beeza1

Very nice looking model Mike, well done. Des.

Sorry for taking so long to add more photos but I had a few health issues which stopped me modelling for a few days. Here are some photos of what I have done so far. Most of the cockpit has been completed, still need to add seat belt and a bit of weathering. I made four new instruments to replace the kit ones. The engine and seat are only sitting loose for photo purposes. I will add more photos as I progress through this build. Cheers Des.

Very nice build, most impressive. All I need to know now is Quick Shine available in Australia? Cheers Des.

Hi rich The first two photos are linked to the Aerodrome forum...the second posting is linked to Kitmaker network. I have never had any problems in the past with these two sites and linking images. I first tried to link to Photobucket but this site would not allow the images, why I don't know, same size, same photo, same everything?????? Cheers Des.

Hi Rich Sorry you can't see the photos, they show up perfect on my screen. Cheers Des.

Dug up these two old photos, thought you may like to see them. The first plane is an Armstrong Whitworth FK10 Quadruplane. Apparently it proved not particulary successful as a two-seater fighter reconnaissance aircraft. It first appeared in 1916. This second photo is of an Austin A.F.T.3 Ospray triplane. The Austin motor company pinned it's hopes on this aircraft in 1917 but it proved to be only an experiment. Biplanes were by then too well established. They are not high quality photos but I think they are clear enough to show most of the detail. Cheers Des. I've re-posted the images to help those who are having trouble seeing them.

Hi Tiger2 The LVG makes up to be a beautiful model, I completed mine a short time ago, it's in ready for inspection if you would like to see it. From all reports the FE2b and the Gotha will not be released until sometime 2010. I'm waiting for the RE8 which should be out very soon. At the moment I am working on the Junkers, this also is a very impressive kit, should keep me busy for a long time The recession has hit most people but the money you spend on these kits will be money very well spent. Good luck with your purchases and happy building. Des.

Hi Tiger 2. I have the LVG, the Bristol and the Junkers. The box size for each is 370mm x 240mm x 70mm. The junkers kit is large, it fills the box completely. All kits are beautifully packed, there was no damage what so ever to any of my kits. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the next batch of kits, hopefully before Christmas. Cheers Des.

I did some more work tonight, magneto is on with the leads, valve springs and rocker gear has been repainted.

I have just begun the Wingnuts Junkers and thought you might like to see what I have done to the Benz BZ4 engine. I added valve springs, rocker arm supports, push rods, additional plumbing, throttle linkage, plug leads and plug lead conduit. Still to add is the megneto with leads. I now have to turn it over and do the other side of the engine. I will be leaving the engine cowling open on this built to show off the engine. Des.

Very nice...I love the paint scheme.....well done. Des.

Very nice build Geoff, I like the overall paint job, looks impressive. Des.

Beautiful looking model, very well done. If there is a mistake I can't notice it, but with such a nice looking model who cares. Des.

Hi Mike. To achieve the wood grain effect I first sprayed the fuselage with Humbrol oak, once dry, about two days, I then sponged over the entire fuselage with oil paint (artist oils) working in a fore/aft direction, I used Burnt Sienna but you can use what colour best suits your build. I then used a stiff brush about 6mm wide and lightly brushed over the oil creating grain effect, after each stroke wipe the brush, the more you go over it the lighter the colour will become. Remember that each panel had the grain running in an alternate direction. I wiggle the brush slightly in certain areas to give a wavy grain effect, looks a bit better then dead straight grain pattern. Once you have attained the desired look let it dry thoroughly, at least 4 days, then overcoat with a clear of your choice. Inside the cockpit was done the same way. You can thin the oils a little if required. Thanks to all who have left comments and also thanks to all those who have looked at my pictures. Cheers Des.

Thanks guys for your kind comments. Iain - Rigging may appear daunting but it is not as hard as it looks, give it a go, you will be well rewarded. Cheers Des.

Hi Eric Thank you for your flattering comments, it gives me the motivation to continue modelling. I have a lot of aircraft reference material, I've been collecting aeroplane books ever since I was a youngster. I obtained most of my information on the DH-2 from those books, anything else I needed I browsed the web and found an enormous amount of data. Good photos or technical drawings are a real asset, I found so much detail in some photos, much of the detail not included with the kit. Depending on your modelling skills the amount of detail you can add is endless, my old eyes and hands only allowed me to do what you see in my photos. Good luck with your build, I hope you get as much enjoyment from it as what I did. Cheers Des.

Thanks Rick....For the rigging I used 0.17mm monofilament (fishing line) in Chameleon colour. All rigging was fixed using very runny CA glue. Thanks guys for all your comments. Cheers Des.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. Dr Dave, the prop tips are painted with gold leaf, I bought it from my local hardware shop. I am only very new to this site so I am not sure where Large Scale Planes are, I would be only too happy to post my pictures there. Thank you for your nice comments. Des

Beautiful build, I really like the engine detail, very well done. Des.

Very impressive build Shaun. cheers Des.

That is one awesome looking aeroplane, love the paint work, the yellow/black stripes really stand out. Looking forward to seeing more of your work. Des.

Thanks Bob for helping out. (we all need help every now and then) I used Tims guide to rig my DH-2. it certainly simplified matters for me. Cheers Des.

Hi Kickstart. If you contact bobs.buckles@gmail.com and ask him to email you a rigging plan for the de Havilland DH-2 he will gladly do that for you. The plan is excellent, very well detailed, it is computer generated by Tim West. I'm sure it will answer all your rigging questions. Cheers Des.

It took a lot of work but I finally finished this model. I added a lot of detail that is not included with the kit but at the moment there are no after market PE sets for this kit. This is not one of Roden's better kits but it still makes up to be a good looking model.

Thanks very much guys for all your nice words, it gives me such a nice feeling to know other people appreciate what I have done. Cheers everyone Des.