Copper State Models 1/48th Taube

PrzemoL · 1 November 2009, 02:36 PM

I must join the chorus! This model looks terrific. Fine shading, precise rigging/control. Truly fantastic.
And I would also appreciate some more photos, especially close-ups (cockpit, central pylon, u/c...)

andy wood · 2 November 2009, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StephenLawson

Andy nicely done! Could you write a review of the kit? Making some comments about what you learned would benefit all of us I am sure!

I bought this kit following an in-depth build in May 2003 Scale Aviation Modelling International. It is mainly resin, with a PE set and white metal for the struts, wheels, radiators, steering wheel, etc. The white metal was very poor, but to be fair, even Cooper State acknowledge this and suggest using them as patterns to make your own parts, which I did. Instructions are in the form of very good plans, but you do need to sit down and work things out. It was whilst looking at the plans that I saw that the tail was a little bit shorter than it should be.

I delayed starting this for ages as I tried to gather as much research as I could, but you would not beleive at the lack of material there is on the Taube A.11! I even have the Grosz/Haddow/schiemer book.

I eventually got away by drilling all the holes for the rigging. Main constructuon and painting could be done in a day, but I took longer due to a)using wood venner to represent wood wherever possible, and b) choosing a complex scheme. Filling was mainly confined to the air bubbles in the fuselage. The molded stiching was re placed using PE.

The cockpit coaming was represented by a piece of PE, which whilst achieving scale thickness, was very diffcult to attach due the lack of positive location surfaces and the complex curvature. The padding was represented by a peice of insulated wire with the core taken out.

I then went on to make the undercarrige. Using brass I learnt that it does not stick well to resin. Using all sorts of glue, I never did acehive a real good join, but making the rigging structural (more anon.) kept it all in place.

On to the wings, which are lovley. I spent a pleasant evening pre-shading and painting them, before making some stencils using the decals as a pattern to spray my own crosses using a VERY dark grey. (I learnt from this, ie ensure every last mm is stuck down.)

The wings need pinning, and I admit I did not do a very good job with this. I used just one at each leading edge. Not good, since I also used brass pins which were not long enough. Still, rigging saved the day, but it is not as neat as I would of liked. Still, learnt for next time.

After making the kingposts, etc, I went on to the rigging (the bit I enjoy the most actually). The secret is to do as much as possible with one length of thread. It will be more aking to sewing, BUT, you will have a very strong model. The plans was very difficult to follow in this repsect and differed somewhat to photos, and I am still not sure if I have got it totally right. Turnbuckles were represented by oil paint.

The engine, a HEIRO 85 hp inline, was a poor affair. The cylinders were badly formed and wonkey, so using just the crankcase, I rebuilt the whole thing. It was then sprayed black. The crankcase was drybrushed, NOT painted, aluminium. The result is a more realistic used/shaded look. Try it next time. You will like the results. The white metal prop had one blade shorter than the other so a new one was made using wood veeners.

Just as I was nearing the end, my cat jumped on top of it. I could of cried. Repairs were made, but it is not as neat as it could of been. I never wanted the cat anyway. I'm a dog person!

I will submit some morephotos soon

Trackpad · 2 November 2009, 09:24 AM

Well Done, Andy! You're just in time for the UK Nats with this. Very nice work. I especially like the rigging and paint scheme: beautiful!

andy wood · 2 November 2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trackpad

Well Done, Andy! You're just in time for the UK Nats with this. Very nice work. I especially like the rigging and paint scheme: beautiful!

Thanks trackpad. I would love to go to the Nats but unfortunatley I have to work!

andy wood · 4 November 2009, 06:49 AM

Here are some close ups as requested by a number of you

PrzemoL · 5 November 2009, 02:45 PM

Thanks for more photos. This is a real beauty with so much fine details. Very impressive to say the least.

Doug Baumann · 6 November 2009, 03:56 PM

very very good looking model

Great work and marvelous craftsmen ship.

Doug

albatros1234 · 27 November 2009, 05:49 PM

has anyone built the flashback taube, I just got my hands on one and have been looking at it(the rigging mostly)wondering how I'm gonna manage it.i thought about getting the CSM taube but didnt want that guy to be my first foray into resin.Its just a bit intimidating.Maybe after I do mine I'll consider it. The detail looks reasonable on mine I think it could turn out good if I can figure out how to rig it.

AROTH · 27 November 2009, 06:44 PM

I still have a Flashback Taube somewhere, too.

That doesn't seem so bad when I consider trying to build the smaller 1/72 Pegasus version........

StephenLawson · 27 November 2009, 08:51 PM

Andy let me thank you sincerely for the build review. It was most enlightening. It may even save another modeler from hitting similar brickwalls you encountered.