Caudron G IV 1/72 Scratchbuild

[pheonix]

Evening All,

 

 This is a scratch build which I decided to attempt on a whim: I had bought the Windsock DataFiles for the Caudron G III and GIV and thought that the latter offered the bigger challenge. At the time there was no kit of the G IV although Copper State have since released one in 1/48. This model was made from plastic card, strip and rod, clear acetate, wire and wood. I did cheat a little because I bought a resin engine from Small Stuff as I could not scratch build one to that standard. The engine under the cowling was scratch built however but as it is largely concealed it is less important. The figures are W D models RFC aircrew.

 

 

Here are some construction photos - although this is not a pusher it does have the booms at the rear supporting the tail which makes it an interesting model to build. Everything was hand painted including the markings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rene and Gaston Caudron were brothers who were inspired by the efforts of the Wright brothers in America, and who established a company to build aircraft of their own designs in France. After a number of attempts to come to a satisfactory design configuration, they developed the type G in 1913, which was improved to become the type G 3 in 1914. This was a two seat machine with unequal span wings, twin booms holding the horizontal tail surfaces and an 80hp rotary engine.

 

 

This design was adopted by the French military because it was available in quantity, but it had many limitations, not the least of which was the inadequate view for the crew. The Aviation Militaire called for a more powerful machine which could carry a forward firing machine gun, so the Caudron brothers redesigned the basic G3 by adding a second engine, placing a nacelle between the engines with the observer in the front, and adding two extra fins and rudders to the tail: otherwise the new machine was basically the same. The engines were 80hp Le Rhone or Clerget rotaries and lateral control was by wing warping.

 

 

 1800 machines would eventually be built in France and 12 were built in Britain as part of a larger order for the RNAS. Caudrons served with French, British, Italian and Russian air arms, and many continued in civilian service in the early post war years. These machines were called Gitterrumpf (lattice tail) by the Germans because of their distinct shapes, but their frail appearance belied their strength: it was able to withstand considerable damage and still return to the airfield with the crew.

 

 

 If the Caudron GIV was flown aggressively it could prove to be a dangerous adversary as shown by a number of successful engagements between French crews and their opponents as they succeeded in downing many enemy machines and several French air aces started their flying Caudrons. It was most widely employed in the unglamorous but important role of reconnaissance, and as a bomber: in RNAS service it was mainly used as a bomber. the model represents a machine flown by No 1 Wing RNAS St Pol in late 1915.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.

 

P

[Old Man]

That is great.

 

Glad to see a model of a favorite machine, and scratch-built to such a standard makes it a real treat. That it's in the right scale is a nice touch....

 

Good historical background and a great build.

 

Hope to see more.

[SAT69]

You've created a beautiful model from scratch. I admire your work and commend you for having the skill and patience to take the project from "whim" to successful completion.

[theskits62]

That is superb !! I'm tentatively venturing into the WW1 arena and thinking about scratch because of the relative lack of 1/72 subject matter not sure i'd be brave enough to attempt something like this though.

 

I'd love to know the approach you used for the wings if you have more pictures. 

[invidia]

Fantastic looking model

[Wulfman]

Amazing model ! A masterclass in scratch building, superb work !
 

Wulfman

[jean]

Hi,

 

this would be a very difficult plane to build from a good quality kit, but scratch-building one in 1/72 is insane!

Brilliant work all around!!!

Congrats.

 

JR

[pheonix]

Thanks to all who have dropped by and left comments. They are much appreciated.

9 hours ago, theskits62 said:

I'd love to know the approach you used for the wings if you have more pictures. 

There is a full build log at: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/airfixtributeforum/caudron-g-iv-1-72-t49273.html

 

Basically they are laminated card with the trailing edge ribs from thin strip.

 

My advice if you do wish to scratch build some WW1 types is to start with the simpler box fuselage types, then progress on to something more complex. If you have problems moulding cowlings try taking them from kits instead. Wheels can also be sourced from kits if you have any, but if not they are easy enough to make. Engines are sometimes a problem, but the Small Stuff items are superb. If not just scratch build them using plastic rod and sheet - they are usually partially or wholly concealed so detail is not too important. Best of luck - and do post a log when you do start.

 

P

[Bandsaw Steve]

Beautiful work on a challenging subject.

[woody37]

That's a true piece of workmanship, stunning detail and scratch building

 

[72modeler]

Wow- what incredible workmanship- that is one complicated airframe to build from a kit, much less scratchbuild. You should be very  proud of this one!

Mike

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

🤯 Mind Blowing Impressiveness !!! 

[Epeeman]

Excellent work as ever, Pheonix -

 

As others have said, it kit form this would present challanges alone, but to from scratch ............  Amazing!!

 

Regards

 

Dave

[RichieW]

Brilliant work, your usual stunning standard in fact.