Zeppelin Battle damage?

**clipper1801** · 03-05-2016 15:33

Had a dream . . . after reading myself to sleep with crew logs on Zeppelin missions, I had a dream . . . what if on your way home from a raid, you started to loose fabric . . . the slipstream tugs and pulls on the thin canvas, then there is a horrible ripping and shuddering through the ship! The klaxon rings and the crews respond, to the outer hull to repair the canvas? Stitching and sewing in the slipstream and early dawn's light, hoping to get home, hanging on a life line stitching like mad in the bitter cold . . .

Hmm . . .

**gully_raker** · 03-05-2016 16:57

Well Dave if anyone could "model" that you would be the one (with a little help from the Elves!)

**Tonx** · 03-05-2016 17:20

It all sounds as if this Zeppelin really is hanging by a needle and thread ...

**csadn** · 03-06-2016 16:36

USS _Shenandoah_ took a hit like this in a storm once: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Onli...24/zr1-dmg.htm .

IIRC: It also happened to one of the German civilian zeps once -- but it was the covering on the tailplane which tore loose, and fouled the control surface.

There's also a pic of _LZ-5_ which got its nose smashed in a collision with a copse of trees; the crew cut away the damaged bit, and flew home with a somewhat-odd-looking nosecone: http://c8.alamy.com/comp/BJWCB3/zepp...933-BJWCB3.jpg .

**clipper1801** · 03-06-2016 23:43

Ouch! Try explaining hitting a tree!

**csadn** · 03-07-2016 12:34

Originally Posted by clipper1801

Ouch! Try explaining hitting a tree!

It's an *airship* -- it's a miracle *every* flight didn't end up in a tree, or a building, or a mountainside.

Airships do not freely wander the skies of the world these days, and never will -- THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS. :)

**clipper1801** · 03-07-2016 12:40

I suppose you have given up on the Great Pumpkin as well?

**clipper1801** · 03-07-2016 21:46

Originally Posted by csadn

It's an *airship* -- it's a miracle *every* flight didn't end up in a tree, or a building, or a mountainside.

Airships do not freely wander the skies of the world these days, and never will -- THERE IS A REASON FOR THIS.

You mean like this?

**csadn** · 03-08-2016 16:24

Originally Posted by clipper1801

You mean like this?

Or any of a hundred other similar pics....

All I can say is: For cryin' out loud, *DON'T* leave any of your windows open -- one stiff breeze, and the destruction will be Biblical. :)

**Franco Lucchini** · 03-08-2016 19:19

Heck of a dream...looking forward to the elves' creativity.

**clipper1801** · 03-14-2016 13:38

A study in structure . . .

Working up the nerve to cut into a hull . . .

https://www.shapeways.com/product/KY...337&li=ostatus

Arriving this week from Shapeways?

**RJG173** · 03-17-2016 15:01

Which came first, the Shapeways' model or the dream?

**clipper1801** · 03-17-2016 18:28

I asked Daryl of Reduced Air Factory to see what he could do with the idea, sent him the above sketch and he came up with what you see on the Shapeways site, perfect! I have two arriving Saturday for developing my nightmare further : ) Thanks Daryl!!!!

**ReducedAirFact** · 03-17-2016 19:45

I'm greatly looking forward to seeing how it will come out! And it's nice that the old framework version of the zeppelin can still be put to some use somewhere.

**RJG173** · 03-17-2016 20:13

It could always be used for something like this.

Click image for larger version.

Name: Zeppelin down.jpg
Views: 174
Size: 191.2 KB
ID: 191041

**clipper1801** · 03-17-2016 21:05

OH NO! I hope not!

**OldGuy59** · 03-17-2016 22:13

Originally Posted by RJG173

It could always be used for something like this.

OK, I think that is a little bit more damage than Dave was going for. No fabric to sew up, there.

**csadn** · 03-18-2016 12:14

Originally Posted by RJG173

It could always be used for something like this.

So, the Natural State Of A Zeppelin, then? ;)

**clipper1801** · 03-19-2016 16:19

So the dreaded dream parts arrived! Way cool!

Direct size comparison with the smaller skeleton version and the 1/144"

Coupla coats of silver spray . . .

Had to make a complete test . . . over lay on the real thing . . . very accurate, one of us or both!

Now to do some serious courage drinking and cut into a perfectly good Zeppelin hull . . .

**clipper1801** · 03-26-2016 20:22

I found the lost Zeppelin! Now named the 15th Warrior! It was discovered as I cleaned the corner of the garage, an early proto-type from white foam. After a quick fill in and some minor sanding it is now resting with a coat of filler, awaiting it's place among the 14 . . . this will be the ONE that will carry the damage frame and details, should be fun!

**BB401** · 03-27-2016 07:44

Originally Posted by clipper1801

I found the lost Zeppelin! Now named the 15th Warrior! It was discovered as I cleaned the corner of the garage, an early proto-type from white foam. After a quick fill in and some minor sanding it is now resting with a coat of filler, awaiting it's place among the 14 . . . this will be the ONE that will carry the damage frame and details, should be fun!

OK, I have to ask - in the picture I see a three-pack of razors on your table. I must assume you are using them in some fashion in your Zeppelin construction, but for what?

**milcoll73** · 03-27-2016 22:33

Originally Posted by RJG173

It could always be used for something like this.

OH! THE HUMANITY!!!

**clipper1801** · 03-28-2016 14:04

Done with the filling, moving on to the damage fitting!

Trying to get it in step with its friends . . . the others are getting impatient!

**clipper1801** · 03-28-2016 14:05

Originally Posted by BB401

OK, I have to ask - in the picture I see a three-pack of razors on your table. I must assume you are using them in some fashion in your Zeppelin construction, but for what?

Sometimes a set of razors is just a set of razors . . .

**Franco Lucchini** · 03-28-2016 14:14

Originally Posted by clipper1801

Done with the filling, moving on to the damage fitting!

Trying to get it in step with its friends . . . the others are getting impatient!

Yes, you are just teasing us Dave...

**clipper1801** · 03-28-2016 16:35

So an afternoon of systematic hacking . . .

And lots of fittings, checks and more gouging . . .

Contrast color underneath . . .

Next to apply a thin plastic membrane . . . here kitty, kitty,

. . .

**clipper1801** · 03-28-2016 17:50

Plastic membrane fitted . . .

Clamped in place with the framework . . .

**Walter Nowotny** · 03-28-2016 17:56

That is truly Awesome Dave!

**clipper1801** · 03-28-2016 19:52

And the final inner layer - the gas cell webbing . . .

Now to let it all cure overnight and tomorrow we start the final covering and details along with the others!

**ReducedAirFact** · 03-28-2016 19:58

Those poor repair guys... and here I thought the guy in the spy basket had the worst job on a zeppelin. (Memories of Hell's Angels, anyone?)

**Franco Lucchini** · 03-29-2016 13:21

Looking good Dave!

**BB401** · 03-29-2016 17:58

Originally Posted by clipper1801

Sometimes a set of razors is just a set of razors . . .

OK. I'll take that at face value. After all......

Click image for larger version.

Name: Freud cigar.jpg
Views: 98
Size: 41.9 KB
ID: 192464

**Ken at Sunrise** · 03-30-2016 09:31

Wow, you put a lot of work into this. Looks great.

**clipper1801** · 03-30-2016 10:18

Final filling and sanding done . . .

Now to cover it all up and "damage it"!

Thanks again to Daryl at RAF for making this possible! I was impressed with how well both of our efforts fit together so well, longerons aligned and rings as well!

**OldGuy59** · 03-30-2016 11:50

Originally Posted by clipper1801

...

Thanks again to Daryl at RAF for making this possible! I was impressed with how well both of our efforts fit together so well, longerons aligned and rings as well!

Awesome collaboration, guys! I was wondering how the frame fit so well to your Zeppelin, Dave.

**ReducedAirFact** · 03-30-2016 21:21

Originally Posted by clipper1801

Thanks again to Daryl at RAF for making this possible! I was impressed with how well both of our efforts fit together so well, longerons aligned and rings as well!

Frankly my part is easy -- I just tell the computer where things go and the 3d printer takes it from there. It's pretty easy for me to get the longerons exactly 19.067° apart.

But your part...Getting it that close when you're doing things by hand with foam and Spackle -- that's another thing entirely! The mechanic's salute:

But I do enjoy adding in my small part, and I think this will turn out great.

PS: What is the "netting" material?

**clipper1801** · 03-30-2016 22:34

The netting is from a fabric swim suit bag I found in the garage . . . most clean it out soon!

The new nose covered with silk-span tissue, after a few coats of clear dope I will begin the destruction phase!

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 03-31-2016 00:08

I am getting this nasty feeling that every home should have one!

Click image for larger version.

Name: Zeppelin crash.jpg
Views: 88
Size: 72.7 KB
ID: 192649

Rob.

**clipper1801** · 04-01-2016 17:11

Where were we then . . . Settled on a gun metal silver finish on this one just for fun

Working on a wicked looking theme

Then suddenly an AA shell exploded near forward . . . BAM!!!!

Yikes the crew was blown off the upper gun deck! (Need to break quarantine and escape to the hobby shop for some new crew . . . ) Does it look authentic?

Liking it so far . . . but soon the drugs will wear off and I will see things another way . . . : )

**gully_raker** · 04-01-2016 17:21

That looks just fantastic Dave!
Another masterpiece from Clipper & the damage elves.

**matt56** · 04-01-2016 18:00

This looks simply spectacular, Dave! I knew something like this was in the offing...

All the best,
Matt

**Teaticket** · 04-01-2016 18:57

I only have 3 words...Wow, wow, wow.

**Walter Nowotny** · 04-01-2016 22:03

That really looks Great!

**Canestri10** · 04-01-2016 22:18

Stunning. Just stunning

**clipper1801** · 04-02-2016 01:11

OKAY THEN! Here we are, all ready to fly, er, carry on home!

I escaped to the hobby store and pressed this crew into service, they seem to know what to do . . .

Each crew had to be tethered to the ship while underway . . .

Gunners at their station just in case attackers find them vulnerable

Top view of this latest menagerie!

Now back to normal . . .

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 04-02-2016 08:54

Very apt if you read my two 100 years ago today reports for 31st March and 2nd April Dave.
You have done a superb job there.
Rob.

**matt56** · 04-02-2016 14:38

Oh, wow, David - oh, wow! Simply amazing...

Are you leaving it silver colored, then? Or does it get a paint scheme similar to your 'for sale' Zeppelins?

WHATEVER you choose, it's magnificent. Thanks for the continuous inspiration!

All the best,
Matt