Bughunter Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 (edited) Sopwith Schneider Two years I have done a project Lebed, which was a russian copy of the Sopwith Tabloid. This was created from a Special Hobby kit in 1/48 with a lot of enhancements. At the end it was clear for me that I have to do this kit again, but as float plane, as used during the Schneider Cup in Monaco. As a experiment I tried to create the floats from scratch with real wood, but due to missing kit, no decals of that machine and other projects nothing was done. So the floats led a miserable existence in my showcase ... until last Christmas - I'm now a owner of a electronic cutting plotter. In meantime I caught also the "Limited Edition" kit of the Sopwith Schneider (really pitty, that many parts are not used) so I put all running projects aside and started with this biplane in January. This Tabloid with floats and a 100 PS Gnome Monosoupape take part on the Monaco Schneider Trophy, a race about 28 laps with 10km each: Source: kingstonaviation.org On April 20th 1914 the pilot Howard Pixton finished after 2 hours 13 seconds with a average speed of 86.78 mph. One cylinder of the engine failed after half of the laps, but with two additional laps he completed 300 km and a world record for sea planes. Source: kingstonaviation.org Now this bird is finished, and I like it a lot! Beside the mentioned kit I used a rotary engine kit created by Small Stuff, turnbuckles made in Greece by Gaspatch Models and created many parts from brass, wood (e.g. floats, air screw, struts, seat and other cockpit parts) and aluminium. The painting was done with Alclad, Mr. Paint, Gunze and oil paints and pastels for weathering. The small decals are LF-Models, as mentioned the bigger markings are masked and painted. It is really great, to have this important piece of aviation history in my cabinet and at the same time as very unique item because this livery is not available as kit Enough Now the pictures - have fun! On the photos after the flight these bouquets can be recognized by the front struts, here for example Source: rcgroups.net I have the faintest hope that my model will not end up like this Source: kingstonaviation.org If you like it, you are welcome to leave a few words - if not, you can 😘 Cheers, Frank Edited February 25, 2020 by Bughunter Fixed layout and link 52 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 (edited) That's a superb effort on a unique Aircraft! Beautiful wooden tone on the floater structure. Hans Edited February 25, 2020 by supersonic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 That is an incredible build! You can almost smell the spar varnish on those floats! A faithful replica of the real thing- well done, sir! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 In a word – superb! And I love those flowers… Beautiful modelling! Kind regards, Joachim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjaweijfopi4j48 Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Superb model and great attention to detail, plus a wonderful subject. Excellent build! Cheers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold55 Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 This is a wonderful build of a great airplane. Just superb! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malpaso Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Very nice build of an important aircraft. Thank you for sharing your model. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Lovely job! Martian 👽 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Brilliant 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Stunning! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 I'm tempted to say it's a work of art. But Moa has chided me and pointed out that it's not art but craftsmanship. Which indeed it is. Craftsmanship worthy of the original T. O. M. Sopwith. It deserves to be aviation history not just in your cabinet but a museum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe M Posted February 25, 2020 Share Posted February 25, 2020 Hi Noel, Lovely lovely build, the flowers are a great touch. Your rigging superb as is the weathering. It a pity the Moreane 'WR' is only 1:72, they would lovely beside each other. Cheers Joe M 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abandoned Project Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Absolutely superb. A beautiful masterpiece. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cellarfrog Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Very nice! Fantastic lines and great finish. Thanks for posting. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 You are without doubt, a master miniaturist Frank – a craftsman extraordinaire. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightpainter Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Beautifull Made, I am stunned! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bughunter Posted February 27, 2020 Author Share Posted February 27, 2020 Thank you all for your great feedback, highly appreciated! On 2/25/2020 at 11:52 PM, noelh said: Craftsmanship worthy of the original T. O. M. Sopwith. It deserves to be aviation history not just in your cabinet but a museum. I own the great book "Sopwith - the man and his aircraft". My glass wall cabinet is my own museum, now with some of the old struts (3 of them are Sopwith), but there will come more! On 2/26/2020 at 12:43 AM, Joe M said: It a pity the Moreane 'WR' is only 1:72, they would lovely beside each other. Yes! At we have them here virtually together. Cheers, Frank 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bughunter Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 On 2/25/2020 at 5:31 PM, 72modeler said: You can almost smell the spar varnish on those floats! Of course, because real wooden parts needs real wooden varnish A discussion about one of my older builds reminds me to show here some of the nice details, made of real wood and metal. The floats are filled with lead top avoid a tail sitter: Plated with veneer: Same principle fro tail float: Wooden seat (veneer bent with steam): Real wood also for steering wheel: ... and the floor: Fittings on floats: The metal plating with engine: Front bearing: Air screw during preparation; I think that is enough, the rest can be seen on the final pictures from outside Hope you will get some impression of the effort of this model and like the pics. Cheers, Frank 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Fantastic modelling, it really should be in a museum ! Wulman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Pretty pretty indeed and superb modelling to boot! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Superb! My ghast is flabbered. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horatio Gruntfuttock Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 Frank, that is a truly lovely bit of work. Very realistic wear and tear, and the flowers are a wonderful touch. I dips my lid to you - well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bughunter Posted March 13, 2020 Author Share Posted March 13, 2020 Thank you all for your great feedback! On 3/11/2020 at 8:31 PM, Wulfman said: Fantastic modelling, it really should be in a museum ! My glass wall cabinet _is_ my museum, so I don't need to go out in this hard times Cheers, Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Mike Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 What a little jewel of a kit you've created, like a Fabergé egg, I could stare at it for hours! I've just finished reading 'Sopwith, the Man and his Aircraft', and already have a couple of books on the Schneider races. I picked up the Special Hobby Tabloid and Schneider kits on ebay, and your build threads will be invaluable, if not more than a little daunting, when I start them. (The Schneider arrived yesterday) I plan to make the 1914 racer of course, and if it is 1/10th as good as yours I will be very happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted November 24, 2020 Share Posted November 24, 2020 Oh wow, what a beauty, this is an amazing model, the finish is absolutely superb and even the flowers wow I am in Awe. Great work Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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