Roberts

Some time ago I was contacted by Robert Gilmore who told me that he was going to be constructing a 1:100 scale model of the Graf Zeppelin and would I be interested in getting some pictures of the process. I told him that I would love to see the project underway and and was very happy to get the first packet of pictures from him. I was immediately taken with his obvious abilities as a modeler and have been very impressed with every thing I have seen him do. Robert sends me updates every so often and new pictures too. I'll try to keep updating this page often so you can follow his progress in this great undertaking.

-Matt

Balsa parts-

Special constructed pin board measures 15" X 50" with press board base and a balsa top. The drawing is 1:100 scale.

Pinning the forward portion down to begin construction.
The ship will be constructed in two pieces due to length.

Here the top and bottom keels are being pinned down and also the sticks for the rigs to fit to. As you can see, this job is going to require a lot of work and time. if it is to all fit properly, measurements must be exact.

Rings are now cut and marked for stringers notches to be made. Here you can clearly see the work involved. The marks in the edges will be for notching each ring for the stringers

Notches are cut and rings are ready! Braces must be constructed to hold the rings at 90 degrees while the glue dries.

The first six rings are laid. Each is held at 90 degrees by a home made brace. More rings are added until they have reached the nose. The cone will be built later.

All the rings are laid and held in place by the first large stringer along the ridge. Here the 3/16" stringers are added. The rings at the nose have been strengthened to prevent them from being pulled by the drying stringers.

One quarter of the ship is completed. Now Robert will have to make a duplicate of this piece and then start on the aft section!

Keel is pinned down to the 1st rear section half.
6 main longitudinals were cut from one master to make sure they were identical.

First 6 rings are set.

Next 6 rings are glued in. Note the use of home made right angles to keep the rings aligned.

All rings in place and the mid-keel glued in. Ready to add the stringers!

3/16" stringers are shaped and glued in to place.

Detail of tail cone area. Look at the trimming that was needed to make the stringers fit!
Wow! We leap frog to the completion of the second tail half and get a view of both. Now Robert moves on to the fins.

Fins are rough cut from blocks so that profile is correct Here the fins have been shaped and sanded. Three coats of lacquer have been applied as well.

Here they are being attached to the rear of the airship. All four attached and looking good!

Now for the gondola. The blocks provide good support and damage form pressure. The window framing is added and after that, the sides of the gondola will be attached and sanded smooth.

The front and back are joined! Just look at the bracing. Quite and job and an excellent one too!

Now for the engine cars. Blocks were clamped together and then shaped for uniformity. Edges sanded smooth and props made to fit!

Attaching the engine cars and bracing. The tape holds the ship steady for work. Here are the finished products. Great little cars!

This picture shows the engine placement well. The cars were not mounted in line because the wash from the front engine would have destroyed the next engine. Decals are applied on cellophane in order to reveal the work beneath.

A happy modeler and his Zeppelin are a wonderful thing! Mr. Gilmore poses here with his multi-year project of wonder. A fantastic job and one that is worthy of hanging anywhere. I would like to thank Mr. Gilmore for sharing his project with us all and once aging say, this is a beautiful model. Well done! It was great to watch unfold.

-Matt

Fini!

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Pinning the forward portion down to begin construction.	The ship will be constructed in two pieces due to length.


Notches are cut and rings are ready!	Braces must be constructed to hold the rings at 90 degrees while the glue dries.


The first six rings are laid. Each is held at 90 degrees by a home made brace.	More rings are added until they have reached the nose. The cone will be built later.


All the rings are laid and held in place by the first large stringer along the ridge.	Here the 3/16" stringers are added. The rings at the nose have been strengthened to prevent them from being pulled by the drying stringers.


Keel is pinned down to the 1st rear section half.	6 main longitudinals were cut from one master to make sure they were identical.


First 6 rings are set.	Next 6 rings are glued in. Note the use of home made right angles to keep the rings aligned.


All rings in place and the mid-keel glued in. Ready to add the stringers!	3/16" stringers are shaped and glued in to place.


Detail of tail cone area. Look at the trimming that was needed to make the stringers fit!	Wow! We leap frog to the completion of the second tail half and get a view of both. Now Robert moves on to the fins.


Fins are rough cut from blocks so that profile is correct	Here the fins have been shaped and sanded. Three coats of lacquer have been applied as well.


Here they are being attached to the rear of the airship.	All four attached and looking good!


Now for the gondola. The blocks provide good support and damage form pressure.	The window framing is added and after that, the sides of the gondola will be attached and sanded smooth.


Now for the engine cars. Blocks were clamped together and then shaped for uniformity.	Edges sanded smooth and props made to fit!


Attaching the engine cars and bracing. The tape holds the ship steady for work.	Here are the finished products. Great little cars!


This picture shows the engine placement well. The cars were not mounted in line because the wash from the front engine would have destroyed the next engine.	Decals are applied on cellophane in order to reveal the work beneath.