1/72 Albatros D.III (OEF)

[lone modeller]

I wholly agree with the others - what you are achieving is just amazing. My jaw aches from constantly hitting the desk every time i look at this thread.

Stephen.

[steveb]

Thanks so much to all!!
I was a bit intimidated by oil paint & the drying times, but drawing with a pencil comes more naturally to me. Thanks, Przemo, for making me aware of what can be done with watercolor washes. Still so much to try & learn.

I am still not 100% sure which plane I will represent, but it will have some sort of summer camo. I am almost ready to start, but now, I am confused as to where the paint on the fuselage actually ends. It is very had to distinguish in historical photos, & most profile renderings give the impression that the fuselage is completely covered. Some, like Joseph Kiss' plane show otherwise, with the green stopping on the lower longitudinal panel line. I have seen models built both ways, & seeing Bud's recent summer leaf camo on his D.III is what made me realize that what I was planning to do may not be correct.
The Roden instructions have a note saying that the summer camouflage "covered almost fuselage except underside." Hmmm...

I came across a few photos this morning that possibly answer this. I see a demarcation line between the green & wood or light blue. Don't know for sure.



Does anyone have any insight into this?

Thanks,
Steve

[Wolf]

When I see your work, two things happen: I am in deep awe and completely deligthed.
Wonderfull work

[boggie]

Outstanding modelling Steve.

I find your woodgrain technique particularly intriguing.

My first thought when I saw your initial pencil work was, oh, that's interesting but looks more like a contour map than woodgrain.

But after your damp brush and wash technique, what a surprising transformation!

Most excellent!

Thank you for the education, I am certainly going to try your technique.
 
Bring on the next installment, please! 

[steveb]

As always, thanks so much for the comments.

Last weekend, I started on the task of covering almost everything with green camo. I had previously experimented with Tamiya XF-70 to figure out a technique for applying the paint. After looking at test parts for a while, I felt that the green was too green, almost like a "green" Crayola crayon. I picked up 3 different colors at the hobby store & decided to use Tamiya XF-11. Almost like a darker olive drab with more forest green mixed in. I cut away pieces of a 1/4" foam brush so that the shape is more like a small irregular ball. I thinned the paint slightly with water & started working on the upper wing.


I sprayed a few coats of semi-gloss clear on it this past week, & sanded out a few blemishes here & there. Here is how it looked this morning, before adding coats of Future in preparation for decals. I have a few other decals from the same sheet that I will test on scrap pieces to see whether or not they hold the Roden curse in them.


Steve

[Wolf]

Absolute convincing paintjob!

I know this must be, but it's a pitty that now all the beautiful woodwork is gone. Nevertheless, great progress.

[andonio64]

I agree with Wolf, but in any case the paintwork on the camo looks very good!

Antonio

[Juan]

Great looking camo, especially in this scale.

[RAGIII]

Nicely done camo!  Sad to see the beautiful wood tones gone .
RAGIII

[GAJouette]

Steve,
Outstanding bit of artistry my friend. Keep to the high standards of excellence.
Highest Regards
Gregory Jouette

[Stephane]

Wonderful job! ( the Part's interior is a kit in the kit!)
Regards

[ALBATROS1234]

bootyful job steve.

[pepperman42]

Beautiful work

Steve

[Cajun]

Looking great Mr. Steve!