sandbagger

Junkers D.1 - already announced at the Nuremburg show.

Hi all, I thought you might want to know that Des Delatorre, who ran the web site 'ww1aircraftmodels.com and his own forum, sadly past away today. Des was a great WW1 aircraft modeller, who not only built models OOB but also was a master of scratch building early aircraft. He was a really nice guy and will be sadly missed by the modelling community.

Yes WW1 aircraft are my thing - after serving in the Royal Air Force for 27 years I'd had enough of the 'twin fan, two man, all aluminum pursuit ships'

Many thanks for your encouraging comments. Someone spotted I'd fitted the propeller a bit too close to the engine cowl!! Easily fixed

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my latest 1:32 scale model (my 12th), which is the Fokker E.V flown by Hans Goerth whilst serving with MJF III in 1918. The model is the fairly recent release from MicroMir and although updated by them, still leaves a lot of corrections and modifications by the modeller to bring the end result up to standard. During this build I replaced the kit supplied cockpit side frames, pilot seat support frame, pilot step, ground crew grab handles, undercarriage struts and wing support struts with scratch built versions, made from Brass micro-tube and solid rod. The wing support struts and the undercarriage struts were made with an aerofoil section and reinforced internally with solid brass rod. They were fitted to the model without using the ‘Pheon’ supplied jig that came as part of their decal set. The engine was replaced by the ‘Roden’ version and the two machine guns by ‘Gaspatch’ equivalents, whose turnbuckles were also used. The lozenge 'fabric' decals were from 'Aviattic'. The display base includes a figure from ‘Copper State Models'. The access panel wingnuts and Fokker style fasteners were from 'Taurus Models'. As usual I have compiled a comprehensive build log in Adobe PDF format. It includes step by step build details, supported by colour photographs and also covers the kit corrections and modifications as well some information on the pilot and aircraft. It can be viewed and/or downloaded from the linked Fokker E.V images here: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm My next model will be the Wingnut Wings Sopwith Pup (RFC version).

Here's a few shots now the model is in its display case.

Thanks Rob - That was exactly intention of using those two figures, sort of 'Really??' The colour scheme is slightly lighter on the wings than the fuselage, as I guessed on linen covered wings, the colour would look lighter than the same colour applied to the plywood covered fuselage. During testing the aircraft easily exceeded the speed of the current operational fighters, which was the intention. Unfortunately, as you can see, the pilot had virtually no downward vision, hence the undercarriage was trashed during a test flight, after which the 'inspectorate' showed no further interest in it.

Hi all, Here's my latest 1:32 scale model, the 11th from my stash. It's the Planet Model DFW T28 'Floh' (Flea) and is my first resin kit build. I felt the need to correct or modify quite a lot during the build and it's all covered in the build log, along with a brief aircraft history. The build log can be viewed or downloaded from here: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm The basic colour scheme for this aircraft was very light and lacking in character. Although as a prototype only it wouldn't have flown much, I decided to 'weather' it up more like an operational aircraft. I also animated the flying control surfaces, again to 'liven' it up. There is very little data and only a few photo's of this aircraft, but one shows a civilian figure sat on the starboard lower wing and who could have been one of the two senior designers, so I adapted a figure from MiniArt and also added a mechanic from Model Kasten. The rigging is 0.12 mm mono-filament with GasPatch turnbuckles. I'm now working on the MicroMir Fokker E.V with Aviattic lozenge decals, Roden engine and Pheon decal markings.

Hi all, It’s been awhile since I last posted a completed model, so here's my latest 1:32 scale model, the Roden kit of the Fokker DR.1 Triplane. A PDF downloadable build log can be accessed here: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm Manufacturer: Roden. Scale: 1/32 Type: Fokker DR.1 Triplane. Paints/Weathering: Tamiya (by brush and Airbrushed), Flory clay washes and AK weathering washes. Aftermarket: HGW seat belts, Master guns, figure from Black Dog models, ground cover from Scenic grass mats. Rigging: Gaspatch 1:48 scale turnbuckles and Albion Alloys micro nickel/silver tube, monofilament for the wires (Steelon 0.12 mm diameter). Scratch built: Various cockpit details/instruments, undercarriage bracing (Jasta 2 only). Display case and plaque made by on-line specialists.

Hi all, My WNW Pfalz D.IIIa of Jasta 18, 1918 as flown by Hans Muller (12 victories). Third party bits were seat belts from HGW, guns, prop by Doug Craner, figures turnbuckles from Gaspatch.

Hi all, My WNW SE5a 'Hisso' of No.40 Squadron, RAF during early 1918, as flown by Capt. G.H. Lewis. Third party bits were seat belts from HGW, Vickers guns, prop by Doug Craner, figures by Kellerkind and turnbuckles from Gaspatch.

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my Morane Saulnier Type 'N' of No.1 Squadron, RFC during March, 1916. The kit was from Special Hobbies with third part extra's of turnbuckles and Lewis Gun from Gaspatch, seat belts from HGW and figure by Model Design. The manufacturer's logo on each side of the engine cowl were made as the kit decals did not supply it. Photos below are of the actual aircraft - No.1 Squadron, RFC, as flown by 2/Lt R.P.Taylor on 9th March, 1916.

Hi all, My WNW Fokker E.1, Serial No. 1/15 as flown by Otto Parschau (8 victories) between June - July 1915. Third party bits were seat belts from HGW, Parabellum gun, prop by Doug Craner, figures by Kellerkind and turnbuckles from Gaspatch.

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my Pfalz D.XII as flown by Jasta 32b during 1918. The kit was from WNW with third part extra's of hand made turnbuckles, guns, seat belts from HGW and figures by Model Design.

Hi all, Continuing with my growing collection of WW1 aircraft, heres the latest. It represents the Sopwith Snipe, Serial No: E8069, of B Flight, No.4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC) in 1918. It was flown by 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Charles Richmond Baker (12 victories), DFC, MM and bar. He was shot down and killed on the 4th of November 1918, aged 21, just a matter of days before the end of the war. In February 1919, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Manufacturer: Wingnut Wings. Scale: 1/32 Type: Sopwith Snipe (early) Paints/Weathering: Tamiya (by brush and Airbrushed), Flory clay washes and AK weathering washes. Aftermarket: HGW seat belts, Master guns, figures from Kellerkind and Wings cockpit figures, propeller (hand made by Doug Craner), ground accessories from Historex and ground cover from Scenic grass mats (plus stones from my garden). Rigging: Adjusters for all flying wires (not turnbuckles - made from micro nickel/silver tube and RB motion nuts) with monofilament for the wires (coloured with silver ink pen). All control wires at the tail were micro-tube with GasPatch turnbuckles. Scratch built: Supports for the guns boresight. Display case and plaque made by on-line specialists.

Hi all, I thought you might like to see my latest (7th) Wingnut Wings model. This is a Roland C.IIa (Li) Walfisch Black III operating with Schusta 13 during early 1917, as flown by Vfw Hesse. Manufacturer: Wingnut Wings. Scale: 1/32 Type: Roland C.IIa (Later version) Paints/Weathering: Tamiya (by brush and Airbrushed), Flory clay washes and AK weathering washes. Aftermarket: HGW seat belts, Gaspatch weapons, figures from Kellerkind and Model Design Centre, ground accessories from Historex and ground cover from Scenic grass mats. Rigging: Gaspatch turnbuckles with micro nickel/silver tube from Albion Alloys. Rigging wires from monofilament (0.12 mm diameter). Engine ignition leads: Created using fine lead wire. Display case and plaque: Made by on-line specialists.

Hi all, Here's my 1:32 scale Wingnut Wings model. A full build log is available to view or download here: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm This model represents the Sopwith Triplane, Serial No: N6301 DUSTY II of No.8 N (Naval) Squadron during May of 1917. The pilot : Flt Lt (RNAS) Roderick McDonald (8 victories). He was born in St. Josephs, Nova Scotia, Canada on the 31st October 1893, the son of Angus R. McDonald and Catherine McDonald (of James River Station, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada). Roderick McDonald joined the RNAS in August 1916 and was posted to No.8 (N) Squadron in early 1917. He scored 2 shared victories whilst flying Sopwith Triplane Serial No: N5472 and a single victory flying N6301 DUSTY II. Later he scored a further 5 victories when flying the Sopwith Camel. At the age of 24 and as a Flt. Lt in the newly formed No.208 Squadron, RAF, he was shot down and killed by Vfw Julius Trotsky of Jasta 43 on the 8th May 1918 (Trotsky himself was shot down and killed nine days later). The aircraft: This aircraft was one of 20 manufactured from an order placed in January 1917 (Serial Nos: N6290 to N6309). It arrived in France on the 24th May 1917 and was with No.8 (N) Squadron by the 28th of May. On the 7th of June it was operating with No.10 (N) Squadron. It moved back to No.8 (N) Squadron on the 12th of June, but by the 13th of July had been moved to No.1 (N) Squadron. It was while it was with No.1 (N) Squadron that this aircraft scored 2 more victories. when piloted by Act Flt Cdr FHM Maynard and Acting Flt. Lt. HV Rowley. This aircraft was eventually destroyed by fire in October 1917.

Hi all, Below is my latest 1:32 scale model - Special Hobby - Nieuport 11 Bébé, Serial No. 576, of Escadrille N.67, during the period 1915-1916 and as flown by Jean Navarre. My build log (PDF format) can viewed or downloaded via the following link: http://igavh2.xara.hosting/index.htm This was no Wingnut kit by any means, and pushed my modelling skills more than normal. Jean Marie Dominique Navarre (8 August 1895 – 10 July 1919). Born on 8 August 1895 in Jouy-sur-Morin. Navarre earned Civil Pilot's Brevet No. 581 on 22 August 1911, which allowed him immediate entry into French military aviation in August 1914, when the World War One began. Navarre went on to gain 12 confirmed victories, three flying Morane Saulnier aircraft and nine flying Nieuport aircraft. During this period he became known as ‘The Sentinal of Verdun’, due to his habit of flying low over the French troops on the ground, which promoted morale at that time. On 17 June 1916, Navarre was shot down and sustained severe head injuries from which he never fully recovered. Navarre's younger brother was killed in a flying accident at about the same time. Navarre was removed from active duty and sent to a sanatorium to convalesce. Nearly two years later he would return to duty, although he would not again fly in combat. After the end of hostilities, a victory parade was planned on the Champs Élysées on 14 July 1919. However, the high command ordered airmen to participate on foot rather than flying their aircraft. The headstrong 'heroes of the air' took this as an insult. At a meeting in the 'Fouquet' bar on the Champs Élysées, they decided to respond to this affront by selecting one of their number to fly to Paris and through the Arc de Triomphe. Navarre, as the first among the aces, was considered the ideal choice despite his injuries. Tragically, however, while practicing for this stunt, Navarre was killed when his aircraft crashed at Villacoublay aerodrome on 10 July. He was only 23 years old. Fellow pilot Charles Godefroy would eventually perform the historic flight through the Arc de Triomphe a few weeks later.