Sopwith Batboat

[dputt7]

  That is true dedication. 

[OZPAF]

Good luck finishing the model. It looks museum quality.

John

[TheLurker]

It looks museum quality.

Better than that, Γ's model will fly (of course it will) and museum models don't.

[Anyun]

I can just concur with the other comments - a truly magnificent model!

[Prosper]

Better than that, Γ's model will fly (of course it will) and museum models don't.

Yes, that's the essential point here. The magic, impossible-seeming point.

Stephen.

[Stunthenk]

The wand chooses the wizard you know....

[g_kandylakis]

      thanks everybody...

Well, time is running short and it has yet to get finished and flown, so too soon to celebrate...

One of my all-time favorite cartoons was published in Newsweek magazine (I think) only prior to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. I wish I could find it again... It depicted a 100m men run running and sweating like crazy and just 10 meters ahead of them were workers running as well, painting the separation lines for the different lanes.

A satire about the doubts of whether the facilities would be finished in time. They were, but very close to the deadline. Wish I could find this cartoon, did not keep it then.

Similarily, in 3 weeks is the BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals and the Batboat is supposed to be my entry for the RC event. So work needs to be intensified...

Finally finished the painting/shading yesterday. A lot of masking was needed.

The result is difficult to judge yet. The biggest difficulty is making all parts similar in terms of shading. I started with the rudders and probably a bit too light, so I have to do these again.

Here is the horizontal tail.

I have tried this method before in my initial Batboat, but got a confirmation and some further advice from Pavel Stranik and Martin Huk, thanks to both...

[g_kandylakis]

Wingpanel before and after (wingtip covering wringles went away when everything was completely dry)

And all the parts after unmasking...

Two wing panels eventually warped after painting so I had to wet them again (thorougly) and let them dry under support. Seem to have recovered.

[g_kandylakis]

and a test fit of the horizontal tail. I like the color combination...

[TheLurker]

...3 weeks is the BMFA Indoor Scale Nationals and the Batboat is supposed to be my entry for the RC event. So work needs to be intensified...

I for one would much rather wait a year than see you make a deadline induced cock-up.  It's far too nice a piece of work to have that happen.

[OZPAF]

I agree with Lurk, George. It's far to good to be rushed.

John

[g_kandylakis]

Hi Lurk, yes, I would too if I were to risk the model, but on the other hand if one is to mess up, one will, with or with no pressure...

And one year is a long time...

Anyway, there is little worry that the model will not be finished in time, more that it will not be properly flown prior to the Nationals.

I now nave only one chance left, on the Sunday before that Nationals weekend. Still plenty to do, although quite a lot has been finished too.

Has some critical tasks finished today, went well so I am quite satisfied that I did not mess up at this stage.

After spraying the shading the covering looked a bit dull, exactly like what it was, a tissue covered model. I went ahead and brushed a satin varnish coat (same make, Vallejo, to avoid any surprises) and this brought a much more lively result. The slight sheen is more realistic in the eye.

wing assembly was next, lower pair first to the hull.

Then the center wing struts and the top wing assembly.

Last and most crucial, the remaining struts. I could have used 2 extra pairs of hands for that. The difficulty is to insert the struts in place without puncturing the tissue. Zero damage so very happy...

[g_kandylakis]

And the most dreaded part of all, the rigging and final alignment.

The rigging is functional, it keeps everything together and aligned. After many adjustments, measurements and checks on the master jig I felt confident enough to finalise the rigging with CA. No going back after that, unless I start removing rigging sections...

Last picture shows the old and the new. The right pair of wings from 2004 in front of the new one. The color difference is more than apparent, overall I like the new one much better in terms of overall effect.

The colour complexity leaves something to be desired, when it comes to judging, as do the markings (none...) but that was my choice from the begining.

Now to rest my nerves, cover the wing panels with some paper and paint the rigging and fittings. Next the tail can be glued on.

Things to do or finish, apart from assembly:
pilot
pilot seat
dummy motor
transport base for my box
documentation

George

[OZPAF]

The hull/fuselage always catches my eye. the varnished finish and the well balanced shape.

The wing detailing and rigging is also very impressive.

Will you have time for test flights.?

John

[Konrad]

Very impressive demonstration of your control over the materials and procceses needed to produce these masterpieces!