Avro Spider in 1/33 from Wagner Models

[Don Boose]

Terrific engine, Dan. Many aircraft had bronze or brass exhaust piping at that time.

The left-handed exhaust collectors are not at all noticeable - unlike the backwards engine cowlings I once produced: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/15767-post234.html (over the ensuing nine years, a very funny comment by Ron Spencer has disappeared and a few words dropped out of my post. Last line, graph 2 should read "I don't think I can explain THAT as battle damage.")

Anyway, your Spider and its engine look just grand.

Don



Don

[YOAVHOZMI]

The engine looked excellent.

YOAV

[smithdr]

Thanks for all the encouragement. In the home stretch now!

Today I made the wheels/tires and added them to the spreader bar. Now it really looks cool and truly only needs the cowling.



Here we go!

Cheers,
Dan

[smithdr]

Evening, All!

Tonight, I finished the cowl...well, the initial fitting. I got some dapping tools which are these spherically machined rather robust hunks or metal with different diameters and I used multiple sizes to slowly roll the cowl petals into shape until they fit very close together even without glue. Then I very carefully applied glue with a brush and used tweezers to hold just a couple of petals together, let them dry and went on the the next set...etc. By the time I got all the way around, I got a pretty nice fit and it looks much better than I thought I could do! Here is a partial progression:





I still need to do a bit of trimming and I still think I shall coat the inside with epoxy and sand/prime the piece so the seams will be hidden. However, even if I just left it as is with just a little paint touch up, it would look nice and be for the "purist" paper card modeler. I'm chuffed, I must say.

More soon and thanks for looking,
Dan

[Mike1158]

Very nice, a result anyone could be proud of.

[MacSongLi]

WOW, very nice work on the curves on that cowling.

Gary

[Burning Beard]

Very nice. I can see how you are conflicted on the cowling, it looks good the way it is.

Beard

[Royaloakmin]

I think I would sand and paint. I'd also try the other version, then compare them. You got the seams together very nicely.

[smithdr]

THANKS Mike, Gary, B.Beard and Fred!

So here is the cowling progress. First, I filled the inside with epoxy and then this morning, lightly sanded the petals:


Then I filled with Tamyia putty:


And kept sanding, priming, sanding, priming etc...



Until finally...


I then cut out the bottom for the engine and painted the inside and out with black. I'll post the beast all done later tonight! Looks pretty neat-oh.

Thanks to you all for encouragement. I have a flying boat, a large Albatros recon aircraft and the only Albatros rotary machine and a Hannriot all waiting This little guy was such a joy to put together and really looks so neat, I may tackle one of those next.

The Spider will look great next to my WNW Snipe!

Cheers,
Dan

[Mike1158]

I know many will think this sacrilege but the aluminium top from yoghurt pots might make suitable cowling for rotary engined WWI types, and would reduce sanding etc. A spoon and a former might just be enough. As I wrote this I was quite aware that I have not posted any builds as yet but this might also work for tank and car parts too.