Now that we have decided on the aircraft we are going to build , what scale, etc,and we have a rough idea of how we are going to put it all together,we are now faced with researching our subject.Remember as craftsmen/artists we do have responsibility for historical accuracy.We woundnt want to lead future modelers down the wrong path.
Most of my research on the Jenny was obtained directly off of the internet.There are many pictures available of the open framework with just about every detail exposed.Search under Jenny,Curtiss Jenny etcc..
www.wwi-models.org has a few good sites.In addition to the instruction booklet and plans that come with the kit there is an excellent book available of WW1 aircraft drawings called approperately enough,Scale Aircraft Drawings,Volume 1-WW1.I picked mine up at the local bobby store.In it there are pictures ,drawings,plans,and tables of the differences in the various Jenny types,including the Canuck.I use it as my primary reference.
Now on to the build.I usually begin my builds with the fuselage as it gives me something to look at when I am involved with the more tedious aspects such as building up wing ribs.I find that having something to look at gives me the encouragement to go on (on long term project like this I find these little mind games work)However, on this build I started with the wings because I got involved with all the changes in design that was required for the Canuck.
In the booklet, I am now at page 16,Stage 3 ,Building the basic fuselage.I started by constructing the jig.No problems here ,just make sure that your building board is flat and not twisted as a proper shaped fuselage is dependent upon it.Their are no changes to the jig for the Canuck version.Fig.3-2 struts at stations 3,4&5,I mortised only the outside of these struts(as that is all that shows in the diorama).I liked the detail of the mortising and I wanted it deep enough so that it could be seen .(This is where artistic licence comes into play) In addition to what is shown in the drawing ,there is another small mortise just above the hole for the engine support beam.When drilling out this hole be sure that your hole is vertical as there is no downthrust engine on the Canuck.As I mentioned before I will only be pointing out those areas where the Canuck differs from the JN4c.All other details are in the booklet. Fig3-3 struts at station 6 to 11.In addition to what is shown in the drawing ,I notice from pictures that these struts are actually tapered at the ends.I sanded mine down. I also fitted scratchbuilt turnbuckles to the eyebolts at each end of the struts.(for scratchbuilt turnbuckles see Ken Forans drawing over on wwi-models) I also attached the wires to complete each assembly.I find it easier to attach as much as i can now while the area is readily available.The kit supplies grey string for the fuseelage wires ,I however use beading wire 21 strands,stainless steel ,014 in diameter ,available at
www.softflexcompany.com
The kit supplies basswood strips for the fuselage build.I have used bassword for many years for my bird sculptures and find that it is a very forgiving wood.Not too hard and easily shaped.The only problem is that it tends to be a little hard to finished due to its surface fussyness .Finish it by spraying a fine mist of alcohol to raise the grain and then sand with #600 sandpaer and that should remove most of it.Also be sure to stain your wood before it comes in contact with any glue.I use Prismacolor alcohol based permanent markers for this (tan color). to be cont.....