Aeroplane In A Bottle: I Got $250 Prize Money For This One

[The Magistrate]

I built this last spring as an entry in a contest put on by the WWI Aero Society. When I had heard nothing for several months I figured that was that, but just before the New Year I got a note asking for confirmation of my mailing address, and received the check a week ago. I still do not know the details of the outcome, except that the check is in the bank, and I am pleased as punch with that.

The model is of Caudron G3 No. C-12, which was flown by Escadrille C11 through the summer of 1914 in the Battle of the Frontiers and at the Marne. The scale is 1/72, or six feet to the inch, and it is wholly scratchbuilt (that was a condition of the contest): the upper wing alone incorporates well over a hundred seperate pieces.

[GOPisEvil]

1. That's beautiful! Congratulations!

I'm more a WWII aviation buff, but that's a lovely piece of work. :thumbsup:

[The Magistrate]

4. Thank You, Sir!

The old ones fascinate me particularly, and especially the odd ducks among them, that to a modern eye have no business aloft at all, but flew just the same.

[blonndee]

2. Congratulations Magistrate!

I had no idea you were so talented. :)

[The Magistrate]

5. Thank You, Ma'am!

Between talent and madness lies a fine line, and debate over which side of it this exercise rests on is on-going....

[Kutjara]

3. The detail is exquisite.

What a wonderful piece of work. The prize was well deserved.

[The Magistrate]

6. Thank You, Sir!

I like to think so. I did not clock the project, but suspect this works out to about 75 cents an hour ot so. Drawings in a reprint of an Italian air service technical manual on the type were a great help with details.

[KitchenWitch]

7. That is excellent and beautiful work, sir!

:hi:

[The Magistrate]

10. Thank You, Ma'am!

I am glad you liked it.

[sakabatou]

8. Ooooo

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. My hat is off to you, sir

This is awe-inspiring work. :thumbsup:


I've recently completed a 1/24 scale P-51D, "Big Beautiful Doll," flown by Col. John D. Landers of the 78th FG, 8th AF. It took me some two months — and it was from a kit, and not in a bottle. I can't imagine building one from scratch, and with such intricacy.

:patriot:

[The Magistrate]

11. That Is An Impressive Project, Sir

I prefer the smaller scales: in them, you can get away with things by suggestion and symmetry and the like that in the larger scales have to be gotten precisely to scale, and be legible, even, sometimes.

[Pithlet]

12. Very impressive, Sir.

It's beautiful. Incredible detail. Congratulations!

[The Magistrate]

16. Thank You Very Much, Ma'am

I am glad you liked it.

[SOteric]

13. Most impressive indeed, Sir!

My congratulations. :hi:

[The Magistrate]

15. Glad You Like It, Ma'am!

A pleasure to see you about the place!

[SPKrazy]

14. that's very cool!

good craftmanship.

but once in the bottle you can't really fly them anymore.

[The Magistrate]

17. Thank You, Sir!

This one would never fly in any case, but rather glide like the proverbial brick. Fear of dropping the thing ruled every action in the project once the basic elements were assembled.

"A good landing is one you can walk away from. A great landing lets you use the airplane again."

[SPKrazy]

18. LOL

they are very well done sir!

I like them!

:thumbsup:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

19. Such beautiful work, Dear!

I'm always impressed by the way you think through the smallest details, like how the smoke and oil would have stained the engine casing, and where the pilot would have worn away the paint getting in and out of the cockpit. Your work doesn't replicate just the aircraft, but also its history.

I'm glad the judges recognized the skill and eye for accuracy that you applied to this tiny, intricate jewel. Congratulations on your achievement!

:loveya:

[The Magistrate]

21. Thanks So Much For Taking The Pictures, Honey

And putting up with the mess....

[Call Me Wesley]

20. Congratulations, Sir!

That's a real beauty! :thumbsup: