Page 10 of 15
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 9:20 pm
by speedgraflex
WEEK 2 PROGRESS
So there's a very rudimentary instrument panel - literally a maker's badge in the center with the altemeter on the right - which I still need to finesse and add into the cockpit along with the control stick itself. There's a glass builb on the left to serve as the oil gauge.
Not sure what the gauge slightly below the ip on the right could be. Airspeed? Any ideas?
Note to Tom: that's AK's "Black Bobbin" Thread that I'm using for the interior sections.
I may expand out to the rest of the rigging with that same size - although I also have same Albion Alloy treated rod in 0.2mm or 0.3mm which I may use for the tail section rigging.
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 10:15 pm
by Stikpusher
Yes the gauge on the right below the IP is an airspeed indicator. The word “knots” is on that instrument in the center.
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2026 11:10 pm
by speedgraflex
Thank you so much, Carlos! Knots!!!!! English? I am starting to suspect your Second Rule is coming into play. This photo is from the Vintage Aviator and the aircraft is one of two that were built to plans in 1952. I have not found a period photo that depicts the instrument panel, but the arrangement appears to be accurate enough for what I'm doing at the moment. And one reason WWI aircraft are so fascinating, too, is the lack of comprehensive photographs available. Maybe there's an aircraft profile book on the subject, I don't know. Or wait. Maybe CSM just released a kit.
Whoa I'm beginning to wonder if the Nie. 11 even had that type of panel I just glanced at Copper State Models and they have kept the area open which is how it is on the builder photograph you posted!
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 3:08 am
by KSaarni
Interesting Bruce!
You have once again started another fascinating project. I do admire your deep attention to detail and how you research and compare things.
And it’s clear (for all us), that for you, it’s not the destination that matters... but the journey there!
I do follow this, it also inspires me to perhaps in near future start a bi-plane project.
- Kari
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 4:41 am
by Bolleken
Looks good so far! Exciting choice and subject Bruce!
Following your Build In Progress! (Always great to see your work).
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:21 am
by Stuart
Phew! Just caught up with this thread Bruce, I have to say I think attempt number 3 on the cockpit looks excellent - looking forward to seeing it under some paint.
That IP is a bit sparse!
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 2:43 pm
by speedgraflex
KSaarni wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 3:08 am
Interesting Bruce!
You have once again started another fascinating project. I do admire your deep attention to detail and how you research and compare things.
And it’s clear (for all us), that for you, it’s not the destination that matters... but the journey there!
I do follow this, it also inspires me to perhaps in near future start a bi-plane project.
- Kari
Happy New Year, Kari! I am sending you in particular my very best wish for a healthy, pain free and productive New Year.
You’re right; I most appreciate the opportunity to understand the mechanics of the past, and in a way that 2D surface modeling cannot. I am excited to start taking some part time 3D sculpting classes this year, but nothing beats cutting and gluing nor do I think any computer generated program ever will; however it’s the times and timing. Right now I’m working on a series of graphic novels that are entirely hand drawn, which could be my very last project as an artist that is done entirely without computer assistance.
I love the subject of WWI aircraft so much and would love to make many more aircraft. As I work on this project, I think of the Wingnut Wings and Copper State Models versions as the targets to hit.
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 2:48 pm
by speedgraflex
Bolleken wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 4:41 am
Looks good so far! Exciting choice and subject Bruce!
Following your Build In Progress! (Always great to see your work).
Happy New Year, Marius! My great new year wish for you my friend is for more bench time. I have been privileged to follow your creative career! It’s been quite a wild ride for you this past year, but I know you will succeed in choosing the best solution for the challenge we all must face—to make time. How is that possible? I wish there was a device that would add time to various moments of the day but I also need a device that keeps me alert and in the moment, too. When I started building this kit I was very nervous because my skills were so poor, but working and reworking again and again builds confidence!
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 2:55 pm
by speedgraflex
Stuart wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 11:21 am
Phew! Just caught up with this thread Bruce, I have to say I think attempt number 3 on the cockpit looks excellent - looking forward to seeing it under some paint.
That IP is a bit sparse!
Happy New Year, Stuart! I think the sparseness is why the American who built two full size versions in the 1950s made a dashboard instead of just hanging the gauges on wire off to the right side, and the oil level gauge hanging to the left. The trade off would be weight savings and cockpit space. The control stick doesn’t really fit into the design of the replica version. It’s partly covered by the drape of the wood, and in the Eduard version I have there are several mistakes—wrong floor supports, wrong instrument panel, and of course everything is made narrow due to the thick plastic sides. I’m trying to avoid getting stuck here, so I’ve attempted to update and refine the basics.
Re: 1/48 Eduard Nie.11 N1135 by SPEEDGRAFLEX
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2026 4:49 pm
by Stuart
I think that the best approach Bruce - improve what is there. Sometimes I think just the 'appearance' of detail is good enough, rather than too much detail. On an aircraft like this, once the fuselage is together and the top wing on, I suspect little if the cockpit will be visible anyway.