of white paper.  That's it.  The set up allows me to shoot handheld at f20 (usually lying on the floor) with a 'budget' Canon 350 DSLR and an old 28-105 zoom lens.  Seems to work quite well......

tim

Nowt wrong with the 350D Tim. I use a 400D, and I find it just fine...... Not as flexible as my old A1 or T90, but perfectly ok.

I also have a little Panasonic Lumix 14mp jobbie. I use this as a sort of photographic "notebook". Stunning results from a £100 camera.....    The newer, slightly more costly versions now have Leica optics. Tempting indeed.........

P.S. When Ian mentioned studio flash units, I looked again at your pics. Indeed, the tell-tale multiple shadows from studio flash units are there. Am I correct in thinking you've used a diffuser as well, to kill excess glare from the Aluclad?

Brian,

No diffusers used, but the flashes are reflected back from silver brollies which does soften the light considerably.  Also don't discount the reflective/diffusive qualities of the white backdrop itself!

Right, the wing panels are all covered in Solartex as of this evening, and that'll do for one night!  I'm off to walk the dog (and call in the pub for a pint) before bed.....

tim

We're pretty much good to go, I think....

I've made up a pair of cradles from ply strip and foam to hold the inboard ends of the wing panels in position when removed.  This saves having to remove the interplane struts, and then reverse the whole interminable process at the field.


Once the panels are plugged into the fuselage, the cradles are withdrawn over the leading edge and then the rigging can be cliiped in place.  Works well, saves time.


Anyway, here she is.  Weight has come out at 8lb 3oz, giving a loading of around 16 oz/ft - well within acceptable limits.

Thats very nice Tim, I look forward to seeing it later in the year 

Muds

Shinyfabtacular

A beautiful drop of work Tim.

Ian.

When you said that you were going to build the B2 I thought what a difficult subject to do well but my! have you pulled it off with style.

Brilliant, beautifully done.

Hats off to you.

stu k

I had a flight in the original in 1957 or 58 at White Waltham. Sheer bliss 

Should you be minded to produce plans I will happily join the queue    You have produced an outstanding model that captures completely the essence of that aircraft. I love it 

Just wonderful

Thank you gents!

Paul, I think that following today's events, the plans will be submitted to RCM+E for their consideration.....

A beautiful, clear, frosty morn with no wind.  Just too good a chance to miss!  So off to the field then...





Range checks completed., I fitted my sole 5S pack, handed Netty the camera, and headed out to the pilots box.  The model taxyed very nicely, so no real choice except to go for it!







Has to be said that the B2 is an absolute pussycat to fly!  Very stable and smooth.  No aerobatics were attempted; the single flight consisted of low passes for the camera.  the ailerons are as gentle as their size suggests, whilst the rudder is more of a force to be reckoned with.  The CG looks to be spot-on, which is always a relief!

Anyway here's me after the event.

Absolutely superb, Tim!  Your build and finish have been magnificent .  The u/c looks to have just the right 'angle of dangle' when the load is off.  I'm looking forward to the plans in RCM&E (I remember the article for a f/f version in Aeromodeller many, many moons ago!)

rgds,

Mike

Thanks Mike!  Comments gratefully appreciated.

tim

Tim - why not do a deal with Wiz to market the plans via the forum - Lightworks (JohnB and Maz) could prin the plan, offer a laser-cut parts set and any vacforms...

Forums are largely replacing magazines, and this could just as easily apply to plans.

£0.03 supplied,

PDR

Congratulations Hoops - another masterpiece done and dusted.

Great job on the shutter by Nettles as well.

Bloody marvellous.

Congrats Tim, a great result

Ian.

Another cracking design Tim, lovely
Linds

Just found this tread, absolutely fantastic Tim a lovely looking aircraft. You have done a lovely job of the aluclad, congratulations on your maiden, thanks for sharing .  Neil

Again, thank you all!

Now I need to co-ordinate some decent weather with the arrival of clubmate Kilowatt Kemp (and his formidable array of lenses) in order to get some hi-res flight shots, suitable for publication in print.

Hopefully, I'll be able to tout the B2 around some of the fly-ins this coming summer (if the winds ever drops, that is....), together with the Hawker Cygnet from last year.  At this rate I'll be needing to invest in large white van!

Pete, you're probably right that forums are supplanting mags as the modelling media, and that there are deals to be done out there, so it's something worth investigating in the future.  However this design is promised to the lads at RCM+E.  There's a couple of compelling reasons here; firstly, I'm a pauper and my hobby has to be self-funding, so a healthy lump sum of money from a magazine publisher (shortly following publication) is far better than a drip-fed percentage from another source.  Secondly, it's still a massive ego-boost to walk into a branch of WH Smiths and realise that a particular piece of work is nationally on sale in thousands of outlets - all in glossy colour too!

tim

Second outing today, and three flights to her credit.......

Yes, she will perform wobbly aerobatics, but that's not what it's all about, is it?

tim

I've seen the real one and your model is truely lovely, - the finish is outstanding.

While I am not fit to gather up the dust from your building board, if I may be permitted to make one comment........ please do something to disguise the weedy bit of bent wire for a tail skid.  Everything else is SO good, it sticks out a mile.

That apart, most would struggle to pick out the model from the real thing.

stu k