Brandy Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 (edited) I finally finished this one today. The type really should be better known, as it pre-dated Curtiss designs and was copied by the Austro-Hungarian designers, who were in turn copied by Macchi among others. The common features on this, the early Lohners, and the Macchi series, not to mention the FBA boats developed directly from the original Donnet designs, are readily apparent. Designed in 1912 by Frenchman François-Victor Denhaut and Swiss Jérôme Donnet, the Austro-Hungarian Navy bought 4, (numbers 8 & 12 - Type Cs, and numbers 10 & 11 - Type As) which it promptly copied, building 4 more. 3 more copies followed later, they liked them so much! The aircaft depicted, number 10, was a Type A which had wing-warping, and entered service on 4th January 1913. Originally, the only markings carried where the red-white-red on the rudder and a black number 10, also on the rudder. The white "10" on the nose and the Austrian Coat-of-Arms on the tail were added per an order dated 2nd May 1913. From November 1913 a letter was added to the number on the nose. (Sources: French Aircraft of the First World War, Davilla & Soltan; Seaplanes of Bocche, Ciglic). This photo (found online) would therefore date to between late May, and November, 1913. Interesting to note is that it appears to have stagger wires in the outer bay, no actuator for the wing warping on the rear cockpit, and pulleys for an aileron return cable on the upper wing, so it looks as though it was converted to ailerons at some point. This is how I've modeled it. It was based at Pola (now Pula, Croatia), and flown by, among others, Linienschiffleutnant Heinrich Huss, one of the first party of k.u.k. Kriegsmarine officers sent for flight training in Wiener Neustadt in 1911, and who passed away in Nuremburg on 7th September 1959. The kit is the Libramodels vacform, which is sold as an FBA Leveque, although that is not correct. The wings were shortened and the fuselage heavily modified with Miliput and a 6" half-round file! Interior, all struts, and tail surfaces are scratchbuilt, the engine is SmallStuff, and the prop was stolen from an Eduard DH2 kit and modified. Painted with Misterkit, Tamiya, and Modelmaster acrylics, including the wood effects. Build log is here. I hope you like her! Ian Edited November 29, 2017 by limeypilot 38 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Very nice work on a very rare subject 👍 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Wow! I mean wow. What a work of art. Do I like her? Really it's exactly that. Art. It's exquisite. It would grace any collection. What's your price? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeaton01 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Simply exquisite! Great details. I do think the Curtiss F Boat is better looking and I wish you would do one and show it to us! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamB Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Lovely build of an esoteric and important aircraft. Not one that WNW will touch! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winenut Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 That really is a beautiful work of art. Wow that rigging too....very impressive Cheers Bruce 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Courageous Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 A very neat and tidy aircraft that I nothing about. As per usual, you rigging is exemplary. A Ian...what's next? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Great looking model. Rigging looks fantastic. Cannot believe its 1/72. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 It is unforgivable that I've not already praised this build. It is wonderful, and it is 1/72! What could be better! Nice work, no... very nice work!! Martin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Fantastic!! Keith 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polo1112 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 A fascinating flying boat ! I didn't know it at all. Fantastic work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martslay Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Very good! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glatisant Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 As good as it gets. Superb. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerrardandrews Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Really great looking kit 😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookenbacher Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 A truly elegant build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 That is a true jewel! Very brillant modelling. Congrats! J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reini78 Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 gorgous job, 1/72, vacform and that amount of rigging, congrats !! I wish there would be some Austro-Hungarian flying boats in injected 1/48 form.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ c Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Amazing job, really nice work 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Modelling of the highest order! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBaron Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 One of the finest things that I've seen you build Ian. Tony 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 Wow, I guess you do like her! I'm humbled! Many, many, thanks to you all for such positive feedback, it does mean a lot. I have to say this is also one of my favourite builds, tricky at times, but well worth the effort, and some of the processes I used will come in useful on the next project. It's back to the Ilya Muromets for another stint on that one now. At least I know that the control cable rigging on that is doable as it will be the same technique used here, albeit with a lot more wires involved! Thanks again everyone! Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 On 11/28/2017 at 11:16 PM, jeaton01 said: Simply exquisite! Great details. I do think the Curtiss F Boat is better looking and I wish you would do one and show it to us! I just ordered the Omega resin one! (Along with a Farman HF20, I really want to do a Belgian one of those!) On 11/29/2017 at 2:41 AM, Courageous said: A very neat and tidy aircraft that I nothing about. As per usual, you rigging is exemplary. A Ian...what's next? Thanks! Back to the Ilya Muromets for another stint, although there may be further detours..... Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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