forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: DaddyO on January 19, 2026, 10:30:50 PM
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Here's one you don't see every day. :)
Built to 1/72 it's based around a heavily modified Pegasus DIII fuselage and a pair of DH9a wings - I present the Albatros DIV
The original was built as a test bed for a geared engine in a fully enclosed cowl and despite trying various propellers (including a 3 bladed one) it was plagued with a serious vibration issue that couldn't be sorted so became another one off that never saw service. That said it wasn't intended as a successor for the DIII but was fairly typical of the rapidity of development types which make this period so fascinating. This build was prompted by a question at a show about WW1 aircraft with three bladed propellers and has been quite an entertaining journey which has taught me quite a few new skills (as well as a few new words) ;)
I've posted a full build thread for those interested which can be found here -
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=15119.msg279409#msg279409
Paul
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55048545597_18d373c348_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rSsbK8)DIV on base 3 (https://flic.kr/p/2rSsbK8) by Paul S (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55049705689_f3d3deb1ca_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rSy8AH)DIV on base 2 (https://flic.kr/p/2rSy8AH) by Paul S (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55049449241_f1c9619692_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rSwPnc)DIV on base (https://flic.kr/p/2rSwPnc) by Paul S (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55048545582_bc43bb2aac_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rSsbJS)DIV Finished underside (https://flic.kr/p/2rSsbJS) by Paul S (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr
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You've done a really, really excellent job Paul and it's so good to see a subject bearly covered or mentioned actually built. Well done.
Alan.
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Really interesting and well built! I?ve never come across a 3 bladed prop on WW1 machines before.
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Excellent - it hits all the right buttons in the right places. An unusual design and a conversion too - what is there not to like? A very informative build log.
The finish is first class.
Stephen.
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Excellent Paul! As far as I know this is just the second D.IV ever built in 1/72 and it looks great.
I must admit that the three bladed prop, though historically correct and very well made, looks a bit out of place ;)
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Extremely impressive work Paul! Fascinating D.IV. What an attractive and unusual subject.
Warren Q
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This Albatros turned out looking great! I know it was a bit of work creating the cowl and extending the forward fuselage let alone creating a 3 bladed prop but you've got to feel pretty good about how this one turned out. And what a great use for an old Pegasus kit. I have also used a sponge to create a feathered edge for camouflage, it really looks quite good, those modified/scratched wings and radiator turned out quite well. Some aircraft just have a very pleasing aesthetic look to them and I think the Albatros D.IV is definitely one of them, maybe it's the very streamline look from the (unusual for the period) totally enclosed engine?
Congratulations on a great new and uncommon addition to your collection.
Scott...
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You've done a really, really excellent job Paul and it's so good to see a subject bearly covered or mentioned actually built. Well done.
Alan.
Thanks Alan, hopefully it'll raise a few questions when sat in a display of others Albies :)
Really interesting and well built! I?ve never come across a 3 bladed prop on WW1 machines before.
;D Cheers matey.
It is quite unusual isn't it - Possibly it was an issue with being able to [static] balance them easily which is trickier with a three blader, or maybe it was simply because, given the slow RPM, a larger diameter two bladed prop moved a bigger chunk of air which was less affected by the fuselage/undercarriage and bracing. :-\
Excellent - it hits all the right buttons in the right places. An unusual design and a conversion too - what is there not to like? A very informative build log.
The finish is first class.
Stephen.
Many thanks Stephen. ;D
I must admit to being rather inspired by your builds so hopefully others will be encouraged to have a go at some more exotic subjects
Excellent Paul! As far as I know this is just the second D.IV ever built in 1/72 and it looks great.
I must admit that the three bladed prop, though historically correct and very well made, looks a bit out of place ;)
Cheers Enathan.
It does look quite odd sitting there on the shelf with a three bladed twirly thing on the front ;D
Extremely impressive work Paul! Fascinating D.IV. What an attractive and unusual subject.
Warren Q
Thanks Warren
Looking through the datafile on Albatros prototypes there are quite a few later ones that haven't seen the light of day as models . . . yet ;)
This Albatros turned out looking great! I know it was a bit of work creating the cowl and extending the forward fuselage let alone creating a 3 bladed prop but you've got to feel pretty good about how this one turned out. And what a great use for an old Pegasus kit. I have also used a sponge to create a feathered edge for camouflage, it really looks quite good, those modified/scratched wings and radiator turned out quite well. Some aircraft just have a very pleasing aesthetic look to them and I think the Albatros D.IV is definitely one of them, maybe it's the very streamline look from the (unusual for the period) totally enclosed engine?
Congratulations on a great new and uncommon addition to your collection.
Scott...
Hiya Scott
Yes pretty pleased overall with how it worked out and didn't seem a great deal more work or time than I usually spend on a kit. I'll use the sponge technique again (having sprayed the camouflage initially it looked a bit flat until I tweaked the edges) :)
It's certainly a bit of a beast with the enclosed engine and, more so than the 'standard' versions, it reminds me how big those engines were. I'm reminded of the Griffin powered Spitfires with the huge engine tightly cowled up front giving absolutely no forward view until the tail lifted off the ground
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Superb Paul, you've done a wonderful job here. This is a great subject to have scratchbuilt, it answers the question about the gap between the DIII and the DV! The end result looks fantastic, the three-bladed prop is impressive and the overall finish is superb. I was immediately blown away by the windshield in the finished pics, so I had to go back to the build thread to find out how you did it. Lovely skills all round and I admire your courage in the face of scratchbuilding adversity. It's a little gem of modelling, well done!
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Superb Paul, you've done a wonderful job here. This is a great subject to have scratchbuilt, it answers the question about the gap between the DIII and the DV! The end result looks fantastic, the three-bladed prop is impressive and the overall finish is superb. I was immediately blown away by the windshield in the finished pics, so I had to go back to the build thread to find out how you did it. Lovely skills all round and I admire your courage in the face of scratchbuilding adversity. It's a little gem of modelling, well done!
Thanks Nigel, glad you like how it turned out in the end. Sadly I can't find a blushing emoji ;D
Bit of a battle at times mainly due to having to learn new techniques as I went along, but really enjoyed the challenge and it's nice to fill in those number gaps as well as finding an aircraft with a three blader. Now looking around for a suitable allied subject - Re9 anyone? (Basically a Harry Tate fuselage with Be2d wings and a few tweaks apparently)
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Fantastic. And so unusal. Looking at the first photo I had a feeling that the engine is missing and the exhaust just pops out of nowhere... congratulations!
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Congratulation for this interesting model! No way to see it is quite a heavy conversion.
Regards Joachim.
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Bravo Paul, it really is a lovely model of (to me) a completely unknown type. Gorgeous work and most impressive!
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Many thanks Prze, Joachim and Zac. Appreciate your kind words ;D
Paul
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hi!!!
Well, here is s a plane I have never seen modelled before! Great work and it is commendable to shed some light to the prototypes too. Excellent!
cheers, Skyhook
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Nicely done Paul - very unique.
Cheers,
Gary
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hi!!!
Well, here is s a plane I have never seen modelled before! Great work and it is commendable to shed some light to the prototypes too. Excellent!
cheers, Skyhook
Hiya Skyhook. Nice to surprise you with something new and glad you like it ;D
Nicely done Paul - very unique.
Cheers,
Gary
Cheers Gary - appreciate it ;D
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This is so very nice Paul, I can't find anything to add that hasn't already been said.
Warren D
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This is so very nice Paul, I can't find anything to add that hasn't already been said.
Warren D
Cheers Warren
Had a bit of time last week so added an officer taking a closer look at this one to give a sense of scale :)
(Photo taken under artificial light yesterday so the colours looks quite 'bright')
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55148727310_0158417dbd_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2s2iDh3)Albatros DIV with officer (https://flic.kr/p/2s2iDh3) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/202177392@N05/), on Flickr
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Oh Paul, that base is lovely! I would love to "base" my builds, and, like you, include at least one figure for scale, etc. Easy to find German figures in 1/72nd, a little more difficult for RFC/RAF, much harder for French Air Service, and good luck finding USAS figures. I really don't want to deal with the soft plastic figures. I know there have been some releases from Miniature Figuren (SP?) recently as 3D-prints, and I'm hoping we'll see more. I'm hoping against hope we can get some ground crew/mechanics/maintainers in 1/72nd.
Warren D.
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Hi Warren
These last few figures I've used are all 3d printed ones from Pendinhouse in Germany bought from the Fleabay shop.
A few print lines on the caps, but otherwise rather nice and adaptable. I notice that he also supplies a USAS Aces and various French Ace sets which I've got my eye on. Sets of 6-8 figures are about ?14.00 and Postage from Germany to the UK wasn't bad so they work out about ?3 per figure in this scale which is okayish.
I've no connection with them, but have bought a couple of sets and when I mentioned there was a a slight issue with one figure having a bit of 'extra' resin under a peak I got an immediate response and the complete replacement set sent FOC - Great service
Hope that helps
Paul
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Thanks Paul. I did pick up some of their Eduard 1/72nd kits that included figures and special decals to match. I will go have another look.
Warren