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Double Deckers - over 40, but life is just beginning!


Heather Kay

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Well folks, we’ve made it into the 2021 Bunfight! Thank you to everyone that put their names forward. It will soon be time to vote and see if we actually make it as far as having an actual calendar allocation next year.

 

 

 

On 1 November, we can vote for our preferred group builds in the poll. I hope I can count on your votes, and don’t forget we can also persuade other BM members to vote for Double Deckers - even if they don’t want to take part! 

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Folks, I want to put an idea out there.

 

In the bunfight thread linked in my last post, there’s some discussion about merging some group build ideas where they have a fair crossover of subject and content. I am not against this idea, which seems very sensible. It has been suggested my GB could merge with the High Wing GB.

 

 

Now, I agree there is an element of crossover between the builds, as most biplanes have a high wing somewhere. However, the idea behind Double Deckers is to encourage you to have a go at something that you might perceive as difficult, in other words building a multi-deck aircraft and rigging it. Hopefully, we will have help and guidance from modellers who know what they’re doing, to help us overcome our fears.

 

Anyway, you know all that, so I wanted to ask your opinions about the possibility of a merger with @CliffB's group build. Do you think it’s a good idea, or will it change the original motive behind Double Deckers. My preference is not to merge, but I will accept the "will of the people" if you think otherwise.

 

There are a few days before we have to make up our minds, so chip in with your thoughts.

 

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If I’m understanding the meaning of the term “high wing” correctly, does this mean that technically e.g. a Sea Harrier would be eligible? 😉

 

i have earmarked a biplane (well, actually a sesquiplane) that doesn’t have any rigging. Now I feel this may not be in the original spirit of the GB. 😁

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Just now, TonyOD said:

Now I feel this may not be in the original spirit of the GB. 😁

If you mean that cute Fiat CR.42, then it’s fine. Part of the phobia is getting wings aligned and fiddling with struts. Besides, the Falco did have crossed bracing wires on the outer struts. ;)

 

As for Harriers, then yes, yes they do meet the High Wing criteria. :like:

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1 minute ago, Heather Kay said:

As for Harriers, then yes, yes they do meet the High Wing criteria. :like:

And this is where the spirit of the GB rather than the letter of the GB should  perhaps  come into play (the idea being, I suppose, that the subject is really old..). says he, deftly sidestepping the tricky challenge of rigging... ND.622 actually but nothing is set in stone!

 

Personally I’d stick with the biplane theme, and to do the right thing I’d switch to a rigger 😁

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I mentioned it over there as well, but my preference would be to keep separate for the first bunfight...then if it's unable to corral enough support then a merger with another close-ish subject for round 2 next year.  Only because I feel (my personal opinions...yours may vary ;)) that it takes away from the spirt of a GB.  Inclusive is good...but I feel getting too big and inclusive loses the spirit of a GB and just starts feeling like a free-for-all.

 

I do have a single bi-plane in the stash (on skis no less :o), which while I would be temped to build for this GB if I have time (a rarity), it would certainly lose out to a high wing option which I have more of and are more aligned with my preferred eras if they were combined.

 

Though the flip side is, it would certainly have a better chance of getting votes if it were combined.....

I'm definitely a back seater here, so don't weight my opinions too heavily...just adding a little food for though.  Cheers.  :cheers:

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3 minutes ago, helios16v said:

but my preference would be to keep separate for the first bunfight...then if it's unable to corral enough support then a merger with another close-ish subject for round 2 next year. 

That’s a fair idea. In fact, should DD not make it through this round (a definite possibility), I’m all up for changing the format so it could be merged into another similar build.

 

We have to remember this is all done for fun, after all. :frantic:

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Well, as part of my "83 Great Warbirds Air Display" collection that I'm building, I do have several "things with too many wings" that I need to include. They've been sitting at the bottom of the build pile with the two vac form kits because they are scary and will bite. They growl at me when I go near them, but I keep a sharpened stick handy and give them a good poke when necessary. So, a group build like this with an educational slant would be great for me. 

 

Off the top of my head, I have three Tiger Moths, a Bucker Jungmann, VL Viima and a Swordfish that I could throw in. It will end in bad rigging, wonky wings and probably tears though.

 

Steve

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I too am of the view that this GB should be kept separate from the High Wing GB (I've signed up for both and both will get a vote), at least for the first round.  If neither of them get through then a merger would be a good idea.  I suspect both GB's contain the usual suspects but between them there should be plenty of support.

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My opinion is that we should keep this GB as-is, at least for this round of the Poll.

 

The educational side for those less confident for struttery , undercarriage alignment and rigging but who also want to expand their skill base, should produce quite a lot of advice (and we can all learn!), and it would be all in one place, rather than mixed in with 'how to produced a hot-metal' finish on jet exhausts, etc for instance.

 

If this GB does not get through, and High Wing does not, then yes, pool our pool of knowledge as a joint venture. 

 

All the best, I will still enter the GB whether it is solo DD or DD/HW!

 

Ray

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11 hours ago, Heather Kay said:

Do you think it’s a good idea, or will it change the original motive behind Double Deckers. My preference is not to merge, but I will accept the "will of the people" if you think otherwise.

Hello Heather.. My opinion is not to merge as you're original idea is very good. Im one who's tried rigging with multiple disasters but still wants to learn. I would think if the high wing were to merge the tugs/gliders might be an idea if expanded to include transports if all types ? Its your build and I will support and help you any which way you choose to go. 
 

Dennis

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Hi all.  I guess I should also share my thoughts on merging, given that I'm the proposer of the High Wing GB and also a supporter of Double Deckers.  @Heather Kay already knows what I'm about to say.

 

My own view is that the two GBs should merge.  If recent years' bunfights have taught us anything, it's that 'niche' subjects always lose out to those which have a wider appeal.  I totally understand the benefits of having a GB with a narrow focus, but that's pointless if you don't get through the vote.

 

High wing and bi wing aircraft typically share similar characteristics - they fly relatively slowly and are STOL.  You'll find struts on many high wing designs too :winkgrin:.  So I see a reasonable match between the two GBs.  For sure, the rules of the High Wing GB also allow some fast jets to qualify, but you can just ignore those builds if you want to.

 

We've already seen some successful combination GBs and I can see no reason why builders of high wing and bi wing should not be able to co-exist within a single GB.  The only threat to not being able to share tips on rigging (for example), is not getting through the bunfight vote.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

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If you do choose to merge, maybe try to keep them separated like "The Specialists" GB we did a couple years ago.  Have DD or HW in the title of the build threads for quick reference, then have separate galleries for the 2 sub-groups.

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Thanks for the input folks. Much appreciated.

 

I think I will rule a merger out for the bunfight. If we don’t get through, then we can think about changing the parameters and joining forces for another go. I’m not sure about running two variations under one theme. I’ve not hosted a GB before, although I am a sleeping cohost of the Heller Classic at the moment, and I don’t really want my first attempt at a solo being too complicated! I’ve only got a small braincell, and it easily overheats. :penguin:

 

Of course, even if we don’t get through there’s no reason why I couldn’t start a whole thread on building and rigging multi-wing planes. I’m sure I could persuade the experts to contribute some tutorial material. 

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4 minutes ago, Heather Kay said:

I think I will rule a merger out for the bunfight.

 

That's fine Heather - I understand your reasoning.  Fingers crossed for us both :cheers:

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  • 2 weeks later...

I used to build a lot of biplanes, but got out the habit and only built two in the last five or six years. I have quite a few in the stash. 

So this GB would be a good one to get things going again. 

Edited by Mr T
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Thanks @Mr T. Would you like your name added to the list, although it’s a little moot now as the 2021 Bunfight poll is now open for voting?

 

Which is a good time to remind everyone to go to the poll thread and cast your votes! Never mind the US presidential election, the group builds bunfight beats that into a cocked hat!

 

 

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