1:32nd scale Halberstadt D.II

[Mike Norris]

Hi all
As my build of the Macchi M.5 is drawing to a close I'll be starting the next model.
This will be the resin 'Lukgraph' model of the Halberstadt D.II, Serial No:810/16 Vzfw. Erich Schutlz of the Royal Jagdstaffel 25, operating from Kanatrlarci, Macedonia in early 1917

Mike

[Davos522]

Looking forward to this, my older son is waiting on his 1:48 version so we’ll both be following your progress.

Dutch

[Vickers]

I'll be watching this topic! Love the Halberstadt D series. Having the kit in hand, what do you make of it? I'd really like to add one to the stash, but having tried a few I haven't really warmed up to 3-D printed parts yet. It'll probably be the only game in town for 1/32nd, though.

[DaddyO]

Love these early fighters so watching with interest 

Paul

[NigelR]

Best of luck.....

[Mike Norris]

I'll be watching this topic! Love the Halberstadt D series. Having the kit in hand, what do you make of it? I'd really like to add one to the stash, but having tried a few I haven't really warmed up to 3-D printed parts yet. It'll probably be the only game in town for 1/32nd, though.

Hi Vickers,
Check out this earlier post,

Mike

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14145.15

[Mike Norris]

Hi all,
Interesting information.
Some references indicate that the inboard trailing edge of the wings were composed of a wooden member, as opposed to the wire or cable common on many of the First World War-era German single-engined aircraft.
Photographic evidence indicates that many examples were rigged with washout on the lower wings, which gave the impression of a curved or twisted lower wing trailing edge.
In some photos even the upper wings have a similar ‘trailing edge droop’ on the fixed section inboard of the ailerons.





The kit wings do seem to have this, although only slightly.





That said, other photographs of unpainted aircraft show what appears to be the standard wing rib linen covered construction.
Difficult to see any wing trailing edge wood construction.



Mike

[Flik63J]

As I was one shouting loudly for this model from LukGraph, I am looking forward to seeing you work your magic Mike.
Good luck,

David

[Mike Norris]

Hi all,
The wings supplied in the kit are cast in resin and have internal metal reinforcing rods to prevent warping of the wings.
Comparing the wing shapes and detail to reference material shows that some aspects of the wings require changing to make them closer to that of the actual wings:
The wing ribs tapes are too heavily cast.
The wing trailing edges do not reflect enough the ’washout’ droop at the inboard sections of the wings.
The leading edges of the upper wing halves are of different thickness.
The top surface of the wings appear to be too ’bulged’ around the central area.
The upper wings have a degree of warp.

So to correct these will require some work,

Mike

Examples of wing 'washout' and lack of visibility of the wing tapes







The kit supplied upper wings

[NigelR]

As I said, best of luck..... But if anyone can do a good job on this kit, you can.

[Mike Norris]

Hi all
Another problem found
The kit supplied 3D printed propeller has the blade twist in the wrong direction
This can't be corrected, so will need to be replaced with a correct propeller

Mike

[Mike Norris]

Hi all
Some progress for the Halberstadt
Plastic card tabs were added to the fuselage halves to help align the fuselage halves
Machine gun cutouts made
Holes made for the lower wing support rods, control column, elevator and rudder control cables
Test fitting the basic cockpit structure
Upper wing radiator cutout
Rudder and elevator rods added
Upper and lower wing warp removed using immersion in hot water
Wing trailing edge 'washout' (droop) added
Rib tapes sanded off (will be replaced)
Aileron support rods added

Mike

[Davos522]

She’s looking good so far, Mike. One question, though, the second photo, the one showing the cutouts around the engine, seems to show a pretty irregular surface—what we used to refer to as “orange peel” in the autobody trade. Is that just a trick of the camera/light, or are the castings actually that rough?

Dutch

[PrzemoL]

Great to see your meticulous approach again. And pity that Lukgraph kits continue to require so many... let us call them - amendments...

[Mike Norris]

She’s looking good so far, Mike. One question, though, the second photo, the one showing the cutouts around the engine, seems to show a pretty irregular surface—what we used to refer to as “orange peel” in the autobody trade. Is that just a trick of the camera/light, or are the castings actually that rough?

Dutch

Hi Dutch,
It's the photo - the general surface is OK.

Mke