Zenrat's Flying Circus

[zenrat]

Thanks Jon.

[zenrat]

An update post.

Sea Witch.  Rigging beneath the bowsprit is complete.  I'm using the thread Lindberg supply, tying the knots and then securing them with PVA when I am satisfied.  It's tricky keeping the tension in the thread while tying the knots (but at the same time not pulling too hard, bending things and causing earlier lines to go slack).  Today I found myself with a pair of forceps in each hand and a torch in my mouth.  I should probly dig out my head torch from wherever I have put it.
Sea Witch WIP 24-07-2021 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Fokker D VII.  Research has shown me that almost anything goes when it came to WWI german colour schemes.  White band is for the national markings.  None of the schemes Eduard offer with the kit had bare metal engine covers but I reckon there is no reason why it might not have been done.  Rudder and elevators are white.  Horizontal stabs are red.  Wings will be lozenge transfers.
Fokker D VII WIP 24-07-2021 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

And finally the Bearcat.  These are aftermarket Sea Fury transfers.  All I can say is that the Hawker is a bigger aircraft than the Grumman (or Monogram/Hasegawa made it too small, or Red Roo made the transfers too big) as I had trouble fitting everything into the available space.  Back story will explain all.
Bearcat WIP 24-07-2021 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[NARSES2]

I'm impressed with both your rigging and your dexterity 

The Fokker's looking good and you are correct regarding colour  schemes each manufacture had their own and that was before the Jasta's got hold of them. One of the manufacturers definitely had natural metal engine covers.

[zenrat]

I've sat the Sea Witch on 2 1/2 litre paint cans to raise it up so the bowsprit is at eye level.  This makes it easier to work on but my shoulders start aching from holding my hands up.

[NARSES2]

Yup, our bodies weren't built for this type of thing

[Old Wombat]

Sea Fury: Length: 34 ft 8 in (10.57 m)

Bearcat: Length: 28 ft 3 in (8.61 m)

[DogfighterZen]

That rigging... excellent work on that, Fred! 
I've always avoided airplanes that have any rigging to be done on them...
Maybe one day i get the courage to do something with a line or two but i don't think it'll be in the near future.
That Bearcat is looking great! 

[zenrat]

Thanks Womby.  I could have looked that up myself if I wasn't bone idle.

DFZ - thank you.  You should try a biplane.  It's character building (and you might come up with some new swear words).  Thisarvo I started riggings the sides of the bowsprit.  There are three lines per side.  I did one side.

[DogfighterZen]

Yup, i believe you, new swear words are easy to come to mind under stress and i'm pretty sure that's how i'd be trying to do some rigging. Tiny PE parts also have that effect on me...

[scooter]

Yup, i believe you, new swear words are easy to come to mind under stress

Summers were always "educational" growing up.  My father had his garage out of ours, and the house didn't have a/c, so all the windows were open.

[DogfighterZen]

Yup, i believe you, new swear words are easy to come to mind under stress

Summers were always "educational" growing up.  My father had his garage out of ours, and the house didn't have a/c, so all the windows were open.

A father's job is to pass on the knowledge to his children, even when he's unaware that he's doing so.

[kerick]

Yup, i believe you, new swear words are easy to come to mind under stress

Summers were always "educational" growing up.  My father had his garage out of ours, and the house didn't have a/c, so all the windows were open.

A father's job is to pass on the knowledge to his children, even when he's unaware that he's doing so.

So true!!

[NARSES2]

Yup, i believe you, new swear words are easy to come to mind under stress

Summers were always "educational" growing up.  My father had his garage out of ours, and the house didn't have a/c, so all the windows were open.

The best one is when your dad uses another completely innocuous word to replace the swear word when in range of his kids and those kids grow up thinking (knowing) it's a swear word. Gets some strange reactions in latter life I can assure you 

[zenrat]

My father never swears.  Worst I have heard pass his lips is "sh1t" when hitting the back of another car in traffic.

Me on the other hand...

[NARSES2]

Dad very seldom swore in front of me, if I'm honest I can't actually remember an occasion outside of a sporting event. My generation unfortunately is/was a bit different. I blame those market traders I used to drink with