forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: Borsos on March 29, 2023, 06:37:41 AM

Title: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on March 29, 2023, 06:37:41 AM: Hello,

it’s been quite a while and well, I thought about building a model.
(https://abload.de/img/957b0671-f5ed-41eb-ahefs0.jpeg)
As I don’t have much bench time, I choose a resin kit. It will take quite a while to finish anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. It’s my first resin kit for about 20 years, when I built a Lüdemann 1:72 Halberstadt Cl. IV. Time flies…
Actually it’s my first Austro-Hungarian subject ever, which is strange for a person that has Hungarian ancestors. My Great-grandfather spend 1917 as a Soldier in the Austro-Hungarian army and survived this sinister adventure. And I spend much time of my holidays as a child wandering the Alps with my parents, frequently on the former Austro-Italian frontline. But this never really showed up in my modelling projects. I possessed some of the Toko 1/72 Bergs, but can’t remember actually building one.
A recent visit in Vienna hasn‘t only blown me away by the sheer beauty of this city (it was 15 years then that I hadn’t been there…), I also found some time to visit the impressive Heeresgeschichtliche Museum with my family doing other things.

(https://abload.de/img/79bbef3b-7b3c-451b-b8mi7f.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/95c5f7b6-9f51-4347-8bkeja.jpeg)

It’s a fascinating museum, but what it doesn’t have is the one of only two surviving Berg fighter planes: 101.37. it is exhibited in the Technisches Museum Wien where I was not :)
However, as there are many pictures of this machine on the net, this was not a real problem to take HPHs resin kit and spend some evenings separating parts from threir resin blocks.

(https://abload.de/img/7f77ce22-f874-45b9-a3simg.jpeg)

I normally don’t like resin kits because I dislike the dust that can cause severe health issues, so i used a scalpel blade and scratched as much as I could, leaving bigger chips that I didn’t inhale. Final sanding was done under water.
Then the kit looked much more like an ordinary plastic kit.
And I went on building it like an ordinary plastic kit, starting with painting the wooden interior. Just acrylics, oils and some clear yellow and clear orange this time, no wooden decals.

(https://abload.de/img/8ea12dcd-5c88-4ff4-84pcqw.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/ba0f3d64-4ddc-4ba9-80leku.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/12519a19-0b04-4c73-bydfy0.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/7c1725ed-5a5f-44e8-864ciq.jpeg)

Feels like eternities that I fid my last all-wooden cockpit…it’s really fun!
Best regards,
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: torbiorn on March 29, 2023, 06:50:59 AM: Just popping in to say that’s the nicest wooden paintjob I’ve seen. Hat’s off!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Rob Hart on March 29, 2023, 06:53:28 AM: Your simulated wood looks superb. A-H subjects are my favorite and I am really looking forward to following your build.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Tim Mixon on March 29, 2023, 10:58:55 AM: I agree with the others. Excellent painted wood effect.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: gbrivio on March 29, 2023, 01:37:45 PM: Fascinating subject and smart start with wooden effect.
Ciao
Giuseppe
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Edo on March 29, 2023, 03:58:19 PM: wow! another jewel coming together!
ciao
edo
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: PrzemoL on March 29, 2023, 05:34:28 PM: Wow, it will be stunner. I was not aware of HpH resin kit of this bird. Will be watching with great interest.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: lone modeller on March 30, 2023, 03:25:01 AM: Good to see that you are building a model again Andreas. I know from past builds that this is going to be another mini-masterpiece, and your start has simply confirmed the fact.

Stephen.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on March 30, 2023, 05:16:36 AM: Thank you very much Torbiorn, Rob, Tim, Giuseppe, Edo, Przemo and Stephen. Great to have you on board!
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: FAf on March 31, 2023, 12:16:37 AM: Awsome colours! Looking forward to progress, but no stress.
/Fredrik
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on April 01, 2023, 07:22:47 AM: Thank you very much Fredrik!

(https://abload.de/img/410edad6-021a-4363-8kmcpx.jpeg)
I went on to work on the cockpit and reconstructed the posts for the Schwarzlose machine guns from evergreen profiles which are thinner and sturdier than the kit‘s resin parts. Andi Szekeres published some very helpful photos of 101.37 on www.idflieg.com, one of these showed two things:
(https://abload.de/img/f1a5cc02-df44-4e72-9obdgu.jpeg)
At first I wasn‘t completely right when rigging the foot bar. The control wires were led through return pulleys. And secondly despite there is a nice wooden ammunition box in the kit, there’s nothing that would have fed the ammunition belts to the machine guns or collect the empty shells. I will have to scratch build such a device. But before detailing this area I need to build the engine. The machine guns‘ barrels were lengthened on the original plane and left the fuselage through two rectangular holes in the front radiator. These barrels need to be depicted by something like surgery needles. And I‘d like to have my machine guns firing straight and not interfering with the engine. So i think I‘ll have to rise them some quarters of a millimeter as soon as the engine got in its place.
When the machine guns and the seat including seat belts are on their place, one can hardly see the foot bar, so I‘ll leave this area like it is.

(https://abload.de/img/18306513-e0fc-4058-am7eln.jpeg)
I must say I don’t have a clue what happened to the seat of 101.37. There’s a grey green seat showing heavy signs of flaked or chipped paint and under it a dark brown color. The only explanation I have for this is, that the leather was painted like most of the metal parts on the interior in a grey green color. This paint could have chipped heavily as it wasn’t originally intended for coloring leather. I tried to simulate this on my kit‘s seat, too.
(https://abload.de/img/565b38fe-549d-4d89-arbdb1.jpeg)

While the paint dries, it is time for some thoughts on the paint scheme i chose. Sticking so strictly to the interior of 101.37 might probabely not be entirely correct.
The Berg fighter was build by many subcontractors:
Aviatik built the 38, 138.238 and 338 series
Lohner built the 115 and 315 series
LLoyd manufactured the 48, 248 and 348 series.
MAG built the 84 and 92 series
Thone & Fiala manufactured the 101 and 201 series
WKF built the 184, 284 and 384 series.
Many minor and maior differences showed up between these different series and manufacturers. Even within a series there were differences as especially Austro-Hungarian aircraft manufacturing processes were far from being standardized.
HPH offers markings for only one machine, 138.120 from Flik 63J. It is a machine built by Aviatik while 101.37 was built by Thone & Fiala. So there might have been differences also in the cockpit aera, although HPH obviously also examined 101.37 when prepairing their kit. At least they offer some photos of this machine in their instructions.
Although 138.120 is a nice scheme, I want to do another one. But how to avoid the danger to build something that differs in too many details from 138.120 like it is done by HPH? I am by no means an expert on Aviatik Bergs and I cannot tell a Lloyd apart from a Lohner built machine.

By browsing through my literature I came across a photo of 138.119, which is close enough for me to 138.120 for not to asume too many differences between these two machines. 138.119, of course also built by Aviatik, served with Flik 74J in 1918 from San Fior di Sopra, about 15 km north of the Piave River.
It is known that it was flown by Oblt. Franz Cserich, the squadron commander, by Oblt. Arpad Pindter von Pindtershofen and at least once by Kpl. Adolf Wissinger.
Given the huge amount of accidents in which machines were destroyed — especially in 1918 when workmanship and quality of manufacturing seems to have deteriorated significantly — 138.119 was a long lasting machine. It is reported that it was flown in action regularly at least from May 20 till September 19, when Kpl. Adolf Wissinger almost fell victim to the Bergs tendency to break wing ribs and to loose the wing‘s fabric in flight. Wissinger survived this attempted murder by 138.119 making a forced landing. This seems to have been the last flight of 138.119. But Wissinger failed to return to his airfield on October 27 of 1918. A picture of the plucked bird was also published in Windsock Datafile 45 on page 7 and is repeated on page 50 of Zoltán Cziróks book on Fliks 68J, 72J and 74J. Before this, 138.119 had been reportedly frown in combat on May 20 (Cserich), June 6 (Cserich), twice on June 15 (Cserich), twice on June 22 (Pindter), June 23 (Pindter), June 28 (Cserich), July 2 (Cserich), July 8 (Cserich), July 13 (Pindter), July 15 (Pindter), July 16 (Pindter), July 28 (Pindter), July 29 (Pindter), August 25 (Pindter), August 26 (Pindter) and August 31 (Pindter). It’s not known if any enemy airplane was shot down by 138.119 during these flights. So 138.119 fits the story of the typical Aviatik Berg D. I fighter quite well: fast and agile, but lightly build and from time to time more dangerous for its own pilot than for the enemy.

Best regards,
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on April 01, 2023, 08:28:35 AM: Hi Andreas, lovely to see one of your projects underway again. Only a few days in and it's already brilliant. That painted seat is amazingly realistic and your 'wood work' skills are something I am very envious of. I never seem to get it quite right. I'm looking and learning!
.

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: gedmundson on April 01, 2023, 10:30:54 AM: Wonderful work so far on your project, Andreas. I particularly enjoyed reading your well-researched story on the aircraft, so thanks for sharing that.
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on April 02, 2023, 10:25:24 AM: Hi Andreas,
It's good to see someone else tackling this model by HPH.
It has it's issues, like all kits I guess, but it does build into a nice model.
I built mine as the box scheme and used their decals, not the masks set provided in the kit.
Strange that they provide masks with the kit, but you have to by the decals separately if you want to use them.
My PDF build log contains any corrections or replacements I found necessary.

Mike

https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/berg.html (https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/berg.html)

https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/logs.html (https://mikesww1aircraftmodels.com/logs.html)
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on April 02, 2023, 05:36:53 PM: Thank you very much, Richie and Gary! I cannot recommend Zoltán Cziróks book highly enough, it’s a fantastic read on late 1918 A-H flying.

Thank you Mike, that comes in very helpful! I downloaded your pdf.

Best regards, Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: PrzemoL on April 03, 2023, 01:11:08 AM: Indeed, just a couple of days and it is already fantastic. The seat looks simply real, if it was not for the background I would be cheated.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: KiwiZac on April 03, 2023, 08:08:50 AM: Your seat is incredible!! Real "shrink ray" stuff!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Syd Solo on April 03, 2023, 02:59:14 PM: Andreas,

There is a fine line between master craftsman and artist, but with you there is no line: you are both! Wonderful work. This is magical model making.
That wood painting and that seat, wow!

Cheers

Syd
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: pepperman42 on April 03, 2023, 11:09:34 PM: Amazing work. The fine layers on the seat are excellent.

Steve
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on April 05, 2023, 12:09:50 AM: Thank you very much Przemo, Zac, Syd and Steve, you are all too kind!
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: lone modeller on April 05, 2023, 08:07:57 AM: I am catching up Andreas - and I cannot find better words than those of Syd Solo. I completely agree with him: I too could have easily believed that the seat was real!

Stephen.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Pup7309 on April 09, 2023, 12:22:24 AM: :)
O my ! That’s the most realistic seat I’ve ever seen ! Lovely woodworking as well…
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Tim Mixon on April 09, 2023, 01:26:31 AM: Incredible skills! I cannot agree more with what the others have posted. Very inspirational.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on April 10, 2023, 11:15:51 PM: Thank you very much Stephen, Pup7309 and Tim! I really appreciate your comments!

I went on (slowly, very slowly as there are so many private things going on at the moment) and finished the office. After building and fitting the engine, I am going to do the machine guns.

(https://abload.de/img/41141e7a-ed2c-4ccb-biffkf.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/db41dbbf-6513-44d6-ah8dan.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/1a254e48-cb5e-4ba5-b9oe27.jpeg)

I must say that I am not too convinced of the originality of the kit’s seat belts. They look more like generic German seat belts. But as I have no documentation how the Austro-Hungarian equipment might have looked like and the kit’s seat belts are from HGW (so they are great stuff), I didn’t break my head for too long and went on with these.

Now I‘ll have to dirty up my hands with oil and grease, it’s engine time!

Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Edo on April 11, 2023, 03:06:13 PM: slowly vut surely, this is a great job!
I like the seat belt: you make them seem real, mine always look like bent iron....
any tip on how to make seem cloth?

ciao
edo
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on April 11, 2023, 10:44:29 PM: The office looks like a very nice place to be, it just doesn't look like a model. This is a great display of the art of model making. Slowly, slowly is clearly a very good way to go about it!

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: FAf on April 12, 2023, 01:05:55 AM: Your idea of slow is quite different from mine... but I'm not complaining! 😀 And it's still looking very good!
/Fredrik
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: pepperman42 on April 12, 2023, 10:41:50 PM: This is slow? Great progress!! Hope all the private stuff is resolved for you.

Steve
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on April 23, 2023, 07:07:07 AM: Thank you very much, Edo, Richie, Fredrik and Steve.

Edo, those HGW seat belts are in fact some kind of cloth, so I don’t do anything else but giving them a wash of oil color. I also don’t like photo etched seat belts.

Meanwhile I got the engine assembled and painted. I added wiring from lead wire.
(https://abload.de/img/d6165844-bd4b-418e-aqrce6.jpeg)
(https://abload.de/img/8f4c9198-78f6-41be-bj8cxg.jpeg)

I dirtied up the engine compartment of the fuselage
(https://abload.de/img/e1a05ab8-fd0d-4c3b-bynd42.jpeg)
And dirtied up the engine
(https://abload.de/img/acf78435-5796-4913-9s3e4s.jpeg)
(https://abload.de/img/2e59cda1-2f7c-4e7c-bm1fct.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/a20dc454-0c15-429d-aqvfvy.jpeg)
(https://abload.de/img/95d8267b-c975-467d-8nkepr.jpeg)

After glueing the engine and its wooden stringers into the right fuselage half, i dryfitted the left half, taped it and left it for drying.
I can’t finally close the fuselage, as the armament ist still missing.
But what relieved me was that the engine fit the fuselage and everything looks straight from the outside. I only had to cut away a small pipe/valve (?) at the upper front of the engine.
(https://abload.de/img/dcb0c795-20e6-4b1a-bfhi90.jpeg)
(https://abload.de/img/07e02864-6b48-4fc5-ak9emq.jpeg)
(https://abload.de/img/52e92c6e-45b1-4b4e-9mdcpo.jpeg)

Next step: Schwarzlose machine guns and then glueing the fuselage halves with 2k cement.
Best regards,

Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on April 23, 2023, 08:25:16 AM: Wow Andreas, that is a spectacular update. The engine looks powerful and dramatic and the interior looks ready to climb into. It makes me wonder, do you do any painting or drawing? Your work is always so artistic.

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Edo on April 23, 2023, 05:47:28 PM: hey Andreas! thank you for the info on the seatbelts!
you engine seemscready to crank up.... it is a pity to close it between the fusolage....
ciao
edo
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: pepperman42 on April 23, 2023, 08:16:30 PM: Amazing work! A credit to the kit and your careful workmanship that everything went together well.

Steve
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: FAf on April 23, 2023, 08:20:44 PM: Great work! What a relief that the fuselage halves joined over the engine. /Fredrik
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: lone modeller on April 23, 2023, 08:26:44 PM: I am with the others - this is truly spectacular modelling, but I think that it proves my point about leaving structures visible on finished models. All of that wonderful detail, especially the engine, is now hidden and simply cannot be appreciated by anyone looking at the model.

Stephen.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on April 29, 2023, 03:02:46 AM: Lovely painting and added details Andreas! That seat is simply Amazing!
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on May 11, 2023, 03:03:11 PM: Thank you very much for your kind and motivating words, Richie, Edo, Steve, Fredrik, Stephen and Rick!

Richie, thank you, but no, I don’t do drawings or painting besides coloring models (wish I could … maybe when I’m old I’ll pick up some canvas and some oils … and force my children to hang my pictures in their homes … ;D )

I closed the fuselage using 2K glue and smoothed the seams with the help of car putty.
(https://abload.de/img/d8e71b08-45ae-4aa8-8d3f5r.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/20fea861-edb1-4729-925efn.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/52b79764-d052-4171-ajmios.jpeg)

The advantage of 2K glue is that you can sand it like resin when it set. The advantage of car putty is that it sticks to resin what ordinary plastic putty does not.

When I build biplane models which are no WNW kits, I check the fitting of the struts before detail and paint work. And I was happy that I did as the kit’s interplane struts are weak (despite of containing a wire core) and make the upper wing sitting too high:

(https://abload.de/img/839d3e2b-5eb3-4458-8gnca4.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/187767d4-378f-4259-88iep3.jpeg)

In reality it is much more visible than on these pics.
So I made my own struts, pics will follow later!
Best regards,

Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: WD on May 12, 2023, 12:49:26 AM: Really beautiful, impressive work so far Andreas!

Warren
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on May 12, 2023, 01:40:14 AM: You are making great progress on what seems to be a Very challenging kit! I Look forward to the Next update as always!
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Tim Mixon on May 12, 2023, 03:29:32 AM: Starting to look like an airplane! Incredible work on the interior and engine.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on May 12, 2023, 03:40:06 AM: Thank you Warren, Rick and Tim!

(https://abload.de/img/b455c3a8-b629-4d5c-8c7fx8.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/62d4fdda-a30f-4882-91pikn.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/14fb826b-1fcd-45fc-a3pf5z.jpeg)

That’s it so far. And it looks much better than before compared to the plans I have (resized Windsock Datafile). Strangely now the machine guns look off-center, but they don’t in reality. Or is it just my eyes… however, I‘ll also dry fit the rudders and the landing gear before disassembling the whole thing again and detailing and painting it.

Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on May 12, 2023, 03:42:06 AM: Quote from: lone modeller on April 23, 2023, 08:26:44 PM
I am with the others - this is truly spectacular modelling, but I think that it proves my point about leaving structures visible on finished models. All of that wonderful detail, especially the engine, is now hidden and simply cannot be appreciated by anyone looking at the model.

Stephen.

Thanks again, Stephen. In fact there are some spots on this engine that I am happy to be able to hide :)
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: gedmundson on May 15, 2023, 11:55:17 AM: Excellent work, Andreas. You're a very brave man to make your own struts - and everything looks lined up in the photos. Brilliant!
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: PrzemoL on May 15, 2023, 04:40:40 PM: Fine modelling! /The engine looks great and so does the entire airframe.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: pepperman42 on May 15, 2023, 10:20:20 PM: Nice engineering. The struts are brass but are they shaped/flattened to airfoil? I see a pin so tubing?

Steve
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: PJ Fisher on May 16, 2023, 07:16:09 AM: Going back to your previous post about the seat - your paintwork really came out quite convincing! I admire that sort of attention to detail. I wonder if the original was made of Preßstoff rather than leather? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presstoff
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Boch on May 16, 2023, 07:30:06 AM: The whole thing looks great. I can really learn a lot from you. Thank you for presenting this workshop.

Lukasz
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on May 17, 2023, 07:26:49 AM: I love seeing how thoroughly you prepare everything Andreas. I'm learning a lot about different glues and precise assembly from this build.

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on May 17, 2023, 07:50:30 AM: Although there seems to be lots of corrections and basic assembly needs I think you are Beating it into submission! Well done to date!
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on May 19, 2023, 01:27:43 AM: Thank you all very much, Gary, Przemo, Steve, PJ, Lukasz, Richie and Rick, for your kind words of support!

PJ, I completely agree, it could also be Pressstoff or any other kind of Ersatzstoffe they had to use in 1918.

Steve, yes, it's brass tubing with wire core, squeezed by my Albion Alloys Strutter. This time these struts aren't quite flat, because I am running out of brass piping and I had only very thin pipes left. I used to use Albion Alloys products but they are hard to get here these days so I ordered some AK brass tubes in various sizes. And what shall I say? They just suck. They are almost solid and only give room for a 0,3 mm wire core. No way to make struts with them. Therefore I need to go on with what I have left from AA. I sanded them flat with sanding sticks.

When I build a model that is no WNW (or Copper State) kit, I test fit all maior components before the detailing and painting phase of the build. I simply want to know if the final product resembles the original or if the proportions just aren't right. I think they are with this kit, what do you think? I pinned all flying surfaces with 0.3 wire onto the fuselage. I am using the kit's landing gear struts as they fit quite nicely, but what I dislike are the wheels from the kit. I replaced them with a pair of Roden's Albatros wheels that fit the scale pland of the Berg fighter perfectly (I'll regret that when I build that Albatros...)

(https://abload.de/img/a1563603-0718-4ef0-a8zent.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/08409e19-4fcc-49f3-a9bcmx.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/2b36c3bd-e51d-43cf-9qnixr.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/dd88d87c-82e3-4280-ahrdqg.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/8a34b314-0aec-4ff5-87ndyc.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/7f2cfa90-eff4-4c08-8ijdgp.jpeg)
I attached the wheels with masking fluid. Seconds after taking these pictures, they broke off...
(https://abload.de/img/3af1671b-be82-46ac-9rpew3.jpeg)
... because there actually is a difference in weight between plastic and resin kits.

What is also visible in these photos is that there needs to be some redetailing of the tail surfaces as the ribs are completely wrong located. The ribs on the elevators should lign up with those on the tailplane. Also the rudder is a little too long to fit the fin propperly
Best regards,
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on May 20, 2023, 12:58:26 AM: This is the attention to detail and careful preparation that makes you the world class model maker you are. I look forward to seeing how you carry out the alterations to rib alignment.

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on May 30, 2023, 07:54:04 AM: Thank you very much, Richie! You are too kind!

At first I went with the fuselage and added details that are made of PE parts. I only added those which are covered by the hexagon camouflage. I‘ll add the rest after painting.
(https://abload.de/img/img_9245tbfy8.jpeg?882f9a5710d6a5dbe0f803df60996b82)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9248aydq9.jpeg?37f748ece720878472523706e07a16e2)

(https://abload.de/img/img_92461nfqc.jpeg?3e2a7908e92521896e17b05cf6259e7b)

(https://abload.de/img/img_92471mfu7.jpeg?9912d33d4284b8db2339ddc107b5a0ee)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9250j1dyd.jpeg?fec102c893f1ab82bf87bcac613641ca)

I am keen on seeing this under a coat of primer. Some sanding here and there (I can see more imperfections on the photos than I had been able to see on the real thing) and on to the wings… and the rib alignment.
Best regards,

Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on May 30, 2023, 08:48:42 AM: Awesome work Andreas! You are turning a challenging kit into a Beauty! Photos can be another tool to find things needing attention and I am sure you will correct any SMALL imperfections!
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: xan on May 30, 2023, 06:39:17 PM: Hi Borsos,
The beginning is fantastic.
Great work on wooden effect and the seat's leather is just amazing, really!
Congratulations!
Xan
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Tim Mixon on May 30, 2023, 08:08:29 PM: Looking really nice with all the exterior details. I’m eagerly anticipating the “lozenge “ painting.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: PrzemoL on May 30, 2023, 08:23:43 PM: Lovely details on the fuselage. Great job, Andreas!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: gedmundson on May 30, 2023, 11:31:15 PM: Excellent work, Andreas.
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on May 30, 2023, 11:53:56 PM: I always find photos show there is more work to do. It'll be well worth it once you see a lovely smooth coat of primer.

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on June 18, 2023, 06:15:07 AM: Thank you so much, Rick, Xan, Tim, Przemo, Gary and Richie!

It’s been a while as work, everyday life and some days on holiday hold me off the bench. Now I am happily at home with an annoying cold that forces me to drink horrible herbal teas and took away my voice almost entirely.

Well… all the parts are primed, sanded again and covered with the first hexagon color — AK Real Color’s pale sand. Now it’s jigsaw time!
(https://abload.de/img/img_946344iax.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9462hlf3n.jpeg)

The flying surfaces are covered quite easily, one only need to keep symmetry. The fuselage is going to be another story…
Best regards

Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on June 18, 2023, 09:58:33 AM: Nice progress Andreas. I am looking forward to seeing your bird with the masks removed 8)
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on June 21, 2023, 07:11:47 PM: Thank you, Rick! Here you are:

(https://abload.de/img/img_94948ff6a.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9495xsf13.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9498hccsn.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9497n3c7p.jpeg)

And that’s how it looked like shortly after removing all the masks. What followed were some touch ups here and there, carefull sanding with an abrassive fleece between the color layers and some toning down and mottling with tinted clears and PE masks.

(https://abload.de/img/img_94834ce71.jpeg)

What I learned from this excessive painting process? Decals are great :)

Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: enathan on June 21, 2023, 08:00:40 PM: I'm not usually interested in the larger scales but your build log is fascinating Andreas. Great work done so far, this is going to be a marvelous model!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on June 22, 2023, 12:30:49 AM: Brilliant! The pictures straight after mask removal and after touch ups and toning show how much work was involved. That's even without taking into account masking and painting in the first place! The end result is superb. Your closing comment about what you learned from the process made me roar with laughter! :)
Why do we put ourselves through this? I suspect it is because we are quite mad and get a kick out of it!

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on June 22, 2023, 01:47:16 AM: Incredible Masking and painting work Andreas! Hard to imagine those colors as Camo ::) Looks Stunning!
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: FAf on June 22, 2023, 01:50:22 AM: That looks absolutely amazing! I too laughed my head off reading your comment about what you'd learnt... but do you think that decals could have been an option, had they existed?!

/Fredrik
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Tim Mixon on June 22, 2023, 04:50:24 AM: Decals may have been easier but they never would have looked so nice as your masking. Just fantastic work!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Edo on June 22, 2023, 03:10:24 PM: I agree with the others: the end result is super!
I am stunned by the difference between the starting point and the end result, incredible painting job indeed!
ciao
edo
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: jeroen_R90S on June 25, 2023, 05:46:47 PM: Awesome work -I do wonder if you still saw hexagons in your sleep :D
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: PrzemoL on June 26, 2023, 08:08:44 AM: Oh my... the airbrushed hexagons... yes, I feel perfectly what you mean by prefering the decals...
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Rookie on July 02, 2023, 02:08:10 AM: I've seen this done only once before by krow113 on his stunning build of the WNW Gotha G.IV.

This amazing and far beyond my skill set.

Absoltely brilliant!

Willem
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on July 08, 2023, 12:15:37 AM: Quote from: enathan on June 21, 2023, 08:00:40 PM
I'm not usually interested in the larger scales but your build log is fascinating Andreas. Great work done so far, this is going to be a marvelous model!

Thanks a lot, Ehud! It’s great to have you on board!

Quote from: RichieW on June 22, 2023, 12:30:49 AM
Why do we put ourselves through this? I suspect it is because we are quite mad and get a kick out of it!

Richie

I couldn’t agree more, Richie ;)

Quote from: RAGIII on June 22, 2023, 01:47:16 AM
Incredible Masking and painting work Andreas! Hard to imagine those colors as Camo ::) Looks Stunning!
RAGIII

Thank you very much Rick!

Quote from: FAf on June 22, 2023, 01:50:22 AM
That looks absolutely amazing! I too laughed my head off reading your comment about what you'd learnt... but do you think that decals could have been an option, had they existed?!

/Fredrik

Thank you Fredrik! Decals would have existed, because HPH sells them separately. But I just didn’t like their color, I found them too cold and they didn‘t line up with what I had in mind my Berg D. I should look like when I‘d build one. This has of course nothing to do with a deeper historical insight into the proper shades. Not at all :)

Quote from: Edo on June 22, 2023, 03:10:24 PM
I agree with the others: the end result is super!
I am stunned by the difference between the starting point and the end result, incredible painting job indeed!
ciao
edo

Thank you very much Edo!

Quote from: jeroen_R90S on June 25, 2023, 05:46:47 PM
Awesome work -I do wonder if you still saw hexagons in your sleep :D

Thanks Jeroen!
Sometimes i do :)

Quote from: PrzemoL on June 26, 2023, 08:08:44 AM
Oh my... the airbrushed hexagons... yes, I feel perfectly what you mean by prefering the decals...

I would like to say „oh, it wasn’t that annoying at all“, but there’s still the upper wing to do for me, so not the time yet to glorify the past :)

Quote from: Rookie on July 02, 2023, 02:08:10 AM
I've seen this done only once before by krow113 on his stunning build of the WNW Gotha G.IV.

This amazing and far beyond my skill set.

Absoltely brilliant!

Willem

Thank you very much, Willem!

That’s the current state. I added Filters and chipping like those tank modelers do.
(https://abload.de/img/img_960958e3t.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_96080qi6e.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_96106keef.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9611uvc9r.jpeg)
Second wing rib from the left also got shading… no idea what went wrong with my iPhone camera.
(https://abload.de/img/img_9612saex3.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9614qwfy1.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9615h1e4w.jpeg)
Tail feathers dry-fitted for photo-posing.

And coming home from work I found an envelope with my custom made masks for the fuselage markings from Frank (bughunter). I am very keen on trying them out, as it was a cooperation of my wife (she’s the computer nerd of us) creating the files and Frank reworking them and cutting masks on his plotter. Oh no. That’s no pressure at all for me…

Best regards,
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on July 08, 2023, 12:41:58 AM: The Filters have really enhanced the look of your Aviatik Andreas! Something I wouldn't have thought was possible considering how gorgeous it was before! I am looking forward to your results from the masks. I Miss Frank!
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: AngryJazz on July 08, 2023, 04:26:34 AM: Wow im very impressed with the fading and weathering so far! Toning down the colors just right! Stunning build :D

May I ask what filters you used? and maybe a tip or two about using them?
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on July 08, 2023, 07:36:10 AM: Oh wow, that is quite a spectacular update! Mind blowing work going on there. I'm looking forward to seeing the markings. The masks will be perfect, Frank is a real magician. As you say, no pressure there then!

Richie
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: KiwiZac on July 08, 2023, 09:18:59 AM: Spectacular is the right word! Wow! I love the fuselage underside staining and weathering.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Edo on July 08, 2023, 03:03:38 PM: you did magic!
really awsome!
ciao
edo
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: MR Bentley on July 09, 2023, 01:24:33 AM: This is top-notch stuff! The camo looks incredible and I cant wait to see how it turns out in the end!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: PrzemoL on July 12, 2023, 07:13:15 AM: Splendid colours on your Berg! I like it very much.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on July 12, 2023, 10:09:11 PM: Rick, AngryJazz, Richie, Edo Hotwaffle and Przemo, many thanks for your comments!
I used Filters from AK: a blue one (for Panzergrau) for the hexagons and a yellow one (for Dunkelgelb) for the metal parts.

I managed to use the custom made masks for the stars and the a-h military number.
(https://abload.de/img/img_967739f68.jpeg?b883392618c2b09b1485c8e9c5a0f23d)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9676lleda.jpeg?4523b355630b5421fd44ebef225cef2c)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9675rtdue.jpeg?2edfcd8d19efad67f2c2d94e4b76d3c1)
A big „thank you“ to my wife and to Frank (Bughunter) who made these for me!

Best regards
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on July 13, 2023, 12:56:38 AM: Congratulations to your Wife, Frank, and yourself as the Masks worked Beautifully!

RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: DaddyO on July 13, 2023, 04:42:54 AM: Been following avidly Andreas and just love how this is shaping up. Overall finish is among the best I've seen on a WW1 aircraft

Paul
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Mike Norris (UK) on July 13, 2023, 06:40:58 AM: Hi Andreas,
The application of the AK filters certainly adds a great weathered linen effect.
Also Frank's masks look as though they did the job you were looking for,

Mike
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: lone modeller on July 13, 2023, 08:19:48 AM: I have missed quite a lot of this recently Andreas: and oh my what have I missed?!!! This is just incredible - I have had to repeatedly pick up my jaw from the floor and I am afraid that if it drops too many more times it will shatter altogether. That is just incredible painting - well beyond anything I could do even in my wildest dreams. This is going to be a truly stunning model when it is finished.

Stephen.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Flamingo on July 13, 2023, 07:54:53 PM: Hi Andreas,
at first the scheme was certainly "candy wrapping", but what you did to tone it down is phantastic!
It's still not "real camouflage", but that's the responsibility of the painters 100 years ago.
Nice idea to cover the deformed hexagons with the white band.
This is going to be a model that frequently tries to praise its builder! ;D
Greetings Joe
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: AngryJazz on July 13, 2023, 09:04:12 PM: Thank you for the tip with filters :)

The scheme and colors just looks perfect - so eye catching! Weathering and shading is very realistic ;D
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on July 13, 2023, 09:33:58 PM: Well the pressure was on to get a great result after your wife and Frank teamed up to design and cut masks and you delivered in great style! You have the special gift of being able to imagine how good a model could possibly be and then go and produce it. Wow!

Richie the astonished
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: gedmundson on July 13, 2023, 10:47:37 PM: Simply outstanding work on your fuselage, Andreas.
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: jeroen_R90S on July 15, 2023, 04:48:51 PM: +1 awesome work!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Borsos on July 16, 2023, 04:02:27 PM: Thank you so much Rick, Paul, Mike, Stephen, Joe, AngryJazz, Richie, Gary and Jeroem for looking in an leaving such nice, motivating comments!

(https://abload.de/img/img_9689kkixk.jpeg)
It’s an airplane now. I attached the lower wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder, horizontal stabilizer and elevators. And I started rigging. as I hate rigging, it is good for me to do that in small doses…
(https://abload.de/img/img_9690zyclk.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9688byfov.jpeg)

(https://abload.de/img/img_9691okcq1.jpeg)
And finally I also added the landing gear. Most of the time when I sit behind my working desk, I am able to do one methodical step after the other (at least I think they are methodical). But sometimes I can’t resist the feelings to push things forward. Yesterday it was such an evening. Was it clever to attach the landing gear before finishing rigging, sanding the holes I intend to drill through the wings and repainting the underside of the lower wing? I don’t think so…
Best regards,
Andreas
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: macsporran on July 16, 2023, 06:29:12 PM: Hey Andreas, I've just caught up with your Berg - this is looking terrific. I love the worn, faded effect you have achieved here. Shaping up for an absolute cracker of a model.
Sandy
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: kensar on July 16, 2023, 11:56:41 PM: Very realistic appearance, Andreas. This is a top shelf model!
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RAGIII on July 17, 2023, 12:59:30 AM: Your bird looks great with wings and tail surfaces mounted! As for the landing gear it also looks awesome. Funny thing is I thought I was the only one that got excited to see the next step and did things too soon ::) I am sure you will manage!!
RAGIII
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Tim Mixon on July 20, 2023, 10:36:54 PM: What can I say that hasn’t already been mentioned? Truly amazing work Andreas, I am in awe!

All the best,
Tim
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: Dutch522 on July 21, 2023, 12:18:36 AM: When I saw that last photo my first thought was that you'd gone to the Technisches Museum Wein and somehow gotten a picture of the underside of the real Berg... this is truly an amazing work of modeling, Andreas.

Dave V.
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: pepperman42 on July 22, 2023, 02:08:36 AM: Amazing work. Tones are perfect.

Steve
Title: Re: An airplane that frequently tried to kill its pilot (Aviatik „Berg“ D. I, 1:32)
Post by: RichieW on July 27, 2023, 03:59:51 PM: Your Berg looks like the real thing from every angle and in every little part of every photograph. It really is quite amazing what you are doing!

As for attaching the landing gear already I think it is so exciting and motivating to see another step completed. You will find a way around any difficulties it might create.

Richie