James H

This looks a real useful set, and I imagine not just for B-17 builders. There appears to be quite a lot of parts which could be used for a number of Allied/US aircraft. Nice review Nige

Great pics. Was a really enjoyable show, and of course, sponsored by Large Scale Modeller!

Gorgeous. Have you fathomed where you'll put it yet?

I wish WNW had supplied the markings/scheme for the camo machines too. Never mind. Lovely work on the Taurus engine and the extreme surgery to make it fit

I've applied: enamel over acrylic acrylic over enamel cellulose based paint over acrylic cellulose based paint over enamel enamel over cellulose based paint acrylic over cellulose based paint enamel over lacquer lacquer over acrylic lacquer over cellulose based paint ......and on, and on, and on and on...all with no issues. If you apply your paint over a fully cured paint below, and in thin coats, I can't see you having any issues. I know this depends on paint brand/formulation, but here is what I use. Alclad Gunze (Cellulose and Aqueous) Tamiya Model Master enamel Humbrol enamel Vallejo White Ensign enamels I also thin all Gunze paints with Mr Levelling Thinner. The only issue I have EVER had has been applying Humbrol Clear over ANY Gunze paints, even after leaving to cure. It causes the paint to crackle and break up.

How's this one going Erik?

Lovely work, and some great weathering too. I like the oil along the wing trailing edges.

The base was a Squadron item. I don't even know what I've done with that base!

1:32 Pfalz D.IIIa fighters of Jasta 30 Pheon Decals Catalogue # 32026 Available from Pheon Decals for £12.75 plus P&P Use website contact detail for further info Wingnut Wings released their own aftermarket decal set for their 1:32 Pfalz D.IIIa, back in 2011, and SP&R reviewed it here. The focus of these separate decal sheets, as indeed with most AM sets, is to provide a variety of schemes which usually differ vastly from each other. However, this release looks at the Pfalz D.IIIa aircraft which flew specifically with Jasta 30, and their most unusual and attractive diamond emblems. This isn't of course the first time that Pheon have focused on a single Jasta. Take a look at our Fokker D.VII's of Jasta 18 review, here. Pheon's new Jasta 30 decal set is packaged into a large, A4 ziplock wallet, and contains a bubble-ink printed cover sheet showing the schemes in small profile format, THREE laser printed profile sheets, and a single, large and very colourful decal sheet, printed by Fantasy Printshop. Pheon's detailed instruction booklet is the norm for all releases, and is of course included here. The cover profile sheet really doesn't do the schemes as much justice as the vibrant laser-printed sheets actually show. One of the schemes is for a machine which is painted burgundy, looks like a chocolate brown on the cover sheet. Appearances can be deceptive, and you must only use the cover sheet as a guide to contents. This set contains decals for SIX Jasta 30 machines, of D.IIIa type, meaning the WNW kit is the only game in town when it comes to wanting to use these decals. Those three laser printed sheets show the schemes in a larger scale format than those on the cover sheet. Four scheme port-side profiles, including the burgundy machine, are shown on the first sheet. The second sheet shows those machines in upper plan format, whilst the last shows the last two profiles in port and upper profile. Where there are any question marks hanging over scheme specifics, alternative cutaway views are supplied. As with most WW1 subjects, the scant lack of surviving evidence of 'absolutes' with regard to some aircraft, means that there is an element of modeller freedom allowed! All six schemes are a variation around Jasta 30's orange diamond with its black trim line. Pheon do not give specifics for the history of each machine they supply decals for, presumably due to scant information being available, but they do supply a brief history of Pfalz Flugzeug-Werke, and how it come to produce its own designs, after initially building aircraft designs under licence from other companies, such as Otto (Lilienthal?), Roland and Morane-Saulnier. Of course, the real money to be made was in the design and building of home-grown designs, and this is what Pfalz began to do, branching into fighter design in 1917, with the D.III, taking the technologies of companies such as Roland, and incorporating them into their own designs. The D.III became the D.IIIa when modifications to the MG arrangement were made so that clearing a jammed gun in flight was easier than it was with the enclosed guns of the D.III variant. Jasta 30 was one of those which exclusively used the Pfalz D.IIIa, hence the subject of this decal release. A history of Jasta 30 is given, and that of the key protagonists within it, plus notes on the general finishes given to the machines they operated. The use of Wingnut decals for national markings, where Pheon don't include specific alternatives in this set. All schemes, with the exception of the burgundy machine, are based around the standard Pfalz silver/grey aluminium paint finish. Each machine carried the orange/black diamond on both port and starboard fuselage side, as well as on their upper wing centre panels. There are a number of very attractive variations in the schemes which include black fuselage stripes and also an orange tail section, trimmed in black. Where the fuselage diamond overlays the black stripes, Pheon have produced this as a single decal for you. Those tail sections in orange, and the black trims, are also supplied as decals, so you don't need to try and match the colour of the main diamonds, with any paint. There is no indication that I can see for the shade of burgundy used for that machine, so you'll have to use a shade which you consider to be more period-looking. Notes are given that the rounded struts, and not the pointed-end ones should be used for all machines in this set. The six schemes offered are: 4203/17, Ltn. Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, March 1918 Serial unknown, Ltn. Hans-Georg von der Marwitz, May 1918 Serial and pilot unknown, Phalempin, May 1918 4202/17(?), pilot unknown, Phalempin, May 1918 5888/17, Oblt. Hans Bethge, March 1918 5947/17, Ltn. Freiherr von der Horst, early 1918 The single decal sheet is split up into sections for each aircraft, easily identifiable from the scheme drawings and their accompanying scheme numbers. The individual decals themselves aren't numbered, but they don't need to be. Everything is self-explanatory, with decals marked left and right, where applicable. Printing is excellent with good, solid colour. Essentially, only black and orange inks are used in this set, but printing is in perfect register, and carrier film is minimal. The decals are also printed thinly too, which should help you with your setting solutions. Conclusion This particular decal set has actually been a few years in hiatus. They were originally planned to coincide with a book on Jasta 30 that never materialised. Realising that the book would probably shed no more light on the schemes that was actually known, Rowan decided to release them now, instead of depriving modellers of what is a beautiful set of decals. There isn't too much in the way of variety, but the basic scheme itself is very attractive, and these are most certainly worthy of your consideration if you are hankering for a Pfalz build. Very highly recommended James H Our sincere thanks to Pheon Decals for the review sample. To purchase directly, click THIS link.

Thanks for sharing this one Doug. I've always found this an interesting subject, and a tempting kit, so really liking what you're doing with here. The cockpit's a beaut!

That's looking great so far. What paint did you use for the silver and green colours, and did you coat the silver to protect it before chipping the green coat?

If I wanted to build one of these, I'd be as chuffed as hell to have it look like that....seriously nice. That mottle is quite something..

Hi all, Tomorrow, I'll post an update to the Kurt Student Fokker E.IV build, but until then, I decided that I enjoyed this one so much that I'd build one from the other end of the spectrum....the Fokker E.I This one is the only scheme from the WNW kit that allows options for an entirely yellow finish, with no green. It is tempting to build this with the green upper fuse and wings, but I'll try to resist, and go with a typical Eindecker scheme.....or will I? Give me time to finish up the E.IV...should only be a week or so. Here she is folks!

simply put....... YES!

Jesus! I saw one of these in a store in Japan, and know how big they are. You really must build this. I'll watch all the way.

How does the cockpit paint up John? The instrument panel looks quite basic.

That is outstanding. Did you find the Eduard sets a good fit generally?

I'm loving this. How is that wing to fuse joint? Does it run gapless all the way around? With that construction sequence they suggest, I can't see how it would?

No tech issue at all. Each user can see text called 'Warning Points'. You'll notice that yours will say '0', and unless folks cause serious trouble here, that will remain at '0'. Only YOU can see yours. Admin and Moderators can see all Warning Point labels for all members. If you ever get warning points, then only you and a staff member will see it, not other members.

Oi! That is NOT a tank or plane!

Here's mine Mike I sprayed with Alclad Airframe Aluminium and sprayed with Klear, then used a piece of foam and Mr Masking Sol Neo for masking the chips, then airbrushed the regular colour before rubbing the cured Neo from the model. Here's my WIP: http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/367-focke-wulf-fw-190d-jv44/?hl=focke Here's my Finished Build: http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/366-focke-wulf-fw-190d-jv44/?hl=focke

Thanks for that link Doug. That will prove amazingly useful. I'm also building the Bf 110 at the same time as Dave, for MIM magazine.

Amazing work. What references are you using for that internal work? I might chance my arm at one of these sometime.

This is great stuff Nige. Did you manage to sort out the forward cockpit to nose step that resulted? Great photos, and a real education

If you are going to try and solder white metal, then I would try to add something to the metal parts to help sink the heat (take it away) before it damages them with the heat from the iron. Also use a flux paste which will quickly transfer heat and allow the solder to run. The paste means that your iron contact time will be minimal due to the heat dispersing through the joint quickly.