Building the Model Expo Sopwith Camel

[JohnReid]

Good idea! but your lucky that the Camel doesn't have any rib stiffeners.

[Crosshair]

Wing stiffeners: Good point!

I did have to switch from using a pin to using a toothpick for applying the last spots of glue along the fillet, though!

You also have to be careful not to let the magnets snap too hard into place, as they will chip or fracture.

I have finally finished the endless work of applying CAW02 rib caps (28 of them), as well as the rib caps on most other ribs. I have to do 16 CAW05 rib caps now, but I think I'll just do enough for the top wing at this point so I can show some major assembly. I have a big sheet of steel for assembling the whole wing, as well as the little one I used for parts.

[Crosshair]

The magnets continue to prove their worth as assembly of the upper wing begins (nothing was glued at the time this was taken):



I do kind of wish I had more rod-shaped ones at this point. The disks are good for low-relief work, like applying caps to ribs on their sides, but rods are better for ribs on edge.

[Crosshair]

Has anyone used copper sulphate to alter the colour of Britannia metal? I tested it (on a Model Expo fuselage rotisserie piece) and it gave me a sort of coppery look, but I'm waiting to see how it dries and oxidizes. I'll get pictures. Any thoughts?

[Crosshair]

Here's my experiment on treating Brittannia metal with copper sulphate:



I don't know if it's right for the wingtips, turnbuckles and other pieces of my Camel's wing -- certainly not, actually, if what we're trying to mimic is oxidised aluminium -- but it is an interesting effect that I'm sure I'll use somewhere.

[xken]

Find a stained glass supplier near you and get some plack patina, which really is a dark charcoal. They use it to darken the lead lines in stained glass work. Works great on Britannia metal. They also have other colors available as well.

Ken

[Crosshair]

Fin and rudder:



I just went with Tamiya Gun Metal acrylic for the colour (it looks too dark in this photo) because I had some on hand. I'll try the stained glass technique next time.

[StephenLawson]

Most interesting!

[JohnReid]

I am going to try Ken's idea for stained glass patina.sure sounds good to me.