Awesome detail, I have built a few eduard and roden ww1 plane kits and used thread for the wires but never had the patience to make all of those little wraps and ring attachments on the wires. One of my cats also destroyed the 1/32 scale camel I built months ago.

Hi Witchy,
I know how you feel but I'm sure with a little patience, you could master rigging and without using thread.
Once you get the hang of it it becomes second nature.
Click on my signature link and you can read or download any of my PDF build logs, all of which detail each step and method used,

Mike

Hi all,
My last model was the Nieuport 28C.1, which has twin flying wires fitted with full length inserts.
On that model I was able to represent the inserts strips between the flying wires with plastic card strips, decaled and secured between the pairs of wires.
However on this build, the length and spread of the flying and landing wires meant that I wasn't able to hold the strips in position, as the lines were too flexible.
Therefore I'm cutting the full length insert strips, cut from 0.2 mm thick plastic card, in half and using 1.0 mm wide strips of kitchen baking foil to suspend the insert on the wires.
In this way I'm able to pinch the suspended insert between the two wires (using flat ended tweezers) and apply thin CA adhesive to track along and secure it between the wires.
The foil strips are then folded around the wires/insert and secured in position using the CA adhesive, as these will be the base for the linen wrappings.



Later I'll paint the foil strips to blend with the inserts then use thin white decal strips over the foils to represent the linen wrappings.
I think this is going to take a while as there are 16 half insert strips to fit,

Mike

So great work!
The subtle weathering is phenomenal!

Hi all,
Just a quick note to say I've re-rigged the forward flying and landing wires as I'm trying something easier and quicker to add these infills strips.
Although my previous method worked on the Nieuport 28C.1, I had problems on this 'Balilla'.
I think it's because the twin wires on the 'Balilla' are longer and wider apart.
That and the curl on the cut plastic card strips made it extremely difficult to hold in place and secure.

I'll post on the revised method once I've moved on with it,

Mike

Hi all,
After experimenting with thin plastic card, decal, card, metal foil etc, I finally decided on this approach to represent the full length inserts between twin flying and landing wires.
Basically I used kitchen baking parchment paper.
The reasons being it's very thin and is easily positioned and secured to the rigging lines using PVA adhesive, which also gives you time to reposition if necessary.

With the model fully rigged and the lines as taut:

Strips of baking parchment paper were cut to length and width (span) of the twin rigging wires.
PVA adhesive was brushed onto the rigging wires and one face of the strip.
The strip was laid onto the rigging wires and positioned to span and align with the wires.
More PVA adhesive was brushed over both sides of the applied strip and lines.

The thin paper self-grips onto the wires and adhesive.
The PVA adhesive not only secures the 'inserts' in position, but also seals the paper, ready for painting.
This method gives a smoother and flatter surface than other methods I tried.

The shots below show the strips that still need painting etc to finish them off

The next step will be to brush paint the rigging with the appropriate and thinned acrylic paint.
Lastly will be to apply thin white decal strips to represent the wrapping bands around the lines.

Having spent three day on this, I'm hoping the end result justifies the time spent - we'll see,

Mike

Hi all,
The flying and landing wire inserts are finished - brush painted 'Tamiya' Sky Grey (XF19) and dusted with Earth pigments.
The ailerons are fitted and at the correct angles to match the control column position.
Aileron control rods fitted to the the operating levers in the upper wing, which again are at the correct angles to match the ailerons.
Windscreen fitted. I discarded the supplied acetate transparencies and used 'Microscale' Krystal Clear solution (basically refined PVA adhesive).
I also noticed many 'Balilla's' were fitted with a forward facing pipe in the fuel tank in the upper wing, so that's been fitted also.

So now it's onto the last two jobs - landing gear and propeller,

Mike

It looks supurb!

Amazing, I mean what else can be said. You are an Artistic Craftsman Modeler. I am a bit concerned though, are you addicted to building aircraft models?

S!Blade<><

Thanks guys.

Addicted - well if that means modelling every day, more or less, since retiring 4 years ago, then I guess addicted - yes

Mike

It's a healthy addiction though. Right bagger? Amazing stuff!

Hi all,
Landing gear fitted.
Bracing wires are 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament with 1:48th scale 'GasPatch' turnbuckles.
Rigging tubes are 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm diameter blackened brass.
Weathering is 'Flory Models' pigment and 'Tamiya' Weathering Master Set A (Mud).

Now onto the propeller,

Mike

Hi all,
The final part of the aircraft build is the propeller.
Airbrushed with a 70/30 mix of 'Tamiya' Flat Red (XF7) and Hull Red (XF9) to represent the dark finish needed.
A sealing coat of 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC-311) was airbrushed over the propeller.
Propeller bosses brush painted with 'Mr. Colour' Stainless Steel (213), then washed with 'AK Interactive' Kerosene (3029).
Finally the edges were lightly sponged with 'Tamiya' Weathering Master Set D (Oil Stain).

So, now onto the figures,

Mike

Hi all,
The Ansaldo A.1 ‘Balilla’, Serial No:16558 of pilot Tenente Leopoldo Eleuteri of No:70a Squadriglia, operating from Gazzo Padovano during the September of 1918.

Thanks for your support and comments throughout this build,

Mike

MIke that's a great display! Like the open engine and the puzzled look on the mechanic!! I wonder what he is thinking???

“- I wonder if he suspects I hid a bottle of Chianti in that little crate under my foot?”

Certainly one of the most beautiful and complex models you've done here. Well Done!!