forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Topic started by: DaveB on July 02, 2021, 02:37:06 AM
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Dear all -
I was admiring Steve (Lone Modeller) detailed airfix Albatros and I made the mistake of commenting that I should try doing this one day - this came to haunt me (in a good way!) later on.......
Well guess what, Steve paid me a visit a couple of weeks and presented me with this ancient airfix together with some scale drawings of the real aircraft and various bits of plastic sheet/rod enclosed with the comment 'here you go Dave, a belated birthday present - now build and detail up as a challange'.
A challange it will be for me! I had already made a start and I am about 10 days into the project when Steve said that I must do a build log with no excuses for not doing one!
So, what goes before is where I current am. This is the recent airfix re-issue (Steve informs me this kit dates back to 1957) about 10 years ago:
(https://i.imgur.com/Dc2SauJ.jpg)
This is a very crude (by today's standards) and basic kit with no real detail, or details that are incorrect. I don't have the sprues to show you but have a picture of the kit instructions that give you the idea:
(https://i.imgur.com/dqk1fWb.jpg)
I will go for the Max Nather markings:
(https://i.imgur.com/GJELBDx.jpg)
and here are the scale drawings to aid me:
(https://i.imgur.com/i2I0Ld4.jpg)
I started by building up a cockpit - I am also using a WNW kit I built of the Dv as further reference. This is what I have knocked up so far. Seat was adapted from old Revell Sopwith Triplane kit seat, harness made from strips of Tamiya masking tape. Air pressure pump, compass, support bar for MG's RPM instrument and control column made from stretched sprue. Everything else from various thickness of sheet plastic card cut to shape.
(https://i.imgur.com/aDgKaqD.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/98lunp6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RYBAMtB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5x0joKi.jpg)
You will also notice I had cut away what would be the molded in engine cowlings ready for an exposed engine display.
Lower wing needed tidying up removing the large exjection pins marks on upper surface. Also sanded back the scallops on trailing edge of wing and sanded down ribs.
(https://i.imgur.com/tvn06ri.jpg)
The upper wing also needed some attention. Kit part features a half moon shaped cut out which is an incorrect profile. I therefore added some thick sheet plastic glued into place. Once set, I filled and tidied then cut and filed to more correct profile as shown in the scale drawing. The paint on this area is what I use to ensure the fill and joint does not show - it took a couple attempts to get the fill right. Ailerons were cut from wing and glued in place a bit more dynamically to add interest. The underside of the upper wing also needed three large ejection marks removed and this wings ribs were also sanded back a bit. Final piece work was to fabricate the underside of the wing mounted radiator using plastic sheet as shown.
(https://i.imgur.com/5U6fRqe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qPZTQ4a.jpg)
Apologies for starting this a bit late, but I was a bit shy about doing a build log where I knew I had to undertake a bit of stratch building!
More to follow in due course.
Regards
Dave
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Excellent start Dave. Your interior is much more accurate than mine but as I told you, I did not (and do not), have the WNW kit for reference. What you have done so far is of a very high standard, and building the engine will not be anything like as difficult as you think. Remember that the most difficult part of converting/scratch building is overcoming your own hesitation to give something a try.
I am really looking forward to seeing more of this build, and the completed model in due course.
Stephen.
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Nice work - I built this kit a year or so back, it was a fun little build - see here:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11390.0
There's something just plain fun about these older kits :)
Looking forward to seeing more.
Cheers,
BC
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Thank you, Steve -
I was doing a bit more work on this yesterday evening so should have another update very soon.
Brad - thank you, appreciated. Wow! what a stunner you made from this oldie. I don't think I will be able to match your one but yes, I am really enjoying this project set for me by Steve.
Regards
Dave
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Excellent detailing in the tiny scale Dave, that must have taken a great deal of patience and skill. Well worth the effort, it looks very impressive!
Richie
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This looks fine to me Dave. Nice detailing.
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nice work on the interior, i look forward to the next update
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Excellent work on an Old Classic. Your interior looks Terrific!
RAGIII
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Thank you for following and commenting, folks - much appreciated!
Some more (considerably more) progress has been made over the last week. The fuselage halves have been joined and I needed (obviously) to add the lower wing. However, the fuselage to wing fit is very poor. If installed direct to model, the lower wing sits to low inside the fuselage. To improve fit I first added some pieces of plastic sheet so that this would allow the lower wing to match the underside profile of the fuselage:
(https://i.imgur.com/Fr94IXm.jpg)
This did the trick but some more shimming was required at the wing root and underside to eliminate large gaps and aid filling:
(https://i.imgur.com/qFKllFh.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zTz8Sof.jpg)
I could then (once the lower had fully set) tidy up fuselage/lower wing/wing root joints by first sanding back distinct raised area on one side of fuselge prior to applying model filler:
(https://i.imgur.com/Vs37wGU.jpg)
Once filler had dried, the excess filler was sanded away and smoothed out to eradicate all visible joins. I then decided to improve the look of the kit rudder which did not look quite right to me. I therefore carefully filed away the rudder to had, what appears to me, to have a more accurate outline:
(https://i.imgur.com/tYwkIFI.jpg)
Obvious (not all) panel lines were rescribed and I decided to add the two access hatches to the underside using short cut lengths of round plastic rods. When glue had dried, I simply sanded them down so that they will show under paint. At the same time I cut away some of the lower wing root. The kit as standard will have you attach the undercarriage direct to lower wing which is wrong. In reality, the legs join at the lower fuselage through gaps in the wing:
(https://i.imgur.com/Dlx1v1G.jpg)
The next stage was to add the floor for the engine compartment. I used small pieces of sprue (to act as floor support) placing two small sections of plastic sheet over these. This gave me the base to attach my shaped (from plastic sheet) 'floor'. Once the engine is made I will attach direct onto this giving allusion of engine supports:
(https://i.imgur.com/LIYQs6H.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/o2G51nQ.jpg)
I could then add my made up (from three sections of plastic card laminated and then filed to shape once dry) fuel tank:
(https://i.imgur.com/ZFxOXdl.jpg)
The engine compartment and fuel tank have now been painted and I have added the visible engine support framing:
(https://i.imgur.com/2vrXpoZ.jpg)
I am already making a start on building a Mercedes engine and will post further progress in due course.
Regards
Dave
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It was a lot of work but your fixing of the fit and lower wing is excellent Dave! I am looking forward to seeing the engine take shape!
RAGIII
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Excellent work on this kit. It is always nice to see how a bad kit could turn into a real nice model.
Bye Manni
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A huge improvement already!
I always enjoy taking these old kits and bringing them, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century, although I don't think I'll bother with this one as there are better starting pints available now.
RE8, Hannover, and Roland C.II, along with the Revell M-S Type N, Nieuport 28, and Sopwith Triplane have been beaten into submission so far!
Ian
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Some major surgery performed to a high standard Dave. Kit bashing like this looks like a lot of fun!
Richie
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Thank you all very kindly, gents!
Okay - next stage of work completed so far:
I've had a go at knocking up a Mercedes engine using laminated plastic sheet, plastic rods (various sizes) and stretched sprue. Kit exhaust was used after I had drilled out the end to look more realistic. This is my first attempt at building an engine and is therefore far from perfect. I hope it will look better and pass muster once painted and installed:
(https://i.imgur.com/aJEkxKd.jpg)
The kit supplied machine guns and wheels are not good so will have to go:
(https://i.imgur.com/6jDurPX.jpg)
The MG's gave me a bit of pondering on how to sort these out. I then found by chance that in one of my recent purchases (Eduard Fokker DVII weekend edition) they have supplied one of of guns without cooling jackets which can be used in conjunction with the PE fret. I don't have the PE for this kit, so have used these.
I cut the exposed barrel from the breech and used a piece of plastic rod cut to length glued in place:
(https://i.imgur.com/3gI9tMq.jpg)
When this had set, I then cut the muzzles from the original barrel and glued to the rod thus:
(https://i.imgur.com/HQBKLip.jpg)
Obviuosly, I won't have the effect of the pieced cooling jacket, but once painted and installed they will look a darn sight better than the kit versions!
I found in my spares box a set of 72nd wheels that were left over from a previous Roden Albatros so will be perfect to use:
(https://i.imgur.com/wAI3ffm.jpg)
In addition, I have a spare prop from the same kit I will use. I think the existing kit spinner looks fine so have removed the molded on blades and made cuts in readiness for the seperate replacement prop:
(https://i.imgur.com/LgbTU26.jpg)
The section of sprue holding it is just there so that I can paint it.
Making good progress now, so should have some updates within the next day or so.
Regards
Dave
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Wow Dave, you are getting on with this! The engine is very good indeed for a first attempt and certainly a huge improvement on the kit part. Under a coat of paint that will more than pass muster. The other details that you have added to the nose are also first class
The fit of the lower wing is a major issue on that kit which you have dealt with very well too. The new wheels and guns will also give this more than a lift. Really looking forward to the next post.
Stephen.
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You're definitely making good progress Dave, I really get the impression that this a real feel good build. I'm certainly enjoying following it.
Richie
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Thank you, Steve -
Yes, making good progress on this one mate
Thank you Richie -
At first it seemed a daunting project, but as I've got into it yes, your right I'm enjoying more now.
Regards
Dave
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agree with the above, the guns and engine have come out really well and will certainly lift the model. Looking forward to the next update
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Awesome work on the engine! All is looking great.
RAGIII
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Thank you Early Bird and Rick!
Engine and MG's have now been painted and installed within engine bay. Added some ammunition feed chutes to gun breeches and glad to report the guns fitted perfectly and aligned correctly with the engine.
(https://i.imgur.com/BleLIQ9.jpg)
Also added the small oil tank (made from 2.5 mm plastic rod cut and sanded to shape) on starboard side of engine sadly only just visible in this photo.
(https://i.imgur.com/1Pxm9v7.jpg)
I was then able to install the cabane struts. The standard kit has the location of these in completely wrong place. I therefore repositioned to where they should go. However, the kit cabanes are not quite wide enough to go where they needed to. Rather than make complete new struts I simply cut away the inner, angle strut. This allowed me to stretch out to correct location.
(https://i.imgur.com/ztEYG0u.jpg)
To replace this strut part, I filed down 'flat' some fine plastic rod and glued these in place
(https://i.imgur.com/L06mF6f.jpg)
These struts were then aligned against the location holes on the underside of the top wing to ensure a good fit of the upper wing. I was worried that if I re-arranged the cabanes this would throw the geometry of the top wing and location of the interplane struts. I need not have worried as test fitting proved this not to be the case - phew!
(https://i.imgur.com/nb5U6lf.jpg)
The next stages will be to paint and decal fuselage; rig elevators and undercarriage the work on prop and spinner. More to follow in due course.
Regards
Dave
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Excellent update Dave, I'm becoming intrigued by the idea of these old kits. This is a very inspiring thread!
Richie
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Great work and well presented! Looking forward to seeing next step.
/Fredrik
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some all round lovelyness going on here, am thoroughly enjoying seeing this build come together
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This is really turning a sow's ear into a silk purse Dave. This will be a one-off with distinction - and unrecognisable as the Airfix offering!
Stephen.
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Many thanks, gents -
Yes, this one is really progressing nicely now so will have some more progress to report soon.
Regards
Dave
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Excellent work. The engine looks fabulous with it all in place and your work on the struts is awesome!
RAGIII
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Thank you, Rick!
A little bit work carried out - installed the spare prop after painting this and the spinner which I had altered to fit it.
(https://i.imgur.com/Cmn0sME.jpg)
I made up a backing plate by laminating two pieces of fine plastic sheet. Once dry, drew out the profile (by drawing around the spinner) then cutting and trimming to shape before glueing in place.
(https://i.imgur.com/rvEi3Ce.jpg)
In between this I have painted and decalled the fuselage after which I rigged the undercarriage and elevators.
(https://i.imgur.com/wTyaCbf.jpg)
The next stage will be to paint the upper side of the lower wing and the underside of the upper. For rigging I will use standard Uschi elastic thread for the elevators and smoke coloured mending (monofilament) thread for all else.
(https://i.imgur.com/ONrOT2e.jpg)
More to follow
Regards
Dave
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Awesome update! The painting and markings look Terrific! Looking forward to the rigging!
RAGIII
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That really is looking good Dave, especially with the flag marking on the fuselage. This will certainly be a winner when it hits the club table.
Stephen.
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Beautiful work Dave, this is progressing very quickly and is going to be a little stunner.
Richie
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This is gonna be a great little bird. Good job.
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She's looking nice, Dave. You're breathing life into this aged kit.
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Looking great! Nice to see old kits getting new life.
WD
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Great upgrade!!
Steve
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Thank you all for following and commenting, gents!
Okay - now moving into the final phases of this build.
I discovered on a general Google search on Max Nather's aircraft that Airfix have incorrectly called out for red brown jon the wing camo scheme where it should actually be purple. I therefore repainted the tailplane to the right colour and have continued on with painting:
(https://i.imgur.com/8bAgb6L.jpg)
Top wing was installed when all paint had fully dried and I added the engine radiator pipes using a part from an Albatros left over from a previous build - it fitted perfectly.
(https://i.imgur.com/n9ySfBp.jpg)
When the wing had set, I added the small support leg to the interplane struts as used on the DVa then painted
(https://i.imgur.com/DrL7s4Y.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/g80JrEn.jpg)
Now the model could be rigged
(https://i.imgur.com/WLFO8tt.jpg)
I had already pre - drilled all the holes for rigging prior to assembly - I drill completely through the wings and feed the thread through then super glue in place using a couple of clothes line pegs to add weight until the glue has fully cured. This leaves excess line which I trim away then fill each of the holes
(https://i.imgur.com/gA3tUsl.jpg)
I then decided to add the little inspection hatches on the underside of lower wing cutting out small ssections from fine plastic sheet and glueing in place - this also covered over the rigging holes as well
(https://i.imgur.com/bwCoP5V.jpg)
I then started to think of a simple base for the model and found an old picture frame. Sadly, the actual was too large to use but I could make use of the hard photo backing in the frame
(https://i.imgur.com/g80JrEn.jpg)
This was first covered with plaster and roughly smoothed out
(https://i.imgur.com/07wnO6K.jpg)
This could then be painted (light earth overal colour with a wash of dark earth and dark brown to give variation in tones) then watered down PVC glued brushed on. Lastly, I sprinkled on some model grass liberally then shook off the excess
(https://i.imgur.com/DZ0oWL1.jpg)
I could have the aircraft simply sit on the base but there seemed to be something missing. I don't have any suitable figures so borrowed the idea from Steve (Lone Modeller) to use a trestle.
I knocked this up from various bits of plastic sheet and rod
(https://i.imgur.com/NgVeqHk.jpg)
Now painted and ready for use
(https://i.imgur.com/x31S7cK.jpg)
That's it for now but I am really now moving onto the final stages of this build - final update will follow shortly.
Regards
Dave
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Your Albatros is looking exceptional! Terrific progress and lovely details. Nice work on the trestle also!
RAGIII
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Super work Dave. I'm glad you repainted with purple, it looks really beautiful . Love that little trestle too, I have taken notes on how to make a base. That grass looks very lifelike. Looking forward to seeing it finished, what are you going to treat us to next?
Richie
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Thank you, Rick and Richie -
Last installment on this current build.
After cleaning up the drilled holes I could now paint the upper surface of the top wing:
(https://i.imgur.com/Ni8t59W.jpg)
Once my gloss coat hard dried, I was able to add the last decals to the kit. These were then sealed in with four coats of clear matt:
(https://i.imgur.com/DayYvRb.jpg)
I now declare this one completed and will add to the completed models section of the forum on it's base.
Many thanks to all those who followed this build - I really appreciated all the support whilst putting this together.
Regards
Dave
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Terrific build of an Old Classic. Well Done!
RAGIII
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Amazing result after barely 2 weeks with lots of modifications done to update the model! A lovely Albatross!
Richie
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Always a pleasure to see these old kits brought to new life and new high mark standards. Great work!
Ciao
Giuseppe
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It's been great following this thread, nice!
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Thank you all kindly, chaps!
Regards
Dave
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A thing of beauty is a joy for ever....
You can be proud of this one Dave. Beautiful colours and enhancements.
It's nice to see more and more (old) 1/72 kits appear here.
Willem
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That's kind - thank you, Willem
Regards
Dave
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Great to see this one finished Dave. You have put it together in a remarkably short time and added some super details on the way. What can I tempt you to convert/improve with extra super-details next?
Stephen.