Author Topic: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918  (Read 14947 times)

Offline Acree

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Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« on: August 16, 2014, 09:45:33 AM »
Title and pic say it all!  Enjoy!

Chuck

Offline finsrin

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2014, 11:16:03 AM »
Sweet - whatta design :)
Like to see it in styrene.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2014, 03:21:58 PM by finsrin »

Offline jcf

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2014, 11:28:55 AM »
Sweet - whatta design :)
Like see it in styrene.


Here's a 3-view Bill, so knock yerself out.  ;D

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Offline Tophe

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2014, 12:02:04 PM »
Great enjoyment, thanks! ;)

Offline finsrin

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2014, 03:25:51 PM »
No not me :o
This requires someone with genuine model building skills.
I fuss around - redo - redo - redo - until I had enough and call it "OK"

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2014, 03:42:13 AM »
Hmmmm...I like!
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Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2014, 03:59:43 AM »
The Marines are certainly tough enough to brave flying something with a prop in the middle!

What an inspired concept! Somehow using U.S. markings makes it seem even more plausable!

Brian da Basher

Offline Acree

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2014, 11:45:39 AM »
Well, the Gallaudet was an American design.  The predecessor of the D-5 was the D-4 which actually saw Great War service with the US Navy, so the Marines seemed the obvious choice to fly the land plane successor.

I am considering an attempt to do the D-5 in plastic, but I am a bit reluctant as I have never scratch-built an entire plane before.

Offline Dr. YoKai

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2014, 09:25:43 AM »
Quote
I am considering an attempt to do the D-5 in plastic, but I am a bit reluctant as I have never scratch-built an entire plane before.
mused Acree  Its an ambitious project, but you won't lack for good advice and encouragement around here. A  modern 1/700 sub might be a good palce to start for the fuselage...
I'll do some looking and see if I can't come up with a more specific suggestion.

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2014, 09:42:11 AM »
Well looking forward to see this.

This sort of design is so odd they look interesting.
I would image a very short queue of Aircrew willing to fly it

Offline jcf

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2014, 10:19:17 AM »
I would image a very short queue of Aircrew willing to fly it


... or not.

http://www.airminded.net/gud4/gud4.html

From reports there was nothing particularly exotic about the D-4's flight characteristics,
so by extension it's doubtful that the D-5, if built would have been anything that unusal
for a pilot of the period. The Aircos, Gunbuses and others of the period were pushers
with the prop buried amongst a forest of struts, so the prop position wouldn't have been
anything strange.

“Conspiracy theory’s got to be simple.
Sense doesn’t come into it. People are
more scared of how complicated shit
actually is than they ever are about
whatever’s supposed to be behind the
conspiracy.”
-The Peripheral, William Gibson 2014

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #11 on: August 25, 2014, 08:56:00 PM »
That looks great, I love hat old school Marine National Symbol as well (should get that one tattooed!)  8)
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Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #12 on: August 26, 2014, 08:42:18 AM »
I would image a very short queue of Aircrew willing to fly it


... or not.

http://www.airminded.net/gud4/gud4.html

From reports there was nothing particularly exotic about the D-4's flight characteristics,
so by extension it's doubtful that the D-5, if built would have been anything that unusal
for a pilot of the period. The Aircos, Gunbuses and others of the period were pushers
with the prop buried amongst a forest of struts, so the prop position wouldn't have been
anything strange.


Fair enough.. but a production run of 2 does not bode that well for the practicalities of the design.
Plus the Dh-2 and gunbuses did not have a gunner behind the airscrew. Though I seem to recall some other wacky WW1 design that had a similar concept.


Offline raafif

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #13 on: August 26, 2014, 12:10:49 PM »
the prop was placed there to prevent arguments between the gunner & pilot -- shooting at each other would bring the plane down, undoing both their careers ;D

Offline Acree

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #14 on: September 04, 2014, 03:09:46 AM »
Anybody know where I can get a 1/48 Liberty engine at a reasonable price (in or shipped to the US)? 

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #15 on: September 04, 2014, 10:51:43 PM »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Acree

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #16 on: September 05, 2014, 04:47:11 AM »
Thanks!  They do have one, and I am in the process of ordering.  I guess I'm in to try scratchbuilding the D-5

Offline Acree

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Scratchbuilding is hard - Gallaudet
« Reply #17 on: September 15, 2014, 07:11:50 AM »
Well, here are my first-ever WIP pics.  This is my first attempt at total scratchbuilding.  The pics show the rear fuselage and horizontal tail assembly of the Gallaudet D-5, with upper deck covering in place.  The second pic shows the vertical tail/rudder/tailskid assembly.  The latter is going into paint (it already has a coat of flat white). 

Everything seen so far is made of styrene sheet and rod.  The prop hub is also complete, but I am awaiting the prop blades in the mail (along with the Liberty engine). 

I have no idea what I am doing, but I am having fun (the most important thing in modelling).  I MAY get finished by November!

Enjoy!

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #18 on: September 15, 2014, 09:34:50 PM »
Looking good
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Dr. YoKai

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #19 on: September 21, 2014, 08:45:13 AM »
 Yes indeed!

Offline Acree

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Gallaudet D-5B small update
« Reply #20 on: October 02, 2014, 01:41:54 PM »
Basic construction of the rear fuselage is complete, just details left of this section.  The third pic shows the observer's seat that still needs to be installed.  Working on the gun ring while simultaneously figuring out the forward fuselage.  The major portion is complete, but I am looking for an appropriately shaped plastic bobble to use for the nose section. 

While there are a lot of problems, I am fairly happy with my results considering its my first scratch build (and probably my last for a while (lol)).  Enjoy the pics, more soon!

Offline arkon

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #21 on: October 03, 2014, 12:50:49 AM »
Very good looking👍
the paper gods demand sacrifice

Offline Acree

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Another Small Update
« Reply #22 on: October 07, 2014, 03:11:44 PM »
Tonight I finished the observer's Lewis gun and mount.  Still needs paint, but I am SOOO happy with how it turned out that I had to share.  The second pic is the Liberty engine all painted and ready for a little weathering.  Can someone suggest a good way to put a light black wash on it?  I don't want to ruin the paintwork, and I have never used washes before.  Thanks!

Offline Acree

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Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918 Update
« Reply #23 on: October 18, 2014, 04:08:26 AM »
Here are a few shots of the current situation on the Gallaudet:

Th three sections of the fuselage are together, though I had some unexpected difficulties with alignment (the tail section drooped dramatically because the front bulkhead was angled).  I had to break them apart and repair that, so significant touch up is required.  The pilot's office needs detailing, along with the engine.  The wings and undercarriage are the main portions still to be done.  The wings are coming along, as you can see in the last pic. 

Still think I might make it by Nov 11! 

Chuck

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #24 on: October 18, 2014, 04:08:55 AM »
Looking good.
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #25 on: October 22, 2014, 03:04:01 AM »
It looks like you're well on track to make the deadline, Chuck!

I really like the look of that prop!

Brian da Basher

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #26 on: October 28, 2014, 06:45:19 AM »
All kinds of impressive  :-*
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Offline Acree

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #27 on: October 31, 2014, 07:59:36 AM »
Thanks! 

Here is a small photo update.  It's been two-steps forward 1.87 steps backward, but I have the wings in place, though much touch-up is required and I'm still not entirely happy.  Though I followed the 3-view, I ended up making the wings thicker than I intended, but it is too much to go back and redo. 

The second photo shows one of two partial landing gear assemblies.  I searched for a suitable wheel and tire combo, but found nothing that would work, until I was at the hardware store and came across faucet repair kits which included little rubber o-rings, one of which was the perfect size.  Made a sheet styrene disc for a wheel, inserted an tubular axle, and I think that'll do!  The strut assemblies are sheet styrene, hand carved with a sharp exacto knife - miraculously, no cuts on my thumbs!!

Still think I'll make it, but a lot of detail remains. 

The three-views do not show any semblance of a radiator.  When I made the profile, I added a fuselage-side-mounted unit, but that would be pretty inefficient.  As I build the model, I'm amazed that Mr. Gallaudet did not mount a radiator in the nose - would have made sense.  Anyway, I think I'll stick with the side-mount unit because it adds visual interest.  Feel free to add your thoughts!

Chuck 

Offline Acree

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"Finished" - Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #28 on: November 12, 2014, 01:41:10 AM »
Well, since it's Nov 11, I'm calling this finished, even though there is more I could do.  I've learned a lot during this build, exploring all the limits of my capabilities.  Some things turned out really well, some things not so much - especially the decals and a few other things.  I think I will completely give up the idea of custom made decals, at least for now. 

Everything is scratch built except the Liberty engine and prop blades.  All major components are from sheet styrene (the fuselage is built up over a frame of plastic rod (much like steel tube and fabric construction).  The wings are plastic card spars and ribs with sheet plastic covering.  Wing tips and fuselage nose are made of styrofoam, carved and puttied.  The radiator is plastic tube, sheet and angle sections, while the radiator "hoses" are electrical solder.  The decals are homemade (I searched for manufactured decals but with no luck).  The control lines are fishing line.  The windshield is just a piece of clear plastic packing material (which was crystal clear until I forgot to mask it or remove before spraying clear coat! doh!).  The tires are faucet repair kit rubber o-rings.

The model represents a D-5B serving with the US Marines serving with Squadron C, Day Wing, Northern Bombing Group, La Frene, France in October 1918. 

All that being said, here she is in all her "glory":



Offline Brian da Basher

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #29 on: November 12, 2014, 03:56:47 AM »
That's quite an impressive use of diverse materials, Acree!

You certainly captured the essence of a W.W.I U.S.M.C. bird and the markings were very well done!

Brian da Basher

Offline taiidantomcat

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #30 on: November 12, 2014, 05:08:37 AM »
Awesome finish!!  :) Great work (its getting my vote  ;) )
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Offline arkon

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #31 on: November 12, 2014, 12:11:09 PM »
That is an inspiration .
the paper gods demand sacrifice

Offline Dr. YoKai

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #32 on: November 16, 2014, 03:43:26 AM »
Absolutely a stunner! Well done!

Offline Acree

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #33 on: November 16, 2014, 06:48:26 AM »
Thank you, gents, for your kind comments. 

Offline Weaver

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Re: Gallaudet D-5B of USMC, 1918
« Reply #34 on: November 17, 2014, 05:13:08 AM »
For a first attempt at scratchbuilding that's outstanding: well done! :) 8)
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