Bavarian Pfalz E.I
First step to make a cushion.
This was my very first attempt to solder PE.
As you can see, it's NOT straight forward, but even if the seam isn't perfect and there's a bit of solder t be removed, I'm (kinda) happy with the result.
But the proof is in the pudding, the second solder got quite wrong...
I was sooooo nervous concerning the soldering itself that I didn't think to align the seam with the sight! Plus, the rear PE part got so full of solder that it's totally ruined...
Cushion done.
Cockpit painting.
Painting the cockpit.
I'm still looking for "my way" of doing wood...
Some assembled stuff.
This WILL become the new MG 08! At the moment I take this picture, I'm just trembling from the thought, but I'll get there... or will I?
Don't get my wires crossed. 😉
The wires on the bottom plate are simply blackened with a graphite pencil.
The wires on the bottom plate are simply blackened with a graphite pencil.
Final versions of the sub-assemblies of the cockpit.
Some very fiddly bits to be placed here. This takes time.
I told you, I'd get it done!
(The thing is, the "sleeve" is quite delicate and I managed to squish it while handling it... It is far from perfectly cylindrical now...) Who's all thumbs? 👍 ME 👍
(The thing is, the "sleeve" is quite delicate and I managed to squish it while handling it... It is far from perfectly cylindrical now...) Who's all thumbs? 👍 ME 👍
Finished cockpit 1.
Do I detect some warping on the left hand side? Botheration!
Do I detect some warping on the left hand side? Botheration!
Finished cockpit 2.
For a first time doing it like that, I'm reasonably happy.
For a first time doing it like that, I'm reasonably happy.
The pieces for the next steps are prepared and painted.
This should have been and OOB build, but I already used an aftermarket MG and the wooden propeller is ordered. Should I get a better engine? Choices, so many choices. 😉
This should have been and OOB build, but I already used an aftermarket MG and the wooden propeller is ordered. Should I get a better engine? Choices, so many choices. 😉
This is the state of the project right now.
Meet the pilot.
To carve a 0.3 mm large slot 8 mm deep into a forked plastic piece. Then to place PE and 0.5mm tubing. Delicate is the word.
Added flanges.
This really is a kit in a kit. I'm in love!
The whole thing has been engineered in a very nice way. Small Stuff rules!
First steps.
All 7 in place.
Quite a lot to paint right now.
After month of waiting: Honey, I'm home!
Engine prepped for base coat.
Engine prepped for base coat.
And base coat applied.
Here we go! Step 5. This is a real pleasure. Small Stuff makes perfect engines!
Preparing step 6
Step 6 done.
Preparing step 7
That was the hardest part of the build, especially if, like me, you have sausage fingers and a slight tremor...
NOT perfect, but I really couldn't do much better.
NOT perfect, but I really couldn't do much better.
It still looks quite good, I think.
Finished build OOB. I still need to cut at least one rod a bit shorter and put the leads to the plugs...
So, there was quite a bit of trepidation on my part: The engine is larger in diameter than the kit's one, so I needed to let the mighty Dremel play. I was really nervous about ruining the whole piece! Got it on the first try. Happy!
When I tried to put the cockpit into the two fuselage halves, it whent boom! Most of the cockpit assembly desintegrated...
So, I'm rebuilding the cockpit inside the fuselage.
Rebuilding the cockpit inside the fuselage bring other problems: the cockpit baseplate is too large, parts or the wooden frame sticks out of the front, whatever I do, some piece is going to come off and fall prey to the carpet monster...
This build is a big challenge for a relative newbie like me. And I actually wanted to start with a monoplane, thinking that the rigging would be simpler...
I starting to hate this one. 👎
This build is a big challenge for a relative newbie like me. And I actually wanted to start with a monoplane, thinking that the rigging would be simpler...
I starting to hate this one. 👎
State of the project except cockpit in other half of the fuselage.
Kommentit
22 9 August 2020, 09:42
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Any hints on how to solder PE?
I kinda need some newbie pointers...😉
Any hints on how to solder PE?
I kinda need some newbie pointers...😉
16 August 2020, 21:34
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
See, that's one of the things I like the most here on Scalemates: there's always a mate with a helping hand...
See, that's one of the things I like the most here on Scalemates: there's always a mate with a helping hand...
16 August 2020, 21:45
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
@Roland Gunslinger: And the "best" thing is that I'm quite certain that I've seen this video some time ago... and forgot all about it! So thanks again!
@Roland Gunslinger: And the "best" thing is that I'm quite certain that I've seen this video some time ago... and forgot all about it! So thanks again!
17 August 2020, 07:03
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
I decided not to learn on an actual build, CA glue it is right now!
But I'll try my luck with discarded PE bits and pieces first.
In the mean time, I'm continuing to build my Pfalz E.I.
I decided not to learn on an actual build, CA glue it is right now!
But I'll try my luck with discarded PE bits and pieces first.
In the mean time, I'm continuing to build my Pfalz E.I.
16 October 2020, 13:17
JW
I'm following along. Hopefully I can start the same project in a month or so. I'll trust you to point out all the danger areas and keep me out of trouble later.
I'm following along. Hopefully I can start the same project in a month or so. I'll trust you to point out all the danger areas and keep me out of trouble later.
24 October 2020, 17:21
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Yes, I saw your project...
I managed to thoroughly frag up the cowling (the paint pooled at the two corners, although I sprayed at very low pressure) and the engine (the pushrods you are meant to make from stretched sprue, don't even ask!) and I'm waiting for a (better) engine from Small Stuff.
Right now, I'm trying to strip the paint from the cowling in a sodium hydroxide solution, but the newish Vallejo Model Air paints are more resistant than earlier ones.
In the mean time, I managed to advance on another project:
But, where are you going? The Krauts are over there! (WIP) | Album by petitbilbo (1:35)
Yes, I saw your project...
I managed to thoroughly frag up the cowling (the paint pooled at the two corners, although I sprayed at very low pressure) and the engine (the pushrods you are meant to make from stretched sprue, don't even ask!) and I'm waiting for a (better) engine from Small Stuff.
Right now, I'm trying to strip the paint from the cowling in a sodium hydroxide solution, but the newish Vallejo Model Air paints are more resistant than earlier ones.
In the mean time, I managed to advance on another project:
But, where are you going? The Krauts are over there! (WIP) | Album by petitbilbo (1:35)
24 October 2020, 21:17
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Why do I have the biggest problems while painting the cowling? Whatever I do, the paint will pool at the bottom tips... It's quite disconcerting...
Why do I have the biggest problems while painting the cowling? Whatever I do, the paint will pool at the bottom tips... It's quite disconcerting...
1 November 2020, 13:31
JW
Primer then multiple VERY light coats of paint with time to dry between each coat? Good luck.
Primer then multiple VERY light coats of paint with time to dry between each coat? Good luck.
7 November 2020, 13:23
Daniel Klink
Unluckily in 1/72 nearly not practicable the soldering method with Pe Parts.
Most of them are simply too small
Unluckily in 1/72 nearly not practicable the soldering method with Pe Parts.
Most of them are simply too small
7 November 2020, 15:26
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Isn't it always like that? Painting a car engine and closing the hood... 😉
Isn't it always like that? Painting a car engine and closing the hood... 😉
13 November 2020, 10:56
JW
Glad to see you working on the Pfalz again and look forward to seeing your Oberursel U.0 completed. You'll have to do some thinning on the cowling to get the motor in.
Glad to see you working on the Pfalz again and look forward to seeing your Oberursel U.0 completed. You'll have to do some thinning on the cowling to get the motor in.
26 February 2021, 15:49
JW
A Dremel tool and a light. When the parts are thin the light will shine through more. I almost cut through in a spot or two so be careful!!!
A Dremel tool and a light. When the parts are thin the light will shine through more. I almost cut through in a spot or two so be careful!!!
27 February 2021, 02:16
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Whow! I was able to work a bit on the engine today, managing to place the plugs into the cylinders. The more I work with Small Stuff engines, the more I like them.
Whow! I was able to work a bit on the engine today, managing to place the plugs into the cylinders. The more I work with Small Stuff engines, the more I like them.
20 March 2021, 18:08
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Looks like my workbench will be freed in the next few days. Eager beaver here...
Looks like my workbench will be freed in the next few days. Eager beaver here...
21 March 2021, 11:56
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Workbench and tools are back for me to use. Resuming work on the the Pfalz.
About time! 😉
This is (a small part of) what my wife has been using my bench for What I do when I'm not building kits... | Album by petitbilbo
Her new hobby: restoring old furniture
(I'm responsible for the leather work.)
Workbench and tools are back for me to use. Resuming work on the the Pfalz.
About time! 😉
This is (a small part of) what my wife has been using my bench for What I do when I'm not building kits... | Album by petitbilbo
Her new hobby: restoring old furniture
(I'm responsible for the leather work.)
18 April 2021, 16:46
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
Engine is (almost) finished. I really like the engines from Small Stuff!
Engine is (almost) finished. I really like the engines from Small Stuff!
19 April 2021, 18:25
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
I started working on this kit again. The engine cowling was a bit tricky, but I got it in the end.
I started working on this kit again. The engine cowling was a bit tricky, but I got it in the end.
17 June 2021, 17:06
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
I'm having some rather big trouble with the cockpit... It almost completely disintegrated when I tried to put it into the two fuselage halves and the fuselage itself seems to be a bit on the narrow side.
I'm rebuilding the cockpit while it's base is already in the first fuselage halve.
Hope it helps.
I'm having some rather big trouble with the cockpit... It almost completely disintegrated when I tried to put it into the two fuselage halves and the fuselage itself seems to be a bit on the narrow side.
I'm rebuilding the cockpit while it's base is already in the first fuselage halve.
Hope it helps.
20 June 2021, 19:58
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
This is getting a bit frustrating. I feel like every step I take to remedy one problem is creating two more.
Learning curve?!
This is getting a bit frustrating. I feel like every step I take to remedy one problem is creating two more.
Learning curve?!
27 June 2021, 08:50
JW
On that kit I had to sand down the bottom and sides of the wood framework and thin the sides and bottom of the fuselage halves a bit but I don't remember it being too extreme. I'll have to thin the fuselage out when I start the Special Hobby 2-seater Nieuport.
On that kit I had to sand down the bottom and sides of the wood framework and thin the sides and bottom of the fuselage halves a bit but I don't remember it being too extreme. I'll have to thin the fuselage out when I start the Special Hobby 2-seater Nieuport.
27 June 2021, 19:47
Antonio De Girolamo
Beautiful work so far on this E1, I have the same kit... Yours is a source of inspiration!
Beautiful work so far on this E1, I have the same kit... Yours is a source of inspiration!
7 July 2021, 11:05
René "Lord Bilbo" Bartholemy
I have to admit that I'm a bit frustrated with this kit so far.
Ever getting the feeling that you got stuck at a certain point?
Well, this is where I am right now: the cockpit seems too big for the fuselage (or the fuselage is too small to host the cockpit), the base-plate of the cockpit doesn't conform to either the cockpit walls or to the fuselage halves, whenever I try to get a step forward, the thing (almost literally) explodes in my sausage fingers... And the worst part is: the fuselage's turtle deck is larger than the fuselage itself.
As if the two fuselage halves have been "cut" too narrowly. It could need a shim...
Oh, the joys of scale modeling! 😉
I have to admit that I'm a bit frustrated with this kit so far.
Ever getting the feeling that you got stuck at a certain point?
Well, this is where I am right now: the cockpit seems too big for the fuselage (or the fuselage is too small to host the cockpit), the base-plate of the cockpit doesn't conform to either the cockpit walls or to the fuselage halves, whenever I try to get a step forward, the thing (almost literally) explodes in my sausage fingers... And the worst part is: the fuselage's turtle deck is larger than the fuselage itself.
As if the two fuselage halves have been "cut" too narrowly. It could need a shim...
Oh, the joys of scale modeling! 😉
7 July 2021, 12:24