1:32nd scale Albatros D.V

[sandbagger]

Hi all
As the build of the Bristol Scout 1264 will be completed soon, I've started on the next build
This will be the Albatros D.V, Serial No: D.2006/17 as flown by Ltn.der.Reserve Bernhard Kilian of Jasta 21b during September 1917
This is a 'Wingnut Wings' model kit

Little information is recorded for Ltn.der.Reserve Bernhard Kilian, other than he was born in Neideburg in 1894
He served with Jasta 21 until his death in a flying accident at Pauvres airfield in December 1917
He was not reported to have been awarded any combat victories

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Now I've finished the Bristol Scout and Macchi M.5 builds for others, I can get back my modelling.
So I'll now be progressing the Albatros D.V build,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all
The forward sides of the fuselage halves have pre-molded circular access panels and cooling louvres
The cooling louvres have no slots under them through the fuselage
I've chosen to replace both with 3D printed parts from 'Proper Plane'
‘Proper Plane’ Albatros D.V/D.Va louvres (RD-011)
‘Proper Plane’ Albatros D.V/D.Va inspection hatches (RD-015)

I've removed the pre-molded panels and louvres from the fuselage sides.
I've also drilled cooling slots through the fuselage sides. These will have the louvres fitted over them

I've also drilled slots in the lower, rear of the fuselage halves for the lower elevator control cables

'Wingnut Wings' issued correction sheets for the instruction manual
These require the removal of pre-molded internal cockpit detail from the left fuselage half and removal of pre-molded straps from the lower, rear of both fuselage halves

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all
I've to paint the fuselage internal parts
This includes creating wood and leather finishes
The light colour wood finish is ‘Windsor & Newton’ Griffin Alkyd oil paint (Raw Sienna) applied by brush over 'Tamiya' Desert Yellow (XF59) base coat
The dark colour wood finish is ‘Windsor & Newton’ Griffin Alkyd oil paint (Burnt Umber) applied by brush over 'Tamiya' Desert Yellow (XF59) base coat
The leather finish on the pilots seat is ‘Ammo-Mig’ Oil brusher (Earth) and when semi-dry, stipple brushed ‘Ammo-Mig’ Oil brusher (Dark Brown) over 'Tamiya' Desert Yellow (XF59) base coat

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The fuselage is now ready to be closed up.
I've added the cockpit control cables for the rudder and elevator (ailerons will come later)
Also pipe/tubes from the water pump greaser and the starter magneto
The control rod from the engine spark advance control lever can't be added until the fuselage is closed up, as it has to route around or through a cockpit frame
The engine has ignition leads to the spark plugs but not from the magnetos
Wiring those is a waste as they can't really be seen on the completed model

Mike 

[GusMac]

Another stunner as usual.

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The fuselage is now closed up.
The kit supplied machine guns were replaced with the ‘Spandau’ 08/15 extended loading handle (14-32061) from 'Gaspatch'.
These needed to be modified to allow them to locate correctly in the fuselage front/rear gun mounts,

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all
This aircraft had what seems to be a mirror, flare pistol and flare rack located on the right side of the fuselage, just forward from the cockpit opening
The flare pistol appears to have been mounted on a supported tube, so that the pilot could load a flare, lock then fire the pistol (directed away to the rear right of the aircraft)
The breach of the pistol looks to be open, not closed and locked.
Possibly the pistol is of the 'Hebel M1894' type

To represent this I used a 'Wingnut Wings' flare pistol from my 'spares' and cut the barrel off and pinned it in position using 0.2 mm diameter rod
The mounting was made using a combination of 1.4 and 0.8 diameter tube with 0.4 mm diameter rod 

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Just a quick update as I work on the Phonix D.I as well.
The fuselage top green has been applied.
This was ‘Hataka’ (Orange line) Dark Moss Green (C246) with Light Green (C020) to a ratio of 50/50%.
Thinned with ’Mr. Colour’ Levelling Thinners 400 by arbout 10%.
Now onto the plywood covering,

Mike

 

 

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The kit has transverse panels on the underside of the fuselage nose.
However, some early Albatros D.Vs had longitudinal, not transverse, fuselage underside panels. 
My problem was I couldn't confirm this as there is no photographic evidence of my build, serial number 2006/17.
Although I searched, it never occurred to me to look for similar production batch photographs.
Thankfully another modeler found photographs of serial number 2005/17.
That same batch aircraft clearly shows longitudinal, not transverse, underside panels.
It also seems to confirm that the batch was fitted with just the lower wing drag wires and did not include the drag wires for the upper wing, which later aircraft had,

Mike

[sandbagger]

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

[sandbagger]

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

[PanzerWomble]

Superlative work ! 

 

This critique of Albatros as a comabt aircraft may be interesting , Greg is generally on point for research .

 

 

[sandbagger]

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

[PanzerWomble]

Gorgeous work , love those camouflage colours. 

[sandbagger]

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

[sandbagger]

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

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,

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

Mike