SPA Modeler

I think the rib detail on the Meng kit is rather overstated. Although I wasn't building Fokkers in WW I, I have done a fair bit of dope and fabric work. Here is a page from the subject from the book I used in A & P school, and a cross section drawing I made this morning of a rib. It is an exploded view, but I have kept the relative thicknesses as close as I could. The Seine knots are usually drawn down below the wing surface after they have been tightened so they don't often show, just the cord. On a really nice covering job like is often seen on an airplane like a Staggerwing, you would be hard pressed to see any of this detail, but it will certainly be obvious on your average Stearman crop duster.

Thanks, Brent. Thanks, Tom. I’ll post more details about using the clippers when I use them, Tom. Promise. Thanks, Carlos. I may rethink this and graft Eduard wings to the central piece of the Aurora kit. Maybe. Let’s see how the Eduard wings scale out with the other wings. If I do this I may be sealing up the central piece to remove any gaps.

John! That is brilliant. I think without any question I will use the Eduard wings grafted to the center Aurora support. I cannot thank you enough.

Alright alright alright





After meeting my accountant I came home and did a thing on my kitchen table.

I kinda liked what you did with the wings. It may not have been perfect but it was your idea and you executed it pretty well. Maybe a few coats of thickish primer would help lessen the elevation differences between the copper and plastic. It seems strange to use Eduard parts on a vintage Aurora model. Because it leads me to the question, "Why not build the Eduard kit instead?" Not meant as a criticism but support for the work you did on the Aurora wing.

Hi John,

Thank you for your input! I bought the Overtrees "cheap as chips" on eBay. I paid less for these sprues than I did for the SMER kit. The idea was to hold these in reserve if any part in the Aurora kit design was an absolute failure. I own at least one version of Eduard's Fokker Dr.1, I think I actually own both "Weekend" and "Profipack" editions. I bought these after seeing Kari build an "au natural" Weekender (no paint, just glued together).

Why build a classic kit with donor parts? I think the answer is that practically everyone could build the Eduard kit, and many could build it better than I, so why not build from the Aurora/SMER and enjoy building something that means something to me? It brings me close to that night in the hobby shop with my dad and the decision to buy a Sopwith Camel and not a Fokker Dr.1 and I miss my Dad. For what it is worth, I am sure my Dad would agree with you about building the Eduard kit, but building is not the only point here.

The Tempest Mk. V Series II build from the 1/32 PCM kit is going to be, I believe, much more sensible than this one. The Fokker has a personal response. The Tempest is pure historical.

I always appreciate your kind words and love your way of showing process in your own work and through helping others.

All the best.

Sounds like a good enough reason for a build to me Bruce, and great work on thus far.

Cheers, mate. I hope my words were not offensive or defensive. My Dad would say, “Follow your heart and do no harm.” This project is about following the heart, not the head.

Patio table, Los Angeles, 2021

Yay... the kazoo got one set of wings on! That looks fabulous!

No offense taken here. Just expressing support for the work you did on the Aurora wings.

Thanks, Tom! Thanks, John! Sincerely appreciated and understood!

Today, it was back to work on the Camel.

First priority, clean up the seam gap on top of the fuselage



Add some strip styrene shims



sand smooth and paint...



I also test fitted the cowling and guns... more in a couple of days