Roden's 1/48 Fokker D.VII (Late Fokker built): newbie questions.

[MerlinV]

Did you say earlier that this was your first WWI build?
Pretty good I'd say.

If you are really worried about the alignment of the wings, you might want to think about re-fitting the upper main plane.

If you do decide to go down that path, here's what I'd be doing...

Make your self a template up from fairly thick clear acetate sheet. Mark lines for the centre line of the fuselage and the leading edge of the lower main plane. Then having worked out what your stagger should be, mark the fitting points of the struts in the upper main plane and drill holes in the template.

Fit the (Outer) struts using your template and CA them in place (I think your problem is with the Starboard strut. It's too long at the bottom of the V. Trim this back a bit). Then fit the upper main plane.
Fit the cabane struts last, checking your alignment as you go.

Cheers,

Hugh

[StephenLawson]

Which did you add first? Interplane struts or cabane struts? I find its easier to keep everything plumb and square to add the interplane struts first. As Hugh suggests check these closely to match. The cabanes are then added in opposing pairs. Doing this while the kit is inverted helps you keep an eye on the travel of the wings. Good luck on the next build!

[maxidad66]

Thanks folks for the advice. I won't rectify this one, but I will keep an eye out in the future.

I did fit the interplane struts first then the cabane struts. I checked the horizontal alignment to see if they were parallel, but stupidly expected them to align "along the wing" too and I only noticed once the glue had partially set. I could have acted quickly, but thought of redrilling and making good the lozenge pattern afterwards filled me with dread. So I ploughed on.

It was my first WW1 build, although I had done the Gloster Gladiator recently which turned out (imho) much better than the Fokker:

[John Masters]

Very nice Gladiator!

From BiH,
John

[MerlinV]

Lovely Gladiator!

What's next?

Cheers,

Hugh

[maxidad66]

Thanks guys.

Well, nothing very WW1-ish on the bench at the moment. I just started a little 1/72 Walrus Mk1 from Matchbox. Despite its size, it's a sturdy beast and I'm sure I'll get the rigging done on that.

Further down the stash I have Revell's 1/48 Sopwith Camel. I know it's an "unsophisticated" kit, but then I'm an unsophisticated kinda guy.

[StephenLawson]

She is a bit of a honey. Nicely done.

[trackpad]

MD66,

Very nice work on the Gladiator. What's the kit? Looks very good!

[maxidad66]

Originally Posted by trackpad

MD66,

Very nice work on the Gladiator. What's the kit? Looks very good!

Many thanks Trackpad. It's the 1/48 Linberg, using Aeromaster's Defendors of Malta decals.

[trackpad]

Hi, MD66,

Lindberg!! Ye Gods, but you've done very well with that old chestnut! You get a double tip of the hat for this one, mate!