Spad VII (Roden 1/32)

[draken35]

OK, now here is my actual "work-in-progress": the Spad VII from Roden.

I'm building that kit for a group build ("Avions de la Grande Guerre") on the French forum Maquette Garden.
maquettes de véhicules et figurines militaires et

I'm responsible of that Group Build.
Avions de la Grande Guerre
Like Maquette Garden is principally a forum for tanks, I'm trying to give to the participating members some anecdots, tips, etc on what concerns WWI aviation...

Well, enough said, here is my build:
















I will also use the photoetch of PART


And my documentation source will of course be the following:


I will build the aircraft of Sous-lieutenant Ciselet:

photo via Belgian Aviation History Association

Some putty needed


the photoetch parts are excellent, but I will not use some of them: so, here, the PE elements are not large enough


The engine. All the elements are not placed because the engine cover will be closed.

[draken35]

Some holes...






The placement of the PE louves asked for some work too:



Carefully press on the louves...


...will give you a very nice result

[draken35]

Now it's time to remove some plastic




...And to use Gator's Grip glue: the time needed for that glue to dry is an advantage for the perfect positioning of the little parts










The excess of glue is removed (before drying) with a brush and some water



I Like it!

[draken35]

I've forgotten a little trapdoor!

Same technique of course...


I've also begun the work on the louves of the part going under the motor. Not really easy. And the part is not yet correctly formed...


The build of the radiator will be fun too...


One hour was needed to prepare those tiny things...

Total: 130 (65 of each). Following the instructions from PART, only 49 of each seem to be needed. I will check my doc to verify if there are other possible places for use.

I've used Klir (equivalent of future) to glue the little parts.

Klir, water, toothpicks, and a 3/0 brush (not on the photo)

With the brush, I put a little drop of Klir on the place of the part


The part is placed with an humidified toothpick


A drop of klir again, to "secure" the work... Then, placement of the last element of the ensemble


And here is the final result:

Not an easy work to do. Nerviously it was hard... So, the second panel of the engine cover will be made next time.
I have finished with another drop of Klir on all the elements.

[draken35]

I've finished the second part:



It just took me 1/2 hour...

I was a little bit disapointed by PART...

I found the PE radiator so fine... But it doesn't match with the kit part: a little bit longer, fitting not exactly





Simply imposible to put in the kit...



Even for little details...

[draken35]

I've decided to opt for a mix between the PE and the part of the kit:

That will be OK when in place.

But, really, not the best PE element from PART.

Some progress:

Use of 3D paint to repair the damaged rivets (when removed from sprue)...

... The element was attached at 4 points...

...Mr Surfacer 1000...


...And PE...


I don't like Mr Surfacer... It's a product I can live without. I have made some rectifications with liquid glue + plastic. I have also used that mix for two BIG holes in the propeller...


Sanding of the putty on the wings. Three little rectifications needed (I used my mix...)




Some elements of the cockpit are assembled


And, again, the use of "my" glue is needed!

[draken35]

Time to take a look on the rudder now!

PART gives 4 éléments to make the rudder




There are fine but not perfect...

Kit's rudder is nice but perfectible. Here is the work:












...And here is the result:


The windshield asked for some reflexion:
The one of the kit is thick, but also a little bit opaque.
The one of PART is too fine and impossible for me to work on it and obtain a good form, with the film...

So I've decided to use the kit's part, but that will ask for some extra work to obtain a good result.

I've also begun to work on the Vickers

Links, top of the photo: what I've removed from the kit part.
It's far from the end, for that Vickers...

[draken35]

I've encountered another unexpected problem today...
As I had not many time to work on the Vickers, I just decided to remove some parts from the sprue. As always, I'm trying the fitting and... ouch...

...Not good at all...

So I've sanded the elements. Going better now...


...but look here!!!


I've opted for the following solution: to make the hole larger.


...on the left side the corrected part, on the right side the original one


The final result:

[draken35]

I've removed from the PE sheet all the elements of the Vickers. I've sanded the vickers but some corrections are needed so, no possibility to continue today with that weapon...


...So, back to another funny game!
Light sanding...

"I" = "Inside"


...here is the "outside"

On each time there is not ONE but TWO PE part !!!

Finished:

[draken35]

I'm always working with PE:


Vickers is finished. Not the best possible result, but my best possible result...

[draken35]

I've sanded the wings, removing the little "metalic" elements that are replaced by PE.

Lower wing




Upper wing








NB: The green color is just 3D paint for tissue. That will represent the cables.

Here is where I am actually...

[No.1]

Fascinating upgrades on kit and great work with metal!! This will be great build to watch!

[draken35]

Thank you, Srecko!

I'm far from the end I'm afraid... The Roden kit is nice but not perfect; it's not Wingnut Wings! I will have lot of work to do, but anyway it's a pleasant build and I want to make great job for that one...

[samuraj77]

Very nice and clean work so far. 

[draken35]

Thank you again!