1:32nd scale Sopwith Dolphin

Hi all,
As my build of the Austro-Hungarian Lloyd C.V is drawing to a close, I thought I'd post my next build.

First of all, I apologize for the length of this introduction, but I think it makes for interesting reading.
It's the introduction to my build log of this model.







This model represents Sopwith 5F.1 ‘Dolphin’, Serial No: C4131 of No.79 Squadron RAF during June 1918, as flown by Capt. Frederic Ives Lord.


Background:

Frederic Ives Lord was born on the 18th of April 18, 1897 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA. His parents were Alma Mueller and Alman Ivory Lord. He had two siblings, Lucia Lord and Zayda Lord.
By 1910 he was living with his maternal grandparents Lena Fred Mueller. By 1917 he and his mother and siblings were living in Houston, Texas USA. By 1920 his mother was a widow.

World War One:
One version is that he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917, but was discharged from the 3rd Texas Infantry when it was discovered that he was only 17 years old.
However, in 1917, he would have been 20. Whatever the reason, he went to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he joined the Royal Flying Corps. He had to renounce his American citizenship on May 25, 1917 as follows:
“I was born in the town of Manitowoc in the state of Wisconsin, one of the United States of America. I have come to the city of Toronto from Houston, Texas, for the express purpose of enlisting
and entering the Royal Flying Corps of the Canadian Army for service overseas. And I do hereby solemnly declare my purpose and intention to become a British subject and I do hereby
renounce my citizenship as a Citizen of the United States of America.”
After completing his training in England, he joined No.79 Squadron in France. The squadron had been formed at Gosport in August 1917 and was posted to France in February 1918, equipped with the Sopwith 5F.1 ‘Dolphin’.
Between May and September 1918, he was credited with a total of twelve victories and was one of four squadron pilots to achieve ace status, the others being Francis W. Gillet, Ronald Bannerman, John McNeaney and Edgar Taylor.
Four of those victories were whilst fly C 4131, the subject of this model.
On one notable occasion, the 27th of June 1918, as a Lt (T./Capt), he shot down an Albatros D.V as his third kill. On his return to the airfield, he saw an allied formation engaged with German scouts.
He joined in and shot down a Fokker Dr.I and a second Albatros D.V. For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
He eventually became a flight commander, but was wounded in October 1918, ending his operational flying.

Post World War One:

Russian civil war:
After being released in March 1919 from hospital (from wounds received in October 1918), volunteered for service in Russia. He was given the job of Commanding Officer of the RAF base at Pinega, in addition to flying the RE.8 aircraft operated from there.
He served with RAF forces during the Allied Intervention in Russia in 1919, earning a bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross, when on the 27th of June,1919, he was piloting an RE.8 and located the position of the enemy on the Pinega River
and “attacked the moving columns from a height of 200 feet with such effect that their transport was stampeded and their expected attack broke down, without any casualties being sustained by our forces."
His RE.8 was found to have severe damage caused by enemy fire during this flight.

Mexican revolution:
Leaving the RAF in November 1919, he flew as a barnstormer and an aide to the Mexican air force during the Mexican Revolution. By 1927, he was living in New York City and was using the Chrysler Building as his address.
Traveling with him was Constance, who was listed as his wife. However, by July 1937, he was married to a woman named Mildred.

Spanish civil war:
He flew Bréguet 19 two seater aircraft through 1936 for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, along with Bert Acosta and Eddie August Schneider in the Yankee Squadron.
Comments made during this period:
“I've had a wing fold up at a thousand feet while sitting on a dud parachute. I've been backed up against a wall looking down the rifle barrels of a firing squad.
I've felt the automatic of my own commanding officer poked in my ribs. While being smuggled from Spain into France to visit my wife, I've had a speed boat pilot killed by Fascist bullets in the Bay of Biscay.
I've fought half a dozen German pursuit planes in the air with an orchestra leader as a gunner. And of all places to be during a bombing raid I was there - locked up in jail - and with my wife.
And these events have not been an accumulation of my war service in France, or Russia, or Mexico, but happened during the past few months while serving as a pilot with the Government forces in Spain.
A Spanish pilot, Jose Galarza, bailed out from a crippled ship, during a fight, and landed safely in Franco's line.
But the next day a Junker bomber droned over our field and dropped a box. It contained the chopped up cadaver of Jose.
Lafayette! Pulaski! Rochambeau! Who were they? Glorious foreign volunteers who aided us in time of need. We name bridges, boats, and towns after them now.
Our kids read about them in our histories and over in Spain foreign volunteers are fighting that a friendly democratic nation may survive.
In most instances those volunteers came from the army of unemployed in their countries where they were without hope. In all cases they are highly skilled technical men.
Their hope is a new lease on life, but the usual reward has been a nameless grave”.

World War 2:
During World War II, he tried to join the RAF again and it is said he got so far as to be assigned to his old No.79 Squadron before the authorities caught up with him. Instead, he joined the Air Transport Auxiliary that transported aircraft to England.
On January 3, 1941, he wrote to his sister Lucia, discussing his upcoming eye surgery:
“In less than a week now, I get the eye sliced up. And I know it'll be a success. Pray for me at 4pm on the tenth, will you. So here's hoping that when they take the bandages off on about the 20th, my eye will function.
I just ain't got the dough for the hospital on the tenth. If can't get it, - well, then no operation as can't ask the doctor to actually fork out money for me in addition.
So, sister, please see what you can do in addition to the usual ten-spot, will you please? And let me have it by Wednesday."
He goes on to explain that he will soon be able to pay her back and will no longer be a financial burden to her “because a group of Chinese saw me today and want to take lessons from me and will even pay for a ship
as soon as the eye is okay. Private flying, govt. jobs, city and state jobs all waiting”.

Death:
On the 21st of July 1967 at age 70, Frederic Ives Lord (DFC and Order of Saint Stanislas) was murdered by a vagrant in Apple Valley, California. He was buried in the cemetery at Victor Valley Memorial Park, Victorville, California.

Mike

Hi all,
The Hispano-Suiza V8 200hp engine for the Dolphin is done.
For once I've not fully detailed the engine.
On this model, all of the engine cowl/access panel will be fitted.
As such, there is very little of the engine that will be visible.
However, the lower, outer ignition leads will just be visible.

I found it strange that the kit instructions on page 4 for painting the engine shows parts as Copper or Brass.
This doesn't seem to reflect the metals used on this engine, as can be seen on the following photographs of an engine, built under license by ‘Wolseley’.













Also, the bracing wire rigging for the cockpit side frames, shown on page 6 of the kit instructions, suggests the wires were round wire wound cable.
However, photographs clearly show that these wires were in fact streamlined wires.
As can be seen by the non-turnbuckle tension adjusters and the exposed thread portion of the end of the wires.



Mike

Hi all,
A few updates.
I managed to lose the Lewis gun ammunition drum container from after it pinged out of my tweezers!!
Therefore, I created a new one from 0.5 mm thick plastic card and Lewis drums (from my spares box).
The kit supplied seat base has had its seat cushion removed as I'm replacing the seat with a 'Gaspatch' 3D printed seat.
Cockpit side frames are braced with ‘RB Productions’ British streamline wire 2BA (RB-P32014) with ‘Albion Alloys’ Nickel-Silver 0.4 mm (NST04) diameter tube.
Materials for rigging control cables are ‘Albion Alloy’s’ Nickel-Silver tube (NST04) and ‘Steelon’ or ‘Stroft’ 0.08 mm diameter mono-filament.
Wood effects painted using 'Windsor & Newton’ Griffin (Alkyd) Burnt Sienna and Raw Sienna oil paints.
The details are painted with either 'Tamiya' acrylics or 'Mr. Color' paints.

Now it's onto weathering before assembly is started,

Mike

Hi all,
The Dolphin's cockpit is finished and ready to be closed up in the fuselage.
The cabane strut bracing wires are ‘RB Productions’ British streamline wire 1/4 BSF (RB-P32012) with ‘Albion Alloys’ Nickel-Silver 0.5 mm (NST05) diameter tube.
Pilots seat is the ‘BarracudaCast’ British wicker seat (BR32234) with cushion (kit seat mount modified to suit).

Now its onto closing it all up inside the fuselage,

Mike

Don't you hate that.

Looking good bagger. She's a weird looking bird, stout and fullsome, but quite the performer so I'm told. Be great to get her into WoFF.

Don't forget to check the vacuum cleaner bag! It will probably be in there!!

Looking like it’s going to be another fantastic build Sandbagger.

Hi all,
Final details for the cockpit and engine.
Trigger cables added to the two Vickers machine guns
Trigger cables added to the control column.
Coolant temperature gauge pipe from the engine coolant tank.
Vent pipe from the cap on the rear of the engine left valve gear cover.

Mike

Hi all,
I've animated the ailerons and elevator.
Aileron leading edges rounded and pinned with 0.5 mm diameter Brass rods.
The elevator to tailplane joint was scribed through leaving just the pre-molded hinges intact.
All were then bent to their required angles,

Mike

Every one just gets better, if that’s possible! That’s some very delicate work on the tail plane Amigo. The lost ammunition container went with what I call the “black hole of model parts”

Mike,

Exquisite work again, as usual. I am always amazed by your prowess and the fact that your eyes haven't gone cross-eyed yet from all of the close-in, detailed work.

Good show!

Hi all,
The lower wing if now fitted and all parts primed white ready for pre-shading.
Then it's applying the 'Aviattic' clear Clear Doped Linen and PC12 decals,

Mike

Hi all,
Pre-shading is done prior to applying the decals.
Instead of masking and airbrushing the pre-shading, I've used the same technique used for other models of mine.
A white primer was airbrushed over the parts, which is required for applying the clear 'Aviattic' CDL and PC12 decals.
I then lightly polished across the raised detail using 'Flory Models' green sanding sticks.
I also pre-shaded areas such as wing, aileron and elevator trailing edges and added the wing underside internal bracing wires with a pencil.
The wears away the white primer to expose the light grey colour of the styrene.
The only masking needed was for pre-shading the wing front and rear spars and the fuselage formers frames.
I polished between the applied masking strips.
Finally, I airbrushed several coats of 'Alclad' Aqua Gloss 600 clear coat over the parts as a base for the decals.

The polished-out pre-shading detail will show through the 'Aviattic' clear decals, more so for the CDL than the PC12 decals.

Mike

Mike;

It's looking really nice. I haven't been very active on this site for a couple of years but your work keeps me coming back.

Cheers Mate!!

Very, very slick work Sandbagger! Like it lots.

Hi all,
Apart from a the interplane struts and Lewis machine gun, all of the decals are on.
‘Aviattic’ Sopwith Dolphin set (ATT32155/154) for the Clear Doped Linen and PC12.
‘Pheon’ Dolphin Volume 1 (32077) and kit supplied markings decals.
The 'polished' primer pre-shading can be seen showing though the clear backed decals.

Now, before pre-rigging and assembly, it's onto parts painting, remaining decals and weathering,

Mike

Hi all,
Weathering added, using 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt and Grime clay washes.
Sealed with 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311).

Now it's onto pre-rigging before assembly,

Mike

Hi all,
Moving along now.
Upper wing halves and landing gear assembly are fitted.
Rigging used is 0.5 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube and 'RB Productions' 1/4 BSF streamline photo-etch wires.
In reality the flying, landing and incidence wires were 5/16 BSF size and the landing gear bracing 9/32 BSF.
However, I use the 1/4 BSF wires as that is what I had that was nearest is size.

Next up rigging:

Fin/tailplane bracing wire, which are 2BA size streamlined wire ('RB Productions')
Aileron control wires, which are cable (monofilament) and 2BA size streamlined wire ('RB Productions')
Elevator control cables, which are cable (monofilament)
Rudder control cables, which are cable (monofilament)
Fuselage/upper wing drag wires, which are cable (monofilament) .

Mike

Looking fantastic Mike.

Hi all,
The rigging is finished.
Added:
Aileron control cable between the upper wing roots (0.12 mm diameter monofilament, 0.5 mm diameter tube and 'Gaspatch' 1:48th Type C turnbuckle).
Aileron control cables from wings to ailerons (0.08 mm diameter monofilament and 0.4 mm diameter tube).
Aileron streamlined interconnecting wire between ailerons ('RB Productions' 2BA wire).
Rudder and elevator control cables (0.12 mm diameter monofilament and 0.5 mm diameter tube).
Tailplane and fin bracing streamlined wires ('RB Productions' 2BA wire and 0.4 mm tube).
Fuselage to upper wings drag cables (0.08 mm and 0.12 mm diameter monofilament with 0.5 mm diameter tube and 'Gaspatch' 1:48th Type C turnbuckles).

Now it's onto the Lewis gun, 'Cooper' bombs and carrier, wheels, windscreen and Aldis gun sight,

Mike

Hi all,
Just the last few details done:

Single Lewis machine gun (as for No.79 Squadron).
20lb 'Cooper' bombs and carrier.
Tie down rings.
Wheels.
Top engine panel with windscreen.

Just the propeller, figures and the display case to finish,

Mike

Not sure what's more amazing, the detail or the speed with which you are able to build such highly detailed models. Just super!

Hi all,
The last work for the Sopwith Dolhin.
‘Kellerkind Miniaturen’ USAS pilot (54/090).
‘Kellerkind Miniaturen’ RFC Mechanic (54/073).
Tools from ‘Aber’ 1/35th scale hand tools (35 A68).
Painted with 'Tamiya' acrylics, 'Citadel' and 'Mr. Color enamels.

The model is complete, so I'll post up final photographs later today.
Once again thanks for your support and comments,

Mike

Hi all,
Sopwith 5F.1 ‘Dolphin’, Serial No: C4131 of No.79 Squadron RAF during June 1918.
Thanks for your comments and support,

Mike

If you ever think of auctioning any of these off, I'm sure there would be a gaggle of us who would love to add one to our study or office shelves. Stunning work again, Mike!

Great stuff...

[video:youtube]https://youtu.be/yXyPvhISkRQ?t=27[/video]

Hi Wormfood,
Me and the model

Mike

Every time you get to this phase I want to write and say how fantastic your work is. You are just so good at it! All your aircraft are so special, real classic modeling, and they look so finished, just great. So this time I'll say it, I hope you keep at it, wonderful voyage for all of us. Steve

Mike;

Just stunning, superlative work as usual!!

I wish I could come up with new superlatives every time you finish a model Mike; but your work exceeds my vocabulary.

Terrific work Mike. She's an absolute beauty.