Limited series resin 1/72 Grigorovich M-5
The M-5 flying boat was a considerable success of the early Russian aviation. Commercially built from 1915 to 1919, it was used in the Baltic, Black and North Seas and the Volga. Modification with Le Rhone engine was called the M-20.
The basis of this work were the drawings of S.Kulbaki Alexandrov “Gidroaeroplany M-5 and M-20”. The scanned drawings were digitized in AutoCAD. Production of the master model of the wings and the body was carried out on a CNC milling machine. The milled parts were then used as masters for the castings in epoxy resin. I have also made a limited edition sets for fellow modelers consisting of resin parts, photo-etching, decals, patterns and tail patterns pile.
At that time, I had no correct Gnome Monosupape engine in 1:72 scale. A 3D-model was developed, designed for photo-etching. The cylinders of the engine were then stacked together from the photo-etched parts in compliance with the order of their location on the sheet. In contrast with the resin or plastic casting, the sharp edges of the photo-etched flanges provide an almost complete realism. The second PE sheet developed for the kit contained other small accessories for the airframe.
The tail unit was made from a template of plastic sheet 0.5mm. The bracing was made of brass tubes 0,3mm, the motor mount being made up of brass tubes of 0.4 and 0.5 mm.
To replicate varnished wood surfaces on the model, I developed and printed two different decals of the wooden surface, which provided a fine complement to the more ordinary decal sheet bearing the numbers and the cockades.
The main complexity of the assembly turned out to be the installation of rigging (too much of it). On the basis of 2D-drawings it was difficult to develop a rigging procedure.
In the future, I plan to build a version of Grigorovich M-20 version using a resin Le Rhone Engine from Small Stuff.
35 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Robert Royes said on May 30, 2016
One word- Amazing.
Craig Abrahamson said on May 30, 2016
Jaw-dropping workmanship, sir…and excellent photography as well. That rigging must have been a nightmare (I would never attempt something as intricate). You are to be commended on your skill and patience. Very nice work indeed….VERY nice!
Johannes Gerl said on May 30, 2016
Pavel, that leaves me speechless.
Rob Pollock said on May 30, 2016
A wonderful achievement, Pavel.
Dmitry Stropalov said on May 30, 2016
Well done! Очень круто, прекрасная работа.
Korolev Vlad said on May 30, 2016
Pavel, great job!!!!!!
Sincerely, Vlad.
Christian WERY said on May 30, 2016
Impressive ! Congratulations for this marvel.
Jack Mugan said on May 30, 2016
That is a whole new level for this average modeler. Beautiful model.
Phil Steele said on May 30, 2016
Incredible !!
Editor said on May 30, 2016
Pavel, welcome onboard at IModeler. The amount of rigging on this model is mind-boggling, especially in 1/72 scale, I reckon that the rigging diagram must have been confusing! And you even got the turnbuckles on – very, very impressive indeed.
Can’t wait to see more of your modeling.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on May 30, 2016
Pavel, stunning work! Beautifully done! Welcome!
California Steve said on May 30, 2016
Absolutely beautiful! Outstanding modeling in every respect.
Welcome Pavel.
California Steve
Jim Sullivan said on May 30, 2016
Simply outstanding craftsmanship very,very well done.
Terry Schuler said on May 31, 2016
Pavel, Wow !, beautiful work, on this fantastic model, and welcome aboard. Looking forward to more of your work.
Roberto Colaianni said on May 31, 2016
Amazing job, the rigging is really fantastic, realism is not an easy task in this scale, but you get the target 100%.
Roberto.
Greg Kittinger said on May 31, 2016
Stunning…loss for words…I wouldn’t attempt that much rigging even at 1/1!!
David Mills said on May 31, 2016
Great post Pavel, fascinating process, super work in a class of its own
Gábor Szabó said on May 31, 2016
It’s truly amazing! Masterclass craftmanship! I’d really like to know more about Your building process You ought to write atutorial to us. Which software do You use for designing? Do You use some sort of 3D printing technics? That riggind leave me speechless…
George Williams said on June 1, 2016
I agree with most of the other people above – amazing!
Pavel Aparin said on June 2, 2016
Thank you for your feedback. I am pleased to.
Eric Gallaud said on June 6, 2016
Really nice rendition of a nice plane, congrats !!!
If you have one spare that you don’t know what to do with, I could be interested to replace my Omega version … 😉
Christian Ristits said on August 20, 2016
You are an artist Pavel, the award it very well deserved!
Jeff Bailey said on March 26, 2018
WOW! This is an amazing model. Well done, Pavel. I wish I knew what the “works in progress” pictures were all about but it is VERY impressive.
Bravo!
Bob Torres said on April 3, 2021
Amazing work, just beautiful!