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Amazing work Mike, simply amazing. But then, that's just what you do.

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Hi all,
Thanks.

On the homeward stretch now.

The upper wing with pre-rigged lines, has now been fitted.
That included of course the scratch made struts - tricky but done.
The tail unit (fin/rudder and elevators) has also been fitted.

There's a way to go before the aircraft is finished, let alone the figure and display base.
Some of the things needed include the necessary paint touch-ups, final rigging, tail plane support struts (scratch), attach wing floats, gun sight, upper wing vent pipe (radiator).
One last major job left to do are the wing outer bracing struts, which as usual, are not supplied in the kit.

Mike

Mike, absolutely beautiful as usual!

Such incredible detail, absolutely outstanding work Mike.

Hi all,
These are not very good shots but I thought I'd post up the rigging installed, along with the wing floats.
There's a bit of painting to do then it's onto rigging and bracing the tail unit,

Mike

That's a 1:32 scale model? It looks much larger than that!

Beautiful work, as always, though!

Hi all,
I've some progress on the wing outer bracing struts, which are not supplied with the kit.
Created from 0.9 mm diameter tube, formed into an aerofoil shape and with internal 0.5 mm locating rods soft soldered.
Beforehand the locating holes of 0.6 mm diameter were drilled into the upper and lower wings.
I've still got the central cross bars to do, but nearly there,

Mike

Hi all,
As the aircraft model is more or less finished, I've started on the pilot figure.
The figure is the ‘Allarmi’ WW1 Aces of Italian A.F. (32063).
The figure had a walking cane in the right hand, but I've removed that as I intend to have the figure leaning against the fuselage.
I also chose to use the head without flying helmet and goggles, as the aircraft will be on its beaching trolley and trestles (so not about to fly).

Mike

Hi all,
The pilot figure has been painted.
With that done the Macchi M.5 model is now finished, apart from setting it up on its display base.

Thanks to everyone who followed this journey and for your encouraging comments on what turned out to be a 'challenging' build.
I'll be posting up the completed model photographs once the display is done, which hopefully will not be long,

Mike

Sandbagger, I’m surprised you haven’t used photoetched elements for his jacket buttons and shoelaces. It looks great nonetheless. Looking forward to the final pics and congrats on yet another stunner.

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A proper looking pilot there, quite dashing really. He should be holding a pipe though.

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Mike that's a very nicely molded figure to work with. Can't wait to see the finished Dio! Is the case for that model overly large? If it is too big to fit on the shelf I have a pretty good idea who would be willing to keep it for you

Hi all,
Thanks.

Fullofit:


Lou:
Thought about a pipe but the sea spray would put it out

Rob:
After nearly 6 months to build - forget it

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Absolutely brilliant Mike! One of your finest yet, IMHO. Now then, you'll need my shipping address I imagine.

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