[StephenLawson]

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

Well folks, I have officially registered major disaster number two with this kit (this is a new personal best for me...).

As I wanted to try and keep it all close to OOB I decided to ditch my usual turn buckle "rig after the wing is on" process and rig prior to attachment of the upper wing (ie glue the rigging to the top of the struts - this has worked will for me in 1/72 scale). Rigging and installation all seemed to go well. I come back to the model a few hours later and notice that a combination of slightly too much tension and some very long and thin inerplane struts has caused one of the interplane struts to snap, leaving the model looking slightly worse for wear and the top wing pulled to one side. Desperate attempts to remedy the situation and re-join the busted strut led to a number of the other struts popping out of place - more desperately applied blobs of superglue assisted me in fighting a valiant rear guard action but the inevitable crunch of mass structural failure could not be averted.

Dang.

I literally was mid throw when I gathered the good sense to not send the W4 flying. Damage report - all interplane struts pulled, one snapped strut, some pulled lozenge decal from around the strut and rigging attachment locations, but worst of all, some very ugly blobs of glue on the bottom of the upper wing which will essentially require sanding and a repaint of the bottom of the upper wing.

Dang again.

It's not that it is a bad kit. It is in fact a very good kit. Which is why I keep getting surprised by these disasters. It's not that I am a bad modeller - at least I don't think so (I reckon I have a reasonable idea on these biplane things having build about 10 of em). I am not doing anything differently this time than I have done any other time... Its just that a higher power somewhere has decided to test me with this kit (maybe as punishment for not having any major disasters before).

Alas, I am determined moreso to not let this kit beat me....! Stay tuned folks, as these things tend to happen in three's....

BC

Greetings Brad!

Seriously I have been there. You may remember my not so toungue-in -cheek text on The Laws of Modeling? Here is a bit that I am sure you are now more familar with.

" . . .Rule #17.) Tossing a semi-finished or finished , expensive or highly detailed model kit against the furthest wall in your basement at 90mph is the most sincerest form of self-criticism. But doesn't live up to the acclaimed rush that is supposed to follow. . ."

This too shall pass. Everyone who builds models hits this bump in the road. You will set it aside go to the pub, watch a sunset, walk on the beach or go for a walkabout. In the end you will come back to it and it will bend to your will. To your satisfaction no doubt. Remind me to tell you about a Hanriot HD.1 sometime. But for now (he says pulling out his pocket watch from his waist coat) I'm late I'm late for a very important date no time to say hello - goodbye I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!!!

Off to see my new grandaughter!