models in the making

Let us watch your model in the making, from when you open the kit to air-borne! Don't feel you have to chronicle every step, unless you want to. Just send an occasional picture or two and an explanatory note and we can catch up with your progress from time to time on this new page. It will only appear when there's something to report and we can keep as many projects going as you wish. I must reserve the right to select pictures, though, otherwise the page will take too long to download.

1. GEOFF GRAHAM'S DH71 TIGER MOTH RACER

Here we are with the final instalment of Geoff's build of this beautiful JB Aviation model.

The shot of the engine and tank installation looks very business-like - note the remote glow lead connections, and it looks as though Geoff has also added a fuel feed valve as well; they seem to add a nice 'technical' touch, if you know what I mean! Geoff points out that the remote glow lead is necessary as the engine is totally cowled when the model is ready to fly.

Below are two shots of the finished model, looking very attractive indeed.

The wing stripes are "wriggly" - it's no illusion. Geoff says, "In my research, I discovered that the original aircraft had this effect and, in fact, the high priest of the DH Moth Club has in recent years flown a DH82 Moth in decoration using virtually the same scheme, though with different main colour. One of the De Havilland's used it as his "Tiger stripe" personal colours, pre-war. I stumbled across the modern example on the web, e-mailed the DH Moth Club and received the most extraordinary help from Mr Stuart McKay whose DH82 sported the scheme. I passed on what I had learned to John Simpson (JB Aviation). Perhaps you could put a link to John's site when you publish these . . . ?

geoffers@ntlworld.com

My thanks to Geoff for his superb pictures and notes on this project - it's been great to watch!

I'm glad Geoff mentioned a link to JB Aviation - I really thought I had a link up after I featured their models way back on ModelFlight #10 when John was just launching the Tiger Moth. I have now put a permanent link on the links page for suppliers, etc.

Read all about Geoff's decal-making system on the air space page.

2. CHRIS HARDIE'S BLOHM UND VOSS MB141

Here's the latest on Chris Hardie's progress of this weird and wonderful WWII Luftwaffe recce and observation plane, pictured right.

You can see below that Chris has been busy on the fuselage and all the tail surfaces. I was interested to discover that the fuselage itself is not central on the wing, so once the engine is in, Chris is going to have to add quite a bit of weight either in the crew pod or out further on the starboard section of the wing to achieve transverse balance.

Work has also progressed on the wing and the crew pod, although there is still quite a bit of finishing to do. The pod is here placed in position on the wing to show its location. The pod is in two main pieces as the wing goes right through it, the lower piece being held to the wing and upper piece with a nylon wing bolt.

Here is a slightly closer shot of the crew pod at this stage. The multi-faceted front was fully glazed on the original, but I don't know what Chris is planning to do about that!

The big question that arises every time I see this model is, "Will it fly"? Chris says, "It will fly," but I don't think he will do the test flight! Look out, Gordon, you've got a treat in store!

chardie@lineone.net