forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: gedmundson on July 09, 2023, 03:19:48 AM
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After seeing a remarkable build on Oswald Boelke's Fokker E.IV by US modeller Ken Niles at a model show a few years ago, I bought the WnW kit at that show from one of the vendors selling a pile of second-hand models. No instructions were in the box - but they are still happily downloadable, and printable offable. Having recently picked up a very comprehensive reference on the Fokker Eindecker, I was inspired to modify the WnW kit and add the Model Cellar figure, sculpted to match a photo of Boelke standing by his E.IV.
Boelke's E.IV was serial 123/15 (wrk. no. 337) and the second "prototype" to be built featuring the double-stacked Oberursel U.III 14 cylinder engine. Although provision was for three lMG.08 guns, Boelke's aircraft only was fitted with the middle and right-hand MG's when in service. It seems WnW had intentions of releasing a kit of Boelke's aircraft, since "Parts Not Used" included the "OB" logo on the etched metal sheet (and this was also embossed on the prototype cowling with "remove with scalpel" in the instruction guide).
Some of the following images are from my progress on the build so far, which is in reality well under way. Lots of surgery was needed for the MG's placement and alignment, since the prototype aircraft had them aiming at a slightly higher angle than Boelke's ended up being.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/4EMgCwQ.jpg)
My great reference guide to all things Eindecker-ish
(https://i.imgur.com/vtfmdo5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ikkvpGG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rQpz1qz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UnTtuk6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xczFOnF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/d3cA2F0.jpg)
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Great start and I am sure thi will be another Master Build!
RAGIII
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Very cool, Gary! This was always something I had planned to do one day, too. Beware that Boelckes E. IV prototype had the bulkier „chin“ on the lower fuselage front, compared to the standard version of the E. IV!
Andreas
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Thanks Rick and Andreas!
Beware that Boelckes E. IV prototype had the bulkier „chin“ on the lower fuselage front, compared to the standard version of the E. IV!
Andreas
Yes, Andreas - the kit provides parts and markings to replicate the first prototype with the different "chin", so Boelke's aircraft can be modelled from it. They also had molded the cut-outs for the prototype cowling on the inside - so I was able to just trim those holes out...
(https://i.imgur.com/mJ6Ihxp.jpg)
Work on the engine involved using Uschi powders over flat black for a metallic finish.
(https://i.imgur.com/F7NqEhl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cmzAqaJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FhVnA2s.jpg)
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Wonderful start to what will be an interesting conversion. The engine colours look very convincing indeed.
Stephen.
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Beautiful work so far! Engine looks ready to start :)
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Excellent work, Gary ;)
I, along with everyone else will be following along in anticipation of the next update.
Cheers,
Bob
P.S. Congrats on being published in Model Military International. ;)
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Awesome Engine Gary! That polishing powder is something I would like to try someday as it really makes a difference!
RAGIII
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Awesome Engine Gary! That polishing powder is something I would like to try someday as it really makes a difference!
RAGIII
Thanks Rick - that Uschi powder works a treat for things that I don't want to drybrush with silver enamel mixed with oil paint (since mineral spirit washes make a real mess of that!).
For a wood grain in the interior I mixed up Ochre, Raw Umber and a touch of Burnt Sienna oil paint and streaked it onto a surface of glazed XF-57 Tamiya Buff. The propellers were a much darker tone, and WnW suggests they were painted dark brown. But I could see evidence of lamination in some photos, so masked a two-tone pattern and then applied the oils over that.
(https://i.imgur.com/IsgEDnQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AoNrcxF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/R3biCHF.jpg)
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Wonderful as always Gary, the propeller looks just like the real thing. It is gard to believe it is a plastic kit part. Mission accomplished!
I've never tried the Uschi metal powders before, I really need to. The results on the engine are again incredibly convincing.
Richie
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Wonderful as always Gary, the propeller looks just like the real thing. It is gard to believe it is a plastic kit part. Mission accomplished!
I've never tried the Uschi metal powders before, I really need to. The results on the engine are again incredibly convincing.
Richie
Thanks Richie - the powders have a convincing metal look, but are very messy to work with. If they fall onto your work surface unnoticed they can ruin a paint finish if they get onto your model accidentally...so I use them in a separate work area and make sure it's spotlessly clean afterward!
I added the HWG seat belt set to the model. After studying as may period photos as I could, these belts appear darker than not, and scraps of existing artifacts have shown some examples to be reddish in colour. So I painted mine dark red.
The turnbuckles used on the interior frame rigging had a wrapped cover on them, so I just used a buildup of white PVA glue to replicate this. It didn't work quite as well as I'd liked...tending to accumulate in the middle. I should have been more patient with the application.
I tried to replicate a bit of oil staining on the cockpit interior with oil paint washes, and also added a bit of squiggly lines to the aluminium panels replicating the "turned" look. Barely seen when closed up, but I know it's there. The final photo shows things ready to be closed up - but here's where things went horribly wrong. My fuel tank was in backwards, and I'd failed to add the upper support for the rudder bar. Some surgery was needed to correct these things later in the build. It's times like these that I question whether I'm cut out for this hobby :-\
Cheers,
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/VGk3zNW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cR1XrxT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3GL71Hr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ifFyHs4.jpg)
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Wow Gary! The wood finish, seatbelts and especially the Turned Aluminum are all outstanding! Lovely interior.
RAGIII
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You are well into another gem build, Gary. Fantastic work so far!
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What a terrific start! The cockpit looks superb, I love your detail work. Bravo Gary and bring on the next update.
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I'm not sure those powders are for a messy guy like me but in the right hands they work beautifully.
Good choice re the seat belt colour, the interior looks super, I love that you even painted the little fasteners on the control column. So neatly done but then your eye for detail never ceases to amaze me.
Richie
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Beautiful workmanship. Love the sworl aluminum effect especially. And the wood, and the motor... well, pretty much everything, when it comes right down to it.
Great idea about the separate work areas... my Mom used to be into folk art, and stenciled trays and furniture with traditional bronze powders that were similar to the metallic powder here. We're still finding traces of the stuff at the old house forty years later.
Dave V.
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Thanks Rick, Prze, Dave, Zac and Richie - your comments are appreciated!
The fuselage had to be trimmed down near the front to accommodate the different side panels for the prototype - provided in the kit with large, flat etched metal parts. Lining these up for cyano glue to adhere them was tricky, but I used small chunks of styrene rod in the locating holes to help.
When cementing the fuselage halves together I needed to spend quite a while trying to eliminate the seam down the spine using several sessions of putty and sanding. Initial paintwork on the fuselage shows the large white panels for Boelke's national crosses, and a bit of pre-shadow for the framework.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/csUB61G.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bcis8dN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GOj6L9e.jpg)
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Excellent! :o
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Hi Greg,
Good to see you tackling the earlier Eindecker of Boelcke.
This is promising to be a great build,
Mike
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Quick and Beautiful work Gary!
RAGIII
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It’s shaping up very nicely!
Andreas
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More modelling loveliness! Is it my imagination or has the standard of work on show on the forum gone through the roof recently?
Richie
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Ditto all the above !
Ed
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Thanks to all for the encouraging words!
Ditto all the above !
Ed
Ed - I remember meeting you over by Ken's model at the show in Omaha, when you and the guys voted it "Best WW1 Aircraft" back in 2017. Luckily I took quite a few photos of that model which has helped me through this build.
These are some progress photos taken after some of the decals had been applied and a bit of weathering added to the fuselage. One of the most difficult steps was to adapt the MG.08's to point forward without the severe upward angle of the three guns in the first prototype. Some surgery was required.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/f9AGbO4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qDclVgc.jpg)
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WOW! That is Gorgeous painting Gary!
RAGIII
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WOW! That is Gorgeous painting Gary!
RAGIII
What Rick said! 👏👏👏
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Rick and Richie - thanks :)
One of the points of research on this aircraft was whether it had a compass in the starboard wing. The first prototype 122/15 did not originally, but Boelke's possibly could have. Ken Nyles model which I referenced did have the compass, but I was unable to contact him to ask about his reference for that. Since Boelke's 123/15 had been modified for service, and to removing the compass would invariably leave an ugly mark on the wing (considering my previous experience in such procedures) I decided to leave it on.
I spent a fair bit of time on the upper and lower surfaces of the wings and elevator to give them a shadow of the framework, but most of it got airbrushed into oblivion after all of the colour had been applied. I did add some oil and dirt staining after the fact near the wing roots.
The last photo shows the beginning of the rigging and control lines being added to the lower fuselage.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/FYwlijl.jpg)
After laying down some dark brown lines they were masked using strips of Tamiya tape - used from a previous build.
(https://i.imgur.com/e3njMtM.jpg)
A light spray of XF-22 was applied, after which the tape was removed and the rest of the colour filled in.
(https://i.imgur.com/BLacoqa.jpg)
The completed starboard wing after painting, gloss coat, decalling and some dark staining added.
(https://i.imgur.com/iNZcf2X.jpg)
After gluing the wings in place, the cement was allowed to dry as the wings were set so as not to droop. Afterwards they were dead straight.
(https://i.imgur.com/2kAZ6Hx.jpg)
For the rigging and control lines, I used EZ-Line and a combination of different turnbuckles. For the elevator controls, here are Gaspatch 1/48 resin turnbuckles.
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Glad you got the wings to sit level, this was my first 1/32 WW1 kit and my wings sagged in the most comical fashion! I love your oil staining!
Richie
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Breathtaking work Gary! I’m using your post as reference for my current project. I like the scheme you chose and the turned metal looks amazing!
All the best,
Tim
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I think I already used Gorgeous Paintwork so I will just say WOW!
RAGIII
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Richie, Rick and Tim - thanks :)
Breathtaking work Gary! I’m using your post as reference for my current project. I like the scheme you chose and the turned metal looks amazing!
All the best,
Tim
Tim - I'm happily following your build on the E.III, so happy that your finding some use with my posts!
The rigging is continued in the following photos, using EZ-Line anchored to small copper loops made around a small drill bit and glued into deeper holes drilled into the plastic surface (deeper than the marks that are molded on the kit).
I'm using a combination of turnbuckles, depending on how they look in the period photos. I had to order 1/32 Gaspatch metal turnbuckles for the ones on the wings - they appeared much bigger. The small ones near the cowlings are the 1/48 resin ones. I need to buy more of them - the line threads through the holes much easier than the metal ones which have a lot of residue in them which is very hard to remove. Despite it's complex look, the rigging on this aircraft is very straightforward and one of the easiest jobs of most of the WnW builds I've done.
Cheers,
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/ha4a6TU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QkcpzKK.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fkgb6ZQ.jpg)
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Now that the rigging has been completed, I thought I was more or less done. The aircraft did feature a spinner on the prop at some point - but I decided it not to add it since the one in the kit isn't blunt enough, and I also am not impressed with how it looked. But I kept seeing little things that needed attention to the weathering. After studying some "finished" photos I always see something that needs improving to actually call the model complete. And then take more pictures...and repeat. Here's a photo of the model before all that, and I'll hopefully post some in the Completed section soon.
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/TTd7Tid.jpg)
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I really enjoyed following this build Gary, thanks for taking us along for the ride - I've bookmarked this for inspiration when I eventually get my hands on an E.III.
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I really enjoyed following this build Gary, thanks for taking us along for the ride - I've bookmarked this for inspiration when I eventually get my hands on an E.III.
Thanks for that, Zac. I'm pressing on with Immelmann's E.II and hope to get a few pics posted in a new thread soon. I've altered my procedure for doing the turned aluminum on the cowlings for my next build, and think it's a bit better looking. Hopefully you can obtain an E.III - I do see a few guys trying to purge their "stash" once in a while so opportunities do come up!
Cheers,
Gary
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Hopefully you can obtain an E.III - I do see a few guys trying to purge their "stash" once in a while so opportunities do come up!
I live in hope: having seen a full scale repro fly (https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13928.0) earlier this year, and another soon to fly at my local field (https://nzcivair.blogspot.com/2023/05/fokker-e-iii-at-omaka.html), I've found myself rather taken by the type!
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Beautiful work Gary. I’m looking forward to seeing the E.II build.
All the best,
Tim
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After studying some "finished" photos I always see something that needs improving to actually call the model complete. And then take more pictures...and repeat. Here's a photo of the model before all that, and I'll hopefully post some in the Completed section soon.
Gary
(https://i.imgur.com/TTd7Tid.jpg)
This level of patience and attention to details is why your models are ALWAYS so beautifully finished. I'm looking forward to seeing more finished pictures. Now we can all look forward to seeing Immelmann's EII too. :)
Richie
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Must admit I have been looking through some of your build logs and they always impress me. You always have something new to share and give to everyone - thank you for this!
And the model ofc is stunning! :)
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Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your build.
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As always I am impressed with your work Gary.
All the single color themes look so realistic when you wave your magic wand over it. And the detailing is beautifully executed! Again!
Cheers,
Willem