Sopwith Dove for CO2

[Piecost]

The cowl decals look good on the photos. As you said; I hope that they stay stuck down. The dashboards look really convincing as well.

I am enjoying this great build.

[dputt7]

Hi Chris, I admire your workmanship, this is brilliant. I wondered how you would make the decal fit around the cowl but you have successfully done so, I agree a light coat of  silver should tie it all together. Well Done!

[dputt7]

  I meant to ask, what glue do you use in your Balsa constructions. TIA

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks Dave and Piecost

It was your comment Dave in another thread that set me going on the decal method so thanks for that. I was a bit unsure about the front edge but now the decals have dried and flattened properly onto the surface I think you are right it will work with a light spray. I will make up a little test piece to see how the silver over top will work before committing

I use Aliphatic resin to build the one from Deluxe, mainly because it's strong and sands easily. There's some cyano where that works better such as fixing Proskin (GF sheet) to balsa and the strimming cord to the wood and some epoxy over thread binding to fix the UC to the fuselage. Aliphatic resin is my default though

[dputt7]

  Thanks for that Chris, I tried the Aliphatic from Icky Sticky but that seemed to "dry" with a rubbery feel to it so I stopped using it. Will give Deluxe a go.

  As I started this Post with "Thanks for that Chris" the predictive text helped me out with "tmas Card"  

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks for the 'almost Christmas Card' too     

I have used the Superphatic from Deluxe which does dry to a rubbery 'not very sandable' finish, the original Aliphatic resin they do does sand well though

I did a test piece today to see how I could make the engine turning a bit less wrapping paper like using a wash of silver enamel over the top using a brush to give some lines and variation as there seems to be with the original.

I think that will work well so I have finished off covering the cowling with small strips , using Micro Sol to soften and suck the transfer onto the cowl for that painted on look.

Yesterday I got some more paint from Hannants so I also sprayed the rest of the blue to the lower wings and tail. The top wing Il paint once its assembled and the centre section covering fitted

Couldn't resist at least cutting out the G for the rudder . It is a very pretty aeroplane :-)

[Squirrelnet]

I applied a patchy silver wash over the top of the cowling today which I think makes that much more effective

[dputt7]

Looks great.

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks Dave

 I used another technique today that came from you via a post in the old HPA2.

You put me onto a translucent masking film made by Avery Dennison I can't remember it's exact name but looking online I think it must be signmask. It was a while ago and although I did some test peices which looked ok I had not used it anger on a model.

The lower wing Reg letters are very large so I though this is an ideal opportunity. The "signmask' (well let's call it this for now) is low tack but to make handling and placement easier for the letter G, after I cut out the mask I cut it into sections which did make life easier when placing on the model. I think a carrier film can be used for more complicated masks but I don't have any of that anyway.

First coat of enamel thinned in cellulose was very light , just a dry mist really to seal the mask to the surface followed by a heavier coats.

I'm very pleased with the results, very crisp lines with no bleed under the mask at all just a few wips where the film had not quite followed the surface.No doubt my own fault for making absolutely sure it properly stuck to the surface.I have used waterslide decals for the side and tail markings but based on that I will spray the top wing markings when it comes to that using the masking film

One HUGE advantage to this build is having all Mike Smith's docs and drawings for the markings which just needed manipulating in PS to the right size      Thanks again Mike

There's a few other small details added too, the steps in the side and the block tube inlet in the cowling from some 3/16" ali tube

[TheLurker]

It's looking really nice Chris.

[OZPAF]

Impressive finish Chris.

John

[dputt7]

Hi Chris,  Yes it is called AVERY Signmask,  I was given a part roll of the film that is used to keep the mask in position when you remove the backing paper and that works very well.  I congatulate you on getting those thin letters all nice and square without the carrier film. This model is a real credit to you, the finish is stunning!

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks Dave

Smaller letters are printed decal paper though but very impressed with Signmask

Stuck the tail and fin on today doing a part assembly to make sure it's all square. In the end I decided against leaving a gap between the fin and tail and instead just painted a black line to represent it

 I've a few more details to add , a screen for instance but getting to the point where I can stick the wings on

[Squirrelnet]

Nearly ready to stick the wings on. I've made a screen and painted the inside of the centre section cutout. I think I just need to attach the rigging wires to the inside of the fuselage before I can actually glue it together

Pic2 ....Sisters - 1919 Sopwith Dove and 1919 Grahame-White GWE-6 Bantam. They are roughly the same size but the Dove is 1/12 scale, the Bantam 1/10

[Squirrelnet]

Finally got a chance to do a bit more to this one and hopefully finish it in the few weeks.

 The Struts are finally finished 1mm x 3/32" core laminated with 1/20" balsa, stained and varnished