sandbagger

Hi all, The undersides have been prepared for applying 'Aviattic' CDL decal. First primed with 'Tamiya' Fine Surface Primer aerosole (grey). Then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Dark Wood (MRP-262). Thin strips of masking were applied to represent the internal structure. Then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256). All masking tape removed. Then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256) to fade the internal structure. The DH.2 was fitted with either a two or for bladed propeller. The four bladed propeller fitted to the DH.2 was the ‘Darracq’ T7928 type that had been already fitted to the FE.8 fighter. Some had metal plates fitted to the blade leading edge tips to protect against damage or erosion. Others had the tips wrapped in doped linen for the same reasons. I chose to represent the linen wrapping type. Masked then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256). Lined weathered with 'Tamiya' Weathering Master Set D (Oil Stain). Single 'Darracq' company logo applied to one blade (as seen on an FE.8 propeller). Mike

Hi all, The basic nacelle is now complete. Apart from replacing the stitching, I've also replaced the molded straps on the rear cover. These were made from strips of 0.1 mm thick plastic card with photo-etch buckle ends. The underside sliding panel was replaced with photo-etch. I added the nacelle drain hole and the two pairs of attachment end fittings. Weathering was with 'Flory Models' Dart Dirt wash. Mike

Hi all, I've replaced the pre-molded stitching on the nacelle as I thought it looked slightly flat. I used photo-etch stitching from the ‘HGW Models’ AMC DH.2 set (132097). I've also added the cover strip between the nose and nacelle upper cowl. That was cut from 0.2 mm thick plastic card, Mike

Hi Rob, Yes, I have two FE2's and two Cauldrons still to build - someday 🤪 Mike

Hi all, The engine is completed. I added ignition leads made from annealed 0.125 mm diameter copper wire, Mike

Hi all, The basic nacelle is complete. I've added some extra details: Two pipes on the fuel fine control (forward, top of nacelle left side frame) Pipe from the hand operated pressure pump (nacelle left side frame) Tachometer drive (nacelle right side frame) Rudder control cables Aileron control cables (hidden by pilots seat) Crossed bracing wires in nacelle side frames Crossed bracing wires over top of the engine drip tray in rear of nacelle. A second pair of crossed bracing wires behind the engine will be fitted once the lower wing is fitted (wires attached to lower wing rear spar. The Lewis machine gun will be fitted later in the build. Now onto the outside of the nacelle, Mike

Hi Rob, You can't see it but the flare pistol is actually on a mounting. The barrel of the pistol is in the tube of the mounting. 😉 Mike

Hi all, I thought it was time to build one of the 'pushers' in my stash. So next build a 'Wingnut Wings' model. Airco DH.2, Serial No.5966 as flown by Capt. Alan Machin Wilkinson of ‘C’ Flight, No.24 Squadron, Bertangles, August 1916. Mike

Hi all, The completed model is now up in the WNW and WW1 ready for Inspection page, Mike

Hi all, Albatros D.V, Serial No: D.2006/17 as flown by Ltn.der.Reserve Bernhard Kilian of Jasta 21b during September 1917. Thanks for your comments and support during this build. As usual my web site has a fully detailed PDF build log, which can be downloaded from the 'Logs' page. Mikes WW1 Aircraft Models Mike

Hi all, The pilot figure is from 'Aviattic' - Ltn Werner Voss (ATL004). However, I replaced the head with one from the 'Hornet' range, Mike

Hi all, The basic model is now completed. Here's a few shots of the model areas. I'll post reveal shots once the figure and display base has been done, Mike

Hi all, the Upper wing and fuselage have been pre-rigged. The upper wing now fitted. Even the elastic bands are colour matched 😄 Next it's final rigging, Mike

Hi PW, The factory finish was varnished plywood for the fuselage. During 1917, this scheme was created by sponging on darker coloured paint over the plywood and before it was all varnished. The overall effect shows some of the natural plywood showing through the paint covering, Mike

Hi all, The basic fuselage is complete. For this particular aircraft, I've added: Modified 'Gaspatch' machine guns. Centrally suspended central gun sight (above the machine guns). Gun sight viewing hole in the windscreen. Altimeter in left side of cockpit. Rear view mirror. Flare pistol on its mounting. Flare rack. Kit supplied engine exhaust pipe hollowed out. Now it's onto weathering the fuselage, Mike

Hi all, The Phonix D.I is now up in the Ready for Inspection. Thanks for your support and comments during this build, Mike

Hi all, 'Lukgraph' 1:32nd scale resin/3D printed. Phönix D.I, Serial No:J.12 (previously A.110), operated by the Austro-Hungarian ‘Kriegsmarine’ (Naval) from Abwehrflugstation Zaule, Trieste, 1918. As usual my website has a PDF build log (on Logs page 1) covering this model. Mike

Hi all, The pilot figure. 'Kellerkind’ KuK pilot in leather jacket (54086). Painted with 'Tamiya' and 'Citadel' paints, Mike

Hi all, Progress on the Albatros. Fuselage painted and plywood effect by Raw Sienna oil paint over Dark Yellow base coat. Decals from the 'Pheon' set. Kit circular access panels and cooling louvres removed and slots made under louvers. Replacement were from 'Proper Plane. 'Aviattic' decals used for flying surfaces and on a mid-grey base coat (to slightly darken the decal colours). Wing decals are from the 'Wingnut Wings' decal sheet. All clear gloss coated to protect painted surfaces and decals from future handling, but will be semi-matte for final finish, Mike

Hi all, Apart from the propeller, figure and display case, the Phonix D.I is finished. Here's a few shots until I post the completed model, which will be once the figure and display case arrive. Until then I'll be carrying on with my started Albatros D.V build, Mike

Hi all, The inter wing and gear rigging is fitted. Flying wires, landing wires, incidence wires, drag wires and landing gear bracing wires. Now to finish the engine and aileron controls, Mike

Hi all, The upper wing has been pre-rigged and fitted. Also added the windscreen, gun sights and other photo-etch parts. The suspension cord around each end of the axle is 'EZ' white line (Heavy), stained with 'AK Interactive' Kerosene wash (AK3029). Now it's onto final rigging the wings before moving onto the landing gear and tail unit, Mike

Hi all, The fight surfaces have been painted and decals applied. All were primed with 'AK Interactive' White primer (AK759). Several layers of ‘Mig’ A-Stand Aqua Gloss (A.Mig-2503) were airbrushed over. Red sections are ‘Tamiya’ Flat Red (XF7) mixed with Rubber Black (XF85) to 80/20%. The Clear Doped Linen (CDL) decal is the ‘Lukgraph’ Phönix Linen Clear Doped Linen (DEC010) (kit supplied). These decals are very similar to those from 'Aviattic', as they are semi-translucent. Other individual decals are also kit supplied. Now to apply a semi-matte clear coat before weathering is applied, Mike

Hi all, The basic fuselage is complete. Added the decal lightening marking and serial, engine intake manifold, blast shrouds for the machine guns and photo-etch parts. Weathered with 'Flory Models' dark dirt clay wash and 'Tamiya' Weathering Master (Soot and Mud). Sealed with 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311) semi-matte clear coat, Mike

Hi all, As this particular aircraft had a brown/beige mottled camouflage on the fuselage, I decide to use the decals from 'Lukgraph'. These are very similar to those from 'Aviattic', in that they are semi-translucent so overlapping their edges will show as a darker colour. I used the darker of the two kit supplied mottled decals, but used a different, slightly darker plywood decal from 'Lukgraph', rather than that supplied with the kit. I cut two complete decal for both sides of the fuselage (forward and rear), joining at the panel line at the rear of the cockpit. The four decals joined at the centre line, top of the fuselage. The fuselage shape is unusual and the forward side of the fuselage have heavily raised access panels, louvres and other protrusions. Therefore, I laid the decals onto the fuselage sides and pressed the decal onto the raised details to create an impression of them. These impressions were then cross cut through the decal to allow then to seat over the details without trapping too much water or air. The following photographs show the basic decals applied, but yet to have the cut decal removed from the raised details (they need to be painted later). Also I still have to trim away excess decal from around the cockpit, Mike