forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Jamo on April 21, 2012, 06:16:21 PM
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I really hate putting a half finished build off to one side, only to start another one. Seems to be the story of my last couple of years modelling with nothing finished in that time. I just got the 120hp Beardmore engine finished on my WNW Early FE2B but my local IPMS club just launched the annual 'Build Same Kit' (BSK) competition and this year the Wingnut Wings Albatros DV/DVa made the cut. Judging is on June 27th so I have about 10 weeks to get it finished which is quite challenging for me. The last kit I finished was a WNW Sopwith Pup for the BSK competition two years ago. Two other local modellers who voted for the Albatros are Richard Alexander and Dave Johnson (Moeggo) who are probably known to many of you (both from Wingnut Wings).
I am really stuck for choice because I have two sets of WNW decals and four sets of Pheon Models Albatros decals in my stash :o
No pics for a few days, I have to decide which one to do first.
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That's a very interesting concept for a GB, sounds as though it would be a lot of fun seeing everyone building the same kit, looking forward to seeing your first lot of progress photos.
Des.
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Good Luck with your group build, looking forward to some progress pics.
Cheers
Pete.
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Oh what an awful dilemma to be in ;D
As said I look forwards to you posting as you progress
Keith
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What if two people make the same markings? It'll be like parties where people are wearing the same outfit, lol
Regards :)
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One to be watching for sure.
Paddy
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Sorry to see your Fee set aside, Jamo, but this promises to be a fun build to watch. Do the rules require that you keep it oob? I would really love to see someone convert this kit to the Albatros Dr.I. Wouldn't that be spectacular in 1/32 scale?
Cheers,
Bud
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We have an OKGB, as we call it, over on the Airfix forum in Hyperscale. Its a lot of fun watching people do various things from oob to full conversions. The same pitfalls come up for some and the different solutions are very interesting. Something we might want to do here down the line.
Steve
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James,
Welcome aboard my old friend.Glad you landed safely here.I'm looking forward to seeing your excellent photo detail post.I looking forward to following your BSK progress and later that awesome Fee of your's.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette.
PS: Has Dave (Moeggo) joined up yet? Another very talented modeler.
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I have now decided what markings to go with. I like the zig-zag red arrow on the Jasta 17 black and white tailplane of Schreder's DV. The markings are available as Option E on Wingnut Wings 30013 Albatros DV. Unfortunately I only have the DVa kit in my stash. Yes I know the two kits are almost identical - the only difference is the PE set where the metal cover between the two machine guns has a different shape to allow the aileron control cables passing through up to the top wing on the DV. The DVa PE set also has the long metal straps that secured the front of the engine panels.
I am going to get around the problem by modelling The Vintage Aviator Ltd's second Albatros reproduction which was finished in Schreder's markings and subsequently sold to Kermit Weeks in Florida. The TVAL Albatros repros are all constructed as DVa types with the additional support struts to the V interplane struts.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/TVAL2.jpg)
Unfortunately I never got to see this Albatros before it was exported. Its only public flight was at the Classic Fighters airshow at Omaka in Blenheim NZ last Easter, with Kermit Weeks showing it off. My friend David Frowen was there and took some good photos which he has kindly provided to me for posting in my Photobucket album.
http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/DFrowen2.jpg)
The photos show a number of interesting details to be incorporated into the model. The radiator appears to be a Teeves and Braun type however the shutters underneath are more commonly associated with the Daimler Mercedes type radiator.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/DFrowen14.jpg)
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/OmakaApril201150detail2.jpg)
The Mercedes engine on the TVAL reproduction is the type with a water-jacketed inlet manifold.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/DFrowen9.jpg)
The plywood panel around the cockpit has a section of padding in front of the windscreen
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/DFrowen11.jpg)
The tailskid has fabric wrapping over about half its length
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/OmakaApril201194detail.jpg)
Canvas covers over the bungee cords on the undercarriage
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV%20TVAL/DFrowen8.jpg)
Not much progress to report on the build yet. At this stage its just removing parts from sprues and cleaning them up ready for painting. I need to save some time where possible so I don't plan to detail anything which won't be visible on the completed model. Weathering will be very light. I plan to use Pheon decals for the lozenge fabric (the pink option), and some HGW sets for seatbelts and surface fittings.
Today is a public holiday in New Zealand (and Australia), ANZAC Day, where we remember the sacrifices made by our soldiers in war. Dawn parades have taken place all around the country. TVAL will be commemorating ANZAC Day with their last airshow of the season, on Saturday. I will post some photos when I get back.
Cheers James
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Awesome photos Jamo, thank you for posting them, one question though, what is the purpose of the padding in front of the windscreen?
Des.
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James,
As always your excellent post never fail to provide the best photo references for each of us.Thank you very much my friend you are greatly appreciated by all.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Great photo's James, awesome work by TVAL. Looking forward to your shots from the airshow!!
For our local Anzac Day march we had a fly past of aircraft from HARS - the Super Connie, a DC3, 'Black Cat' Catalina and their recently acquired DHC 4 Caribou (one of my favorite aircraft). No WW1 aircraft but the sound of those engines is riveting and always gives me a thrill!!
Andrew
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Those are more than handy detail shots. Thanx!! Anyway, as suggested elsewhere, we could put these types of photos in a separate aircraft file with subcats for each type ?- I know- want want want
Steve
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Some nice detail photos there James, thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Pete.
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What if two people make the same markings? It'll be like parties where people are wearing the same outfit, lol
Regards :)
Yes, funny you should mention that. The TVAL hangar was open today, being ANZAC Day, and I went over there with another modeller from our IPMS club who is also doing the BSK competition. And guess what, he has the DV kit and plans to do Schreder's plane ;)
So we won't be exactly the same but pretty darn close.
Here is a shot of me standing in front of 7343:
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/TVAL%20Albatros%207343/Apr25141.jpg)
I heard there will be another Albatros at the airshow, this time with a TVAL manufactured Mercedes engine. I heard there may be as many as 12 built eventually, not all staying here in NZ but destined for trades around the world for other goodies. 7343 is due to head over to the RAF Collection in the UK sometime soon.
I should have really been modelling today but the afternoon was just brilliant over at Hood Aerodrome. Late Autumn sun, a Fokker DVIII and an SE5a flying around, smell of castor oil in the air, hardly a breath of wind, two Albatros parked on the concrete outside the hangar. I thought I had died and gone to heaven.
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/TVAL%20Albatros%207343/Apr25155.jpg)
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Hi James,
Another cracking set of photo's for reference, thank you for sharing them.
Do you know when Albatros 7343 is destined to come to the UK?
Best Regards
Keith
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Lovely photos James. Man how I wish I had a transporter in operation. ;)
Paddy
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Perfect Pictures, jamo.
Thank's a lot for that. ;)
I've heard, that Koloman Mayrhöfer has sold several Albatros D.II to NewZealand.
Does anyone closer? ???
Servus
Bertl
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Hi James,
Another cracking set of photo's for reference, thank you for sharing them.
Do you know when Albatros 7343 is destined to come to the UK?
Best Regards
Keith
No, sorry Keith. IMHO it will be very soon. They will be crated up, sent by ship, then uncrated and assembled. Judging by the time it took the Snipe to reach Kermit Weeks in Florida it could be at least 3-4 months before its on display in the UK.
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I would love to see one turn up at the Oshkosh EAA show someday. WWI aircraft aren't as prevalent or popular as the WWII birds and jets, but they do manage to show a few every now and then.
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Great pics Jamo, thanks!
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Man, that's gotta be a thrill seeing those things rumble around! I'm very jealous!
Lindsay
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Lindsay,
Same here all I see are the occasional C-130 or C-117 Transports. Not to mention countless Blackhawk helicopters. I'd much rather see one of these old kites James shared photos of with us.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Thanks for that link Tony. Modellers need to bear in mind that there are some differences between the Oeffag and Albatros manufactured aeroplanes. Living in Wellington means I have had the good fortune to be able to photograph the TVAL Albatros reproductions quite extensively (including their engines), which are very authentic in construction. My photos are freely available for modellers to reference and include lots of detail shots.
85 photos of the Josef Mai-marked Albatros:
http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV/?start=all
22 hi-res images of selected photos from above:
http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Hi-Res%20images/?start=all
19 photos of the Mercedes engine in that Albatros:
http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Mercedes%20DIIIa%20engine%20restored/?start=all
59 photos of TVAL Albatros 7343:
http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/TVAL%20Albatros%207343/?start=all
50 photos of the Mercedes engine in 7343 with water-jacketed inlet manifold:
http://s1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Mercedes%20DIIIa%20engine%20with%20jacketed%20inlet%20manifold/?start=all
If you haven't checked these albums out I strongly recommend a visit.
There are rumours TVAL may have acquired one or two of Koloman Mayrhofer's reproductions, which would be brilliant!
Cheers
James
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What a wonderful resource James! Thankyou very much. Helps diminish the jealousy at not being able to see, hear, touch TVAL's machines......only a bit though!! ;)
Perhaps Des can sticky them once he beds down the forum?
Cheers and thanks,
Andrew
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Brilliant Photos James Thankyou very much! Because of these photos I'm going to build another DVa
Sean
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I am planning to use the HGW PE set for the Albatros which among other things has engine access hatches. First step is to remove the moulded in hatches and polish smooth. This is now done. However, looking closely at the instructions and at the photos I posted about the TVAL reproduction, it seems to me that Wingnut Wings may have incorrectly placed the first ventral hatch too far back, by about one plywood panel. Can't show you a photo of the kit hatches as they're gone, but have a look at the HGW instruction sheet for parts PE12:
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/HGW%20PE%20sets%20for%20Wingnut%20Wings%20kits/32007Albatros.jpg)
The forward hatch is the one on the right. Now have a look at this photo from underneath the TVAL Albatros:
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/Albatros%20DV/Nov201032-1.jpg)
What do you reckon? Is the forward hatch on the model too far back?
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It appears that there is a complete panel between the hatches on the TVAL Albie, where as on the model the hatch comes in the middle of the afore mentioned panel? I think we need expert guidance on this.
Cheers
Pete.
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I have been in contact with Ray Rimell on this question and he has confirmed that the forward ventral hatch is too far back. Photos of the NASM Albatros confirm this to be the case. The new Albatros drawings by Marty Digmayer in the latest Datafile show the correct position of the hatch. Using the HGW PE set makes repositioning it very straightforward.
Check out this photo from a Google search taken by Cliff66:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/3328046169/
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I have discussed the engine access hatch issue with Wingnut Wings and Richard Alexander commented that the placement of the hatch varies between the 160hp engined Albatros and the 180hp engined Albatros
"The kit's draincock cover/hatch was modelled in the correct position for the majority of the kit decal schemes, which are 160hp Daimler-Mercedes D.III powered Albatros D.V.
The draincock on the 180hp D.IIIa engine, which powered almost all Albatros D.Va, is further forward."
. . . which just goes to show how much research WNW do. When the deluxe version of the kit comes out I expect there will be PE hatch covers which can be attached in either position.
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James,
Just a thank you for your thorough research and supporting comments. Good stuff. :)
Paddy
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James,
Just a thank you for your thorough research and supporting comments. Good stuff. :)
Paddy
I'd like to second that, James. You're our go-to guy for detailed reference photos.
Cheer,
Bud
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Yes I noticed a long time back about the access panel under the nose, it sits under the oil pump housing beneath the engine, the rear most panel is for the fuel tank drain offs.. All the research I've done shows it in this location, the basic engine casing never changed and the oil pump was always in the same location I believe.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/kornbeef/Albi%20DVa/DVA22.jpg)
shows its position internally
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d190/kornbeef/Albi%20DVa/DVA31.jpg)
Externally (both on a stalled strip down DVa I have sitting on the side.)
Keith