VSF 'Zeppelin' Bomber Build - Update 9/6/2017

[Captain Darling]

This is my take on on VSF Zeppelin/Airship Bomber, I have used Renaissance Miniatures Santos Dumont Airship #9 kit as a basis for it. I picked the kit up through a Kickstarter. The kit has saved me a lot of work as I was considering building something similar from scratch!

Here's the gondola I have to work on the balloon/envelope next  ...



The kit itself is good but if I was actually building the Santos Dumont Airship #9 I would have to make some improvements as I can't help but dabble; i.e. Adding a base to the basket, using a bit of dowel for the fuel tank, make a one piece engine block with better details using the kit radiator etc. Anyway a good kit not cheap and in my opinion not for the feint hearted.

Renaissance Miniatures:
https://renaissanceminiatures.com/webstore/

Santos Dumont Airship Instructions:
https://renaissanceminiatures.com/wiki/index.php?title=Santos_Dumont_Airship_Instructions&printable=yes

All the details of my changes to the Renaissance Miniatures Gondola and more pictures are on my blog...
http://captaindarlingsminiaturesemporium.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/156-vsf-zeppelin-bomber-build-part-one.html

Cheers!

[vodkafan]

Can't wait to see more. I got a feeling this is going to be good.

[OSHIROmodels]

That's certainly different 

cheers

James

[The_Beast]

That's certainly different 

AND pretty. I almost said 'too pretty' then saw the result in the instructions. Allow me to second the

 

Doug

[Captain Darling]

Hey All!

Thanks for the comments!

I hope to regain the tissue & dope mojo of my youth to cover the balloon section! I picked up supplies for the task and will give it a go next weekend. Not really happy with the slack cloth look of the kit parts.

Also have made a template in paper to create two cones to add to each end to the balloon part to make it look 'neat', these will be 0.5mm styrene.

Here's the balloon skeleton with the gondola...



Cheers!

[OSHIROmodels]

Great 

How's the gondola going to support the balloon?

cheers

James

[Captain Darling]

Hey James,

A very good question!

The designers include in the kit 'floral wire' to represent the gondola to balloon cables and they reckon that'll do the job. There'll be 10 bits from memory.

For me I think I'll place a piece of clear plastic rod extending from the gondola steam engine funnel up to the balloon, once that's in place I'll then add the cabling on as taut as possible.

I'll place a small hook in the top of the balloon so I can hang in from the ceiling for 'storage', for gaming I'll have to build a wire frame to support it (I think)...

Cheers!

[tin shed gamer]

I did something similar but disguised it as a cowling.
(sorry for adding a pic but it was just easier than explaining)
Mark.

[OSHIROmodels]

For me I think I'll place a piece of clear plastic rod extending from the gondola steam engine funnel up to the balloon, once that's in place I'll then add the cabling on as taut as possible.

Sounds good 

cheers

James

[The_Beast]

Agreed; wire might be sufficient, but tricky to get well-balanced with the weight distribution.

Very much like Mark's suggestion. (Really, apologizing for such awesomeness???   ) I do think the angled cowling does much to hide the stick.

Doug

[Captain Darling]

Hi All,

A small update on this kit build. Since I knew I would not be able to tissue and dope the ends of the envelope/balloon neatly I decided to make caps (thought of buying r/c plane spinners for the ends even but to hard to find the right size).

I made a paper template then cut 0.5mm styrene sheet bits that I glued to the envelope/balloon fame, I finished the ends with Milliput. Its not perfectly round the ends meet at the bottom in a slight V which looks like a keel so is fine for me  ...





I have had futher thoughts on this build. Seeing how well these caps look I wonder instead of going with a tissue and dope finish for the rest of the envelope/balloon I instead individually cut the required 64 segments to cover it in 0.5mm styrene glue each on, add rivets and paint with a steel like finish and have an armoured envelope/balloon???

Also have some more thoughts on suspending the gondola from the envelope/balloon...

Catch ya soon!

[OSHIROmodels]

Interesting 

I think the styrene approach might be best as it will be easier to remove if it doesn't align up properly.

cheers

James

[Captain Darling]

Thanks for the feedback James!

Will sit down with a fine bottle of red and contemplate my next move...

[OSHIROmodels]

Will sit down with a fine bottle of red and contemplate my next move...

Possibly not the best idea 

cheers

James

[Blodwin]

Captain - just how big was that bottle of fine wine? 

I've been checking back here every day eager to see your progress

Hopefully the inspiration you received from the bottle was not shattered and blown away by cold sober reality

Blodwin