Wagner Models 1/33rd Pfalz Dr-1 Triplane

[smithdr]

All,

I started this one today and got the basic fuselage done along with the interior. It fits just like the Avro Spider, that is...perfectly.

The "kit":




And progression on the fuselage:











Notice the little compass on the floor. Neat detail on this one.

I'll start adding the skins soon.

Cheers,
Dan

[Doug J]

Looking really good so far!!

[MacSongLi]

Dan,

Great start, a really cool model. Is that balsawood that you use for formers?

Gary

[Don Boose]

Good start. Sturdy-looking fuselage. Reminds me of the Lee Hobbies peanut scale stick-and-tissue WWI aircraft.

Don

[smithdr]

Thanks Doug, Gary and Don!

Gary: Yup...1/32nd sheet. I find it doesn't bend around like all my attempts at using cardboard and I'm use to it so I'm comfortable. Plus...I save a fortune on blades as balsa cuts much easier. If the part calls for a thinner backing, it's also easy to simply sand the balsa a bit to the final thickness required.

Don: I've built lots of those and miss them a lot! This one is pretty chunky and small...even in 1/33rd scale. But I guess that was the point. It was supposed to be maneuverable and tiny so that big engine would really whip it around. I do think it looks even more so since I'm using balsa wood as a backer.

More soon!
Dan

[MrConk]

Oh, boy! Here we go again. I'll be following closely.
By the way, I also use 1/32 balsa whenever possible. I find it's not only easier, but saves time in the construction which translates into less time = more models.

[smithdr]

Agreed, Mr. C! I'm really glad I had solid balsa to play with as I put the skins on the fuselage (see below)!

So...

I started skinning the fuselage and it turned out OK but could be better.

First, to locate the mid wing which has some critical alignment cutouts, I cut my spar, sanded it a bit (needs to be 0.5mm thick) and inlaid a wire for strength along it's length...then I slipped in in temporarily which helped the first skin attachment. I then added a piece that goes on the underside and all fit extremely well.













Then the excitement started. It was a struggle putting the rest of the skins on mostly due to me not looking at the parts carefully enough. I like using paper tabs to help slide sections together and I simply looked at the instructions showing the finished skins in place and began adding them. It was tough to edge join things and all was not right with the world. Only THEN did I see that the kit includes those tabs and I would have had a better time had I used them. So I started adding them from the rear cockpit to the tail.


It was still hard to add the skins to a frame and make them look nice (for me). It seems easier to cut the skins out, connect them so you have a tube/sleeve and then add a carefully fitted and cut former on one end with tabs to facilitate sliding successive parts together. On the other hand, having a nice, strong keel with solid formers as on this kit ensures a straight fuselage with little chance of twisting. I guess it's just another method and I need practice.

Don't assume it doesn't fit! The parts as designed match up really well. Things like the serials on the fuselage etc. look sweet. So I think any issues I had are really my own doing. May even be using the thicker balsa and being incrementally off on thickness. This magnifies things as you go along manifesting as ill-fitting areas.

Anyway, more to come and it's starting to look like an airplane now! :D

Dan

[MacSongLi]

Dan,

I love the inlaid wire for support, great idea. The aircraft is looking great. Nice work.

Gary

[YOAVHOZMI]

great work so far

YOAV

[smithdr]

Thanks, Folks...

Gary: Based on the plans, I think it calls for a thin piece of wire (P9?) so though I wish it was my idea, alas! I think it wasn't.

Can't wait to put the tails on tonight or maybe start the dreaded cowling!

Cheers,
Dan