Update on the grey pipes
please don't be disappointed with the results that you see !! I'm not at all, in fact I'm very encouraged by what came out after only a couple of hours work
I removed the inner wooden dowel after only a couple of thin layers of latex and 80% of the wire had adhered to the cloth and because of the wrapped wire around the dowel it had caused it to twist like a spring, so I now know the wires need to be cut into individual rings
I gave it it a coat of primer just for a coloured look and gave it a quick bend, as you can see it has some sort of similarity to what we are looking for and you can still see the cloth pattern effect as the original ( maybe I need a tighter more heavier canvas )
Next test piece will have thinner wire, all cut and bent individually the stiff wire I used was 1.9mm ( to big for the correct scale ) but it was quite ridged, next test will be 1.5mm copper wire, softer, more workable and I can solder the ends together for more rigidity
the cloth will be covered in a layer of thin latex before it's put on the Woden dowel for easier removal later, I will also hand paint or spray the whole thing with a rubber based paint, 1. so you don't see to much weave from the cloth and 2. To give it much more rigidly when it's bent
im happy with the failed results as they are positive results in my mind, I'm sure this can be achieved