DESPERATE for help!!

[Szyp]

I am currently slowly building the Sopwith Camel, and I can't quite figure out how the cowl assembly attaches. The cowl has a cut-out on the bottom, which is supposed to reveal 2 half cylinder heads. The piece is roughly a triangular arc, and I cannot for the life of me figure out how it goes. It is haunting me in my sleep. What direction does the half cylinders face? To what is it attached. The directions are vague (to me) on this step, and I have tried every combination/permutation and cannot figure this out. Any guidance on this would be greatly appreciated. I need whatever "marbles" in the attic I still have. Mounting the cowl is no problem- it's the 2 half cylinder piece that is.

[Xanadu]

http://www.virtualaerodrome.com/image_d ... &offset=96

Here is a picture of what it should look like.

[SteveM]

Seems fairly clear in the instructions:



I second that you need to work on the subject line of your post. If this thread were a book would you have chosen a different title? The next person to have trouble installing the cowl for the camel will hopefully search the existing threads before asking a question, will they find this one and benefit from the prior discussion?

[Szyp]

I have seen (stared at) the illustration yet I couldn't figure it out until the replies came, and then it was a head slapper. Once you see how it goes, it is so obvious. Thank you for taking the time to help me. I am going to make it all olive drab as in a photo from the air museum.

[Szyp]

Coming under the category of "I cut it twice and it's still too short", is it safe to believe that the small piece is glued in a position to match the front cylinder halves to the cowl itself? That is what appears to be. Actually, ask twice, cut once.

[Szyp]

Clarification- the cylinder head small piece with the cylinders facing aft, thus giving the appearance of full cylinders if viewed from below?

[Szyp]

You may rest assured that I will not trouble the forum members again when I need help with a particular problem. Dave, thank you for all your kindnesses- the other comment was condescending and uncalled for. I wish you all the best, and please do not bother to reply because the atmosphere has been poisoned and I will not cause members Angst when I need help. I will not read the reply, and no longer ask for help when it may result in a public reprimand. I read and re-read the build instructions, and it did not seem obvious to me- that is why I asked for help. Praise in public- reprimand in private .

[Steve Blanchard]

I must say that I agree with Szyp on this. I refrained from saying anything as it seemed he was taking it all in stride but now that he has spoken I know I'm not crazy. It's embarrassing to see people react in the way they did to this question. I have been building and flying free flight models for many years and have had quite a few questions about things that had seemed "obvious" to others, but when I asked the question they never made me feel that way. I would say that most of the free flight community acts in this very giving non-judgmental manner. There are some who stray but usually in the intent is good. I hope this doesn't happen again. I would hate to be made to feel like a fool in the public eye by my piers. Kind of makes participating in this hobby less appealing to those who are either starting or re-starting up again.

Steve

[Szyp]

Thanks Steve. I did know how to react to the comment, but the more I thought about it the more indignant I got. I joined this forum and have enjoyed the comradeship, the high level of "class" and dignity of the members, and always said thank you and tried to offer when I could. There was one other rebuke recently about someone's Thunderbolt and that the decal was on upside down, but I remained silent because I felt it was an aberration and this board was inappropriate for public discipline. Now it has happened to me and this board is not that important that I have to be spoken to in that manner. And I doubt any of the other gentlemen of this forum would accept it. Would anyone talk to Dave D. like that?. If it bothers someone so much that seeking help- which has repeatedly been stated by other members as a purpose of this board- annoys someone maybe the problem is not the questioner, but lies elsewhere.

[SteveM]

I honestly don't know what either of you is complaining about. Apparently David and my attempts to help were seen as personal attacks and have hurt a lot of feelings. If you think I'm going to apologize for taking 10-15 minutes to dig out the kit of the Camel and scan in the instructions so we'd all have the kit provided directions to refer to then you are wrong. If I post a picture from the directions and say it seems obvious to me, then your job is to reply back that it is in fact not obvious to you and you are still having trouble with how part X fits into Y. For all I know that particular paper was missing or overlooked.

In a few more years you'll perhaps learn that the internet is a medium without a good means to convey facial expression and voice inflections. We often type short and to the point with out any coddling with our words and pretty little smiley faces . If you read posts with the assumption that the poster is out to get you then that is what you'll get from it.

If it my was my reply that hurt feelings then you've not lost anything by ignoring me, but you need David a lot more than he needs you.

[SteveM]

There was one other rebuke recently about someone's Thunderbolt and that the decal was on upside down, but I remained silent because I felt it was an aberration and this board was inappropriate for public discipline. Now it has happened to me and this board is not that important that I have to be spoken to in that manner. And I doubt any of the other gentlemen of this forum would accept it.

On another model building forum that I frequent people often have witty quotes or phrases in their signatures, here is one of them:

"All comments, suggestions, criticisms, observations are welcomed and appreciated"

If I had more time I could dig up a couple more just like that and could even provide links to a build log where the kit designer gives the builder a bit of a reality check and then the build log proceeds for another 10 pages or so with no trouble at all since the air had been cleared and the builder set straight by someone very experienced.

On that forum I routinely see people pointing out errors, inaccuracies, and offering suggestions on how the model might be improved. Everyone is thankful for the feedback and decides how much if any of it they want to incorporate into their model. Mum and dad told you your art from school was fantastic and put in on their fridge for all to see. The rest of us will provide real feedback and will still be kind enough to overlook something that we think could have been done better and will offer words of encouragement.

[Steve Blanchard]

Steve M.

Do not assume that I need David or yourself at all. I have never requested your assistance nor will I. I was just supporting Szyp as I saw that there wasn't just help being offered but it was being offered in a verbal eye-rolling manner. What started this for me was not the actual help but the comment about the heading. I've read some pretty vague headings without any comment from any of you. Certain members can seem to wax on poetically in their headers and everyone can't wait too see because they are such amazing builders. Not fair to the newbies who really need this forum for help, not just to continually show off their completed builds.
By the way I have spent a few years already on several different forums with many much more abrasive characters than yourself and had never seen any of them show such snobbish tones. Believe me in all of the years that I have been building and competing I have never been made to feel bad about learning. No one person was named or attacked but you automatically became defensive. I have a feeling that if I read back through some more of your posts this would come up again. There is no need for this type of reaction on a forum like this.
If it is such an imposition to answer the question don't bother if you feel you need to talk down to people. I am now pointing out errors to you without coddling. Please accept it in the manner it is meant. Not easy as it sounds, is it?
I apologize to all of the other members for this rant. This would have been done off-line had it not been begun on-line.
David, I believe you handled this as a gentleman.

[Szyp]

I am a retired High School history teacher, Principal, and College professor and understand none of us is above criticism. Constructive criticism. It is the manner in which it is offered that is crux of whether the criticism will be sen as constructive or demeaning. I have no desire to wash dirty laundry on a forum where it does not belong, but when one is spoken to in a pettifogging manner publicly you are left with no choice but to reply. Since I am the focal point of the thread that is ruining a great forum, I will take my leave thus eliminating the problem. I too, have been on other forums, and courtesy has always ruled. When I find the forum being subjected to Gresham"s Rule, I leave. Life is too short for such incivility and nonsense. I doubt I would be spoken to in such a manner in person- it is usually done from a safe distance or behind one's back. So be it. I indeed should have used the search function, or the aerodrome build threads, but did not think of it. To all of you whom I have caused upset over this nonsense, I offer my sincere apologies. But try to remember- this is only a hobby.

[Steve Blanchard]

Hi David,

Just to clarify it was Steve M that mentioned your comment about the upside down markings on the Hellcat not Szyp or myself. Again, you handled your end fine with your responses. You even requested clarification of the header in a civil and rational manner. Steve M posted the short remarks and rode the header comment. I believe that it is natural to not search the archives for an answer you are seeking. How would you recognize the question if it isn't your own? Isn't it great when your knowledge is needed? It should not be so bothersome to share it.

You David have not been the target of previous postings. Please be assured of that.

Steve

[TJH]

I follow this and other forums for building tips and to see what can be done with these kits; some of this work is outright amazing. I don't build anything fancy by any means but enjoy the interaction among fellow modelers at all experience levels.

But the bottom line is my reason to build is to enjoy the hobby and have fun, and to pass it on to my kids.

Sorry, but that is my $0.02.