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WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Honzap on July 27, 2021, 06:39:30 AM

Title: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on July 27, 2021, 06:39:30 AM
Hi Everyone,

This is the latest boxing of the Eduard`s Pfalz. If all stars align, it should be the boxart aircraft with the paper dragon.

There will be a lot of “if`s”
- first wood
- first lozenge
- first rigging

Let`s see. After all its fun :)

Jan



Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on July 27, 2021, 07:09:09 AM
OK, this was initially meant to be a quick “ease into golden era planes” built…and then I checked the Wingnut site  :-[

So modified the interior bits here and there, opened up gun bay (the Spandaus seemed to sit a bit too high in the kit), started some additions on the engine and replaced front vents. In my mind it was easier then drilling.

Let the pictures tell the story.

Jan
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on July 27, 2021, 07:11:16 AM
Small bits…
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on July 27, 2021, 07:11:53 AM
The front vent and an attempt to create subtle distinction btw metal and wood on the engine bay.
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Von Salza on July 27, 2021, 08:27:05 AM
Good luck.
I have this very model in my plans, so I sit in the first row and watch :)
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Alexis on July 27, 2021, 11:51:01 AM
Following along closely  :)


Alexis
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: kensar on July 27, 2021, 09:38:51 PM
Extensive remodeling is not a requirement here - but thoroughly enjoyed.

Welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: FAf on July 29, 2021, 06:30:42 AM
Great start! I suspect you've fallen victim to your earlier modelling skills even if you're new at WWI era planes. It's difficult not to change things when you think you can. Probably why we all (most of us) were quicker building models when we were kids?!
/Fredrik
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: RAGIII on July 29, 2021, 08:51:06 PM
Outstanding start to your Pfalz! The extra detail will make this a real stunner.
RAGIII
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on July 31, 2021, 04:22:36 AM
Thanks a lot for all ya`lls comments everyone  :)

Made a teensy little progress. Cockpit has a paint. And also wires.

And at the same time, first strike - the wood.
It came out decent on both side panels and engine bay, but the cockpit floor, for whatever reason developed those mini cracks in the laquer layer. Note to self: get yourself either Gunze, Tamiya or MRP clear and bin the temperamental one.

Until next time.

Cheers,
Jan

Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on July 31, 2021, 04:23:42 AM
Another shot at the cockpit from an angle. Gives little better idea about  what`s in.
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on July 31, 2021, 04:45:02 AM
Small bits preparation.

Seat has got a cushion made out of putty and a first coat of paint - still work in progress.

Engine bits - made the springs, lost count of how many. You only need 12 but always seem to be one short no matter what. Holding your breath, steady your hand, slowly approach the painfully twisted and trimmed spring with your trusty tweezers, get a nice firm hold. Resume your breathing. A drop of glue to the bit and hold your breath again as you move it ever so carefully towards its destination on the engine block…plick!!! And there went another one into next dimension…
Now for the challenge. The rocker/lifter in this scale is a rough triangle shape 1mm in lenght, .5mm in height with a hole to the thicker end. How do I make 12 exactly same pieces is yet to be seen.

Spandaus - rolling sleeves, took me few trys to get a decent rounded one out, yet gluing it together is whole another adventure

Ammobox - the one included in the kit is for the D.III version with guns inside the fuselage if WNW is believed. With ammo feeders or spent chutes you are on your own. So started scratching a new one. Will see how this goes.

Cheers,
Jan
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Alexis on July 31, 2021, 10:27:51 AM
Hi Jan , she is shaping up very nicely so far .  :)


Alexis
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: lcarroll on July 31, 2021, 10:53:45 AM
   Great work so far Jan, I admire your determination to "get it right"! That description of "tweezer pulting" those tiny springs is a classic ....... we've all been there!!
    Stay the course, and I'll be following along.
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: RAGIII on July 31, 2021, 11:07:02 AM
Continuing to be an outstanding and detailed build. Looks Fantastic!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: FAf on July 31, 2021, 09:00:05 PM
Continuing to be an outstanding and detailed build. Looks Fantastic!
RAGIII

Agree!
/Fredrik
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on August 09, 2021, 05:13:42 AM
Folks,

Thanks a lot, your comments surely help me along the way from “I don`t know if I can do it” towards “Let`s try this and see…”

Jan
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on August 09, 2021, 05:35:28 AM
Moving on with little Pfalz…fuselage closed and lower wing on…Yay! A big step for me  :)

Seat was little lower, a piece of plastic underneath and the height now looks about right.
Seatbelts. Bending/wrinkling them so they don`t look metal was an experience of its own.
Ammobox is completely scratched. I wanted to modify the kit part initially, but very soon have discovered making a new one was less work. Not quite sure what was stretching my patience more. Positioning the feeding chutes to Spandaus or gluing the whole thing into the fuselage.
Engine lost couple of pieces when gluing the fuselage together. Will re-do them, since now I know how, it should be a rather fast affair.

Otherwise, a little bit of sanding and filling. And onto the spraying first paint!

Cheers,
Jan


Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on August 09, 2021, 05:38:49 AM
Close up of the cockpit. Almost nothing that was added is visible  :)
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Alexis on August 10, 2021, 02:46:14 AM
Getting there , keep up the excellent work  :)


Alexis
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Matti on August 15, 2021, 06:38:11 PM
Very nice work so far, especially the extra details ;)
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Monty on August 19, 2021, 02:42:54 AM
A really great build, progressing well! Regards, Marc
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: RAGIII on August 23, 2021, 01:01:21 AM
Your Pfalz looks outstanding all closed up. The interior is beautiful as are the details added!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: RichieW on August 24, 2021, 07:13:18 PM
Looking great. Don't worry if all the awesome added interior details aren't visible. They are still there, we saw the photos and you had great fun adding them!

Richie
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on April 27, 2022, 10:30:58 PM
Time to resurrect this build. Other things in life got priority, but now there is time for modelling again.

8 months ago I made it to first spray of paint. Well, paint went on and with small corrections it looks pretty nicely. Next - lozenge decals...

I was using the decals supplied in the box. They are made in 2019 which is where the top transfer layer can be removed leaving only the paint. No lacquer, no silvering, the look of spray-painted insignia. Put on the decal, apply the decal solution, let it dry (overnight) and using twezers carefully remove the top layer. So goes the theory.

First try was on the bare plastic. Suprisingly it produced the best result. Only small tears when removing the top layer from the applied decal. Yeah, I can do this!
Second try. Plastic with a layer of surfacer on. Otherwise same as above. This time when removing the top layer, larger chunks of paint when with it. Drats! This will have to be redone. And new model is on the way, since there is no spare lozenge supplied. So naturally I took the rest of lozenge to experiment.
Third try. On surfacer with decal solution under the decal in order to improve the adhesion. Otherwise same as above. Wrrriiiiiiinnnkklleeeeeeesssss all over the place. The thing turned into a Lycra/Spandex or such and stretched any and every way imaginable. Eventually I have let it dry and did yet another attempt on removing the top layer. Due to wrinkles, literally half of the decaled wing came off. Strong-headed anyone?
Fourth try. The new kit got in and new decals with it. Back to the beginning, leaving the top layer on. Started with the largest area - the wing. No surfacer, no decal solution underneath. Cut the decal into 3 pieces to make it more manageable. Either way, decals applied, wrinkles again. No matter what I did - more solution, carefully slicing/pinching the wrinkles, more solution. Not to avail.

Ordered yet another kit. And with it, Microsculpt decals.

To be continued...now as a multiple Pfalz build  :)
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Alexis on April 27, 2022, 10:47:15 PM
Have not had the privilege yet on trying these new method of decals , but you aren't the only only who has had this troubles with them .

Looking forward on seeing the others being built now


Alexis
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Bughunter on April 27, 2022, 11:02:21 PM
My recent Camel build was my first kit with that decals and the result was fantastic!
I strictly followed the Eduard rules, also with setter below! the decals and removed the film completely.

This time when removing the top layer, larger chunks of paint when with it.
I used a primer on the model of course (and I mean a real primer like Alclad, which bites into the surface and not this  polyurethane which is sold as primer but is not such) and let the paint on top of the primer drying before.

For details, discussion and link to Eduard description see my build report.

Cheers,
Frank
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: Honzap on April 28, 2022, 02:29:46 AM
Alexis,
thanks for the sympathy :)

Frank
I may give it just one more try when the yet anther new kit arrives here. But the MicroSculpt decals will be on the ready.

cheers,
Jan
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: KiwiZac on April 28, 2022, 10:15:59 AM
As a Pfalz pfan since childhood I'm glad to see you back at it despite your issues.
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa Eduard 1/48
Post by: RAGIII on April 29, 2022, 10:04:44 PM
It is good to see this one progressing. I Hope you get the decal issue fixed and of course I will also look forward to all of those Future Pfalz builds  8)
RAGIII