forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: rhallinger on October 31, 2012, 02:20:09 AM
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Hello all. These are photos of Hermann Fromhertz's Albatros DIII, nicknamed "The Blue Mouse." The kit is the 1/32 Roden model, essentially built OOB with minor additional detailing to the engine. The kit has some of the typical fit issues with Roden offerings, but nothing too bad. I did drill the fuselage ends of the landing gear struts to reinforce the connection with brass wire, as the plastic connectore were rather flimsy or nonexistent. I probably should have tried to do the same with the wing struts, as they are very thin and the connection joints are very weak. The scariest moment was attaching the upper wing, which was touch and go, and actually collapsed intially. :-\ I think I finally had to use CA to get it to hold. Brass pins for the next one! ;)
The paint is Misterkits German Light Blue, with the fuselage striping masked and painted using Tamiya acrylics. The masking over compound curves while keeping the stripes of equal width was a bit of a bear, but I like the way it turned out. I used the kit decals without any problems. I do love the Albatri! ;D Bear with me if the photos don't display properly, as I'm still learning and will try again. :P
(http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5544.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5)
(http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5545.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4)
(http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5547.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2)
(http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5549.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0)
This was my fourth build since returning to modeling recently. I am really enjoying seeing everyones' builds here, and learning so much. Most of what I'm doing on these kits comes directly from techniques learned on this forum. Thanks so much guys!
Regards,
Bob H
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Here are the links:
http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5544.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5
http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5545.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4
http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5547.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
http://s1287.beta.photobucket.com/user/rhallinger/media/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5549.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
I'll get the photo insertions figured out soon. :)
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Trying again!
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a632/rhallinger/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5544.jpg)
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a632/rhallinger/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5547.jpg)
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a632/rhallinger/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5545.jpg)
(http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a632/rhallinger/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20HOME-PC/IMG_5549.jpg)
There! Figured it out...I am trainable. ;)
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The other thing I forgot to metion about this kit is the axle-landing strut connection---there is none! I ended up lashing the axle to the bottom arc of the "V" struts with sewing thread to replicate the bungee suspension, coating the thread with CA once the wrapping was done. In this case, the thread actually served to attach the axle to the struts.
Did I miss something here, or is there really no mechanical attachment interface between the axle and the landing struts on this kit? :-\
Regards,
Bob H
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Another beauty, Bob. For being away from modeling for so long, you sure have made a strong showing on your return. Truly brilliant work.
Cheers,
Bud
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That is one beautiful looking Albatros Bob, I really love the scheme you applied. The overall finish of this model is superb and your rigging is very well done, congratulations on creating such a wonderful model.
Des.
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Superb work Bob. It's a nice clean build and I really like the subdued sheen you've achieved with the blue. I'd be interested in hearing how you went about masking those fuselage stripes as the task looks daunting indeed.
Cheers,
Chris
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Excellent job, Bob.
I've built a couple of these kits so I know what you mean regarding assembly. Yours is a very neat job and I note you have a very good fit between front cowling, prop and spinner - an area where I always seemed to end up with an uneven gap here.
Really like the unusual colour and markings too.
Regards
Dave
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Thanks for the kind words guys. The color scheme is found in Greg VanWyngarden's Osprey titles on Jasta Boelke and Albatros Aces. Ltn. Frommhertz went on to fly an interestingly decorated Fokker DR1 in 1918, but that's another project for the future. ;)
Chris, the striping was more difficult than I thought it would be. The slanted fuselage band looks deceptively simple, but it's actually alternating bands of white and black which progress back along a tapering oval fuselage, meaning that each mask requires a different curve over the top and bottom to keep the same width of the band. I thought I could just use thin strips of tape to make the curve, but the compound curves caused the tape to pucker. I ended up using a draftsman's French curve template to cut a parabolic mask from wider tape, for both the top and bottom, and front and back of the bands. These were joined by strips to connect the top and bottom curved masks. The entire width of the band area was airbrushed white, and after a day of drying, masks were applied to the white stripe areas and black was sprayed. :P
When I removed the mask, I was quite chagrined to notice that the main black band was too narrow! ??? I thought I might be able to convince myself that it looked okay, but after a day or two of looking at it all I could see was the uneven stripes. :-\ I just had to fix it. Fortunately, it was the black stripe that was too narrow, so I just needed to add more width in black. After remasking, I applied more black, and it came out much better. I am pleased with the final results, but have a new appreciation for decals! ;D
Regards,
Bob
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Very nice Jasta 2 Boelke scheme, one of my favorites. congrats.
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Despite their obvious shortcomings and flaws I love the Roden Albatros range.
You did it real justice Bob I have to say, lovely work. A beautiful paintscheme yes.
Keith
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Hi Bob,
A fine looking Albie you got there. The masking really paid off - excellent job!
Thanks for sharing ;)
Von Buckle
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Thanks Von Buckle! You probably noticed (and I should have mentioned) that those are your buckles securing the rigging. They're great to work with and save me lots of time. Thanks!
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Lovely work Bob, she looks mighty fine.
Andrew
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Very sharp. Nice build on a challenging Roden kit. The III does have a sleek look!!
Steve
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Great job on the DIII Bob:
The scheme is very eye catching. I know what you mean about masking the stripes, I did the Albatros DIII in the candy stripe scheme! Quite a task so I appreciate the effort of painting the black and white, I also noticed the fine pin striping on the very edges, a nice touch and nice attention to detail.
Best
Mark
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I love that scheme, youve replicated it rather well. I may have to buy another d.iii for this very scheme.
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Very nice indeed! Interesting scheme. And it is great to see something not-WNW-ish in 32nd scale, especially when built to such a high standard. Congratulations!
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Excellent job, Bob.
I've built a couple of these kits so I know what you mean regarding assembly. Yours is a very neat job and I note you have a very good fit between front cowling, prop and spinner - an area where I always seemed to end up with an uneven gap here.
Really like the unusual colour and markings too.
Regards
Dave
I agree completely with Dave! really clean and Neat assembly! I Love the scheme. Very well done
RAGIII
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Bob,
She's one beautiful D.III my friend. Congratulations on an outstanding build,your skill and craftsmanship really shine. I do have to ask though what blue did you use,very pleasing shade.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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Thanks Greg! I used Misterkits Albatros Pale Blue. I think it's really intended for the undersurfaces of Albatri, but it matched the Osprey color profile for the Frommhertz D.III, so I used it. My first experience with Misterkits paint, and it airbrushed on very well.
Regards,
Bob
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Bob,
Thanks for the paint tip my friend. My experience to date with the Misterkit paints is limited to the French colors. I thin them with Future and they do spray very well.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette