SPA Modeler

Cockpit starts to be done.

I have used Eduards PE instrument panel, which looks really good.



especially compared to the plastic version


There were some steps carried out, before attaching all the pieces into the left fuselage half. However, those steps were never documented (some hassle with the PE belts for example, not ideal...), but below is the final result before wrapping up the fuselage halves.




Though, before the fuselage halves can be mated, I need to work with the Mercedes engine, would be too difficult afterwards squeeze it in.

* * * *

As a matter of fact, I have worked on an Eduard 1:48 Fokker D.VII before, it was in summer 2014.
Wouh, that is 12 years ago but luckily most of the pieces (if not all) and left-over sprues were nicely kept in an old shoe box. So I picked the Mercedes engine from there and rather quickly assembled it, adding some details.
Though, the details will not really be visible, so no worries about the added brass rod that is not really straight..
Not sure if I will re-do the engine or not. Will see




- Kari

Nice work!

Lovely progress Kari!

It looks great!

Beautiful work on both the cockpit and engine! This is going to be a fabulous looking build once completed.

Thank you all, very much appreciated!

- Kari

I have been thinking quite much of the ski construction, how to proceed.

While I have an idea or two how to make this happen, I thought I would still continue testing with the test ski.
The ski has four attachment points, where the stand comes.



Measuring carefully from the drawing above and scaling it down, the attachment point itself comes out to roughly 1x2 mm—quite small, in other words.


Using Tec7 CA glue, I carefully (which was everything but easy) positioned the 4 attachment points in their place. I was a little bit concerned, that the oilpaint layer would cause some issues, but eventually the small styrene pieces are cemented for good on the ski.


They are not really aligned but ok, good to know.


The next step is planning piece number 3, the stand.
For that, I need a flexible rod about 0,75 mm in diameter that can bend into a V shape, without breaking, for example this, a piece of coiled copper wire. Thickness, precisely the required 0,75 mm



But that will need to wait until next bench session.


- Kari

Really really interesting...

Thanks Stuart!

- Kari