Biplane beginner - 1/72 Martinsyde F4 Buzzard

[Dermo245]

So just finished this one, my first ever biplane. The build thread is here but to recap:

 

Kit: AZ Models 1/72 Martinsyde F4 Buzzard

Build: OOB

Decals: Painted except for the fuselage codes.

Paints: Tamiya, Klear, oils for fading

Extras: Pilot from spares, rigging (badly) from invisible mending thread

 

This year is the centenary of the Irish Air Corps and the Buzzard entered service in the summer of 1922. They were the first aircraft and single seat fighter of the new force.

 

This build was definitely NOT my best! The fit was terrible, some of the parts horrible. And then the 'rigging' was an absolute bear 🙄.  My favourite part is probably the oil fading and how the prop turned out. I think I learned more while bodging this kit together than any other kit I've made.

Anyhow, some pics and learned lots for the next biplane!

 

Thanks for looking and happy modelling.

Dermot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2022 by Dermo245
Fixing photo links

[Grey Beema]

Lovely job Dermot

[stevehnz]

That looks very smart, nicely done & a great looking scheme. 👍

Steve.

[Bertie McBoatface]

Very good indeed. All those parallel struts must be difficult to align.

 

May I suggest fine fishing line for your future rigging. It's thinner and more flexible than mending thread, takes colour from sharpies and is available in different colours anyway, it glues well with CA and can be made to tighten up by gentle heating with a soldering iron or a hot nail in a pair of pliers. Test first!

[Wulfman]

Beautiful Buzzard, lovely work indeed !

 

Wulfman

[Brandy]

Excellent result for a first biplane. Rigging is a skill, as with any other area of modelling the more you practice the better you will get. I'd also recommend drilling and threading rather than gluing to the struts, and thinner fishing line definitely helps as Bertie mentioned above. It will keep straight right to the end instead of curving just before the hole it's threaded through.

 

Ian

[Samuraiwarrior]

Hi Dermot, 

For a first attempt at a biplane you have done a great job. As you say certain bits of the build were challenging. But your modelling skills will only improve by tackling different aspects and techniques. You will have learnt a lot from the build, do things different maybe or take on board some of the constructive comments made. 

So, I think you have a model to be proud of. 

Thanks for sharing 

Kevin 

[Spitfire31]

Smart looking Buzzard! And your rigging looks much better than my first biplane (Airfix' ancient Swordfish, rigged with furry sewing thread from my mum's basket).

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim