Here’s a few pics of my latest builds. These are both Eduard 1/48 scale kits. The first is the Fokker D.VII. I built this one totally OOB using only the kit supplied decals to model Ltn. Josef Raesch of Jasta 43. This was the dual-combo edition, and it included all of the decals, PE, and masks to build two complete models. The build went smoothly except for the rib tape decals, which liked to fall apart for some reason[:@], and adding the top wing, which I’m sure was self induced as I’m still learning how to build bi-planes.
The second is a Fokker Dr.I Triplane. I used Gunsight Graphics streaked camo decals to replicate the camo. I applied them over a base of Tamya buff. All other decals were supplied in the kit as was PE, and masks. I modeled a plane flown by Ltn. Werner Steinhauser of Jasta 11. I used guitar string on both kits to replicate the rigging.
Thanks for looking, and as always, comments welcome.[:)]
Bob, and Pawel: thank you for the kind comments, I appreciate them. I agree with you Pawel, I love how colorful these planes were; I think that’s why I’ve been building so many of them lately![:D]
Very nice work on both of those Nate- the finish on them is exquisite! Is the wing between the wheels on the Dr.I canted backwards a little far? Looks like it in the photo. The woodgrain prop effects are very well done too, especially the Dreidecker.
Wow—that second one is the “Mother of all Fokkers”…very sweet builds !!! [Y][Y]
A couple of minor nitpicks: I see some silvering of some decals on the sides—data stencil? and the wing between the wheels seems to be dragging the ground in the rear…is this normal?
Those are a couple of well done Fokker’s! I’m not going to bother with the nitpicks as they’ve already been mentioned. Way to gut it out with the decals on the D VII. I’ve built one of Eduards before and, by the time I was done there were more decals on it than parts in some kits I’ve built. I especially like the camo on the tri wing!
Nice work on the builds. I will mention two minor issues for the future.
1.The ailerons on the the Fokker D.VII never had rib tapes. Only the wooden skeletal portions of the wings.
2. On the Fokker Dr.I 564/17 the axle wing did not touch the ground it should be parallel with the other main wings. As a matter of fact several units that used the Dr.I installed auxilary struts behind the rear landing gear leg to minimize any damage and thus keep the axle wing in trim.
Thank you all for the comments. Yes, it does seem as if the axle wing is canted back too far. Not exactly sure how I managed that [:$], but I have two more Dr. I’s in the stash, and will try and do a better job with it next time. In the display case, it doesn’t touch the shelf, but in the photo booth, it’s hitting the fabric background.
I also now see the silvering on the decals. Unfortunately, I didn’t see it before I sprayed the final flat coat! Once again, next time I’ll have to be more careful. Aircraft are a LOT more finicky than armor, which has been my main area of interest for a number of years.
As for the D.VII, the wings are covered in many, many decals! They took the majority of my time during the build to apply. They are included in the kit along with the rib tapes. Speaking of which, I’ll know not to follow Eduard’s instructions on applying the tapes to the ailerons next time (thanks Stephen!)
Again, thank you all for looking, and commenting.[:D]
Absolutely beautiful models! In my humble opinion WWI aircraft present some of the most challenging builds in the world of aircraft modeling and you have risen to the task.
Very impressive - three beers from your friends in Tejas.
Very well done, the Dr1 is awesome…I’ve been planning to do a pair of Rodens 32 scale triplanes in the Richtofen Brothers scheme and your builds have just inspired me a little bit more…Thanks for sharing…
Julez72, and TD4438: Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them.[:D]
Julez: I’ve been slowly building up my 1/32 collection of WWI planes, and was thinking of getting a Hobbycraft Dr. I to go with my Roden Albatros D. III, and my Wingnuts Wings, D. V, D.Va, and LVG.
I plan on fixing the axle wing a little later today, as I want to enter the Dr.I in the Valleycon contest on Sunday. I plan on posting updated pics after the fix. Thanks again!
Nate, Mate see if you can find the FSM review of the Hobbycraft Dr. I from a few years back…It wasn’t a good reveiw and the kits faults were plainly visible in the pics…From memory the reviewer recomended the Roden offering over the hobbycraft one…
I would love to do a sopwith triplane flown by the 40+ Aus ace R A Little but i don’t think theyre available in 32nd scale he was killed in a Camel so thats another on the to do list…
I shouldn’t have looked at this thread…Now i’m thinking a dio of Jasta 11 with 4 or 5 triplanes is a good idea…Maybe a visit to Jasta II by Ernst Udet in his black and white Lo Dr 1…
