Guillow's Model Builders Forum

by **Szyp** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 2:17 pm

I am planning on the Fokker Triplane as my next build. It will be for static display only, and would like to buy ba more realistic propeller for it. Can anyone tell me the overall length it should be, I believe it is a 2 blade, and if you know of a on line place where I can buy one. I have a place already bookmarked, but need that overall length. It is kit 204, which is 1:12 scale, and the 400 series are all 9 inch length but it is a 1:16 scale.

by **cliffm** » Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:01 pm

If your looking to build your own, laminate some balsa sheets together to make the full size of the prop and stain every other sheet when you glue it together. It will come out about as authentic looking as the real thing. Just make sure you let the stain dry really good before you start putting the sheets together and after that let the glue dry completely before you start carving and sanding. Have fun.

by **jensheydel** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:31 am

Hi Szyp,

According to most original drawings the Propellor had a diameter of 2.62 Meters. This converted to inches is a hair over 103 Inches so for your 1/16 model you will need about 6.5 inch propellor ( if I got it right with the conversion).

I would scout out the LHS and see what they have in terms of wooden props for the RC crowd that flies with methanol motors. usually you can find something that is about the right size. Barring that you could as Cliffm suggested carve your own. I would however not stain the wood I would rather use a light colored wood and some Teak or similar and get a good effect that way after, carving and sanding the prop use some clear lacquer to give it a nice shine and deepen the color. Do not use balsa ... even stained it looks too much like balsa. Snoop around shops that offer materials for doll houses, wuite often those shops have a good choice of more exotic woods on hand than the usual LHS.

Jens

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 5:30 am

Thank you all. The help is much appreciated and now I have a back up plan as well as a primary. Again, thank you all very much.

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:56 am

How did you do that? That is exactly what I want to do. What dimension balsa, and how did you make the center bolt pattern? I would like to try my hand at it. :?:

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:19 am

What I am going to try and do is use some scrap walnut veneer and layer it onto the supplied prop in different layers of stain/no stain. I will advise how it comes out. The center bolts on your prop look like pinheads- are they?

by **SteveM** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:24 am

Szyp wrote:The center bolts on your prop look like pinheads- are they?

I believe that is the plastic part from the kit that he referred to. You certainly can use whatever little odds and ends to make your prob hub look scale for the DR-1.

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:34 am

Maybe I will slice a dowel of the correct dimension for the center hub and use either straight pin heads (cut to length) or brads of some sort. I'll come up with something. :idea:

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:35 am

I have a portable steamer and that will aid in "warping" the veneer to the correct pitch.

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:17 am

Okay, another inquiry into trade secrets. What do you use for guy wires, antennae wires, and what do you fasten them with? I am thinking using cut down straight pins as fasteners, but the wires got me. Black thread? Real wire of a teensy dimension? I hope you are not offended by my asking you about your tremendous ability and store of knowledge, and if you prefer not to share I will understand. After all, a fella has got to have some secrets! :roll:

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 10:46 am

Thank you very much!!

by **cliffm** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:05 am

This nieuport has black thread for guide wires and cables and a stained carved piece of balsa for the prop w

ith hand painted hub.

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:24 am

Hmmmmm....Verrrry interesting, and resourceful. Thank you for the info. :lol:

by **ADW 123** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:35 am

Szvp, you will find that some thread for some rigging and a wooden prop that has been stained will make a huge difference in the overall appearance of your model. they are great things to practice to get good at, as they impact the model so well.

by **Szyp** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:16 am

I just ordered SPAD from DPCM Aerowerks (that is my favorite WWI aircraft) and the building of that will sharpen my skills. I need some practice on WWI models since the fuselage, etc ate much easier to build correctly than trying to plank the WWII models- my ultimate goal. Thank you everyone for your help.

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