forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: William Adair on December 28, 2023, 11:16:05 AM

Title: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: William Adair on December 28, 2023, 11:16:05 AM
Phew! Just finished. This is Otto Kissenberth's Pfalz D.IIIa from Jasta 23b, scratchbuilt in 1/144 and using Aviattic's excellent 5-colour upper and lower lozenge decals.

The main components are cast from a handmade master that used solid styrene for the fuselage and acrylic sheet for the wings. Other components are a mix of brass and sterling silver, with homemade decals for things like the Edelweiss insignia and Axial logos on the propellor. The rigging was done with 0.05mm nichrome wire and fixed in place with UV-activated resin glue.

The most time-consuming part of the build was the rib tapes, which are individual strips of 0.20mm lozenge decal cut from the stock Aviattic sheet. The decal material is thin and translucent. So to maintain the correct colour, each rib tape required a strip of white decal to be added first, before the lozenge strip could be placed on top. The whole process required 82 strips in total. 😵‍

Things I'm pleased with: The upper and lower wing alignment is strong and nicely even. Thanks to a jig and some very careful preparation. The 3-colour prop worked out well too (after 3 tries) and the Axial logo is surprisingly clear. This was a white disc with the black portions photocopied onto clear decal film and added over the top.  I'm also pleased with the separate control surfaces, which give the thing a more animated appearance.

Things I'm not so pleased with: the white portion of the edelweiss was cut from a commercially available blank white decal sheet and the shape was marked out by first putting it through a photocopier. It looks too thick and speckly when viewed close up. Next time I'll paint clear decal film instead and use a lightbox to cut the shape out. That way I can "choose" the shade of white and get a cleaner result. The tyres are perhaps too dark as well. I recently learned that carbon black wasn't added to continental rubber until after the war, so they would look more realistic with a lighter tone. The black fuselage finish also has a slight texture to it, particularly around the nose, where I foolishly sprayed the last coat from too far away... Grrr!

I hope you will like the pics. The 10 Pfennig coin is 21mm in diameter. Just a little bit smaller than a modern 10c/10p piece.  And yes, before anyone asks: the matchstick is actual size... And so am I!  ;D
(https://i.imgur.com/RZYj85G.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/b175YHV.jpg)

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

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

(https://i.imgur.com/K2CrsRW.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/3Kp86yB.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/t9JUhB2.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/AF2kXYC.jpg)

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

(https://i.imgur.com/Xg0aZoO.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/V43TjX4.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/Qc4PsR7.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/w03e9ki.jpg)
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberths "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Rip Van Winkle on December 28, 2023, 11:44:08 AM
That is a masterpiece! It looks like it came from a kit.
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberths "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Saso Krasovec on December 28, 2023, 03:46:14 PM
masterpiece :) :) :)
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: NigelR on December 28, 2023, 07:14:08 PM
Yup, a masterpiece.
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: DaddyO on December 28, 2023, 07:33:02 PM
 :o
That's an absolute stunner (as well as being of my favourite aircraft) Brilliant

Paul
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: PrzemoL on December 28, 2023, 08:30:37 PM
You are a real master of this micro-scale. I wish my 72nd scalers look like this one! I especially admire your patience and precision with rib tapes  :o
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: DaveB on December 28, 2023, 09:42:47 PM
Mind boggling details in such tiny scale - outstanding as always.

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: enathan on December 28, 2023, 09:56:56 PM
This would be a great model in any scale, wonderful work William!
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Flamingo on December 28, 2023, 11:31:18 PM
Absolutely gorgeous!
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: KiwiZac on December 31, 2023, 05:59:26 AM
Stunning work. The rigging is exquisite in its own right, then I remember the whole thing is a scratchbuild...bravo!
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: djuggie on December 31, 2023, 08:47:00 AM
What a stunning kit.  Excellent workmanship and your attention to detail makes my eyes water.    Thank you for sharing
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Borsos on December 31, 2023, 07:05:23 PM
Fantastic model! To see it’s 1:144 scale makes my jaw drop.
Andreas
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 02, 2024, 04:27:44 PM
I am stunned - an absolute masterpiece, well done!

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Tim Mixon on January 02, 2024, 11:02:39 PM
Wow!  Beautiful work on my favorite aircraft. The rib tapes are spot on. I can’t imagine the amount of time spent on cutting and applying the white then lozenge.

All the best,
Tim
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Thumbs up on January 03, 2024, 06:03:39 AM
Quote from: PrzemoL on December 28, 2023, 08:30:37 PM
You are a real master of this micro-scale. I wish my 72nd scalers look like this one! I especially admire your patience and precision with rib tapes  :o
[/quote

Now that is praise indeed coming from a master builder!!!
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: WD on January 03, 2024, 07:00:10 AM
Another amazing work of art from you William. Impressive as always.

Warren
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: AngryJazz on January 09, 2024, 10:13:59 PM
Wow very impressive! Stunning details in this scale  ;)
Title: Re: Pfalz D.IIIa scratchbuild in 1/144 - Otto Kissenberth's "Edelweiss", Jasta 23b.
Post by: Gene K on January 09, 2024, 11:41:47 PM
Quote from: William Adair on December 28, 2023, 11:16:05 AM
  And yes, before anyone asks: the matchstick is actual size... And so am I!  ;D

Thanks for the reassurance ... I was wondering.

Magnificent project, bordering on unbelievable.

Gene K