SE5a CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING TO . . .

[Greyhead]

I’ll wait and see how much is visible before I decide whether or not to include rudder pedals etc.; weight always has to be a consideration. It’s a bit of a “chicken & egg” situation as the decking has to be in position to check what’s visible but the detailing has to be added before the decking, although the pedals may be able to be fitted from below.

[Guest]

Graheme, superb as always. The cockpit is a thing of beauty and all the more satisfying for having made it from appropriate materials and from your own ideas.

Barry, it sounds like the ammonia is softening the glue within the ply laminations, allowing it to become supple but it returns to its rigid state when the ammonia completely evaporates. Neat idea and very usefull in many aircraft and boat applications.

[Greyhead]

Cutting the inspection hatch and the opening for the Vickers involves marking and cutting straight lines on a curved surface. A good help for this is to use the plastic “banding” that is used to hold cardboard cartons together, these hold their straight edge but easily follow the curve.





Another useful item, to hold things steady at an angle, is a “bean bag”; the better half made me a couple, hence the tasteful floral pattern!

[wonwinglo]

How thoughtful of your good lady Grahame,those bean bags look just the job.

[Guest]

I really like the attention to detail in this build. It really makes you appreciate the actual construction of the aircraft, you get a feeling of knowing the aircraft as if you could hop in and already be familiar with the controls.

Really nicely observed and executed work.

[Guest]

Grahame I have been following your build for a while and now i just have to post and tell you that Its bloody superb I just love the cockpit and the way the whole thing is taking shape ! Its like building a full size one from scratch !!Keep it up mate its enthralling!!! Thanks

[Guest]

looks superb dude

i looke forward to your next post

[Greyhead]

The control column, or joystick if you prefer, is always a prominent part of any cockpit; luckily it’s one part of the SE5a that’s really basic.


The top is a curtain ring, the column itself aluminium tube and the rest various pieces of plastic tube.





With 3 more lengths of snake outer and a lick of paint it’s almost finished.





When the paints dry I’ll bind the top ring with button thread then add the 2 triggers, made from litho plate and that’ll be it; simple!

[wonwinglo]

Quite an elaborate control column that Grahame,the binding will really add to the realism.

[Greyhead]

For some unknown reason the aileron cables are connected to the control column under the pilots seat, this seems strange as in the wing they run very close to the front spar, but as they will not be seen it makes the pivot a lot easier to make.





In the first photo you can see the different components used to make it; white plastic tube, black Plasticard for the flange and collar, toothpick for the grease nipple and a couple of slivers of hex. rod for the nuts. After painting it looks very “ex-works”, but a bit of dry brushing with silver Solalac will soon change that.


I’d originally made the triggers from litho plate but decided they were just too fragile and would soon fatigue with the engine vibration, so these are made from and old “bean tin”.





In the background is my “working sketch” for the top of the control column. We’ll have to wait and see how similar the finished item is to the design.

[Greyhead]

As Barry said the binding has really improved the look of the control column; first chord all over (button thread), then leather for the top half (Solatex).





After the addition of the triggers with their cables the control column and the pivot can be assembled; with a little weathering, which isn’t obvious from the photo, it looks ready for the cockpit.

[Guest]

looks great!! that binding look so realistic it hard to think it was made from thread. superb job!

[Greyhead]

The decision that the instrument panel is finished has to be taken at some point and that time has come, so it’s glued in position and the decking added; it’s too late now so I’ll not look at any more photos of instrument panels.


There’s a large cut out for the Vickers.





The view through the inspection panel will determine how much more cockpit detail is needed.





It’s only small but it certainly gives a good view of the Vickers so that’ll need to be quite detailed.


Some of the instruments etc. are actually attached to the decking which makes life a bit awkward to say the least. The left hand side is fairly uncluttered; before I fitted the right hand rear section of decking I glued the radiator flap control lever to the left hand decking.





The right hand side is a lot more complicated; so far I’ve fitted the magneto switches, the main electrical switch box and an aluminium bracket (no idea what it’s for), still to go before I can finish the decking are the hand cranked magneto and the flare box.

[wonwinglo]

Beautiful Grahame it looks really businesslike,how do you manage to keep your workshop so clean and tidy ? there is not a speck of balsa dust anywhere !

[Guest]

One question has sprung to mind whilst watching this incredible build thread.

With so much detail, love, and time spent on this project; Won't it be a bit gut wrenching when you have to dope it up and cover the majority of that exquisite detail?