Sopwith Dove for CO2

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks very much guys.

Not a huge amount of progress today but I have worked out how to do the interplane struts. I think like the cabane struts they'll have a core of a strip of 1/32 ply with encased in balsa and sanded to shape . The ply strip contacts both spars so gluing them in should be fairly strong .

I need to look at the lower wing fixing next as I'll cut holes in the 3/32" strip that forms the bottom of the fuselage to locate the spars in it.

[Squirrelnet]

Fitted the wings today. The lower ones locate via the spars in the 3/32" balsa strip in the fuselage to give +2.5 deg incidence then the top of the cabane struts were fine trimmed to give the same on the top wing.

 The strut's are just strips of 1/16" ply to find the length I need then I'll make up the final struts. I think the ailerons will just be drawn on so the wings and most of the fuselage just need sanding before covering.

The cowling I was thinking of moulding but looking at it I think I'll just do a balsa and ply one using some 1/64" ply for the cylindrical part with a balsa front for the curved section.

The plan is once the struts and cowling are done to finish and paint the wings and fuselage where I can before final assembly. The underside of the fuselage and the top of the centre section will be left open until I've fitted it all together...well that's the plan

[g_kandylakis]

Lovely structure Chris!

Watching with interest...

George

[Lastwoodsman]

Thanks for the excellent pics to scrutinize,  Chris!   

Lastwoodsman
Richard

[OZPAF]

It's looking very neat Chris. I didn't realise that that the wings had so much sweep.

John

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks guys.

John - It is a fair bit. I think the sweep was because it was adapted from the Pup .It allowed for a rearward cockpit so an additional forward one could be added and maintain the CG point

Added some hard points to tail and dummy riblets from 3/32" sq. The fin should have a gap under it where it fits to the tail but I'm not wether to do that or not, it feels like it could be quite vulnerable or add to much weight make it strong enough ...not sure about that yet. They are sanded to shape now as well so pretty much ready to cover

Made up some balsa rings of the cowling as well . The front is 2 layers of 1/4" whic I can carve to the rounded shape while the cylindrical section behind it will be rolled 1/64" ply

[Raggedflyer]

Maybe use a clear plastic spacer glued between fin and fuselage for security whilst creating the illusion of separation?

[Squirrelnet]

Thanks Ragged Flyer good thought, I'll have a think about that

Made a start on the cowling with the sections joined together and the rear section in rolled 1/64 ply added

The rear former that joins to the model has a temporary spreader bar just to make it stronger while wrapping the 1/64 ply

[Squirrelnet]

Carved the cowling to shape this afternoon.

Not looking too bad. I've made so many errors with this cowling. It nearly went in the bin when as you can see from the previous pics, I missed off the bottom edge of the cowling altogether to begin with. I had in my head a Nieuport style cowling even after putting it on to top of the drawing. It's only when I started rough carving it I realised the error but after thinking about it I decided to keep going and try to rectify it.

In the process the inside has grown a bit large to make circular so for the internal edge I've laminated up some basswood to form a ring around an old can which I'll attach to the inside, hopefully this will also give a hard edge.

[Squirrelnet]

Well that seems to have worked well actually giving a better edge to the inside of the cowling. I had to extend the basswood ring slightly with os end grain 1/32 balsa wrapped round it but now the glue has dried and I've sanded it I think I can safely say I got away with that one 

[Squirrelnet]

A coat of primer has help show up any imperfections, of which there are many but a bit more sanding and few more coats should get looking right.

I need to sort out fixing the cowling to the model probably with small dowels so its removable to make it easier to get to the motor but I have started covering with Asuka tissue

[Squirrelnet]

More sanding down on the cowling, more painting and also some 1/8" dowel pegs have been added to hold the cowling on.

I want the same finish on the fuselage cowling panels as the painted cowling so I have primed those bits in arcylic car primer as well. I'll rub down again and give it another coat to fill the grain. The plan is the cowling and metal parts will be sprayed silver and then given a engine turned effect using a method Dave P mentioned of covering it with a decal of engine turning on clear decal film . I've found a suitable source I can make up a sheet the right size in Photoshop.

The fuselage, fin and tail are now covered and doped, though the section under the fuselage where the wing fits will be left open until the lower wings have been fitted.

Next problem is finding a suitable pilot ....

[Squirrelnet]

... The great Dave Banks pilots seem to be in short supply now, VMC are out of stock, I wonder if Dave is even making them anymore ? I do have a few recruits in various sizes but unfortunately they are all currently employed. 

There is one though that has a very easy life, largely hanging around in the workshop roof in my CO2 Bleriot XI. The only snag with co-opting him into the Dove is the broad shouldered chap doesn't fit down through the cockpit opening has would have to be inserted from below (insert your own joke) and he'll need some surgery which will mean he's too short for the Bleriot. He looks the part and no doubt will up to the job thanks to wonders of foam safe Cyano but it's a shame to rob the Bleriot of it's only pilot unless anyone out there has a spare 1/12th Dave Banks sitting a draw needing to hone his skills ??

NB ... I have dusted off the Bleriot after taking that shot and really must flying it again this year and rid it of it's hanger queen reputation

 

[Squirrelnet]

1 step forward 2 steps back today

The Tailplane covering was a right mare with surfaces that actually made a crinkly sound when you touched them they were so slack. I did everything as normal but it just didn't work this time. I sanded the tissue off and recovered it using the same method. This time it worked perfectly.

I think I must have water shrunk the tissue before the tissue paste had properly dried so the edges pulled as the tissue shrank.

I'd like to cover the wings but realised I need to add a couple of things before I do. On the lower wing the landing wire passes through the wing and attaches to the UC leg. I've added some paper tubes attached with some 1/32 so I can run the rigging through it. I'm going to add attachments for the wing hoops so I can add them later if it flys. I'll just have stubs from cocktail sticks that poke through the covering and if all goes well I can make up a bamboo or basswood hoop that can be attached with a short piece of heatshrink tubing

[OZPAF]

I think I must have water shrunk the tissue before the tissue paste had properly dried so the edges pulled as the tissue shrank.

I think you may be correct - I have had the same experience.

it looks tight and wrinkle free now Chris.

John