forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: lone modeller on August 11, 2014, 09:06:08 AM
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Evening All,
I bet many of you are wondering why I have decided to tackle a kit which was originally released in 1957, (before many of the readership of this forum were born I suspect, and many of the rest of us were still in short trousers or pretty frocks), when there are infinitely better kits on the market (as some other current threads are demonstrating). There are a couple of reasons actually. First I cut my modelling teeth on Airfix kits and I still have a soft spot for them. Second this has been in my stash for more years than I care to remember. Third I am participating in a GB on another forum and the model must have a minimum of 50% Airfix parts. Finally I built one of these when I wanted desperately to build something different from what was in the bag but did not have the skill to do so and in order to try to get around this problem, I painted my model in a zebra-stripe scheme which I had read about in a boys comic - I do not remember who the pilot was but it certainly grabbed my imagination. A couple of months ago I remembered that model (don't know why), and thought that I would research the colour scheme - just out of interest, no more. On the Rise of Flight website I found Lt Rudolph Windisch had flown an aircraft in such a scheme, although several other pilots also had similar schemes. I still do not know who the pilot was whose machine I tried to portray …….. years ago, but when I saw the GB coming up I decided to take a trip down memory lane and use it as the impetus to build another kit… and it has to be Airfix!
WNW this is not, nor will it ever be, but then it only cost a fraction of even the cheapest WNW kit. There are several problems with the outline, the most serious being the nose which is too short and too shallow, but putting that right would take more time and effort than I am prepared to give, so I will make do and accept the errors. The cockpit is empty (normal for a kit of this age), and the flying trailing surfaces are too thick - nothing a bit of glass paper and a file cannot cure. I discovered that the engine (or piece of plastic which was supposed to represent the same), was missing, which was just as well because I intended to replace it anyway. The machine guns are also useless but I happen to have a pair of Aeroclub Spandaus which I can use. Other parts may be modified or replaced as I go along. The transfers look as though they will fall apart in water so I will need to try to find some alternatives. What I really want to achieve is a model which will bring back some (very) happy personal memories and which will look a bit like an Albatros DV if looked at from a distance through rose coloured spectacles.
Or even just a bit like a DV! (Bo, please stop reading at this point as I do not want you to die laughing).
Just so that you can see what I mean here is a picture of what you got in 1957 (or in my case, 1978):
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4330/35946374185_21a44e8420_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WLsyGa)
And remember that the engine is missing……..and yes they are ejector marks that you can see on the wings. If this comes as a shock for some, it just shows how far plastic kits have come in half a century, including kits made by Airfix. The question then is where to start? I have decided that some internal detail is needed in the cockpit, although most of it will be for ever invisible so I am not too concerned about accuracy there. I also needed to remove the upper engine covers so that part of the engine can be seen, and added the side pieces that lay between the engine and the fuselage sides, so this is progress on this section so far:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4296/35557843660_c09000bfe0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wb8f71)
The top wing cut-out is the wrong size and shape and the ejector marks needed sorting out on both wings:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4292/35557844450_e0fb4a07d2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wb8fkC)
Finally I have started to build an engine. I know that I could buy a resin moulding which would be infinitely better than anything that I can make but remember that the nose is too short, so a full size engine will not fit. This one has to be under-size to fit - I am just hoping that when it is finished no-one, (except you lot), will notice. First a simple engine block from laminated card and some cylinders from sprue. I drilled out some holes for the fuel intakes and exhausts, shaped a piece of card for part of the carburettor, put on some pieces of card and rod for the rocker covers and cam shaft, and added something that will pass for the gubbins on the back:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/35106218874_439547807e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VudxML)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4322/35106219974_e09a2ae998_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vudy7J)
Well if you have got this far and have not already switched to another thread, all that I can say is……
………..thanks for looking.
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I applaud you for taking on this very old Airfix kit, but in your very capable hands I'm sure it will turn out spectacular. Just the few steps you have done so far are really good and the engine is starting to shape up very well, I will be keeping a watch on this build.
Des.
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LM,
On the contrary I am always PLEASED and AMAZED to see the Old kits brought to more modernly accepted standards! This will be a build I follow closely! Great Start!!!!!
RAGIII
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You're not the only one with fond memories of these old Airfix kits. I built the "dogfight double" of this one. Needless to say there was no rigging on it....
Ian
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Since I have about 9 of these still stashed away, I will be paying very close attention also.......
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Bravo LM! As one of those who would have bought this when in short trousers and who still has one stashed away, I can't wait to see how you progress.
Best wishes
Nigel
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You're not the only one with fond memories of these old Airfix kits. I built the "dogfight double" of this one. Needless to say there was no rigging on it....
Ian
Ian, did your Dogfight Double look like this?
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/35106217914_b97408dd97_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Vudxvd)
This was the source of this kit. I chose not to use the one which I have in the plastic bag - somehow the nostalgia got the better of me……
By the way, although I criticised this kit, I would also point out that generally the outline shape is pretty accurate. I do think that it should be possible to make something which most modellers would find acceptable, although it will take more work than some more modern kits. Not bad for a kit from moulds which are close to 60 years old.
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That "Dogfight Double" box sure jolts the memory cells! Was it really 60 years back, surely I Can't be tha6t old??!!?!
Cheers,
Lance
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Well, LM, you have taken a real challenge of a kit. I will look into this thread with a great interest and a bit of envy, as I have recently thrown to the spare box a few kits I decided I would never build. Some of them were of the quality and age what I see in your kit. So I will watch and probably feel ashamed not to be enough adventurous to tackle those goldie-oldies...
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Good luck on this build, LM -
These old kits can be built up pretty well with just a little bit of effort so will follow your progress with interest.
Regards
Dave
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You do like a challenge, don't you, LM? But your the man for it. You're off to an impressive start.
Cheers,
Bud
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That "Dogfight Double" box sure jolts the memory cells! Was it really 60 years back, surely I Can't be tha6t old??!!?!
Cheers,
Lance
The original kit was released in 1957 and was one of Airfix's earliest kits. I have an example in its plastic bag but it dates from the mid-1960's. The Dogfight Double series was released in a round the mid-1960's (not sure of the exact year - 1966/7 seems about right).
So yes Lance, we are probably of similar ages….and no I am definitely NOT that old (or at least I don't think so…….)
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Thank you everyone for the encouraging remarks - I am doing this as much for nostalgic reasons as any. Besides I do think that there is some good material in those old kits which is sadly sometimes overlooked. I will be content to have a zebra-striped Albie at the end, warts and all…..
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Yes, that is indeed the one!
I also built the Roland/RE8, Mig 15/Mirage III, and Spit/ME 110 - not quite sure how they managed to pair up the Roland and RE8, but they did!
Ian
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Evening All,
I have almost completed the engine - I still have to make the exhaust but that will come later when the engine is in the fuselage and I will be able to make the parts fit properly. The pipework is stretched sprue, 5 amp fuse wire and thin rod. I know that it is a bit crude compared with what can be bought on the aftermarket stands, but this is supposed to be representative and only for the casual glance, not close up inspection with a magnifying glass and scale rule. I think that when it is installed it will just about look convincing.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4304/35557839300_4c5ef1a839_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wb8dNQ)
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/35557840420_c50e36bb0e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wb8e99)
That's all for now so……
Thanks for looking.
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Simple , but yet very effective .
Terri
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Stretched sprue intake mani is quite impressive
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Hello LM:
Looks like you are having fun with this kit. I hope and am sure it will evoke the memories that you want and remember. I too enjoy watching the folks on this forum turn these old relics into a respectable model. I cut my teeth on Aurora WWI kits. I have a good stash of them as well. Looking forward to seeing your work. The engine is turning out pretty neat and will certainly dress up the front end.
Best
Mark
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Beautiful scratch-building on the engine.
I had never seen that Airfix mould before, and I wonder if the current Revell kit is not a re-issue as it looks similar. The fuselage looks a little bit too thick in height, or maybe it is the cockpit opening which is too small, but something looks weird. Also, the aileron tips should bend upwards, which is not very difficult to fix in warm water.
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Thank you all for the compliments. Glad you are impressed Bo: making parts from stretched sprue is not as difficult as some may think, it just takes some practice. Thank you vincentm for your kind remarks - I truly admire your and Bo's work and compliments from you both are greatly appreciated.
This is not the Revell moulding - they were two completely different kits - the Airfix from 1957 and the Revell from the early 1960's. The Airfix is (supposed) to be a DV and the Revell a D III. The Airfix fuselage is too short and too shallow at the front, but as I have already written I did not want to have to make a completely new nose, so I am compromising considerably here. There are many other minor errors with this moulding, some of which I am correcting and others I am leaving: there are other models that I would like to make and if I really want an accurate Albatros I would buy a more recent kit.
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Evening All,
My speed of modelling sometimes represents that of the proverbial snail for a variety of reasons, so the story so far is thus. I have been working on the wings to get rid of the mould marks, and on the top wing to correct the cut-out. Card and plenty of filler have pretty well sorted that problem out.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4297/35814171831_3b2a9f7b39_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WyLZxe)
Any minor flaws remaining will be hidden under the paint (I hope!)
I have also worked on putting together something to go into the hole in the fuselage where the pilot would normally be seated. I know that what I have constructed is not strictly accurate, but as most of it will be invisible I am not too concerned. The seat belts are paper and the rest is card or rod: I think that it will pass muster except for those who wish to count every stitch in the fabric.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/35106252614_f29d5197b3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VudHPu)
I have also painted the engine so both sub-assemblies were ready to try in the fuselage for fit.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4326/35137108293_2b4e878d51_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VwWS8X)
I have added a piece of card behind the engine to represent the ammunition boxes and fuel tank, and to stop the see through effect behind the engine. A bock of laminated card under the engine is to hold it in the correct position. The fuselage halves have been joined and to my surprise and delight everything fitted well. This little project is beginning to look as though it might work - it is certainly working in bringing back memories so I am happy.
More later.
Thanks for looking.
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Some very nice updating to the kit! Simple but effective methods for adding the basics!
RAGIII
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Simply and very effective detailing work so far, LM -
Brilliant!
Regards
Dave
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Fine job LM! You've inspired me to want to try the same with some older kits eventually. Kind of nice to have the child's imagination and excitement coupled with the adult's skills and patience. Have fun! ;D
Cheers,
Bob
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Really nice work, LM. The scratch-building in the teeny scale is quite amazing.
It's is a fun build to follow on such an elderly kit. Great work, my friend!
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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Very nice job in the pit LM :)
Terri
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You are moving along quite nicely with this one LM, your detail work is excellent.
Des.
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Hello LM:
You mentioned a word that oft times is not associated with the hobby. "Happy", isn't that what it is all about? What you have done will be a major improvement over the old "board" with a pilot sitting on it. The theme for our Club Contest (NORDICON) this is year is "Back to the Future". Building something we did as kids with our current skillset, basically OOB. Yours would fit in nicely. Looking forward to the next update.
Best
Mark
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Great job.
Very nice detail of the engine.
Having in mind what a piece of plastic you started straight do wonders.
I will follow with great interest.
Best regards
Hristo
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[quote author=mgunns link=topic=3944.msg68788#msg68788 date=1408972132
You mentioned a word that oft times is not associated with the hobby. "Happy", isn't that what it is all about? What you have done will be a major improvement over the old "board" with a pilot sitting on it. The theme for our Club Contest (NORDICON) this is year is "Back to the Future". Building something we did as kids with our current skillset, basically OOB. Yours would fit in nicely.
[/quote]
I totally agree with your sentiments Mark. I do wonder sometimes why some people take their hobby quite so seriously - I know that they want to achieve the best that they can (don't we all?), but I think that moderation in everything is a good basis on which to proceed, and I make models to relax and just have fun. I am generally losing interest in kits for a number of reasons, but this was something that I decided I wanted to do purely for personal interest, and that I would try to have some fun regardless of the outcome. I wish that I could have participated in your club event because that is the kind of activity that I could identify with - winning would not matter to me - building and modifying the kit would.
Reading the posts on this site certainly helps to bring great happiness to me - even though I know that I could never achieve what some people do. I can learn though, and I can dream about what I would like to be able to do - just as I did when I was a teenager.
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Evening All,
The snail has been fairly tearing along this week - the model is beginning to look like an aeroplane at last. I fitted the lower wing after first putting in a packing piece of 10thou card under the fuselage as otherwise the joint is dreadful. Filler sorted out the rest. The fuselage joint generally was not too bad and except for the area around the wing little filler or filing was necessary which says a lot for a kit of this age.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4308/35137114303_7f7685aed8_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VwWTVz)
The tailplane sadly was a different story. For some reason Airfix made this in two halves so that there is a join line in the elevator: this would not matter if the joint was a good one but it is not. So I cut the elevator sections off and glued the horizontal stabilisers to the sides of the fuselage and made sure that that were properly aligned. I have cut a new elevator from card and will fix it later. The tail skid went on without problems and a little filler, and finally the undercarriage. The latter leaves something to be desired but I decided that I wanted to finish this model on time and building a new undercarriage would just take too long, so I made do by adding the small rings on the top of the front legs from stretched sprue. I spent some time instead making a chute for the ammunition belt on the port (left) fuselage side - I will not make spent cartridge chutes for the top of the fuselage as these would be tiny and hardly visible on the finished model.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4326/35137109973_d4d64b9bed_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VwWSCV)
Now the interesting bit has started, because this is quite a colourful scheme. I find that generally white paint from the tin is too thick and as I use a hairy stick, brush marks are a problem. I put about 30% thinner with the white paint and brushed on two coats which has given the required smooth but even finish that I wanted for the fuselage. I will paint the black stripes freehand because trying to mask the tapering fuselage, even with very thin masking tape, will not work satisfactorily - I tried it on an old model. Well when I get frustrated with it I can always paint the wings instead….. and anyway this is supposed to be a fun build so I intend to have some fun…. May not be quite the type to make me happy but fun nonetheless!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4312/35814198151_e3f7a17d37_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/WyM8n2)
The saga will be continued at some time in the future when either I have been successful or I have decided that I am just happy with what I can do with my hairy stick, black paint and lots of patience!
Well if you have been, thanks for looking.
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Very great work on this terrible kit LM.
Martin
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This old kit is really starting to look like an Albatros now -
Your detailing work is really working a treat.
Regards
Dave
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It's great to see this old kit come to life, you are doing a fantastic job so far turning this kit into a very attractive model indeed.
Des.
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I like a challenge, but I'm not sure I would include this kit in my list! Great work so far. This is fun to watch, hopefully as much fun to build!
Ian
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This is continuing to be an inspiring build of how to handle those old classics!
RAGIII
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Thanks for the encouraging remarks everyone. I have also put the first image back in - it got lost somewhere!
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Serious modelling work going on here! Is there more satisfaction from turning a sows ear into a silk purse? Good on ya mate!
Cheers
James
(http://i1011.photobucket.com/albums/af234/Jamo_kiwi/WWI%20posters/Delka_zps89e4c63c.jpg)
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Great job on a not so perfect kit so far . Nice to see the classic's come to life !
Terri
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Good progress on a not-so-good kit, LM. Looking forward to your next updates.
Cheers,
Ernie :)
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Great work on this old relic! It is looking like an Albatros to me!! Well done,
RAGIII
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Evening All,
Thanks to all of you for the kind remarks - I do appreciate them. Working on an old kit can be rewarding in the end, even though I sometimes wonder if it is worth the bother and I should do a scratch-build instead. It is the colour scheme that is driving me mad at the moment - or has done. Getting the stripes vertical and of even width was much more difficult than I had anticipated. However I have decided that this is good enough, so I pressed on and painted the wings and remainder of the model. Before I painted the top wing I put a small piece of 10 thou card under the wing to represent the radiator. I suppose that I should have replaced the radiator on the top as well, but where do I stop? I am also getting short of time so I decided to leave it alone and push on. Here is what it looked like after my efforts with a hairy stick were over.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4293/35557884890_4db5459742_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wb8smS)
The colours are from Humbrol, but the underside blue I mixed to try to achieve a pale shade. I am aware of the arguments that have taken place over the years with reference to the exact shades of colour - frankly I do not think that we can actually know with real precision because there are so many variables involved, so I use various published sources and try to match something similar.
Having painted it I needed some new transfers as the wing crosses were so old they would have broken up. Fortunately a fellow modeller, Stevehed, came to the rescue by providing me with a set from a more recent release and I have used those. A big THANK YOU to Steve - I can have an authentic Airfix model, just like the one from all those years ago.
The upper wing markings included two Stars of David which I made using dry rub-down transfers (Letraset). The lining on the top of the sheet of white lettering was just the right width. When I put the lining on some of the corners came away on to the holding paper (which is sticky) so I had to touch in with white paint as you can see.
The rest of the model also had the markings applied - the tail crosses came from the original transfer set and I managed to get them on without them disintegrating.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4301/35137130013_8e020182f2_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VwWYAr)
So all is now ready to go ahead and finish it. I have corrected the holes for the cabane struts on the fuselage and have managed to find some replacement machine guns from Aeroclub - I had the last ones in stock. Just so that you can see why I needed to do so here is a comparison - no prizes for working out which ones were in the kit.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4306/35557881300_07b8461c03_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Wb8rhY)
The next post will be of the finished model.
Thanks for looking.
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Very nice attractive scheme LM :)
Your fuselage bands look really good to me . They aren't as easy as they look . To aid in this when I'm doing them is to draw on the fuselage with a pencil the center line . Gives me a nice straight line to go by .
Looking forward to seeing the final pic's
Terri
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Evening All,
Well it is finished at last. I added the guns before fitting the top wing. The holes in the fuselage on the port side for the cabane struts are in the wrong place but I had read about this and had already filled the old and drilled new ones. The exhaust system was made from rod and stretched sprue, as were the radiator pipes (x2 and not one as supplied in the kit0. Control horns on the elevators were from card, the wheels were from the kit, the oil tank was from a piece of cocktail stick, and the spinner and propellor were home made from card. The upper engine covers were from 10 thou card bent to shape and the trestle was from Evergreen strip and is my attempt at a diorama. I know the engine covers would not have been rested on the wheels and the axle should be lifted to get the wheels clear of the ground, but as I have written, I am not good at that sort of detail so this will do. More pictures are in the completed models section.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4303/35137132533_d94a717684_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VwWZkT)
Thanks for looking.
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It has been a pleasure following this build and the results you have achieved are fabulous! Hard to believe it is the OLD AIRFIX KIT!
RAGIII
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It has been a pleasure following this build and the results you have achieved are fabulous! Hard to believe it is the OLD AIRFIX KIT!
RAGIII
Gotta agree with my amigo! Brilliant job on this relic of a kit.
Cheers,
Bud
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An exellent build and paint LM.
Martin
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It has been a pleasure following this build and the results you have achieved are fabulous! Hard to believe it is the OLD AIRFIX KIT!
RAGIII
Gotta agree with my amigo! Brilliant job on this relic of a kit.
Cheers,
Bud
+1! ;D Beautiful! Outstanding modeling LM. ;D
Cheers & huzzas,
Bob
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Congratulations, she really came out nicely!
Chris
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Thank you for the kind remarks gentlemen.