Building and Modifying the Model Expo 1/16th kits

[JohnReid]

At the suggestion of Stephen Lawson lets try something new!

[JohnReid]

How would you guys suggest that we set this up?

[StephenLawson]

Greetings John!

You know more than anybody I could name, the problems with the kits you have sculpted. I say sculpted because your models are recognized as art. Not blowing smoke here just recognizing the talent.

Start with the kit and a list of the problems. The following posts could allow you and other modelers to expound on your methods of (for a lack of a better word) fixing the issues. The membership could chime in with their concerns or comments. You may even consider separate threads. One for each Model expo kit. Your diorama thread is absolutely one of the best anywhere on the web. But for modelers working with just one of the types you have built it is tough to sort through it to get what they are looking for.

You probably have the images in your fabulous collection / archive.

Another subject is the lost art of wood working. Like bending wood for compound curves. Resurfacing the white metal Model Expo used. Some of it is very pitted. Lining up the cylinders or truing the engine parts to sit correctly. Finding the problems and hearing the best methods to fixing the problem. Just some ideas. Nothing in concrete you folks that have finished the builds will know best.

[JohnReid]

Hi Stephen! Thank you for your kind words.I only wish when I started building these Model Expo kits,which is almost ten years ago now, that I had more knowledge of the internet and how to take pics.Other than some notations on the plans and instruction booklets the rest is in my failing memory.I am sure though if someone was to jog my memory with a specific question the answer is still in there somewhere.
There are modeling friends of mine who have recorded their building experiences.Jim Landon comes to mind right away with his Nieuport 28.I will contact him and see if he would like to participate.There are also others that I have in mind that may want to contribute.
For my part in this thread I will keep my personal comments about quality etc..to myself and just work with what we have .From out of the box builds to almost scratch, they all have equal value.A love of old airplanes and modeling, is the only requirement.

[ufag]

Semi scratch build spandau for the 1/16th albatros.
Just a start....

[ufag]

some more..

[ufag]

Would like to upload bigger pictures for better resolution, but how to..? The pics are not on a url...

[JohnReid]

Great looking guns! Care to share how you made them?

[JohnReid]

I don't know if this is still a problem or not but the original Albatros and Nieuport kits had very soft metal that they used in their castings.The overall quality of the Jenny ,Wright Flyer,and Camel castings have been improved somewhat but I would not take any chances as I have heard of the landing gear legs bending under their own weight just sitting on the shelf.This mod is almost mandatory for these kits,other than Jenny which sits on wooden legs and maybe the Camel which has a little stronger metal consistency.(I am not taking any chances with my Camel and will be modifying it too.)

[JohnReid]

Albatros:
(1)World War I Modeling Page (look for Martin Wolf in Galleries)
(2)this website ,Detailing the 1/16th Albatros DVa ( philip.e)
(3)wwi-model.org (look for John Reid in Galleries)

Nieuport:
(1)wwi-models.org (look for Jim Landon in Galleries)
(2)wwi-models.org (look for Ken Foran in Galleries)
(3)wwi-models.org (look for John Reid in Galleries)

Camel:
(1)wwi-models.org (look for Ken Foran in Galleries)Scratchbuilt 1/15th scale.
(2)this website,How to build Dioramas,(John Reid,build in progress)

Jenny:
(1)this website,How to build Dioramas....(John Reid,build in progress)

In future,if there is enough response we could have individual threads for each airplane.Cheers! John.