forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: Borsos on October 20, 2023, 05:19:07 PM
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Hello,
since I seem to have problems with finishing projects — my Aviatik D. I is no exception — I tried to finish an even older project. This is the 1:32 scale Azur kit which is oop for quite a while. I am not entirely sure if that’s such a huge tragedy…. despite of being still the only kit of this plane in 1:32 scale it has lots of errors and inaccuracies of which I tried to fix at least some. I followed here the scale plans by Marek Rys (Topdrawings No. 104) and the pictures in Bartlomiej Belcarz‘ monograph from the yellow mushroom series and the good old Squadron/Signal Publications 180: French Fighters of World War II. I was honored with some 3D-printed propeller blades from a person who calls himself „Waroff“ and is a specialist on French planes. His blades are a huge improvement over the ridiculously short kit parts.
With the release of a new, modern kit of the Dewoitine D. 520 by Dora Wings, the Azur kit finally can go into retirement. I started this kit in June 2022, long before rumors of a new kit from Dora Wings got on my ears, otherwise I think I would have waited for it.
Markings are Berna decals.
(https://abload.de/img/img_1458jkdlc.jpeg?0ae21a42ce9a5ce9978d15916a167333)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1459hxf61.jpeg?ee4c6be6c47d32130cfe2cae04f2df6f)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1460hccti.jpeg?f5a6bcd29d3287ac936ca63ac20077bd)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1461ilcxp.jpeg?e0b33c1fbd8b5c0efb1c4e906653ca18)
(https://abload.de/img/img_14631xelf.jpeg?56f6d13dbd6fed2005205b4307fc4408)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1464pxfn8.jpeg?faabeac8948175cd2f50f1f23383f44c)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1465d4ir0.jpeg?defb1a56e8bbc64ab13e360c55bae845)
(https://abload.de/img/img_146678c1s.jpeg?a3541de046624092f247ca839dd3bd23)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1467wjcq7.jpeg?5a878efe79007cffacbab8fa90926ee1)
(https://abload.de/img/img_14682si93.jpeg?d8a52c2ee4a8848a7f70191f09111f4f)
This was a stressy and long build with many breaks and many self-inflicted traps. However, I learned quite a lot during the process starting from rescribing all the panel lines and riveting the airframe and ending with getting more practice in vacuforming new parts and trying out new airbrushing techniques. And for me the Dewoitine is one of the most beautiful airplanes that were ever build so it was definitely worth the long journey. I am looking forward in anticipation to the Dora Wing release, I‘ll definitely build another Dewoitine.
Andreas
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I agree with you opinion about Dewoitine 520 - the most beautiful of French WW2 fighters for sure.
You have done a great job on this model. The only shock is to see those surprisingly empty undercarriage chambers...
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Sure is a pretty bird Andreas and you've made a fine job of her. Great to get one of those old projects that's hung around off the bench and into the display case - congrats :D
Paul
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Great work on your model there, Andreas -
Nicely displayed as well.
Regards
Dave
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Maginifique, Andreas! And I agree, the 520 was certainly the most beautiful of the French WWII aircraft... you've done a wonderful job capturing it. The base, nameplate, and pilot are perfect additions—subtle, but very well done.
Dutch
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Thanks a lot for your kind comments, Przemo, Paul, Dave and Dutch!
Przemo, I also was surprised, but these wheel bays were as smooth as a baby’s a**, at least as far as these pics go that I had for use:
(https://abload.de/img/img_1645n9evk.jpeg?38a5ab6ad679d4e83bb79523b8fd9a07)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1647plfag.jpeg?ef27268f342697fd42d4101898bde6b6)
(https://abload.de/img/img_1646gkiaz.jpeg?ee185b23a6f0605599f1106e626d89de)
There might have been hidden something evil in the shadows…
Andreas
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Your models are always finished to the very highest standards Andreas, and this one is no different. The finish is so realistic and the base and figure compliment the aircraft model beautifully. If I had a fraction of your skills in painting and finishing my models I would be a very happy person. In addition your home-made improvements blend in so well I would not know where they were.
Stephen.
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Love it! One of my favorite aircraft for sure.
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Thank you very much Stephen and Bo for your kind words!
Andreas
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Beautiful work - the shading and chipping in particular are exquisite. Well done!
Cheers,
BC
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Thanks a lot, Brad! :)
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Outstanding work Andreas! I will use your build of this large scale bird as reference for My WIP 1/72nd kit 8)
RAGIII
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Thank you, Andreas, for those photos with surprisingly empty u/c bays. Not that I suspected you missed anything in your amazing model ;)
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Thanks a lot, Rick! And have fun with the Dewoitine.
Przemo, of course I just sent you these pics that show nothing and not those that show all the stuff I left off! ;D
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Beautiful work on a bear of a kit. The display with the pilot figure and bio tops it off. Can you tell us the paint etc you used? I have this kit in the stash along with the resin nose correction....which is where it will stay now...
Steve
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Thank you very much, Steve!
I‘d also wait for the Dora Wings kit to come…
I didn’t use the Nose correction set as I couldn’t find it for sale. But I used resin control surfaces which, compared to photos of the real thing, looked even worse and needed to be corrected. The other aftermarket sets I used were a yahu instrument panel (btw: the resin cockpit of my version of the kit was not too bad) and a set of Squadron vacu canopy. In the end I only tried to use the middle part, the sliding hood that I just couldn’t get sit right on the fuselage. In the end I vacuformed my own part which got way better. I don’t know how much putty I used on this kit. All control surfaces and wings needed heavy thinning. I also sanded the whole surface and rescribed all the panel lines which are just not correct on the kit.
For painting I used a set of colors for French 1940 camo from the Hataka orange line. I really enjoyed working with them. Only the smell is a little strange.
Andreas
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Wow, that's a rare bird, Andreas. Sounds like a lot of hard work but worth it to have a great result like that in the cabinet.
I don't know much about the French aircraft of this period, but it looks like it ought to have been pretty potent - a tiny airframe behind a massive engine, but perhaps under-armed against a cannon equipped Bf109?
Lovely work
Sandy
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Thank you very much, Sandy. As far as I know the main problem with the Dewoitine was it was late for the show in May/June 1940. most French escadrilles still were equipped with inferior machines like the Morane-Saulnier 406. But where the Dewoitine showed up, it was an unwelcome surprise for the Luftwaffe. It’s also been told that the Dewoitine was difficult to fly and got quickly into a spin.
Andreas
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Impressive work! I like the shading effect you achieved! :D
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Thank you very much Ben!