forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: NigelR on November 15, 2023, 12:59:30 AM

Title: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on November 15, 2023, 12:59:30 AM
I've completed the test build of the Pfalz DVIII for Aviattic. This was shown on their stand at Telford last weekend, and it was right down to the wire getting it done in time, because the test lozenge decals were very late in arriving (they came on the Monday before I had to leave for the show at 9am on Friday of the same week....). So the weathering on this is very light because there wasn't time to allow it to dry before I had to do final assembly and rigging. Also, Aviattic does a lovely set of resin turnbuckles for this kit which I had no time to use. Although I had the lozenge decals for the wings, the screen printed decal sheet has not yet been finalized so I had to scrounge the balkankreuz from the spares box. I cut down some Fokker DVII crosses which means the white border is a bit too wide. I also had to mask and spray the fleur de-lys (which will be included as a decal in the kit) which was a real challenge for me as I HATE masking  >:( But it's turned out OK.

There are some build lines evident in some of the photos on the fuselage, wings and cowl. These parts are cast in resin from a 3D printed master and Richard wasn't happy with the quality of the 3D master, so it was cleaned up before the resin parts went to final production. I saw the the revised parts at Telford at the weekend and I couldn't see any evidence of build lines.

This is a lovely kit, it requires care building but there are no major issues. I'm looking forward to getting my "real" version.

(https://i.imgur.com/jWYyb9D.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/hy1Gqkn.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/zpg8aT0.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/9nqvY9w.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/KvwFmIh.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/U72svQq.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/iGUiGNM.jpg)



Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: Dutch522 on November 15, 2023, 01:36:18 AM
Wow! What a beauty! You did a fantastic job getting this project completed under the time constraints involved.

The kit is completely amazing... I'm sure seeing your build of it sold more than a few of them at Telford. Richard must have been pretty happy!

Dutch
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: PrzemoL on November 15, 2023, 01:50:58 AM
I have already commented elsewhere, it is a beauty! I am interested if any other scheme will beat this lily in the green.
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on November 15, 2023, 03:13:46 AM
Wow! What a beauty! You did an amazing job getting this kit completed under the time constraints involved.

The kit is completely out of my price range, but I'm sure seeing your build of it sold more than a few of them at Telford. Richard must have been pretty happy!
I was pretty stressed last week, there was no time to correct any errors if I got anything wrong. I broke two struts late on Wednesday night when I was trying to get the wing on which I thought might prove fatal but they were actually easy to fix. I think it did help on the day and I was keen to help out as we want to keep these boutique guys going.

I have already commented elsewhere, it is a beauty! I am interested if any other scheme will beat this lily in the green.
Yes, thanks :D I think the Jasta 29 plane with the comet marking is even cooler than this one, but there are a lot of interesting schemes to choose from.
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: DaveB on November 15, 2023, 03:20:26 AM
Might be a test build, but it sure does look great work to me - nice to see a more unusual aircraft as well.

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: KiwiZac on November 17, 2023, 06:11:19 AM
Bravo Nigel! The end results betray nothing of the hassles and stresses you had in building it.
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: gedmundson on November 17, 2023, 07:42:09 AM
Very, very nice build on a beautiful looking model, Nigel. Congrats on getting it to the show on time!
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on November 17, 2023, 09:27:10 AM
Just lovely work and a really neat plane.  The colors are nice and the lozenge is amazing.  I'm sure you have all seen this, but just in case:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfPvy_4M3Hg

It's also probably the closest thing to a real Siemens Schuckert D-III/IV too!

Nice job...Dan
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on November 17, 2023, 07:49:46 PM
Thanks Dave, Zac and Gary, much appreciated. I'm looking forward to building the one I have bought so I can spend a bit more time on ot.....

Just lovely work and a really neat plane.  The colors are nice and the lozenge is amazing.  I'm sure you have all seen this, but just in case:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfPvy_4M3Hg

It's also probably the closest thing to a real Siemens Schuckert D-III/IV too!
Thanks Dan, I was all over Mikael Carlson's page, that aircraft is amazing. Mikael was kind enough to help Richard with his research, so he provided much valuable information as the kit was being developed. So many thanks to Mikael!
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: KiwiZac on November 21, 2023, 05:06:10 AM
It's also probably the closest thing to a real Siemens Schuckert D-III/IV too!
Not to detract from the Pfalz talk but we have a terrific full-scale, Gnome Mono-powered SS D.IV replica here in NZ (http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/search?q=SSW) (not part of Sir Peter Jackson's stable) and it reminds me a lot of the D.VIII - it's like a Great War version of the FW190!! A beast that rocks and rolls with barely-restrained power at ground idle and is spectacular to see and hear.
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: Tim Mixon on November 22, 2023, 02:08:53 AM
Beautiful work!
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on November 24, 2023, 04:46:34 PM
It's also probably the closest thing to a real Siemens Schuckert D-III/IV too!
Not to detract from the Pfalz talk but we have a terrific full-scale, Gnome Mono-powered SS D.IV replica here in NZ (http://nzcivair.blogspot.com/search?q=SSW) (not part of Sir Peter Jackson's stable) and it reminds me a lot of the D.VIII - it's like a Great War version of the FW190!! A beast that rocks and rolls with barely-restrained power at ground idle and is spectacular to see and hear.

Hey Zac!  I think I actually saw that machine when it was in the States way back in the mid 1980s at Oshkosh. I think it was a replica by Carl Swanson.  I didn't get to see it fly, but it looked so cool and also looked to have a built in turn-over-on-landing vibe!  Really short-coupled.  You are lucky to see that sucker take to the air even without the SH engine!  Cool...

Sorry to hijack the thread.  Exceptional model as I said!   ;)

Dan

Dan
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: Borsos on November 24, 2023, 09:29:56 PM
Looks fantastic. I don’t regret having preordered one despite of the price.
Andreas
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: pepperman42 on November 26, 2023, 08:14:48 AM
A true show stopper. Well done!

Steve
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on November 26, 2023, 06:41:51 PM
Thanks Andreas and Steve, much appreciated. Andreas, you will enjoy this one  :)
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: macsporran on November 26, 2023, 08:20:00 PM
Looks fantastic Nigel, great results. Especially from a pre-production run where you've fabricated a lot yourself.
Lovely. Can't wait to get mine.
Sandy
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: Rookie on November 26, 2023, 08:20:16 PM
What a wonderful model this has turned into Nigel.

Hats off!

Cheers
Willem
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: KiwiZac on December 13, 2023, 06:14:10 AM
Hey Zac!  I think I actually saw that machine when it was in the States way back in the mid 1980s at Oshkosh. I think it was a replica by Carl Swanson.
One and the same!  8)
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: lcarroll on December 15, 2023, 02:52:29 AM
What a wonderful model this has turned into Nigel.

Hats off!

Cheers
Willem

   ........and mine as well, great model Nigel!

Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on December 15, 2023, 08:05:47 PM
Thanks for the kind comments Sandy, Willem and Lance. I'll be doing an assembly write up in the next issue of Cher Ami, the Great War SIG newsletter, so for anyone getting the kit you might find this helpful. The next Newsletter will be published early in the New Year and will be available for free here: https://sites.google.com/site/greatwarsig/Resources (https://sites.google.com/site/greatwarsig/Resources)

Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: AngryJazz on December 15, 2023, 09:44:31 PM
The model turned out fantastic Nigel! I really love these colorful WW1 birds  :)

Dont think I will ever have the courage for a resin kit, but I get great joy from following your build and seeing it come alive  :D
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: dr 1 ace on December 20, 2023, 09:35:05 AM
Nicely Done !  Can't wait for mine to arrive.

Ed
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: KiwiZac on December 31, 2023, 06:01:30 AM
I'll be doing an assembly write up in the next issue of Cher Ami, the Great War SIG newsletter [...] The next Newsletter will be published early in the New Year and will be available for free
That is very generous, I expected one would need to be a member of the SIG to have that luxury. I'll be keeping an eye out so I can download your report!
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: Dutch522 on December 31, 2023, 08:21:50 AM
Cher Ami, the journal of the Great War SIG, is my favorite magazine, print, digital, or otherwise. And free to boot, whether you’re an IPMS member, or just Joe Bagadonuts wandering in off the streets; an incredibly generous contribution to the WWI modeling community.

If I’m remembering correctly the group was originally a spinoff of a SIG founded by members of the old WWI List about twenty-some years ago, but Steve Cox, Dave Hooper, and the other members have taken it far beyond its simple beginnings way back when.

Dutch
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on December 31, 2023, 09:13:40 PM
Cher Ami, the journal of the Great War SIG, is my favorite magazine, print, digital, or otherwise. And free to boot, whether you’re an IPMS member, or just Joe Bagadonuts wandering in off the streets; an incredibly generous contribution to the WWI modeling community.

If I’m remembering correctly the group was originally a spinoff of a SIG founded by members of the old WWI List about twenty-some years ago, but Steve Cox, Dave Hooper, and the other members have taken it far beyond its simple beginnings way back when.
I can only agree Dutch. Dave Hooper does an amazing job (as do the SIG members who contribute) in producing an amazing magazine that's as good as anything you pay money for. And it's free to anyone. And also as you said, any Joe Bagadonuts can join, IPMS membership is not a requirement.

You are right, there was a group called the "Great War International Cyber Chapter" that was created from members of the WWI Mailing List back in the early 2000s. This then morphed into the IPMS Great War SIG under the guidance of Steve Cox and Dave Hooper (with a bit of help0 from me).

You have also reminded me I need to get working on the next part of the Pfalz DVIII article for the mext issue!
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: lone modeller on January 06, 2024, 02:32:27 AM
Only just found this - that is a truly super build of a lesser known type.

I agere with all of the Cher Ami comments: and the good thing is all issues are available on the net free gratis. If anyone has not looked them up I stronly suggest that you do - they are a mine of information.

Stephen.
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: pepperman42 on February 07, 2024, 12:52:35 AM
Any update on the the shipping of the kit? I was in the first pre-order.

Steve
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: KiwiZac on February 08, 2024, 08:22:06 AM
It might be worth contacting them directly, Steve.
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on February 08, 2024, 10:21:06 PM
See here for the latest info: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14288.0
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: WD on February 12, 2024, 01:44:16 AM
Absolutely stunning work Nigel. I would find this color scheme very hard to beat. Great work, and under a lot of pressure at that.

Warren
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: gedmundson on March 20, 2024, 09:05:45 AM
See here for the latest info: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=14288.0

Hello Nigel - thanks for posting the link to your build description. You speak of using two-part epoxy glue during the construction of the model (around the wing joints and fuselage). Could you tell me what brand or type you used for this?
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: NigelR on March 20, 2024, 07:18:58 PM
Hello Nigel - thanks for posting the link to your build description. You speak of using two-part epoxy glue during the construction of the model (around the wing joints and fuselage). Could you tell me what brand or type you used for this?

I used Araldite Rapid: https://www.go-araldite.com/en/araldite-rapid-strength-24ml (https://www.go-araldite.com/en/araldite-rapid-strength-24ml)

This is very popular in the UK, not sure if it is available internationally. But any fast drying two-part epoxy would work.

The one big thing about the Pfalz kit I will emphasize is spend time dry fitting the fuselage halves to the lower wing. I had to do quite a lot of fettling on the fuselage wing roots and the wing roots on the lower wing but I was able to achieve a great fit. It did mean I had to do a bit of filling on the underside but the fit between the fuselage and wings was perfect. This also ensures you don't create any anhedral on the lower wing, which is very delicate.

Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: gedmundson on March 20, 2024, 11:29:56 PM

I used Araldite Rapid: https://www.go-araldite.com/en/araldite-rapid-strength-24ml (https://www.go-araldite.com/en/araldite-rapid-strength-24ml)

This is very popular in the UK, not sure if it is available internationally. But any fast drying two-part epoxy would work.

The one big thing about the Pfalz kit I will emphasize is spend time dry fitting the fuselage halves to the lower wing. I had to do quite a lot of fettling on the fuselage wing roots and the wing roots on the lower wing but I was able to achieve a great fit. It did mean I had to do a bit of filling on the underside but the fit between the fuselage and wings was perfect. This also ensures you don't create any anhedral on the lower wing, which is very delicate.

Ah, thanks for that Nigel - I've never used two-part epoxy to cement a model together, and see that there are various setting times. The 5-minute type will do then. And thanks for the heads-up on the fit - Richard touches on that in his instruction booklet.
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: lcarroll on March 21, 2024, 09:29:30 AM
Gary,
    I've been using Canadian Tire bought "Lepage" Brand for years on main structural joints (Like struts and wing to fuselage joints) for years. It gives you 5-10 minutes of adjustment time, is inexpensive, and always available  It's labelled as Speed Set Epoxy and once set is a truly "welded " joint. Be cautious, it can tend to expand on curing so don't overdo it!
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: gedmundson on March 22, 2024, 12:41:13 AM
Gary,
    I've been using Canadian Tire bought "Lepage" Brand for years on main structural joints (Like struts and wing to fuselage joints) for years. It gives you 5-10 minutes of adjustment time, is inexpensive, and always available  It's labelled as Speed Set Epoxy and once set is a truly "welded " joint. Be cautious, it can tend to expand on curing so don't overdo it!
Cheers,
Lance

Thanks for that Lance - the stuff I'd always had on hand I believe was Lepage, and I've used it for bonding the odd household item back together...and hated the smell of it as it cured! Such messy stuff to work with. Looks like I'm all set.
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: Completed - Aviattic Pfalz DVIII test build
Post by: RAGIII on April 08, 2024, 06:32:26 AM
That is an Outstanding build! The kit really seems to be First Class all around. Your building skills just made it that much better!
RAGIII