The Little World

How so many biplanes and triplanes are sold as model kits astounds me. Every time I encounter one I have ” a time “. All goes well until the step where you cement the struts on and add the top wing.

There are rarely any mechanical aids or structures that help the biplane builder get the inter-plane and cabane struts to sit at the exact angle to receive the top wing. Indeed there are lots of times that the little holes in the fuselage and wings cannot be reconciled with the struts and you have to just glue ’em on wherever they touch.

I have found that a mixture of cements is necessary to get some struts to stand up just long enough to mate up before you brace it all for setting. It can be a strut-by-strut evening and the end needs discreet PVA glue as well.

But the result in the end was pleasing. A silver-grey fabric surface and black engine and accents. Sensible tyres on sensible wheels. The landing gear legs were keyed well into the structure and I have immense confidence in them.

And the decals went on just like new ones – and settled a treat under Mr. Mark Softer.

In all, I am well pleased with the plane.

Note also that the background for the plane shots has changed from the violent reds, blues, and greens heretofore seen. This is two A1 sheets of foam core board in a neutral grey that are set edge to edge. The two IKEA lights can have full play over them. I think the gentle nature of the setting makes it easier to see the planes.