Fokker F.VII
Comments
78 5 November 2023, 12:47
Roland Sachsenhofer
An aircraft that is very close to my heart: the "Southern Cross" from Valom also requires a little effort, even if the kit is not bad at all. There's a lot to do when neatening up the parts. The unclean, extremely rough moulding sometimes makes it advisable to use replacements at all. For example, the struts of the fuselage that can be seen from the outside through the windows. Well, I'll try my best! 🙂
An aircraft that is very close to my heart: the "Southern Cross" from Valom also requires a little effort, even if the kit is not bad at all. There's a lot to do when neatening up the parts. The unclean, extremely rough moulding sometimes makes it advisable to use replacements at all. For example, the struts of the fuselage that can be seen from the outside through the windows. Well, I'll try my best! 🙂
5 November 2023, 12:50
Roland Sachsenhofer
Feel very welcome too; I am pleased that this project has met with your interest!
Feel very welcome too; I am pleased that this project has met with your interest!
6 November 2023, 19:25
Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you so much, mates - your interest is quite motivating!
The fuselage and mighty wing are now ready and masked for painting. A little thought was required, but I like this kit better and better!
Thank you so much, mates - your interest is quite motivating!
The fuselage and mighty wing are now ready and masked for painting. A little thought was required, but I like this kit better and better!
9 November 2023, 06:24
bughunter
That looks again like a project with a lot of work! But nice progress so far.
I think it was a different kit, but may be you can steal some ideas from Bernhards build?
That looks again like a project with a lot of work! But nice progress so far.
I think it was a different kit, but may be you can steal some ideas from Bernhards build?
9 November 2023, 20:51
Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you mates!
That's a very good and sensible idea though! 🙂
Thank you mates!
That's a very good and sensible idea though! 🙂
10 November 2023, 07:56
Roland Sachsenhofer
That's how I like it: nice and lively under the surface! 🙂 Well, I've now puttied out the window areas and drilled 18 small wire pins into the upper edge of the trunk and glued them in place with superglue. These will be the eyelets for attaching the wire ropes for the rudder linkages, which are routed around the outside of the fuselage.
I'm still wondering whether I should cut a window in the back of the fuselage. Some designs show something like this for the "Southern Star", but I have not yet found any original pictures that show this. Perhaps one of you knows more details?
That's how I like it: nice and lively under the surface! 🙂 Well, I've now puttied out the window areas and drilled 18 small wire pins into the upper edge of the trunk and glued them in place with superglue. These will be the eyelets for attaching the wire ropes for the rudder linkages, which are routed around the outside of the fuselage.
I'm still wondering whether I should cut a window in the back of the fuselage. Some designs show something like this for the "Southern Star", but I have not yet found any original pictures that show this. Perhaps one of you knows more details?
13 November 2023, 18:26
Łukasz Gliński
Where exactly? I study the Polish Fokkers sometimes, but not sure which window you mean.
Where exactly? I study the Polish Fokkers sometimes, but not sure which window you mean.
13 November 2023, 20:38
Roland Sachsenhofer
Just aft of the wing on the upperside of the fuelage. I will be glad about every hint!
Just aft of the wing on the upperside of the fuelage. I will be glad about every hint!
13 November 2023, 20:50
Łukasz Gliński
Is one of these the photo you were looking for?
santamariatimes.com/..2a-79a671cfcc77.html
wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM121556
wikitree.com/wiki/Kingsford-Smith-1
Is one of these the photo you were looking for?
santamariatimes.com/..2a-79a671cfcc77.html
wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM121556
wikitree.com/wiki/Kingsford-Smith-1
13 November 2023, 20:55
Roland Sachsenhofer
Perfect! these are exactly the documents I'm looking for! So I will install a window as a skylight on the fuselage with a clear conscience. Thank you very much, Łukasz , that really helped a lot!
Perfect! these are exactly the documents I'm looking for! So I will install a window as a skylight on the fuselage with a clear conscience. Thank you very much, Łukasz , that really helped a lot!
14 November 2023, 08:14
Roland Sachsenhofer
The construction of the F.VII is somewhat complex - or rather, full of possibilities! On the one hand, you have to research many things yourself and take care of their realisation yourself. On the one hand, not insignificant details such as the routing of the control cables or the installation of an anemometer on the back of the fuselage are not provided for (and also not mentioned), on the other hand, some things have to be adapted. The propellers are a good example of this: the enclosed wooden props are not correct for the "Southern Cross". I therefore "sacrificed" a ju-52 kit and used its propellers to create propellers that came close to the desired shape. The last two pictures show an intermediate result.
The construction of the F.VII is somewhat complex - or rather, full of possibilities! On the one hand, you have to research many things yourself and take care of their realisation yourself. On the one hand, not insignificant details such as the routing of the control cables or the installation of an anemometer on the back of the fuselage are not provided for (and also not mentioned), on the other hand, some things have to be adapted. The propellers are a good example of this: the enclosed wooden props are not correct for the "Southern Cross". I therefore "sacrificed" a ju-52 kit and used its propellers to create propellers that came close to the desired shape. The last two pictures show an intermediate result.
22 November 2023, 12:07
Roland Sachsenhofer
Now both the fuselage and the impressively long wing as well as the engine nacelles have been painted and already fitted with washing and light blending. Due to the complex nature of the aeroplane, I would like to finish as much as possible and only then assemble it.
I really thought long and hard about how to approach the anchoring of the engine nacelles, undercarriage and the struts connecting the two parts with the suspension - a fragile thing! In the end, I replaced all the struts and used suitable metal rods. These were placed in drilled holes, which were then moulded with cyanoacrylate/ putty, sanded and repainted. Next step: assembly!
Now both the fuselage and the impressively long wing as well as the engine nacelles have been painted and already fitted with washing and light blending. Due to the complex nature of the aeroplane, I would like to finish as much as possible and only then assemble it.
I really thought long and hard about how to approach the anchoring of the engine nacelles, undercarriage and the struts connecting the two parts with the suspension - a fragile thing! In the end, I replaced all the struts and used suitable metal rods. These were placed in drilled holes, which were then moulded with cyanoacrylate/ putty, sanded and repainted. Next step: assembly!
24 November 2023, 19:05
Roland Sachsenhofer
Not too many more steps are needed now, then I will consider this project complete. One of the most elaborate models to date - and with a result that makes me realise my limits. You can make a lot of things yourself; actually everything you need on the outside for dynamos, headlights, rudder rods, chassis struts... etc. was scratch built.
On the other hand, I have tried out a lot of new things - let's see how the end result really turns out!
Not too many more steps are needed now, then I will consider this project complete. One of the most elaborate models to date - and with a result that makes me realise my limits. You can make a lot of things yourself; actually everything you need on the outside for dynamos, headlights, rudder rods, chassis struts... etc. was scratch built.
On the other hand, I have tried out a lot of new things - let's see how the end result really turns out!
26 November 2023, 17:49
Nicolas
Looks great so far. I hope mine from the old Toga-kit will turn out similar.
Looks great so far. I hope mine from the old Toga-kit will turn out similar.
26 November 2023, 17:53
Lode Schildermans
Beautiful, Roland. There is so much realism in this build. Congrats
Beautiful, Roland. There is so much realism in this build. Congrats
27 November 2023, 06:47
Roland Sachsenhofer
I am particularly pleased with the words of the ship's master. Thank you for your encouragement, Lode!
I am particularly pleased with the words of the ship's master. Thank you for your encouragement, Lode!
27 November 2023, 15:35
bughunter
I find it extremely interesting how two different modellers interpret the same aircraft differently. And they are probably both right!
I find it extremely interesting how two different modellers interpret the same aircraft differently. And they are probably both right!
27 November 2023, 16:26
Roland Sachsenhofer
Thank you both for the comments! "Both right": I happily agree that there is no such thing as the one perfect build, but rather a number of relevant, worthwhile perspectives - that's one of the nice things about modelling!
Thank you both for the comments! "Both right": I happily agree that there is no such thing as the one perfect build, but rather a number of relevant, worthwhile perspectives - that's one of the nice things about modelling!
28 November 2023, 10:32
Roland Sachsenhofer
Hello Finn, I'm glad to hear that!
Now it's done - I've managed to complete this small but thoroughly complex project. In my experience, Valom kits are sometimes like this and sometimes like that - this was definitely a tough ride!
Thank you for your motivating support and your interest, I hope you like the final pictures!
Hello Finn, I'm glad to hear that!
Now it's done - I've managed to complete this small but thoroughly complex project. In my experience, Valom kits are sometimes like this and sometimes like that - this was definitely a tough ride!
Thank you for your motivating support and your interest, I hope you like the final pictures!
30 November 2023, 20:07
Roland Sachsenhofer
Łukasz,Jakub, Michael, Pietro, Jürgen: your positive and very motivating reactions make me very happy - thank you!
Łukasz,Jakub, Michael, Pietro, Jürgen: your positive and very motivating reactions make me very happy - thank you!
1 December 2023, 20:31
Roland Sachsenhofer
I feel really honoured by your words, mates- thank you; I really appreciate it!
I feel really honoured by your words, mates- thank you; I really appreciate it!
3 December 2023, 19:14