Wingnut Wings 1/32 LVG
If anyone were to ask what my favorite built model is, this is it. My aviation interests span all eras of flight but only in recent years have I dared tackle some WWI subjects.
Anyone with even a passing interest in WWI aircraft has no doubt heard of Wingnut Wings. The LVG was one of their first batch of kits and is now no longer available except at greatly inflated prices on eBay. Mine was purchased and built shortly after it was released.
The highlight of the model is the wood grain fuselage which I simulated using artist oils over a Tamiya acrylic base coat.
Some of you may have seen this model on other forums or in person but I hope you enjoy seeing it again.
9 additional images. Click to enlarge.
AL HOFFMAN said on May 22, 2014
You really pulled it off on the wood grain.
Exceptional is all I can say.
Craig Abrahamson said on May 22, 2014
What a stunning example of what a truly talented modeler can achieve. I, on the other hand, wouldn’t even attempt anything with more than one wing and a plethora of wire rigging (just not my cup o’ tea). And as Al said, that wood grain is replicated beautifully. From what I’ve seen and read about WNW, I wish they’d venture into other eras of aviation. Perhaps then I’d be a customer.
Bryan W. Bernart said on May 22, 2014
The wood grain is exceptional! I work with wood on a daily basis and can never get it right with paint. Perhaps a tutorial on the “how to'” rather than a brief description is in order.
Eric Larson said on May 22, 2014
Hi Bryan,
Thanks you! I’m glad you asked. Shortly after I finished the model and showed it on a couple forums I had similar requests. So, I wrote an extensive article on the technique and shared it several places including Hyperscale. You can see it at the link below or I can send you the document via email.
http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/woodgrainel_1.htm
John Healy said on May 22, 2014
Great LVG! How do you do your propeller laminations? It looks really nice. Your build is just the spark I need to finish mine.
Eric Larson said on May 22, 2014
Hi John,
Thank you!
The prop was painted Tamiya Dark Yellow, masked with strips of tape, then painted with a dark brown. Then oil paints were streaked on for the wood grain. See the link I posted above in reply to Bryan’s post. Also, I have some photos of the prop during the painting process which I’ll add to this article.
Frank Cronin said on May 22, 2014
Eric,
This is gorgeous. It look almost real. What a very neat and exquisite job you have done on this model.
Stephen W Towle said on May 22, 2014
Two words,Museum Quality and another candidate for model of the month.
Two thumbs up
Mike Wood said on May 22, 2014
Exquisite. The wood paneling and prop are ace. How did you find working with the lozenge decals? Did you use any particular method to settle them down?
Eric Larson said on May 23, 2014
Hi Mike,
Thank you! The biggest challenge with the lozenge was measuring and cutting the sections since they come in simple strips rather than the shaped sections seen with WNW’s more recent kits. The decals are by Cartograf and are superb. They don’t recommend a setting solution but I used Micro Set/Sol which worked fine.
Gregor d said on May 23, 2014
Outstanding! Very well done.
Mike Maynard said on May 23, 2014
Nice clean build.
Robert Aspinall said on May 23, 2014
Wonderful clean build.
Rob.
Robert Bausch said on May 23, 2014
Eric,
Everything about this is simply beautiful, wood grain, lozenge “camo”, all the details. Really something, and thanks for posting.
bob mack said on May 24, 2014
fantastic finish…very intimidating looking finish
George Williams said on May 27, 2014
Beautiful, congratulations, Eric.
Ken Patterson said on June 2, 2014
Very nice! I admire anyone who takes on rigging, wood grain and lozenge paint scheme in the same build. Fantastic work!