BobM's 1:48 Eduard SSW D.III Weekend Edition - Build

[BobM]

Introduction

Finally, some time to get this build started! I've chosen Eduard's 1:48 SSW D.III Weekend Edition for this build. I'll build it in the markings of Jasta 15 as it was deployed in Chéry-lès-Pouilly, France in July of 1918. These are the markings shown in the cover art:



I chose this over the ProfiPACK version mainly since I didn't want to deal with the PE; I figure the decals and rigging will be enough of a challenge this time around.

There are just two sprues, a quick glance looks like the normal Eduard quality and detail:





As I mentioned, one challenge for me will be the large, full wing decals:




Oh, and some small windscreens, I guess there are two for when I screw up the first one:



With 12 pages of instructions, I'm thinking this will take more than a weekend to complete!








The only AM I decided to spring for was some Super Fabric seatbelts, I thought I'd give them a try...

[Twokidsnosleep]

Excellent choice, great to see you in the WWI GB with a plane
This will build up great and ai love the lozenge decals

[BobM]

Excellent choice, great to see you in the WWI GB with a plane
This will build up great and ai love the lozenge decals

Thanks Scott! RE the decals, I hope I can say the same when I’m done!!

Update 1 - Starting with...the cockpit; what else?

I got a few more hours today to get started on assembly. There are lots of small detail parts, very well molded with little flash. So far, this has been pretty fun to work on (much better than my last two builds). It does look like I’ll have to do some order of operations planning (assembly vs painting); this doesn’t seem like it will go together quite the same way my typical WWII builds would. In fact I’ve alrady pulled out the seat supports since it would make painting the bottom of the cockpit difficult.

Here’s how far I’ve gotten:





Thanks for stopping in...

[pourquoi61]

I have built one of these beauties before and what a joy they are.

[BobM]

Update 2 - I’m back?

So, it’s been a while and I know this GB is over. First, congrats to those that finished and to those who took home loot! Unfortunately a variety of the forces of life conspired to destroy my mojo at the end of the year. But my workbench has been calling, so my first goal of the year is to complete what I started.

For at least the rest of this build, I’ll be concentrating on building, but will post some quick updates here.

To start, here is a photo I took before falling off the face of the forum. Nothing earth shattering, just some parts being primed.



While preparing for this post, and looking through my camera roll, I’ve discovered that I failed to capture any work on painting and completing the cockpit and engine or assembling the fuselage. So, upon returning to the bench, here is what I found:



For the first step back, a bit more assembly and masking before getting on a coat of primer:



Since the wings will be all decaled and the fuselage will be red and white, I think I’ll prime with Stynylrez white. And since I’ve never done it before, I may do some pre-shading; we’ll see...

[BobM]

Update 2 - Pre-freckling?

Today I primed and pre-freckledshaded, the fuselage, wings, etc.



The primer is Stynylrez white; I chose white with the hope that later decals and paint will be a little more vibrant. I then pre-shaded with a thinned Tamiya XF-1 Flat Black. If you look close, you can seen all the speckling/splattering from poor technique, a dirty airbrush, over/under thinned paint or all of the above. But this just gets painted over and it’s more random now right? We’ll see if it shows through the final paint.

I think next I’ll mask off the lower wings and paint the fuselage, then tackle to daunting task of full wing decals.

Bob

[NorthernModeller]

Looking very nice mate like the woodwork on the interior

[BobM]

Looking very nice mate like the woodwork on the interior

I'm not thrilled with the cockpit woodwork (thus not a clear photo of it!), it was a good attempt. The prop came out better, but you'll have to wait to see that!

Update 3 - Small steps...

Front end painted with Tamiya XF-7 Flat Red. I've heard that red is tough to get good coverage, no lie! Near the end I was hosing it on and you can still see the pre-shading through it (it's more evident in person than in the photo). I think once weathered and what not, it will look the part.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Good to see you at the bench and building

[BobM]

Update 5 - Decals!

While waiting for paint to cure, I figured it was time to face what I expect to be the biggest challenge of this build, decals! I started with the underside of the upper wing to get some practice in a place less visible. While it went pretty well, I’m not sure that was the right decision. I’ll explain below.

I used Paul’s three step process. I think the added “strength” of the Solvaset really helped as there is a lot of texture and there is another layer of decals for the ribs.



The lower decals just fit the lower surfaces. What I didn’t know is that the upper decals are a bit oversized and end up overlapping the lower decals. I probably should have put the uppers on first.



You can also get an idea of the texture on the wing in the above photo; Solvaset really helps...

I let the lower decals dry for a few hours before moving on to the uppers. During that time I got more masking and painting on the fuselage. Other than a few details, this is now complete.



Before continuing with the decals, I need to add a coat of Aquaclear to protect the paint.

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking good mate the wing decals are a bit cured in that the kit lacks the edging over banding, to hide the area where the upper/lower decals meet/overlap.

[BobM]

Update 6 - Nearing the finish...

OK, a long overdue update. Progress has been slow, it's been hard to get motivated which is strange since once I get started I really enjoy it. Anyway, most of the work has been on finishing the decals, touchups and assembly. Here is where she sits:





Before affixing the upper wing, I want to apply a coat of Aquagloss and do some subtle weathering. But in the meantime there was a bit of a mishap a while back. I think I was adjusting my light when the bracket broke. The light went crashing into all my painted parts and ended up breaking off the ends of some of the structs and what not. I didn't see anything major, until today. The landing gear axle broke clear off.



It should be an easy fix, but I don't have any styrene rod and searching my scrap bin turned up nothing. So I have some on order. Unfortunately, it falls right between two sizes, so I order both! Once it arrives I'll trim off the airfoil and see which looks better.

Thanks!

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking good mate

[digger303]

I'm glad to see this back on the bench.

[BobM]

Looking good mate

I'm glad to see this back on the bench.

Thanks Gents!

Update 7 - Finishing....

Alright, this has dragged on long enough! When we last left off I was waiting for some plastic rods to show up so I could fix my broken landing gear axle.



They arrived shortly after and once I got to the bench I removed the airfoil from the old axle:



I chose a slightly larger, 1.5mm (0.060") rod which I cut to approximate length and glued on the airfoil.



A little primer, a fresh coat of paint, and Bob's your uncle (OK, I'm not really YOUR uncle, but I do have plenty of nieces and nephews!).

Sorry, no photos of the final painting, but it really wasn't exciting.

At this point I applied a healthy coat or two of Aquagloss to everything before assembly. I also did some weathering with Tamiya Black Panel Line Accent and Ultimate Light Dirt Weathering Wash. Then one final coat of Tamiya XF-86 Flat Clear thinned with X-20A and it looked like there was a "drop" of white/gray in there from a prior build. I think that helped tone down the paint colors just a tad...

Then it was just a matter of final assembly with CA glue.

So here it is, the....

Final Reveal





























Thanks for having a look!

Bob

[Kevthemodeller]

Very nice Bob

[Tomcat64]

Cracking result Bob - really nicely finished

[GrumpyBeau]

excellent finish Bob. Those PROPs look fantastic with that wood effect.

Beau

on the bench: Revell 1/32 Tornado