1915 RNAS Short 184, Aeroclub, 1:72 - wings on!

[Brandy]

 

 

I think I've finally got the torpedo finished - provided I don't knock bits off again! The cradle on the framework is finished, and I finally managed, at the 3rd attempt, to get the release mechanism done. It's a small piece of card, drilled at an angle for a piece of plastic rod. The card was also drilled to accept the wires that hold the torpedo in place. These are from 0.002" nickel-silver rod, which was briefly heated so it holds its shape, then curved around the torpedo. Each of the 2 pieces was CA'd in place, then the "release bracket" was threaded over one end and CA'd in place. When that was dry, the other ends of the wires were CA'd to the other side of the release bracket. It wasn't quite central so I removed the fins and reattached those to line up with the release mechanism - much easier than doing it the other way round! I then added 5 prop blades at the rear, and a small ring from heated brass rod at the front end. Not sure what this was for but it's in pics so I added it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I only hope I can paint the added parts without knocking anything off......I also touched up the tail pieces this afternoon so hopefully I should get that rigged soon and the torpedo mounted - that should keep it out of the way of my clumsy fingers!

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking,

 

 

 

 

 

Ian

 

Edited July 2, 2017 by limeypilot

[Beard]

Your attention to detail is amazing... if I'd shelled out for an aftermarket torpedo, which turned out to be too big, I'd have just used it!

[Dave Swindell]

Ian

That's most likely a practice torpedo, they were designed to float after dropping and running, and were recovered for re-use. The ring would be used for securing and lifting the torpedo.

Practice torpedo with nose ring

One of HMAS Sydney’s distinctive ‘clinker’ built cutters recovering a practice torpedo.

Submarine recovery sequence photos

[Brandy]

Thanks for that info Dave. In that case, the ring can come off! I'd assumed it was something to do with a fuse cover or some such which would be removed before flight.

Ian

[AdrianMF]

Lovely detail on that torpedo. I also particularly like the framing effects you have done on the tail surfaces.

Regards.

Adrian

[Sergey]

Hi.

Beautiful plane, I have such a model kits in the scale 1/48 early version of a torpedo and later versions, but the manufacturer does not give a complete bomb.

[Brandy]

Thanks for the comments, all! I removed the ring on the torpedo and did manage to get the details painted today without knocking anything off! I'm working on rigging the tail at the moment, then I will fit the torpedo, and rig its attachments and the float struts.....

Ian

[Brandy]

I've finished rigging the tail, at the second attempt. I used the same rigging material I've always used, (2lb test line at .005") which I know is overscale but looks OK, and for some reason this time it just looked way too thick......

 

 

so I removed it and replaced it with some 1.5lb line at .002" which is almost correct to scale.....

 

 

I think it looks much better so I'll stick to this in future, even though it's a pain to use - it's so thin I can't focus on it!

 

Ian

 

Edited July 3, 2017 by limeypilot

[Martian]

I think it is worth persevering with the thinner line, it looks miles better.

Martin

[DMC]

Coming along nicely. Thanks for posting both photos of the different diameter rigging. Really useful. Definitely going to be .002 for me when I get around to rigging the Camel.

Cheers

[Tomoshenko]

Really nice piece of work. Love the extra detailing, wood effect and rigging.Tail and floats look superb.

[Brandy]

Thanks for the feedback all, it's nice to get more opinions - especially when they agree with mine!

Ian

[Brandy]

She is now armed, if not particularly dangerous!

 

Torpedo fitted and the cradle and release mechanism rigged with .004" stainless steel wire:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also made a start on the float rigging, adding the cross bracing:

 

 

 

 

 

There are 3 fore-and-aft wires to add on each side of the floats and then they're done.

 

 

 

I was going to add more detail on the fuselage, but having looked through the DF I can't see any evidence of sunlight shining through and showing the formers, so the fuselage and tail decals can go on then maybe a little shadowing, followed by the rigging for the wing support stays, the windscreens, the centre section and its rigging, and the radiator, and that should be about it for the fuselage (doesn't sound too much if you say it quickly!) ...then onto the wings.......

 

 

 

 

Ian

 

Edited July 2, 2017 by limeypilot

[Sergey]

[Martian]

That's really good work on the torpedo installation! Aeroclub really should re-issue this kit, there are so many variations of the basic design

Martin

[Sergey]

I apologize, ask a question here. What do you think, on this plane was a turret with a machine gun in the rear cockpit, I think there can be seen a ring.

[Brandy]

Sergey, it certainly looks like a Scarff ring. Some later aircraft did carry armament so it's quite likely, although the earlier torpedo carriers could barely get airborne with both the torpedo and an observer, let alone the extra weight of the gun and mounting!

Ian

[Sergey]

Thank you Ian.
Another question. What is written on the fuselage?

[Brandy]

Sorry, I can't help there, I can't read it!

It could be a donation aircraft, or it may just be a comment about ballast being need in the rear cockpit or something similar. I think it may be peculiar to this one aircraft.

Ian

[Sergey]

I need to make a decal. I tried to make the most of the photo.

There are 7 words, it seems to me the last 5: Not to Large 1000lb, which the first two words?

[Troffa]

My guess: "*Something* Load Not to Exceed 1000 lb" Great looking model on the go here!

[Sergey]

Thank's Troffa.

Can now assume the first word "Attention". Perhaps the Russian site Scalemodels.ru be held "duel" against Red White in the Civil War in Russia. I always fight for Whites, will build a Short-184 1/48 TC models, want to make a decal that were not only cockades and the tricolor, but the inscriptions on the fuselage. If you would be interested, open and assembly models in this forum.

Thanks to all!

[Brandy]

I finally put a little colour on her today, in the form of the Union Flag and the tail decals. I was going to apply the build number too but when I tried to add them I realised I'd forgotten to seal them! Those have been reprinted and sealed and will be added soon. I have also added the rigging lines for the cabane struts, and finished rigging the floats. Additional details in the form of the tailplane struts and prop decals are also now in place.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to fettle the rudder a little before adding the decals as the gap which should be very evident between the rudder and the top of the tailplane, wasn't there! I sanded the top and both lower edges to let it sit a little higher and now have a gap as it should have. It's only resting in place for the pics and won't be fitted permanently until the aircraft number is added.

 

 

 

 

 

Ian

 

Edited July 2, 2017 by limeypilot

[Sergey]

[Sergey]

I continued searching and found a Canadian guy posted a photo of his grandfather:

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=30993&page=2&hl=short-184#entry1945404

I edited it a bit, the inscription on the fuselage: WARNING LOAD NOT TO LARGE 1600Lb

I do not know much English. Please tell me, this phrase sounds correctly?