forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Completed models => Topic started by: Brad Cancian on August 07, 2020, 03:34:19 PM
-
Hi all,
Here is my latest completion, the 1/72 scale Albatros D.Va from Airfix. This kit’s moulds date from 1957, making the mould around 63 years old! (that's 24 years older than I am...). This is the boxing from the early 2000s, picked up for $4 at a swap and sell.
(https://i.imgur.com/8lHtqSn.jpg)
The WiP is here - https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11345.0
With this build, I wanted to re-kindle that child like feeling of building something for fun, with minimal modifications, and not a care for accuracy. To correct the ancient Airfix kit's flaws would be to scratch build an entire model. So, in the spirit of fun, this one was largely out of the box.
Well, I say out of box, but I couldn't help myself. I made a couple of changes, but these were very basic, limited only to things I just couldn't live with. I added a rudimentary cockpit, replaced the engine and guns (both from Roden), heavily modified the spinner and replaced the spindly kit propeller, sanded and refined the flying surfaces, refined the detail on the wheels, sanded down the raised fuselage panels and re-scribed them (though I did keep the characteristic louvers and rivets on the nose – these are a prominent feature of the old mould, even if not entirely accurate).
The model was painted with acrylics, with oil paints used for the ‘wood’ fuselage. The model was painted to represent the markings of a machine from Jasta 4, late 1917. Rigging is from elastic.
I also had a little bit of a play with the display base, with a rough attempt to set the model on one of the old early 80’s release boxes (from the era where Palitoy owned Airfix… Palitoy released a number of Airfix kits with box art of the built model on a blueprint, for those that remember – of note, Airfix never re-boxed the Albatros in one of these boxings, so this makes it a little more quirky and unique as a base).
(https://i.imgur.com/EMnfZnU.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/iUr7EZX.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ajR2i8D.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/93ZexuG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BiyDseE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/EXQDiNE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qznfvX4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/fgok6ix.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oqQpSuo.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eDuzX2T.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8OYVyt7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7HrEz7Z.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WdlUENc.jpg)
As a final bit of fun, I also created a ‘box top’ for what may have been, had Airfix released this one during the Palitoy era in the early / mid 1980s:
(https://i.imgur.com/VqJgUTN.jpg)
😊
It was a fun little build, and definitely took me back to the earlier days of my modelling, with a slightly ‘modern’ twist.
Feedback, comments and criticisms all welcomed.
Cheers,
BC
-
Now that's what I call real modelling! Silk purse out of a sow's ear if ever I saw one.
Unfortunately I am four years older than the kit and I remember building this as one of my very first models, but it certainly didn't turn out anything like yours Brad.
Beautifully presented.
Sandy
-
“Very basic” changes.? you gotta be kidding.!
Stunning work on a pig of an old molding..!
-
Vintage WW1 aircraft modelling at its best! Simply stunning.
-
Beautifully done, it does at least look like an Albatros now, if a little portly!
Ian
-
Just outstanding modelling Brad.... world class and the best Airfix Albatros D.V I've ever seen made. The base is superbly creative too. You should send these images to Airfix for their website.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
-
What a superb Build Brad, and a wonderful little journey down the "Bunny Hole" of happy and simple times as you intended. Like Dave I don't believe I've seen a better job on this Kit ever, and being OLDER then the Kit I've seen and built just a few! The display base is "real class", absolutely brilliant!
Cheers,
Lance
-
Just outstanding modelling Brad.... world class and the best Airfix Albatros D.V I've ever seen made. The base is superbly creative too. You should send these images to Airfix for their website.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
I can Only agree wholeheartedly with Dave!
RAGIII
-
I too am older than the kit (unfortunately!) and built one of these some years ago for the same reason as you. With some modification and patience it can be turned into a very good model as you clearly demonstrate with htis one. I do like the wood fuselage - something I avoid, and the plinth is just terrific. Congratulations on a first class recovery of a very old moulding.
Stephen.
-
Thanks everyone, you're very kind! ;D
-
Excellent work Brad ! The base is very fitting to the subject :)
Terri
-
WOW!
Dwayne
-
Outstanding! It's fun to see a simple approach to modeling yield such excellent results. As mentioned, the base is perfect, the model is a work of the modelers art. Very well done and a hearty Bravo Zulu for the effort.
-
Excellent work, you took our modelling feelings a few decades back and showed how an ancient, basic (and very cheap) kit can be turned into a little gem.
Ciao
Giuseppe
-
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!
-
excellent result...
we were not able to reach that level in the '80
this is a testimonial that our hobby is improving and growing towards new horizons
-
Hard to believe such a gem came from an ancient 1/72 Airfix kit. Love the display base and waving pilot too.
-
Beautiful! It could be a new release easily! Lovely work, Brad! Regards, Marc.
-
This is the total opposite of a simple build in simple times. That is a great work of an artist, who builds and paints in such clean way - wonderful.
Cheers,
Frank
-
Brad,
WOW, that is really amazing. I love the wood grain effect that you achieved. And the base is REALLY COOL !!
Paul
-
Probably the best 1/72 model I've ever seen.
-
That could be a 1/32 WNW Albatros! You have done an amazing job with an old 1/72 kit. The base is pure inspiration, and I will return here often to enjoy it, just for the nostalgia value, taking us back to a simpler time in our lives. Very well done Brad! ;D
Best regards,
Bob
-
Thank you everyone for your kind words - this indeed was a fun little build and did re-kindle some of those feelings from a more simple modelling time - it was great to not have to sweat over too many details.
These old Airfix kits actually aren't too bad to build. The only real fit issue I had with this one was the lower wing piece, which needed a bit of filling and sanding to get into place. The struts were a tad fiddly too, and the horizontal stabiliser was split in the middle, but overall not too bad.
I have been eyeing off their old DH4 from the early 60s as a future build. It actually scales reasonably accurately for an old kit. :)
Cheers again!
BC
-
Beautiful! And the stand is nearly as beautiful as the plane! ;-)
-
F A N T A S T I C !!! :)
-
I missed this for a month!!! Just amazing!!! That is nostalgia building at its finest and exudes character!!!!
Steve
-
Thanks guys! ;D ;D
-
You've done it again Brad,I would never have picked that as 1/72 but rather a superbly executed large scale model.I hope you proceed with the DH4 at some point,that would be fascinating!
Cheers,
Dave.
-
Hi all - I know that this is an old topic, but I must say I am rather chuffed that Airfix considered my little build worthy enough of putting up on their Workbench for this month -
https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/mediterranean-blenheims-at-the-double?utm_campaign=2828577_Airfix - Workbench - Week 35 2020%2F2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Hornby PLC&_%24ja=tsid%3A71284&dm_i=2DJZ,1OMJL,A15NPU,5QEXT,1 (https://www.airfix.com/uk-en/news/workbench/mediterranean-blenheims-at-the-double?utm_campaign=2828577_Airfix - Workbench - Week 35 2020%2F2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Hornby PLC&_%24ja=tsid%3A71284&dm_i=2DJZ,1OMJL,A15NPU,5QEXT,1)
It's only a little thing but I am still rather happy and humbled :)
Cheers,
BC
-
Good for you Brad ! It is an awesome feeling ;)
Terri
-
Glad you bumbes the topic, I hadn’t seen it. Lovely model, and the creative base give me that warm feeling of nostalgia.
-
Just catching this one on the rebound - wow. Incredible work on such a small scale. Impressive indeed.
Cheers,
Gary
-
Thanks all! Not sure why I feel chuffed, I guess it's because I grew up with these kits, so it's just a nice warm fuzzy feeling to see my build on their site, hehe!
BC
-
Well done and congratulations Brad! An honor indeed and a beautiful model. Wow, 1957, now that's nostalgic alright!
Cheers,
Lance