pheonix Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Many of you will know that there will be a GB on flying boats later this year in which considerable interest has been expressed. Yours truly has signed up for a build but he is not sure what it will be yet other than a WW1 type scratch build in 1/72, but not this one. I have already attempted a couple of WW1 flying boats - they are not the better known types but that makes them all the more interesting for me. This was one I knew nothing about until Ninetythirdliberator (Dan Smith) published an excellent build log of the Formaplane vacuform on another specialist website. I have an aversion for vacuforms and anyway I think that scratch building is easier and more satisfying in the longer run, so I managed to get Dan to send me a copy of the plans and after a couple of months I had my own model. I would also like to thank IanB who very kindly donated the tail badges from the Pegasus set. Otherwise the model is plastic, home printed crosses except the nose, which was hand painted, rigged with 40 SWG copper wire. There is a build log on ww1aircraftmodels.com if you are interested: for a scratch build this was not difficult except for placing the top wing. The outer struts lean outwards and forwards at the same time so a simple jig had to be made to support them while they dried out. Amazing what paint pots will do when required! The fuselage was push moulded but the underside of the hull has a convex surface so this had to be moulded separately and added after the sides had been glued together. The wingspan is approximately 6 inches (15cm). The Phoenix Type A was a Hansa Brandenburg design (the W18) which was manufactured under licence for the Austro-Hungarian navy: one was supplied to the German navy but as German pilots preferred floatplanes rather than flying boats the type was not used by them. By contrast the Austro-Hungarian navy used flying boats in considerable numbers for the defence of port and other coastal installations, and for offensive operations and reconnaissance. The Phoenix Type A entered service in the summer of 1917 for the defence of Trieste, Pola, Kumbor and Parenzo (Porec) - all on the Adriatic Sea, where it was capable of holding its own against the Nieuport 11 being used by their Italian opponents. Machines were powered by either a 200hp or 230hp Heiro engine (the German machine was powered by a Benz III), and there were variations in the tail structures and radiators mounted on the top wing In 1918 these machines were generally withdrawn from front line service as their relatively limited range and lack of manoeuvrability meant that they were outclassed by the newer machines being employed by the Italians. Thanks for looking. P 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cngaero Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 Not an aeroplane I'm familiar with, but a lovely looking model. You've made a stunning job of the wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celt Posted April 29, 2017 Share Posted April 29, 2017 I like this very much,well tidy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Beautiful scratch-build. Some real modelling skills which are sadly missing from my repertoire. I think the Hansa-Brandenburg and Macchi flying boats are lovely looking aircraft and expertly rendered here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeR Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 I do like the marking system the k.u.k Kriegsmarine used on it's aircraft and I'm rather partial to flying boats and seaplanes too so I just have to like this! Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerrardandrews Posted April 30, 2017 Share Posted April 30, 2017 Fantastic looking model, one my favourite models of the month 😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain goat Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Beautiful work, and of a historically fascinating subject. Thank you for sharing. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share Posted May 1, 2017 Thank you gentlemen for your kind remarks which a much appreciated. When I can get myself better organised I will post some more scratch builds and conversions. I am transferring from Photobucket to Flickr which is the cause of the delays. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrzeM Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Excellent choice of subject and impressive execution! Congratulations. This is one of my favorite airplanes ever (along with Oeffag-Mickl H)!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 What a nice piece of wood, steel and fabric! Impressive result. J-W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandsaw Steve Posted May 1, 2017 Share Posted May 1, 2017 Hmmmm.... scratchbuilding biplanes. Great courage and skill on display here. 👍Very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Excellent little model, beautifully built and painted and the rigging looks just right. You are a brave man scratch-building these delicate aeroplanes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted May 2, 2017 Author Share Posted May 2, 2017 Thanks again gentlemen for the kind remarks. Scratch building biplanes is not as difficult as some assume - just a matter of measuring, bending and sanding plus a little patience. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epeeman Posted May 2, 2017 Share Posted May 2, 2017 Hello, Pheonix - Totally agree with others - true modelling skills on display here - if only it was as simple as you suggest!! Regards Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted May 3, 2017 Author Share Posted May 3, 2017 Thanks Dave. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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