Building the Skytrex Short 184 Seaplane.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

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1. Clean off flash and wash resin parts in washing up liquid to remove any traces of release agent.
2. Glue lower wing in place and ensure that it is aligned correctly.

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3. Drill out all holes for struts, tail plane, floats etc.
4. Glue in cabine struts and align the top wing. To help in this place two temporary struts in the extreme end wing holes.

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5. Glue the remaining struts in as pairs, from the centre outwards. Remember to cut the outermost struts lower pegs short to allow for the floats to be inserted under the wings.

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6. Glue tail assembly in place.

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7. File down protruding struts, and fill the holes in the wings with “Green Stuff”.
8. Clean up the wings with wet and dry.
9. Turn plane over and trial assemble undercart. Bend to 30 degrees to fit floats perpendicular to the wings.

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10. Glue undercart and floats in place.

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11. Return plane to upright and glue exhausts in place above radiators.( Tweezers may help in this process.)


12. Paint the aircraft with white undercoat. Then in colours of your choice. Nb. Some parts may be easier to paint before assembly, but I found this unnecessary. It all depends on your dexterity with a paint brush.

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13. Paint the gunner, pilot, and prop.
14. Glue them in place.
15. Brush Micro set onto areas to decal.
16. Add decals, and after 10 minutes brush with Micro sol to blend them in.

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17. Allow to dry overnight and then varnish to taste. Remember that Seaplanes had a high gloss to repel salt water.
Note. This build is another quite easy one for the novice, and can be completed over a weekend.
Rob.


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[Belis4rius]

Having been inspired I have just ordered this up, so what stats are you using for this old son?

[georgerutherfor]

Very nice!

Doug

[Guntruck]

Fine looking model Rob. (Usual comments regarding the wings :()

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Having been inspired I have just ordered this up, so what stats are you using for this old son?

I haveno stats in mind at the moment. That is where you chaps come in.
Rob.

[Guntruck]

Let's take the Maori engined job with 4x 100lb bombs as an average:

240 H.P. Sunbeam Maori
Span 63' 6.25"
Length 40' 7.5"
Weight loaded 4,988 lbs

Max speed at 2,000' - 84 mph
Max speed at 6,500' - 83 mph
Max speed at 10,000' - 80.5 mph
Climb to 2,000' - 6 min 15 sec
Climb to 6,500' - 26 min 15 sec
Ceiling - 8,700'


So, sort the stats out and I can finish the card. Different roundels and armament available on request :D

http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=25165&d=1318964200

[Flying Officer Kyte]

I'll take one with British roundells thanks. That is actually the very plane I used for the colour scheme. All we now need are the stats boys to do their pontifications and mathmajic.
Rob.

[Linz]

Speed 83mph would be XA Same speed band as the Capronni Ca4
Climb 8
Ceiling 9
Guns B/B if it has a forward firing gun
Damage I would make it the same as a short bomber 24
1 engine
Crew 2
Hope that helps
Linz

Correction use XD movement cards with the Gotha GV size base.

[Guntruck]

I'll take one with British roundells thanks. Rob.

They are British roundels Rob. Probably couldn't get any blue paint 'cos there's a war on :D

[Zoe Brain]

They are British roundels Rob. Probably couldn't get any blue paint 'cos there's a war on :D
Yes, they are British Roundels, but before they were standardised. Used by the RNAS (not the RFC) before mid-1915, and after December 1914. Before then, union flags were used.

[Belis4rius]

OK, more info required, I have ordered up some planes and materials to make bases and stands, so does anyone know what size the large (bomber) stand is? I want them to be compatible when the other mini's come out and not waste my precious clear styrene.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

OK, more info required, I have ordered up some planes and materials to make bases and stands, so does anyone know what size the large (bomber) stand is? I want them to be compatible when the other mini's come out and not waste my precious clear styrene.

I have made my stands conform to the size of the cards in FoG George. As this controls the movement distance of the plane it must be the same. They are really stable at these sizes even with the Staaken on the stand. See my album for pictures. If you don't have FoG let me know and I'll measure up for you.
Rob.

[Belis4rius]

I picked up a copy earlier this year, looking forward to building these.

[Guntruck]

Yes, they are British Roundels, but before they were standardised. Used by the RNAS (not the RFC) before mid-1915, and after December 1914. Before then, union flags were used.

Wot Dr Brain said. This particular aircraft had union flags on the side.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Wot Dr Brain said. This particular aircraft had union flags on the side.

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It is interesting to see this photograph of a Pup in 1917 which still has your type of roundels on it. Must have been phased out gradually. Unfortunately my plane has the full roundels on its wings, so it won't match your card Gunners. Thanks anyway for the info from yourself and Zoe.
Rob.

[Linz]

With a 19m wingspan the best base would be the Gotha GV sized one. The Staarken would be to big.
Was not thinking clearly this morning in regard to movement forgot to allow for car size. So need to use XD movement cards.
Linz

[Flying Officer Kyte]

With a 19m wingspan the best base would be the Gotha GV sized one. The Staarken would be to big.
Was not thinking clearly this morning in regard to movement forgot to allow for car size. So need to use XD movement cards.
Linz

Yes I agree Linz. That is what I have done for my ordinary land based Short Bomber. I'm sorry if I confused the issue by mentioning the Staaken in the same post. It has a bigger plastic base than the others. Only the Staaken also has a screw in peg to ensure stability.
Rob.

[Linz]

Glad you did mention it.
I am not as familiar with the bomber cards.
Must put together a graph for them for quick reference.
I am looking forward to when ARES bring out new aircraft to see just how close we got with our stats.
Linz

[clipper1801]

Oh man! Just when I thought I was done with struts!! Now I have to have one or two or so of these. Thanks for the great inspiration and well done model.

-clipper

[richard m schwab]

Rob!

Another great build from the master! Wonderful work!

Rich

[somaliavet]

Tell the truth, you aren't playing with all these seaplanes in the tub, are you?:minis:

Seriously though, it a great build, and I appreciate the step-by-step guide! :thankyou:

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Tell the truth, you aren't playing with all these seaplanes in the tub, are you?:minis:


Not until I get my Carrier and Submarine finished.:lol:
Rob.

[GilmoreDK]

More on early RNAS markings (and all other national markings through the war) here: http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/aircraft-articles/23234-national-markings.html?garpg=5

- G

[Flying Officer Kyte]

More on early RNAS markings (and all other national markings through the war) here: http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/aircraft-articles/23234-national-markings.html?garpg=5

- G

Thanks for the info Svend. I was aware of the different markings but having it set out with dates and in order does make life easier for everyone.:thumbsup:
Rob.