Modelling World War 1

[Kiteman]

A very nice model with a nice feeling of tension in that rigging my friend...well done.

[zak]

Some extra information.

You may have noticed that the Tabloid has not got any ailerons, in the earlier versions lateral control was achieved by wing warping. later versions did have ailerons.
A seaplane version - The Schneider was also used.
Constructed in 1913 originally.
Production for the RFC and RNAS started in June 1914, they were single-seaters and they were used for fast scouting duties.
Sometimes they were used as light bombers.
The seaplane version was developed into the Baby.

[zak]

I will leave you to hazard a guess as to my competition entry for SUN< SEA and SAND!

[Bigkev]

Is it an Ice Cream Cone..................?
Bigkev

[MSea]

No Big Kev its a pair of sunglasses.

[zak]

Both wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kiteman]

Fish and Chips?

[bridlufc]

WW1 Punch and Judy stand??

Bridlufc

[Bigkev]

I got it!

It's a donkey!!!

Bigkev

[zak]

No you are all wrong, its another ASS-pect entirely.
Not a donkey in sight.

[MSea]

You are making a model of ME.

[zak]

Well I am now in the process of building a Sopwith Baby Seaplane. This is an early Eduard kit in 1/48 scale and although it contains lots of etched brass and a metal engine, the plastic leaves a lot to be desired.
It is very basic but hopefully I will be able to produce something that looks like it should.
These seaplanes were flown from Hornsea Mere.
hence a bit of local interest.

The Royal Naval Air Service Hornsea Mere.

This was originally an off shoot of the RNAS station at Killngholme on the Lincolnshire shore of the Humber estuary.
Hornsea had been used since July 1915 but became more important in July 1918 when the base at Killingholme was handed over to an American naval flying boat squadron.
Hornsea Mere was an enclosed stretch of water near the coast, approx. 1.5miles long x 1 mile wide and had a depth of between 4 ft. and 6.6 ft. The Mere provided a good base for the take-off and landing of seaplanes (floatplanes).
The RNAS base was on Kirkholme Point, a finger of land that had access to the town and launching access on the Mere.
The site had a number of buildings and two Bessoneau Hangars. Most of the staff was billeted in the town but there was a hut provided for the men. There was a workshop and technical store as well as a power house that did not have any machinery installed. Other buildings provided the usual accommodation. Motor transport shed, boat house, guard house, pigeon loft, magazine, detonator store, first aid hut and a compass platform.
The establishment in 1918 was
28 Officers
9 Corporals
80 other ranks
21 women
This is a total of 141 personnel.
The base had 12 seaplanes, the Sopwith Baby and the Short 184.
Transport was a light tender, a heavy tender, 1 motorcycle, 1 sidecar and a workshop trailer.

[zak]

Well, making a start.
Plenty of etched brass to work with here.
The cockpit interior is all etched brass.
The fuselage.
Parts are provided to provide one of the three types, Sopwith, Blackburn or Ansaldo versions.
I will be attempting to produce the Blackburn version.

[Kiteman]

Watching with interest. Plenty of green stuff to be used then. I have a few old Eduard kits in my stash which is why I will take note on this one!

[zak]

Yes, a tube or two maybe.