Hello from Chicago!

[Procopius]

Hi there! My name's Edward, and I'm thirty. I live north of Chicago, and I've been building models for about three years, and I'm still not very good. I'm not letting that stop me, though, because my lack of quality enables me to build in quantity: I average about a model every three weeks. So there's that.

Anyway, I decided that messing up WWII and modern aircraft kits wasn't enough for me, and I'm going to build some WWI birds. I only work in 1/72, so this is really a march of folly. I haven't ever rigged before, either, and I'm filled with fear!

Anyway, since I mainly build RAF/RFC/Fleet Air Arm/RNAS aircraft or aircraft of their contemptible foes, the first four kits I've purchased are two Eduard DH2s (my favorite early-war plane for looks) and two Roden Wolseley Viper-engined S.E. 5as. I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm not even sure what acrylic paints to get, or the best way to paint these guys.

[Ernie]

Hello Edward, and welcome to the forum.   You have an interesting time ahead of you
in the Great War era.  Working in 1/72 isin't the easiest with WWI aeroplanes, but as you
will see, absolutely amazing results can be achieved.  We have some of the best teeny-scale
modelers around with us.  i am not very experienced myself, but I would think it would do
well if you would ease into it a bit with a couple of models with minimal rigging.  The Fokker
triplane and D.VII would be good examples.  As for paint, I use mostly acrylics, but with an
airbrush. I would defer to some of the excellent brush-painters for a better discussion of that
aspect of paints. 
  Above all, the thing is to enjoy yourself in the hobby and whatever questions you have,
there are some marvelous modelers here that would be very pleased to help you!

Best Regards,
Ernie

[Procopius]

Thanks for the welcome, Ernie! I use an airbrush too, so any tips you have for me in that area would certainly be appreciated.

[Des]

Hello Edward and welcome to the forum, it is so nice to see you here.  Also, welcome to the world of WW1 aircraft, you will find a wide range of aircraft types to build, some easy, some hard. You have jumped in at the deep end with the DH.2, it has a multitude of rigging, but if you feel confident go for it, it will be a great experience for you. I'm looking forward to seeing you post photos of your work for us all to see.

Des.

[coyotemagic]

Welcome aboard, Edward.  Glad you found us.  I look forward to seeing your projects unfold here.
Cheers
Bud

[LindsayT]

Welcome Edward! You've tapped into a bottomless well of experience. Ask anything (no matter how dumb you may think it is) and it'll be answered thoroughly and with class. That's just how this outfit operates.

Lindsay

[bobs_buckles]

Welcome to the forum, Edward!
Enjoy your time with us.

BVB 

[Zabu]

Hi Edward! Welcome to the squad!

1/72 hum? Welcome again!   I'm a braille modeler myself... it's ok that you haven't rigged yet, but 3 weeks... man your fast!

About D.H. 2. It's a very nice model to have, bu has alot of rigging, i would like recomend something with less "wires". Don't get spooky with them, but probably will be a too hard start.If you ready top grab the Bull be it's horns... then go for it!

If you wnat to try some rigging to see how it goes you may try DH 2 first opponent Fokker Eindecker. Plenty of rigging but very smooth.

Nevertheless, whatever you choose to build we're here for you, trying to give our best advice.

About paint... don't worry, there's plenty to choose from. Take your pick on the model... we'll be here for you.

Cheers

[Procopius]

My plan was to start on the S.E. 5as, rather than the DH2s, as they seemed a little safer. I've also been told the Eduard Nieuport 17s are a good place to start, as they have, I gather, single-line rigging? I'm sure that's not the right term. However, none of the boxings seem to have RFC decal options, and there's rather a dearth of aftermarket decals for them compared to what I'm used to for WWII and modern...I think I have more Spitfire IX decal options at home than there are decal options for every WWI aircraft in 1/72 combined.

Part of the fun for me with modelling is that I always try to learn something about what I'm building. WWI in the air is pretty new to me, so I've just finished Lee Kennett's The First Air War, which I enjoyed, and am now on V. M. Yeats' Winged Victory, which I can't say I like very much at all. I'm hoping Eddie Rickenbacker's Fighting the Flying Circus proves more enjoyable.

[GAJouette]

  Edward,
Hello and welcome aboard my friend. Glad you've joined this most excellent of all WWI forums. Sit back and enjoy. I'm looking forward to seeing your projects grace this forum. Especially the DH2 my friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Procopius]

Thanks for all the welcomes, everyone!

I've picked up some more kits -- it's a sickness -- and so now I have an Eduard E.IV, Albatros D.Va, and Fokker F.1 (the last, I gather, is not entirely correct for an F.1, but remains a DR.1), and a Toko Snipe and Salamander, the latter so that I can make the earlier tail on the Snipe, mainly. I also ordered Pheon's SE5a aces sheet, so that I can build my hero "Taffy" Jones' machine.

I imagine I should do the E.IV first, as it's a monoplane. Then which, though? And what paints do I need to make one?

[Ernie]

Edward, the E.IV (or Eindecker) is a good choice.  quite a lot of rigging, but if
done in stages it's not hard.  As for the paint the Eindeckers were usually completely
done in CDL.  I think later in the war there were quite a few in a green colour.  Take
a look at Wingnut Wings website for the Eindecker E.III late for a bit of marking variation.

Cheers,
Ernie

[pepperman42]

I missed a few intros over the months - welcome to the forum Edward

Steve

[Whiteknuckles]

Whoops, a very belated hello and welcome to the forum Edward

Andrew