Schnellzee's Seagull

[John Howling Mouse]

The 3-color basecoats are all done.  No more pics 'til she's all done!  Got to let the paint dry this time (had some truly ugly paint-chipping things happen on that 1-week-build Mustang as I rushed it) so I can paint some highlights, then deckles, weathering and finally no more avoidance: the wings will have to go on.

[John Howling Mouse]

Well, I said no more pics but these don't show the plane's new paint so they're okay.

First, cutting the masks from Frisket Film on my light-table for the fictional national markings...



And here is a pic I *can* show you (since the painted scheme is not really visible).
Dig the high-tech masking for the rest of the plane, eh (tinfoil)?

[Brian da Basher]

Very interesting Mr Howling Mouse! Looks like you're making nice progress on this one. I'll be extremely interested to see how your new idea for a jig works out when attaching that upper wing.

Go, Man-Ho, go!

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

So, yesterday I did manage to finally get the cabonies and interplanetary schmuts on.   Drytesting the fit, I was able to pick it up for the first time with both wings on.
Funny how much more like a real *airplane* a biplane feels like in your hands.

You can practically sense the inherent lift.

Anyhow, I noticed the slight gaps b/w the tops of the cabonies and the bottom of the upper wing.  There's just so many variables with a biplane: where the cabonies go both longitudinally (a word?) and how high up on the fuselage they should be mounted.  This is compounded by the fact that this kit has no locating dimples/holes for the cabonies and that the angle they should be at will of course affect the distance between the wings.

I tried to bend the metal cabonies upwards a bit to help them reach where the upper wing would sit and they broke off, of course (kinda figured they would but thought I'd test that first).  So, I replaced them with more CA glue.  Now they are at too acute of an angle so the interplanetary schmuts no longer touch each wing.

So, in typical "Baz" fashion, I will make little styrene extensions for each of the N-shaped interplanetary schmuts...sort of.  

Meanwhile, I'm trying to devise a simple yet believable (and relatively robust) floats brace system.

Oh, I segmented then handpainted both sets (i.e. no masking/airbrushing) of all the vacform canopy bits.  Pretty happy with how they turned out since I do not normally just brushpaint frames on.  Plan is to have them in the stacked configuration at the middle of the cockpit so you can see the pilots and (open) cockpit better.  Have NO idea how one pulls this off, however.

Hint to GB Moderator:  Boy, another WEEK right about now sure would be nice![/size]

[Brian da Basher]

Mr Howling Mouse, your work never ceases to amaze me! That's some of the most precise canopy framing I've ever seen! I gotta give you another week to pull this one together!

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

Top wing is ON!  Top wing is ON!

ahhhhhhhhhhh, now I can finally sleep tonight!

:zzz:  

[Brian da Basher]

Way to go, Man-Ho!

As for your stacked canopies, I've used Elmer's™ white glue for this since it dries clear and had good results as seen on my Alamo that I entered in the Airfix GB a while back.

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

Funny how BdB's recent reminder post on this GB was called "Down to the wire" since that's exactly where my build is at----literally.

Had pre-drilled tiny holes for the 0.015" music wire I'm using for rigging my biplane.  Even pre-tested them to ensure the wire fit into the holes.
Seemed fine.

Intent was to not have to worry about getting the length of any one wire perfect: at least one end would slide into a corresponding hole to allow for slack to be taken up.

What did I discover last  night?  The frickin holes never were big enough!  It was just the jaws of my needle nose pliers sliding up the wire when I had thought the wires were actually inserting into the holes!  Now, with the wings in place, I can't get into the necessary spots/angles to enlarge the too-small holes.  I'm hooped man.  Very nearly chucked the model against the wall last night.  

Truly, I am THE Richard Lewis of model-building!
"Models from hell"

[John Howling Mouse]

Came up with an out-of-the-box solution:  using a fireplace lighter, I heated up one end of each length of music wire until it was red-hot and simply jammed the sucker into the pre-drilled (but too narrow) hole!

Rigging sure ain't up to, say, Chthulthu (SP?) or BdaB's standards, but it IS done!

Phew!

[Brian da Basher]

Way to go Mr Howling Mouse! I knew you'd be able to get that beauty rigged! I can't wait to see your pics on the Finished Entries thread!

Brian da Basher

[John Howling Mouse]

Way to go Mr Howling Mouse! I knew you'd be able to get that beauty rigged! I can't wait to see your pics on the Finished Entries thread!

Brian da Basher

Thanks, Brian.  She's all done.  Pics coming tomorrow.

Also: Go Mike go!

[John Howling Mouse]

Done!

[John Howling Mouse]

Yes, I will grudgingly admit I owe this experience to Zac from NZ (you'll get yours, mister...    )

Dramatic underside shot!  



Head on excitement:



From behind...

[Mike Wren]

beautiful Baz!      so glad you got it done

[wolfik]

John! it looks awesome!!!
I think I must finish my vacu kit now too.....hmhmmm