lewis25049 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 (edited) Latest off the bench is my first WWI fighter, the Roden 1/72 Sopwith F.1 Camel. This aircraft is my first biplane, as well as my first attempt at full rigging. I used 0.047 mm rubber thread for the rigging. The rigging is clearer in the photos than on the actual model - I think maybe next time I would try ~0.06 or 0.07 mm rigging for better visibility. I originally drilled small holes to sit the glue/thread, but these just became drops of CA glue on the surface after repeated attempts, particularly for the rigging between wings. The rigging took me two long (4+ hr) sessions, and was a definite exercise in patience. The kit also had a small windshield on plastic sheet to cut out and add, but I only remembered once the top wing was fitted and half the rigging was done - I'm too scared to try and add it now! Building a biplane was definitely a whole different experience, particularly one on such a small scale. Fitting the top wing without a jig was a battle, and the aircraft has a bit of a lean, but I will definitely be adding a few more WWI biplanes to the stash. I've already started on a 1/72 Lancaster just to give my eyes a bit of a rest. Thanks for looking. CC welcome. Edit: Better photos Edited November 28, 2020 by lewis25049 Better photos 31 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Dyck Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Hi, absolutely stunning! Top notch modeling..... I wish I could see more the pics are quite foggy....or my glasses 🤓? best regards Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
europapete Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 My glasses must be foggy too, lol. Cracking little model, well done. Regards, Pete in RI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewis25049 Posted November 28, 2020 Author Share Posted November 28, 2020 (edited) 46 minutes ago, Andy Dyck said: the pics are quite foggy....or my glasses 🤓? 41 minutes ago, europapete said: My glasses must be foggy too, lol. Not your glasses, but rather my poor photography skills! Thanks for the kind comments regardless. Edit: Fixed the photos - turns out one of my lamps was off! Thanks again Edited November 28, 2020 by lewis25049 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
europapete Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Lol, your photo skills are just fine Lewis, that's a very small 'plane and difficult to shoot. We were just having a bit of fun. Keep up the good work, and well done on your first rigging job, came out great. If you have any Q's on biplanes, just email. The variety of types and colours from WW1 are great, it's a very addictive side of the hobby. Regards, Pete in RI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 I can't imagine building a biplane in 1/72 scale, much less trying to rig it. Beautifully done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 The rigging looks excellent and the model is terrific all round. I have a couple of Roden's Camels in the stash in different boxings but, after my battle with their Fokker D.VII kit (the kit won the battle but it was pyrrhic victory as it ended up in the bin) I've been studiously ignoring them. Did this kit go together ok, not withstanding the usual top wing difficulties? I have recently started rigging models using elastic thread, both for biplanes and radio aerials etc but I also have the problem of ending up with a superglue blob. I find that in order to get a strong enough bond I have to use quite a bit of cyanoacrylate and still find it much easier to bond my fingers to the model than the rigging! It's not my favourite job but I can't build a biplane without rigging it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Duvalier Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Looks very good with that superfine thread. Most other options are simply too visually heavy for 1/72. I'm still working up the nerve to attempt a rigged model, you're a bolder modeller than I. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
europapete Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 To cleanly secure the elastic thread to the model, an easy way is to place a tiny drop of gel CA ( with the tip of a fine needle or similar) to the anchor point, and dip the end of the thread into a pool of CA acelerator like Zap Kicker then using fine point tweezers touch the thread to the glue. Done. The downside is that your aim has to be right the first time! Regards, Pete in RI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Where do you rubber threads? Never heard of that. I have invisible thread but it has the be painted and would look to big on a Camel. I like this one, wouldn’t mind trying one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 6 minutes ago, europapete said: To cleanly secure the elastic thread to the model, an easy way is to place a tiny drop of gel CA ( with the tip of a fine needle or similar) to the anchor point, and dip the end of the thread into a pool of CA acelerator like Zap Kicker then using fine point tweezers touch the thread to the glue. Done. The downside is that your aim has to be right the first time! Regards, Pete in RI I guess you predrill holes first at the correct angles? After rigging, trim and touch up paint? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewis25049 Posted November 28, 2020 Author Share Posted November 28, 2020 11 minutes ago, europapete said: To cleanly secure the elastic thread to the model, an easy way is to place a tiny drop of gel CA ( with the tip of a fine needle or similar) to the anchor point, and dip the end of the thread into a pool of CA acelerator like Zap Kicker then using fine point tweezers touch the thread to the glue. Done. The downside is that your aim has to be right the first time! Regards, Pete in RI Wow, now I feel silly. My method involved a dob of glue, holding the rigging line in the glue with tweezers while it dried and wishing I had an extra hand for the Zap Kicker that's currently sitting on my desk! I'll definitely give that method a shot next time. 5 minutes ago, busnproplinerfan said: Where do you rubber threads? Never heard of that. I have invisible thread but it has the be painted and would look to big on a Camel. I like this one, wouldn’t mind trying one out. I used a product called Manwa Rubber Rigging - this particular one was for 1/72 aircraft or 1/700 ships according to the packaging. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 4 minutes ago, lewis25049 said: Wow, now I feel silly. My method involved a dob of glue, holding the rigging line in the glue with tweezers while it dried and wishing I had an extra hand for the Zap Kicker that's currently sitting on my desk! I'll definitely give that method a shot next time. I used a product called Manwa Rubber Rigging - this particular one was for 1/72 aircraft or 1/700 ships according to the packaging. Good point, look what the ship builders use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 2 hours ago, lewis25049 said: Building a biplane was definitely a whole different experience It is indeed. I love it. Nice looking Camel, especially from the Roden Family. Having built their Camel a couple of times in the same scale I know how problematic it can be. Yours is excellent. Well done with the rigging. Try building an RAF R.E.8 with double flying wires. Your 4 hour rigging session will feel like a brief moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Excellent modelling.😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Masters Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 1 hour ago, lewis25049 said: wishing I had an extra hand try using a rigging jig and hemostats. Same technique as tying flies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael51 Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 That Camel represents outstanding work on your part. The superb paintwork and weathering is one thing, the rigging of a 1/72 biplane is another. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vulcanicity Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 That's a little gem, especially for a first biplane, congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epeeman Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Great work on your Camel and very nicely rigged! Regards Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMCS Posted November 28, 2020 Share Posted November 28, 2020 Superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natter Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Amazing. Doubly so considering how small it is, that paint jar putting it in scale perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Excellent job . The wooden effect is very convincing. Is it wood? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Aer Lingus Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 That's a real beauty like everyone above the rigging is excellent well done thanks for sharing regards Eamonn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Marvellous little Camel. The rigging is fantastic. Kind regards, Joachim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairtrigger Posted November 29, 2020 Share Posted November 29, 2020 Cracking little Camel... The rigging is exceptional.. I'm just finishing off a 1:48 Smer Sopwith Camel, this is an ancient Re-box job - cheap and a little crude and inaccurate, as you first biplane since childhood and purchased some Mig rigging .03 for it, just summoning up the courage to have a go with it.. PS the rigging cost more than the kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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