Wonker

Afternoon all, I have been searching around for ways of setting the correct angle stagger when making biplanes. I know there are jigs available to buy but I was looking for something cheap and cheerful that I could make when I came across this: http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/biplanejigcb_1.htm Now I mean no offence to the person who created it (may even be a member on here?) as I am probably just being a bit thick but I don't get out it works when it comes to setting the correct angle. As you can see from the photos due to the obvious stagger the top wing must be set forward of the bottom wing; and the top wing is touching the little red brick at point 'C', therefore the bottom wing must be back away from the brick by some distance. The point is surely you have to know how far back (or how big the gap must be) before blu-tacking the plane down and adding the struts etc? So some other method must be employed to get the correct angle? Please don't get me wrong I am not saying that I want to make this jig, it's just doing my nut in that I can't see how it works. Do you all get it and am I just the confused one? Cheers Wonker

A beautiful example mate, you've done a tremendous job.

Amazing stuff mate.

This was he kit I did when I was slightly more clueless than I am now as seen here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=77673 Your pilot looks good to me mate, the only advice I can give is don't make the same mistake I did by putting the wheels on the wrong way around Cheers Wonker

Thanks for the tip mate, I'll put away the paper towels and make room in the airing cupboard. Cheers Wonker

That's a thing of beauty mate. You've done a tremendous job.

Cheers mate, I've already primed the small bits on the sprue with the Hycote and everything seems to be fine, obviously I'll know more when I actually get around to painting them. Thanks Wonker

Afternoon mate, I am very new to all this and had the same type of concerns as this post wil show: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76742 My next build will be a 1:72 Tiger Moth (it's tiny). I have removed the 'bigger' bits as I will prime them when partially competed (after filling and sanding) but the little bits I have primed whilst still on the sprue and this is the method I will always adopt. Cheers Wonker

Looks great fella, do you have any more pics from different angles? Completely up to you about the weathering but if you're happy as it is then just leave it. Cheers Wonker

Cracking stuff. I will try to do them in those colours. Trainer in the Sidcot suit and student in white overalls. I'm not the best with colours though so do you know the actual colours for those 2 pilots then I can try to match them up with the Humbrol enamels I have (or even better does anybody know the Humbrol enamel colours I need ) Many thanks Wonker

Big fan of B5 back in 'the day' and just watched them all again one of the Sky channels (watch?) so looking forward to seeing this completed model. Cheers Wonker

Thanks again for the advice but are there any pics available which would be able to help me. Cheers Wonker

Thanks fellas. Would both the pilots be wearing the same clothing though? Do you have any links to pictures of the type of clothing you have mentioned? Many thanks Wonker

Hello all, As I'm coming to the end of my 3rd ever build (P-40e Kittyhawk, airfix 1:72 starter kit) I am starting to think about my next build. I have decided that I want to have a go at a biplane so I've plumbed for this: From what I've read (and I've read a lot ), this is going to be more tricky than I thought. I have had a lot of advice from p-26luvr so a big thank you goes to him. I don't have any rigging plans but I think I must have copied over 100 pictures so hopefully that will be enough to get me through this tiny kit. The one thing that is still a grey area is the colour scheme for the 2 pilots (both of which, will have to have their arms filed down just to fit in the cockpit!). I take it one is a trainer and the other is a student so would they be dressed differently? Can anybody enlighten me with the colour scheme for these little fellas as the only thing I have to go on is the picture on the box! I have also seen loads of pictures with only one pilot at the back. Is it the norm to do this model with just one pilot or should I use both? Thanks for your help Wonker

There's nothing wrong with Wonker (as long as you are careful with your vowels ). It's been my nickname for over 30 years. I have a feeling that lots of my circle of friends don't even know my real name It was given to me by a teacher when I was 7 yrs old.

Well, my surname is 'Williams' so you can call me 'Willy' if you like.

I'm new to the site so not really qualified to give an informed opinion but I think what you have achieves so far is astonishing. Every day I log onto the site I click 'View New Posts' and hope to see this thread. Brilliant.

Excellent stuff young man, the paint job is better than I could do now

Looking good mate, can't wait to see the final product now.

Cheers mate

Afternoon all, I have just picked up a bottle of Quickshine from Lakeland in Cardiff and I am going to use it for the first time today. I am going to paint the whole model (1:72 Airfix Kittyhawk) to give it a Gloss coat before applying the decals. It comes in a squirty bottle so I am going to store some in a little plastic container I have found (I think it housed my son's sweets in a previous life ), My first question is does it need thinning first or can I just brush it straight on? How many coats is ideal before adding decals and how long do I have to wait in between coats. My 'plan' is 1. Apply one coat of Quickshine with a brush (not thinned) to the whole plane. 2. Wait an hour and apply a second coat. 3. Wait another hour (probably longer as I'm off out tonight) then apply the decals (I have also bought Micro sol and set to help with this) 4. Wait (no idea how long) and apply another coat of Quickshine. Does this sound right? Many thanks Wonker

Fair play, I'm overwhelmed by the amount of replies. I know I need practise and thinning paints (I have bought a load of Humbrol Enamels so I will use the white spirit I have in the garage) is top of my list As I have said I have almost finished the Airfix Kittyhawk starter set (using a combination of the Humbrol enamels and the dire little acrylic pots ), again it's not the best and the paint is too thick, I have used filler where the wings join the fuselage and I'm sure the wheels are on the right way around . I have bought 6mm Tamiya masking tape so my edges are better and I've even had an attempt at painting the 3 piece canopy! I used evo-stick pva wood glue to stick the canopy and it seems to have worked a treat. I am currently waiting to pick up some 'Quckshine' from Lakeland in Cardiff to Gloss it before I add the decals and I've got some Mico set and sol but I don't really know how to use these (sparingly I would imagine as the bottles are so small!). Also there is wire that comes from the tail to the 2 wings that I'll attempt to do and then there's the 'weathering' question, but I will be asking for all your advice on these things before I attempt them. After the Kittyhawk, I will be starting what I consider to be my first 'proper' job (using advice gained here, such as priming etc). The only thing is it's a biplane where the top wing sits further forward than the lower and all that rigging Cheers all Wonker

Aye, I knew they were. Can't believe I put the rear wheel on back to front...shocking

Thanks for the replies lads. Looks like I was having a 'senior' moment with the wheels; still, every day is a learning day.