WWI Digest 452 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) RE: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time by "William B. Bacon, Jr." 2) Re: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time by "Valenciano . Jose" 3) Re: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time by lothar@ncw.net (mark) 4) Re: Pfalz update by Sandy Adam 5) Re: Brisfit tailplane by Hirohisa Ozaki 6) Re: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time by mbittner@juno.com 7) Re: cottage industries by mbittner@juno.com 8) Re: Feral soldiers, Ghost planes, WWI mythology by Tom Eisenhour 9) Re: Woodgrain Finish by Tom Eisenhour 10) Re: cottage industries by Joseph Gentile 11) Re: WWI Modelling by aew (Allan Wright) 12) Oswald Boelcke's "ghost" opponent by Peter Kilduff 13) Re: cottage industries by Bob Norgren 14) Re: cottage industries by Bob Norgren 15) Re: cottage industries by Bob Norgren 16) Re: cottage industries by Joseph Gentile 17) Rep : Woodgrain Responses by Fportier@aol.com 18) Rep : Ilya Murometz by Fportier@aol.com 19) Re: Rep : Ilya Murometz by Joseph Gentile 20) RE: Rep : Ilya Murometz by Shane Weier ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 01:36:06 -0600 From: "William B. Bacon, Jr." To: "'wwi@pease1.sr.unh.edu'" Subject: RE: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time Message-ID: <01BC2773.549F9C80@ESPRESSO.NETJAVA.NET> ------ =_NextPart_000_01BC2773.54A8C440 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Welcome aboard (sorry no pipes but the sentiment is there) and from a = former Marine yet. We are afine group and someone will have the answer = to any question you may have. Again welcome. Cheers, Bill Bill Bacon wbacon@netjava.net ---------- From: Fernando E. Lamas, M.D. Sent: Monday, March 03, 1997 1:20 AM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time After lurking for six weeks on this list, I thought that it would be polite to introduce myself. =20 The last kit I started was a Fokker D. VIII. By Aurora. In 1966. At = age 12. As I grew older, I stopped modeling as I thought it wasn't "grown = up". One day I threw away all my models and I have regrettted it ever since. = The models that fascinated me were the WWI models and reading about = their history started me on my life-long hobby of reading history and = collecting history. My study of history has gone through several phases and I have been on my classical history phase for the last six years and now = collect ancient coins. (That is not as exotic as it sounds as some very good = coins Roman coins cost less than some of the models you talk about.) My son is approaching model building age and I looked for, but never found, WWI models. They were everywhere when I was a kid. This = Christmas, I opened one of the presents from my wife and it was.....a model..... = which I recognized was a U.S. Navy Curtiss Sparrowhawk (my wife and I were = both in the Navy). "You said once you regretted not having any of your old = models so I got you one of the kind you used to like." Well, not exactly, but it's = the thought that counts. As I said in the title of my post, I was frozen in time in regards to modeling but have learned a bit in the last six = weeks. My first reaction when I opened the box was, "That's strange. The model = is all grey. How come the wings aren't yellow? And RUBBER tires?!?!" I became quite nostalgic and posted the message I have pasted below = to rec.models.scale. Answers came back telling me about the death of = Aurora :^( but also that some of my old models survived as Glencoe and Smer. Someone mentioned this list. I subscribed and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about a subject I have not discussed in 30 years. I am now = taking a break from classical history and have read the biography of Immelmann written by his brother and am now reading Boelcke's authorized = biography. Time does make a difference. When I was 12, I saw the WWI airmen as men = who were larger than life. Now I see them as 25 year old boys who wrote = long letters to their mothers. I will be buying several cheap Glencoes to build with my son. = However, this modeling thing is drawing me back in after all these years. I = suspect that I will try to learn some of these new-fangled modeling techniques = and build a decent model or two for myself. I really miss my Albatros. Best regards, Fernando E. Lamas, M.D. Port Townsend, WA, USA lamas@olympus.net "F.E. Lamas" wrote: > When I was a boy in the 1960's, I, along with many boys my age, was = an=20 >avid model builder. WW I and WW II aircraft models were very popular = back=20 >then and, for some reason, I thought that the WW I aircraft were=20 >especially beautiful. Since that time, I spent 8 years of active duty = in=20 >the Navy and have seen F-14 Tomcats launched and recovered aboard the = USS=20 >Nimitz. However, to this day, my idea of a beautiful aircraft is an=20 >Albatros D V, a Pfalz D III or a Nieuport 17. > > One of the greatest joys of having a son is that Dad gets to relive = his=20 >boyhood. My son already loves to build things and is now reaching the = age=20 >where he will soon be old enough to build models. This Christmas, I = kept=20 >my eye out for one of the WW I aircraft models I enjoyed so much as a = boy.=20 >I did not see a single one.=20 > > In the 1960's, the WW I veterans were still alive and were = grandfathers=20 >in their 70's. This may explain the popularity of WW I models back = then.=20 >I assume that their popularity died with Grandpa. > > Are there any WW I aircraft models still available? I do not mean=20 >extremely complicated ones that require the skill of an experienced = adult=20 >modeller but, rather, the type that a boy can build with a little help=20 >from Dad. > > Fernando E. 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Jose" To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time Message-ID: On Mon, 3 Mar 1997, Fernando E. Lamas, M.D. wrote: > After lurking for six weeks on this list, I thought that it would be > polite to introduce myself. > > The last kit I started was a Fokker D. VIII. By Aurora. In 1966. At age > 12. As I grew older, I stopped modeling as I thought it wasn't "grown up". > One day I threw away all my models and I have regrettted it ever since. Welcome, Welcome Fernando! You should post more messages. BTW, I presume you're joining the more prestigious 1/48 scale camp? ********************************************************************* Joey Valenciano WW1 modeller, teacher, jazz musician, joeyval@pusit.admu.edu.ph sitarist tel. (632) 921-26-75 Metro-Manila, Philippines "The more you know, the more you don't know." ********************************************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 00:35:13 -0800 (PST) From: lothar@ncw.net (mark) To: wwi Subject: Re: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time Message-ID: <199703030835.AAA16866@concord.televar.com> Fernando writes: > After lurking for six weeks on this list, I thought that it would be >polite to introduce myself. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to the finest list on the 'Net. You will learn more here than you probably could ever have imagined possible about the subject of WWI aircraft - I know I have... > The last kit I started was a Fokker D. VIII. By Aurora. In 1966. At age >12. As I grew older, I stopped modeling as I thought it wasn't "grown up". Many of us are also Aurora children of the 60's. Like you, I dropped out in my teens, only to come back to WWI aircraft (albeit after a brief sojourn in the wilderness of airplanes from that "other " global conflict, and even one or two without propellors!!! Oh, the horror, the horror!) about two years ago. >One day I threw away all my models and I have regrettted it ever since. Don't worry, your opportunity to redeem thyself draweth nigh....with the things you'll learn from this list, Al's web page, the FAQ, etc. you'll soon be turning out great looking, historically accurate kits that will put your old ones to shame. At least that's how it's worked for me! > The models that fascinated me were the WWI models and reading about their >history started me on my life-long hobby of reading history and collecting >history. Same here. I think you'll find a higher level of historical knowledege on this list than any other devoted to modelling. > I will be buying several cheap Glencoes to build with my son. However, >this modeling thing is drawing me back in after all these years. I suspect >that I will try to learn some of these new-fangled modeling techniques and >build a decent model or two for myself. I really miss my Albatros. Just wait til you see what's out there these days. In the last two years I've found enough <<> kits out there (mostly Eduard, DML, Smer and Glencoe - but not their Albatros!) to keep me busy for the next 10 to 20 years, kits I never even imagined were out there. > Best regards, > Fernando E. Lamas, M.D. > Port Townsend, WA, USA > lamas@olympus.net Another Washingtonian! There's a disproportionate number of us Evergreen Staters on this list, mostly in Seattle of course, although I'm out in the woods of Chelan County - a backwardsass redneck place if there ever was one, but the scenery, clean air, and skiing can't be beat - and it's only 100 miles from American Eagles (125th and Lake City Way), the best hobby shop in Seattle... >> However, to this day, my idea of a beautiful aircraft is an >>Albatros D V, a Pfalz D III or a Nieuport 17. AMEN! You have found a home, brother! Mark lothar@ncw.net ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 09:40:58 +0000 (GMT) From: Sandy Adam To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: Re: Pfalz update Message-ID: On Sun, 2 Mar 1997, Carlos Valdes wrote: > I went by a local hobby shop today which happened to have the new > Eduard kit in stock (I didn't get it as I have one coming via mail Great News, must get one to add to the pile of unmade Pfalzen from Aurora, Glencoe & Blue Max on my shelves - maybe I should do a whole Jasta at once! > I can report that, surprisingly (at least to me), the kit is that of a > D.III only; I was really expecting and hoping for a D.IIIa. As I noted Real point of the reply - I think I read somewhere that the intention of Eduard in the future is to do a standard kit, followed by one or more variations on the theme. This accords with the MvR Alb DV (with the DIII coming), the Collishaw Tripe and the Nie 17 with an Aces' version to follow. I saw a flier in a Glasgow shop that showed box-art and lists for future Eduards and this may have been where I saw that a Pfalz DIIIa was projected. Maybe somebody else can confirm or correct me on this. Best regards Sandy ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 97 19:35:29 JST From: Hirohisa Ozaki To: wwi Subject: Re: Brisfit tailplane Message-ID: <9703031035.AA07062@wight.miln.mei.co.jp> Hello Charles, Charles Hart wrote: >>Hi all, >> >>I am interested in tailplane of Bristol fighter now. >>I believe, there are 5th variation. <> > Interesting observations. Having not really looked into this I will >suggest something off the top of my head, perhaps the variations you are >seeing are due to interchangeability of different components. That is, the >stabilizer "fin" might have fit both types of moveable stabilizer pieces. >Something I would have to look at in photographs. Hmmm.... Charles, one more question. The variation of Brisfit tailplane shapes has no clearly classification? Was it changeing continuative? > There are a couple of other references to check, there is a book by >Chaz Boyer on the Bristol Fighter that I have never seen, but it was >favorably reviewed in Windsock a couple of years back. There was also a >book in the "Vintage Warbirds" series from Arms and Armour Press on the >Bristol Fighter. The latter is out of print, the former I have never seen >in the U.S. Don't know about their relative availability in Japan though. Thank you for this info. I have started to search them. >Charles > >hartc@spot.colorado.edu Thanks again, Hiro. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 06:08:46 EST From: mbittner@juno.com To: wwi Subject: Re: WWI Modeller Frozen in Time Message-ID: <19970303.051138.9062.1.mbittner@juno.com> On Mon, 3 Mar 1997 02:20:06 -0500 "Fernando E. Lamas, M.D." writes: > After lurking for six weeks on this list, I thought that it > would be polite to introduce myself. Welcome. As was previously said, you will find quite the mix on here - as far as scale goes - but everyone usually tries to help if they can. When you have a question, post away. It's bound to be answered in some form. > However, to this day, my idea of a beautiful aircraft is an > Albatros D V, a Pfalz D III or a Nieuport 17. Hey, I see you've included most of the favorites of this list. I for one am a huge Nieuport fan, and know that Eduard has announced a new Nie.17 (since you build in Balloon Scale). If you dabble in 1/72nd (the Scale of Hustad), then you're left with the Revell offering - if you can find any. I sure wish someone would come out with a new mold Nie.17 in 1/72nd. However, I'm sure it would cost $35 or so, so why bother. ;-) Again, welcome. If you haven't received the FAQ, let me know and I'll get it out to you ASAP. Matt mbittner@juno.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 06:08:46 EST From: mbittner@juno.com To: wwi Subject: Re: cottage industries Message-ID: <19970303.051138.9062.0.mbittner@juno.com> On Sun, 2 Mar 1997 22:46:58 -0500 hartc@spot.Colorado.EDU (Charles Hart) writes: You know, it seems that whenever I complain about the prices of kits - especially Skybirds and JMGT - someone inevitably chimes in with "it takes time and money". I agree with that point, as well as the fact that most cottage makers are more in it for the "help to the fellow modeler" then making a living at it. A lot of shops just want to break even on what they sell. However, that doesn't explain why Skybirds' Halberstadt D.II - a *single* seater - costs $35, while Rosemonts Sikorsky S-10 seaplane - with floats, plus it's a double-seater - costs $24.95. Even considering shipping and handling, it just doesn't add up. Now, when we mention JMGT - for those who don't know their St. Chammond, a 1/72nd resin tank - we wonder why it costs $47.98. This thing is much smaller than your typical single seater, and - although I haven't seen the parts layout - probably has less parts. Okay, rant mode off. Charles made some good points, but still, it just doesn't add up. Matt mbittner@juno.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 07:49:51 -0800 From: Tom Eisenhour To: wwi Subject: Re: Feral soldiers, Ghost planes, WWI mythology Message-ID: <331AF31F.35D@swbell.net> Micheal wrote: > > War doesn't respect heros. They die just as cruelly and pointlessly as > > 'lesser' men. This doesn't fit human notions of 'fair.' Anthropomorphized > > planes, like horses bringing home dead heros, add a dignity or justice to > > war. This shows up too with stories of heros who don't die the common > > death, but just 'are no more,' like Elijah. Or Georges Guynemer, "who flew so high he couldn't come down." Tom Eisenhour eisen@swbell.net ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 08:15:31 -0800 From: Tom Eisenhour To: wwi Subject: Re: Woodgrain Finish Message-ID: <331AF923.3178@swbell.net> Bob Norgren wrote: > Paint the fuselage white or tan and then wet-brush (lots of water and little > paint) Polly S dark brown. Experiment on scrap plastic first. I know > someone who painted a scratch 1/32 Alb. C.III fuselage this way and you > couldn't tell that it wasn't varnished wood. I'd like to add a couple of things to Bob's technique. First, paint the white or tan base coat with an ENAMEL (I use Testors Modelmaster Light Ivory) so if you're not happy with the woodgraining effect you can wipe it right off with rubbing alcohol or Windex and start over. Second, after you get the woodgraining the way you like it and it has dried, overcoat it with a tinted transparent coat of clear to simulate varnish. Experiment with brown, orange, or yellow tinting for different effects. You'll be amazed at the results! The key to the technique is the wet brushing technique: don't put the woodgraining on too thick. BTW this same technique works great to simulate Fokker streaked fabric. Use the same off-white undercoat with Gunze H-304 Olive Drab and omit the tinting on the overcoat. Bon chance! Tom Eisenhour eisen@swbell.net ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 08:09:09 -0600 (CST) From: Joseph Gentile To: wwi Subject: Re: cottage industries Message-ID: <199703031409.IAA18102@Walden.MO.NET> SNIP................... > I think that the community as a whole should be grateful that there >are people out there willing to take the time, energy and above all money >out of their own pocket, to take the risk of making a kit or decal of an >obscure subject (WWI or otherwise) and sell it on the open market. If one >finds the price of the limited production kit is too high there is always >the alternative of ingenuity, sheet styrene, a knife and a set of plans. > > Soap box mode off. > >Charles >(formerly part of Americal/Gryphon decals) > Amen Brother Charles! I agreee with you completely. As WWI modellers we are indeed fortunate to have Sierra, Koster, Skybirds, Pegasus/Blue Max, Americal, et al. to supply us with our favorite subjects of what others surely would not produce. Let's face reality. The large manufacturers cannot afford to lose any money in a highly saturated, very mature (read as age) market. We may want some large manufacturer to produce some WWI kits but it isn't going to happen. It simply isn't profitable. What is even worse is the outlook for the future. Who will be the next generation of cottage industry manufacturers producing our favorite kits? A very scary question to me is what happens when the Gannon's, Merril's, and Norgren's finally pass on? Will anyone be there to pick up the torch and take the next leg? And what will become of their legacy, their art? It is indeed a very scary thought to me. It makes me want to invest in at least one of everything available that they have. Joe ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 09:37:30 -0500 (EST) From: aew (Allan Wright) To: wwi Subject: Re: WWI Modelling Message-ID: <199703031437.JAA11216@pease1.sr.unh.edu> > I'm most interested in subscribing to the WWI modelling list. Could you > please provide further information? Robert, You can find information on subscribing in the FAQ on the web page at http://pease1.sr.unh.edu/ Thanks, Allan =============================================================================== Allan Wright Jr. | You fell victim to one of the 'classic' blunders! University of New Hampshire+--------------------------------------------------- Research Computing Center | WWI Modeling mailing list: wwi@pease1.sr.unh.edu Internet: aew@unh.edu | WWI Modeling WWW Page: http://pease1.sr.unh.edu =============================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 9:53:32 -0500 (EST) From: Peter Kilduff To: wwi-l@raven.CC.UKANS.EDU Subject: Oswald Boelcke's "ghost" opponent Message-ID: <970303095332.20252a70@CCSUA.CTSTATEU.EDU> In response to: >Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 07:52:53 -0500 >From: gypsywlf@ultranet.com (Micheal) >To: wwi-l@raven.cc.ukans.edu >Subject: Re: Feral soldiers, Ghost planes, WWI mythology > >This weekend I was re-reading Floyd Gibbons' supposedly factual relaying of >the 'ghost plane' encountered by Boelcke and other Jasta 2 pilots on Sept. >17, 1916. Gibbons presents the material as if factual. His text, usually >rather 'rich' in emotive words, had phrases such as, 'funeral plane,' and >'derelicts of the air,' and the allusion to this being one of many other >such derelicts of the air. His telling of the tale has so many of the >earmarks of a mythic tale, that it almost shouts 'I'm apocryphal!' > >For the inherent significance of such an event, as described by Gibbons, I >was a bit surprised to find no mention of in the biography of Boelcke >(which was mostly made up of his letters back home). Similarly, I don't >recall reading a reference to the 'ghost plane' in MvR's -Red Air Fighter.- > >Does anyone know of supporting evidence for this 'derelict of the air' >event? In a similar vein, does anyone know what Gibbons used as his source >for the event? > >--Micheal >gypsywlf@ultranet.com Aside from some "colorful" (florid?) prose, Floyd Gibbons had the story right and there is ample documentation to confirm it. Oswald Boelcke's short memoir _Hauptmann Boelckes Feldbericht_ (1916), pp. 117-118, notes that on 27 September 1916, the noted ace and four Jagdstaffel 2 comrades attacked a flight of six Martinsyde G.100 single-seat bomber aircraft near Bapaume. Boelcke shot down one of the Martinsyde "Elephants" (as they were called -- and sure earned the sobriquet), which was credited as the 29th of his 40 aerial victories. The aircraft was Martinsyde G.100 [serial numbered] A.1568 of No. 27 Squadron, RFC. The pilot, 18-year-old 2/Lt Henry A. Taylor, was killed in the fight. Next, Hauptmann Boelcke and Offizierstellvertreter Leopold Reimann closed on another G.100 of the same flight. At first, Boelcke couldnt' understand why his opponent didn't fall, but continued to fly in a great circle. He wrote: "Finally it became apparent. I said to myself the fellow is long since dead and the machine is held on course by the rubber cords on the the steering mechanism being in the right-hand position. Therefore I flew right up next to him and saw the opponent slumped over to the right, lying dead in the fuselage. In order to know better which of my victories this one was (as it indeed had to come down), I noted the [rudder serial] number -- 7495 -- pulled away from him and then took on the next one." Neither Boelcke nor Reimann received credit for downing this RFC aircraft, although the RFC Casualty List noted that 2/Lt Stephen Dendrino of No. 27 Squadron (in Martinsyde G.100 7495) was reported to have come down within German lines and died; the 27-year-old pilot was buried with military honors by the Germans at Neuville-Vitasse, France. The translation of the Boelcke quote is my own and, in fact, comes from the text of a book on the development of Jagdgeschwader Nr. 1 that I am working on. To return to Michael's question: No, the incident is not noted in Manfred von Richthofen's book -- but *does* appear in Boelcke's book, as noted. Surely, Gibbons found the story in Boelcke's own book and adapted it for _The Red Knight of Germany_ (1927). I don't know why Floyd Gibbons did not complete the story by matching RFC losses to this claim. But, overall, Gibbons did a good job, in my view, and has not received the credit he has earned. Remember, Gibbons went right to first-hand sources and talked with many of the participants when they were still alive. Peter Kilduff kilduff@ccsu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 10:32:56 +0000 From: Bob Norgren To: wwi Subject: Re: cottage industries Message-ID: <331AA8D8.133B@ne.infi.net> Charles Hart wrote: > to see his or her $$ in advance or on delivery of the subcontracted > products. Subcontractors will kill you. They want the dough up front or shortly after delivery. That's why I've gone to injected small parts that I can create quickly, in the "privacy and comfort of my own home" and at a limitless clip for pennies. Another thing is decals. Just cheao printed pieces of paper, you say? The artwork (now averaging about $400-450 for a 5 x 7 inch sheet) and printing charges (minimum 500 sheets at about a $1/sheet) just eat up ALL the profit PLUS. That's why you rarely see decals included with short run kits. Why not just ad a $1 or 2 to the cost of the kit? Sure, but you still have 500 sets of decals for the 100-200 run of kits you can sell. Besides, decals must be planned MONTHS in advance and paid for before any kits are sold. Few of us have the cash flow (the car always soaks up any extra money by conking out at inconvenient times.) The other factor is time. Subcontractors take their sweet time. In the industry, to survive, you have to crank the kits out so fast it would make a scratchbuilder's head spin. > I have yet to see anyone get rich on being in the cottage industry > game, ...That's for sure. I never expected to have a Mercedes, but this (poverty level) is ridiculous! Another factor is the survivability of the owner of the cottage industry and his family. I have to charge enough to survive (at poverty level) long enough to make it to the next kit. Why do I do it? Too dumb to do anything else! (Actually, lately I've been looking for a "real" job as the future for modelling does not look particularly bright.) > > I think that the community as a whole should be grateful that there > are people out there willing to take the time, energy and above all money > out of their own pocket, to take the risk of making a kit or decal of an > obscure subject (WWI or otherwise) and sell it on the open market. If one > finds the price of the limited production kit is too high there is always > the alternative of ingenuity, sheet styrene, a knife and a set of plans. This is always the alternative. The Rembrandt too expensive for you? Pick up the brushes yourself... Bob Sierra Scale Models ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 10:34:53 +0000 From: Bob Norgren To: wwi Subject: Re: cottage industries Message-ID: <331AA94D.6140@ne.infi.net> mbittner@juno.com wrote: > > On Sun, 2 Mar 1997 22:46:58 -0500 hartc@spot.Colorado.EDU > (Charles Hart) writes: > > You know, it seems that whenever I complain about the prices of > kits - especially Skybirds and JMGT - someone inevitably chimes > in with "it takes time and money". > Start your own business and see for yourself. But take my advice. Don't quit your day job... Bob Sierra Scale Models ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Mar 1997 10:44:22 +0000 From: Bob Norgren To: wwi Subject: Re: cottage industries Message-ID: <331AAB86.1A7E@ne.infi.net> Joseph Gentile wrote: > >Charles > >(formerly part of Americal/Gryphon decals) > > > Amen Brother Charles! I agreee with you completely. As WWI modellers we > are indeed fortunate to have Sierra, Koster, Skybirds, Pegasus/Blue Max, > Americal, et al. to supply us with our favorite subjects of what others > surely would not produce. Joe's right. Without the cottage guys, the WWI fan would have to learn how to scratchbuild in a hurry or do endless Airfix Camels and Dr.Is, etc. There simply is no one else. Once, at a show, I had two yuppie-looking lawyers standing in front of my table mocking the prices. Do you think they bat an eye when they charge some poor little old lady $200/hour? Not on your life...Bitching about the price of a model in the days of $5 burgers and $20K cars is absurd. Bob Sierra ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 10:52:04 -0600 (CST) From: Joseph Gentile To: wwi Subject: Re: cottage industries Message-ID: <199703031652.KAA26356@Walden.MO.NET> At 10:52 AM 3/3/97 -0500, you wrote: >Joseph Gentile wrote: > >> >Charles >> >(formerly part of Americal/Gryphon decals) >> > >> Amen Brother Charles! I agreee with you completely. As WWI modellers we >> are indeed fortunate to have Sierra, Koster, Skybirds, Pegasus/Blue Max, >> Americal, et al. to supply us with our favorite subjects of what others >> surely would not produce. > >Joe's right. Without the cottage guys, the WWI fan would have to learn how to >scratchbuild in a hurry or do endless Airfix Camels and Dr.Is, etc. There simply is no >one else. Once, at a show, I had two yuppie-looking lawyers standing in front of my >table mocking the prices. Do you think they bat an eye when they charge some poor >little old lady $200/hour? Not on your life...Bitching about the price of a model in the days of $5 burgers and $20K cars is absurd. > >Bob Bob, not to instigate trouble or get your dander up, but what does the future hold for the cottage industry? Is there a next generation? I think I recall reading that some outfit in Arizona, Dromedary or something has either invested in or bought "Tom's Modelwork's". From the sound of it you are a one man show and I do not think your daughter is quite yet your apprentice. Do you intend to come to St. Louis in May for the IPMS Regionals? I'd love to check out that new DFW as well as an AEG G.IV. How about that Gotha G.V will we get a peak at that baby here in the Gateway City? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 15:01:02 -0500 (EST) From: Fportier@aol.com To: wwi Subject: Rep : Woodgrain Responses Message-ID: <970303145852_1582855345@emout17.mail.aol.com> Yet another idea. First paint the fuselage in a light tan colour and wait until dry. Then apply the required darker colour, using enamel-type paint or oil colours in the following manner : take a small amount of paint with tip of forefinger and pass it along the fuselage, waving gently. The "grooves" in the fingertip simulate wood grain with surprising effectiveness, provided the right quantity and quality of paint is used. I've tried it and it works. Cheap and easy. Best of luck, Francois ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 15:15:34 -0500 (EST) From: Fportier@aol.com To: wwi Subject: Rep : Ilya Murometz Message-ID: <970303145858_-2108916430@emout02.mail.aol.com> The best authority on the Ilya is Harry Woodman who has published plans and reviewed the kit in Windsock. His judgement of the kit was damning. The kit purports to represent an early 1915 version with a pointed nose, Kievsky, which does not really correspond to any plan published in Windsock (except a small diagram in the review article). Ideally a lot of cosmetic surgery would be required, but like me you may choose to chicken out and compromise, doing only what is not unduly difficult. I do not know about any specific replacement parts but Aeroclub will provide better guns, Contrail or Strutz better struts and Martin Digmayer magnificent wooden props. Here are a few suggestions: Sand down heavy rib detail on wings and lines on fuselage. Paint in flat white or light buff, using a soft pencil and a flexible ruler draw rib lines, then apply a thin coat of paint. The lines will show through and look very realistic in 1/72 scale. The dorsal gun position has to be eliminated completely. The tanks can be covered with gold metal foil (an excuse to buy and eat chocolates) fixed with Microscale Micro metal foil adhesive. One cylinder and a cone at each end, not that difficult, even I could do it, so surely you can do better. Kit decals are fit for the bin (trashcan). A challenge, but the result looks spectacular and carping experts are thin on the ground!!! Francois ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 15:18:33 -0600 (CST) From: Joseph Gentile To: wwi Subject: Re: Rep : Ilya Murometz Message-ID: <199703032118.PAA24336@Walden.MO.NET> At 03:20 PM 3/3/97 -0500, you wrote: >The best authority on the Ilya is Harry Woodman who has published plans and >reviewed the kit in Windsock. His judgement of the kit was damning. The kit >purports to represent an early 1915 version with a pointed nose, Kievsky, >which does not really correspond to any plan published in Windsock (except a >small diagram in the review article). Ideally a lot of cosmetic surgery would >be required, but like me you may choose to chicken out and compromise, doing >only what is not unduly difficult. >I do not know about any specific replacement parts but Aeroclub will provide >better guns, Contrail or Strutz better struts and Martin Digmayer magnificent >wooden props. Francois, Who is Martin Digmayer and how does one go about obtaining information on these wooden props? Thank you, Joe ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Mar 1997 06:40:09 +1000 From: Shane Weier To: "'wwi@pease1.sr.unh.edu'" Subject: RE: Rep : Ilya Murometz Message-ID: Francois says: > >>I do not know about any specific replacement parts but Aeroclub will provide >>better guns, Contrail or Strutz better struts and Martin Digmayer >>magnificent >>wooden props. I believe that Engines and Things has a set of four Argus 6 cylinder engines for this kit. John Roll stocks them for something like US$7 FWIW I understand that E&T quality is "variable" so you may want to look around for alternatives as well. > >>A challenge, but the result looks spectacular and carping experts are thin >>on >>the ground!!! Ahah, a corrollory to Weiers First law of Competition Modelling: - "Build the obscure and unverifiable" Regards Shane (anyone got plans and photos for the interior of the CA.4 crew gondola ;-) > > > > ------------------------------ End of WWI Digest 452 *********************