Opel RAK-1 -12 Squared 1/72

[CarLos]

Here is my second participation, supposedly "the easy one".

 

Inside the little bag: a few injected plastic parts, metal rod for the tail booms and decals x 3.

 

Many small manufacturers tend to be more exhaustive on the history of the subject and on details like colours. The references used are also very useful. I like that!

 

 

Did I say "easy"? Well, I have a problem with ease. That airfoil is all wrong and must be corrected!

 

Some progress for soon.

[Mjwomack]

3 hours ago, CarLos said:

"the easy one".

Well it was!

 

3 hours ago, CarLos said:

Many small manufacturers tend to be more exhaustive on the history of the subject and on details like colours. The references used are also very useful. I like that!

It is a lovely feature which seemed to die out, and I guess there's no need for it nowadays with the internet.

 

My 'real' interest is in how Mark @2996 Victor lists this- arabic 12 at the start on latin script twelve later on?

 

Being serious, a cute little chap for those of us not making it and clever to see some metal rod instead being used.

[JOCKNEY]

Delighted this GB is bringing out all these unusual kits, where else would you see one of these getting built 

 

Best of luck

 

Cheers Pat 

[CarLos]

Small update: sanded the underside of the wing and glued plastic card to correct the airfoil. I divided the plastic in 4 parts to minimize the chance of bowing later, but only time will tell if I succeed.

 

 

 

 

Here it is, ready for primer.

 

 

I am also thinning the fuselage, as the plastic is very thick. Boring... I will replace the tail booms because they are too thin. Fortunately I have a good stock of rod in various dimensions. Brass or steel? That is, "easy" soldering or silver soldering (a first to me)?

 

I am almost sure that the RAK-1 flew in varnished plywood but need to read more on the subject. 

 

'Till next!

 

[2996 Victor]

Lovely work so far of this diminutive beast!

 

Cheers,

Mark

[AaCee26]

That's such a crazy kite that I want one!!!

 

Cheers,

 

AaCee

[CarLos]

16 hours ago, AaCee26 said:

That's such a crazy kite that I want one!!!

 

Cheers,

 

AaCee

 

Good luck to find one! I only knew about 12 Squared when a local hobby shop was closing and selling all the "hidden from the shelves" stuff. I also had a good deal on Esoteric vacs. May be the CMR kit will be easier to find.

 

[AaCee26]

4 hours ago, CarLos said:

 

Good luck to find one!

Ha! I once had a 12th Square kit, an MS L, and it was sold as soon as possible😅

 

CMR looks more promising. Even a good set of drawings might help to start...

 

Cheers,

 

AaCee

[CarLos]

A small but very important update - I wouldn't  be able to proceed without being able to solder with precision the tail booms. I always made a mess with that kind of job, so I was very careful. And it worked!

 

I started by making a 3d model of the booms:

 

It allowed me to print a drawing of the booms, and to mark with a blade on particle board the location and the exact dimension of the parts. Then I enlarged the grooves with a P-cutter and with a triangular file. 

 

 

Then I placed the accurately cut brass rod (I used 0.7 mm diameter) and taped 

 

 

Put a bit of flux with the tip of a toothpick and next cut a tiny piece of solder (shown in front of the toothpick) over the joint. Then, a touch with the tip of the soldering iron and voila - an almost perfect joint, for my soldering skills.

 

The tools (sorry for the messy desk)

 

 

And here is the pair!

 

I am really happy for achieving this. Now I can think about WW1 booms, sturdy undercarriage legs and other things that would be impossible without this skill.

 

 

Carlos

[2996 Victor]

Superb work, Carlos, very neat soldering - something I always struggle with.

 

Cheers,

Mark