HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS - Page 27

JohnReid · 10 February 2005, 03:50 PM

I am just about at the point where I will have to decide how I want to set up the fuselage inside the hangar.The Albatros was secured through the wheels with screws and the Nieuport using a minature screwjack.The Jennys wheels however are spoked so I cant use the screw method.I plan to display the model as I have done before ,in the level or flying position.The wings I will set up in a rigging jig and saw horses.This will help to simplify the whole rigging procedure and provide support for the wings, as well as secure the wings to the hangar floor.I will probably fully rig the airplane as I find it to be a challenge and I actually enjoy it. By securing both the wings and fuselage to the hangar floor you can decide for yourself how much rigging you want to do.(another advantage of doing a diorama of an aircraft under construction)

Since I will now be doing 2 aircraft,which I really didnt plan for in the beginning,I will have to be very careful about how I place everything in the 30x40 floorplan.The second aircraft ,the JN4A,will have its wings off and probably resting in wooden cradles along with the tail planes.There is just enough room for the 2nd fuselage,the workshop,the chase car and 5 or 6 figures.

This is when it really starts to get exciting.Actually starting to install things in the hangar after over a year of building things.It is nice to see your ideas coming together.In the end you actually have to force yourself to quit putting in detail before it becomes overdone.As they say,what to leave in and what to leave out? Cheers! John.

JohnReid · 12 February 2005, 01:59 PM

After giving it a lot of thought,I think that I will put the airplane together as follows.
I plan to build complete assemblies of the R/H top and bottom wing ,the L/H top and bottom wing,and the fuselage.The tail plane would go on next and the U/C wheels last.
Today I set the fuselage upright in the jig and squared up the struts between the center section and the fuselage,then I confirmed the stagger of the upper and lower wings at the center section.Next I will install the center section wire braces, and this first completed fuselage assembly will be just about ready(except for the tail planes and their rigging and the turtle deck)
Each wing assembly will be built entirely seperate from the fuselage except for where the wing root joins the fuselage.Both the right and left wing assemblies are basically box like structures supported by struts and brace wires.Upon completion, they will be joined to the fuselage and then the tail planes put on while everything is held square.Unfortunately those beautiful spoked wheels will have to wait for awhile I guess. to be cont......

JohnReid · 14 February 2005, 07:56 AM

I posted a short opinion on weathering over on the Over-weathering thread as it relates to Jenny.Cheers! John.

JohnReid · 14 February 2005, 05:22 PM

Some of my references call for double wire bracing on the fuse side foreward of the aft cockpit and some dont,so to be on the safe side I added the double brace wires.
I test fit the lower wings at the wing root and everything lines up ok.I stored the wings away so long ago, that I had forgotten that, I didnt fully finish one of the lower wings.There is not a lot to do just the rib cap strips and a few odds and ends.The airplane will then go back in the jig and I will begin the L/H top and bottom wing assembly, complete with struts and landing and flying wires etc..
In my opinion I think that the Jenny was overbuilt but I guess in those days it was better safe than sorry.Just building the model I can see that this is an extremely strong airplane.I am sure that a lot of budding pilots owed their lives to training on the Jenny.Most pics that I have seen of Jenny accidents look survivable with very little evidence of fire or destruction of the cage surrouding the pilots. to be cont.....

JohnReid · 17 February 2005, 09:16 AM

I am planning to take a series of new pics of the Jenny.Is there any specific area that anyone needs more reference for ? Cheers! John.

DonnyW · 17 February 2005, 10:36 AM

Can you post pics of it ALL John ?

I have been lurking in your thread but didn't want to disturb you. Ive re read it a couple of times ..reason is Ive started my own Jenny ..JN-4D..built from raw materials and the Proctor plan at 1/6th scale. Ive not got much done yet but here is the rear end. Not too much attention to the frame as it will be covered and will hopefully fly. Im not stuck for any particular part ..yet...but know where to come if I do

WillHendriks · 17 February 2005, 12:30 PM

John:

Just been browsing through this thread and stumbled upon the photos of the Jenny (and a Canuck to boot!) in progress.

Absolutely fantastic!!!!

Nice work!

Will,

Fellow "Canuck".

JohnReid · 17 February 2005, 12:32 PM

Hey Donny W.,Its great to hear you are doing a Jenny.Those Proctor models are really beautiful.Please feel free to add to this thread at any time and keep sending in those pics.Its nice to get some response from time to time and please dont ever think that I am too busy to answer your(or anybody elses) questions.That is why I started this thread in the first place.Cheers! John.

JohnReid · 17 February 2005, 02:13 PM

Thanks Will! Why dont you give the Canuck a try too as it is very rarely modeled in any scale or medium? Cheers! John.

JohnReid · 17 February 2005, 03:04 PM

Sorry Donny W. I dont think I answered your question.What do you mean by all the pics?I have many other pics, plus the ones on this thread and on other websites.Is there a specific area that you are interested in now? Why dont you try to do your Jenny as a Canuck? Cheers! John.