Build: Orlik Wright Flyer I, 1:25

[rlwhitt]

My next attempt will be going to the roots of aviation, the Wright Flyer I from Orlik. I did a first impression of this kit a while back, where there are some pictures of parts and instruction pages, plus some commentary. You can view the First Impression here:

Orlik Wright Flyer I, 1:25, #17 4/2005

This one will certainly NOT be an easy build and I'm going to have to get my mind adjusted, and try to bring my 'A' game! It has a lot of very thin parts, lots of rigging, and just an altogether different construction than most kits. It will be a real challange!

[rlwhitt]

I just cannot even imagine laminating all the wing ribs, spars, and other little thin bits and cutting them all out. Thus I would consider this laser cut parts kit a MUST! It costs as much as the kit, but well worth it in my opinion!

[rlwhitt]

The plane's construction starts with the wings. Not surprising, since this plane is pretty much all wing!

The first thing you have to do is build a wing jig, using supplied templates laminated to 2mm cardboard and attached to a base. Upon this jig all the wing ribs and spars will be constructed and reinforced with CA, then the skins applied. The jig will form and hold the "sag" shape to the wings.

Here is the completed jig with one lonely, wispy rib sitting there for illustration.

[Texman]

You are a brave, determined man indeed. Always wanted to do one of these in 1/144. Could prove most fascinating. Hope this goes well for you!

Ray

[josve]

It's in builds like that we say.....thank god for laserframes
I'm sure you will do an exellent job on that plane Rick!!

[rlwhitt]

Some meager progress to show. I've started on the upper wing. Actually, the wings are identical except for the bits printed on the upper vs lower skins where miscellaneous parts mate later. I found the first real error in the drawings here, they have the skin sets numbered backwards in the drawing.

First picture is an attempt to capture a shot of the full wing skeleton resting on the jig. Actually, it's not resting - I actually spot glued the main spar in several places and the leading edge spar at the tips to keep things steady and aligned while the ribs were installed.

The second shot is a view midsection from the front. I used thick CA with accelerator to glue in the ribs. Once it was all built I carefully cut loose the glue spots holding it to the jig and painted thin CA with a brush applicator on the spars. Even with this step, the frame is VERY flimsy! It's obvious that the main strength will come from the skins!

The 3rd pic is of the center section skin glued to the bottom of the ribs. One addition I made here was to apply a thin bond paper glue strip to the back of the skin first, as the butt joints occur right over these tiny 1/2mm ribs - they REALLY need the glue strips! As you see I also drew "rib lines" on the back of the skin for alignment. The leading edge is such a sharp, small curve I went ahead and sort of scored it from the backside with the ball end of my scoring tool. Not a sharpe score, but it makes the bend easier.

Picture 4 shows that I have tapered the back ends of the ribs with an emory board, so it will make the transition at the trailing edge of the skin smoother.

Finally, the 5th picture shows the finished middle section in place.

[cgutzmer]

holy ceeeeerap! I can barely get 10 ribs to line up well...... excellent work! If you build that monster wing without warping tell me the secret!
Chris

[rlwhitt]

Well, there's too far to go to count any chickens, but my plan is to put on a section at a time and return it to the jig with some weight on top until it dries. I think that's the only chance of getting it straight!

Originally Posted by cgutzmer

holy ceeeeerap! I can barely get 10 ribs to line up well...... excellent work! If you build that monster wing without warping tell me the secret!
Chris

[NYC Irish]

Threads like this make you realise how really cool Paper Models are


John John

[milenio3]

RICK, you excel yourself here!!!

Congratulations on this fine fine plane!

It looks that is a model you can actually fly - at least as a glider -.

[Mark_1984]

This looks like a totally awesome build Rick. I shall be watching with interest. I've got a 1/16 Hasegawa kit at home somewhere, and that is scarry enough. But in paper..... you're a braver man than I

[rlwhitt]

Finally, the upper wing is complete. It did not turn out as well as I'd hoped, but this is a frightfully hard covering job! The ribs supply NO structural support at all, so the old habits of anchoring an edge and pulling the skin taught around nice solid framework just don't apply here! Still, it'll be OK, and I've got another chance to do better with the bottom!

Here is a top view showing a bit of the downward curve aspect, and a look at the bottom where the various strut anchoring plates go.

[rlwhitt]

On to the bottom wing, and what do we find? Yep, another major goof in the kit. Look at the picture and see if you can detect the problem. Ah yes, the center skin is printed with the mounting point outlines for the engine and hip cradle BACKWARDS! Ugh..

So it looks like I'll have to use a scanned replacement and modify it in Photoshop. Too bad it has these diagonal seams. If not for those I could just flip it! As it is, the bits will have to be moved around manually. And then print about 1000 trials to get the color somewhere close. Another option could have been to physically cut the parts out and swap them with cuts from the other side - but that diagonal seam goes right through there!

I wished I'd noticed this before starting - I would have done all the skins from scans.

[Elliott]

The upper wing looks good here, Rick. No doubts here about your ability to fix the bottom wing either. Two things Ive learned on your builds and others is 1) Check and build everything in my mind, then dryfit and 2) repeat step 1. Also, it helps to have an infinite amount of patience. Looking forward to more of your excellent work.

Elliott

[Stev0]

This is definitely one of those projects that would separate the men from the boys.... =O