De Havilland DH 2

Peppy
One from the waybackmachine
So very cool Bruce.

Bruce Huxtable
Thanks, Peppy. I have a Spad SA4 in my stash, equally unusual.

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks for your 'likes', everyone. I picked this kit up second hand at an IPNS exhibition and swap meet that was open to the public. I was delighted that the box contained two kits!

Bruce Huxtable
I must re-visit this, and make some little improvements..... the camera 'sees' more than my eyes 😉

Bruce Huxtable
Rigging is underway...keep you fingers crossed that my hands stay stready!

Alex K
Vastly improved indeed! 👍 👍

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks, Alex. It is proving to be a very satisfying day's activity (almost wrote 'work'…) Quite a few others on the shelf, just crying out for similar treatment......

Robert Podkoński
Cool!

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks, Robert. I've been putting off this tricky new skill..... So many others in the queue now!

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks for all your 'likes', everyone.

John Hughes
Wow, Bruce. That must have been like knitting spaghetti!

Bruce Huxtable
Methodically starting with the easiest ones, trying to get the lengths just right, and giving the CA glue time to set. Definitely not as bad as I feared, so the next should go better 🙂

Alan Kingston
Wow, amazing job. I don't think I'll be building a biplane anytime soon.

Bruce Huxtable
Don't be put off, Alan. Even the simpler ones are fun, and good experience. Enjoy trying new challenges!

Ludvík Kružík
Bruce, your DH-2 looks very good with the equipment.

The answer to your question (whether to paint the rigging) is yes. Actually, it was thin steel cables. I use a "metallic" paint to paint the rigging - dark iron.

You really have to have a lot of patience. It takes a lot of work to make the rigging on models in this scale from stretched sprues. Stretched sprues are quite fragile and easily damaged.

I would recommend elastic rigging thread. It comes in different diameters for modelers (I would go with the smallest diameter possible for your 1/72 scale models) and in different colors. There is no problem with the colour of the thread though, the thread can be easily dyed. The fiber is bonded with CA glue and is easy to work with. Due to the elasticity of the fiber, the finished rigging are beautifully stretched and also resistant to damage.

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks for your feedback, guidance and advice, Ludvík. I'll look into that, and give it a go. There are a few naked models waiting in the queue!

Bas Tonn
This more like a kite with a man and a machinegun than a plane... well done !!

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks, Bas Tonn. Yes, it does look very fragile. It must have been quite an experience to fly one!

Bruce Huxtable
Many thanks for your likes and feed-back, everyone. It's all much appreciated.

Ludvík Kružík
Bruce, I wish you a good time building more models with rigging!

I build 1:48 scale models. I use 0.14 mm fishing line for the rigging. This is another way to make rigging on a model, but this method is more suitable for larger scales (1:48, 1:32 ...)
For inspiration I send a link to one of my models with rigging: Roland D.VIb Czech Air Force | Album by KLuK (1:48)
(If you are interested you can find more models with rigging in my profile. )

Bruce Huxtable
Wow! Inspiring work for sure, Ludvik! I believe that Eduard have PE for cable fittings, for use with rigging at 1:72. I'm not sure if would I dare try that, as I have enough trouble threading a needle!! I will definitely be adding rigging to several more of my biplane models. The Anatras Anasal is waiting patiently (gathering dust, like the one in the Prague Technology Museum).