forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => Under Construction => Vacform Kits => Topic started by: Danh4 on March 20, 2015, 10:01:09 AM

Title: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 20, 2015, 10:01:09 AM
Thought I'd better stop collecting vac kits and actually build one of them so this has made it's way to the bench. 
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Joystick%20Albatros%20C.1_zpsceeuayxt.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Joystick%20Albatros%20C.1_zpsceeuayxt.jpg.html)

It's going to provide a few challenges, the biggest being the fact that it is my first vac biplane.  Seems like a nice kit though, so far I've just cut out the fuselage halves and have been cleaning them up and planning how to handle the cockpits.  I'm also looking for photos and drawings of what's in there, not finding much yet.
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Joystick%20Alb.%20C.1%20a_zpswf12wccl.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Joystick%20Alb.%20C.1%20a_zpswf12wccl.jpg.html)

I'm going to fit a Mercedes engine from a Roden Fokker DVII.  I think it will be a fun project!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on March 20, 2015, 11:08:19 AM
Nice choice.
 I'm in a similar boat, in having many vacs in my stash (including this one) but never having built one, so I'll be following this build to see how a first-timer handles it!

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Alexis on March 20, 2015, 12:36:24 PM
Looking forward to your build  :)




Terri
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 21, 2015, 02:32:21 AM
Nice choice.
 I'm in a similar boat, in having many vacs in my stash (including this one) but never having built one, so I'll be following this build to see how a first-timer handles it!

Ian

Better yet, pull it out and get working on it!  It would be fun to have somebody to bounce ideas off of.

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on March 21, 2015, 08:06:40 AM
Nice subject choice Dan, I have never built a vac form kit so I will be keeping a close watch on how you approach this build.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 22, 2015, 03:22:52 AM
Nice subject choice Dan, I have never built a vac form kit so I will be keeping a close watch on how you approach this build.

Des.

It's only my third vac and like I said, my first biplane vac so I'm a little worried about that.  The split upper wing of the Albatros is setting off a few warning bells already but I'll deal with it when I get there and I'm sure there are more than a few folks here who can help if I get in trouble!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 22, 2015, 03:38:30 AM
I've gotten most of the basic structures done in the cockpits,  almost all of it is based on drawings found on the 'Net.  I used the kit's floor but the rest is made from plastic card.  The fuel tank that the pilot sits on is made from a chunk of resin pour stub (I knew there was a reason I was saving that stuff). 

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.I%20cockpits%20a_zpsb2k1zkuz.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.I%20cockpits%20a_zpsb2k1zkuz.jpg.html)

The C.III had four vertical tubes in the front of the gunner's compartment that held bombs and I'm pretty sure the C.I had something similar but I'm not sure of the number of tubes, does anyone know?  There is also a trailing aerial reel, ammo storage and other stuff that needs to go back there and I'll probably "imagineer" it all. 

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on March 22, 2015, 09:16:40 AM
I like that interior.  It's very convincing.  Painting will really make this think look awesome.

Nice start so far...and more life breathed into the vac site!!!!!!!!  ;D ;) ;) ;D

Dan^2
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: RAGIII on March 23, 2015, 12:16:48 AM
Looking great! Nice work on the interior!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Alexis on March 23, 2015, 05:19:29 AM
Nice job on the details .



Terri
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Squiffy on March 23, 2015, 08:54:50 PM
Interesting subject for 72nd. I suppose it's the only kit available and that nothing is produced in injection-moulded plastic? I've never attempted a vacform, so I'll watch your progress. Putting the fuselage halves together appears to be relatively straightforward but I'm particularly interested in how the wings go together...
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on March 24, 2015, 03:44:17 AM
I'd love, to Dan, but I have enough on my bench right now so I'd better exercise a little restraint....

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 24, 2015, 08:04:47 AM
I like that interior.  It's very convincing.  Painting will really make this think look awesome.

Nice start so far...and more life breathed into the vac site!!!!!!!!  ;D ;) ;) ;D

Dan^2

Thanks Dan!  I'm really looking forward to getting the interior painted, I'm just about at that point now.  When I get this one done I've got Joystick's Rumpler to build and I see they made a few others I'd like to get so we should be able to add to things here for quite a while.

Interesting subject for 72nd. I suppose it's the only kit available and that nothing is produced in injection-moulded plastic? I've never attempted a vacform, so I'll watch your progress. Putting the fuselage halves together appears to be relatively straightforward but I'm particularly interested in how the wings go together...

I'm sure there's probably a resin kit or two but nothing injected that I'm aware of.  Vacs seem to get under your skin pretty quickly somehow so I'm sure I'd be building this even if Tamiya came out with a kit of it.  I might not be saying that after trying to join the wings though, the lowers are so thin that I doubt I can drill into the ends for wire pins, they might end up being butt-joints to the fuselage.  As for the split upper wing- I refuse to worry about that until I get there.

I'd love, to Dan, but I have enough on my bench right now so I'd better exercise a little restraint....

Ian

I hear ya!  It's good to be busy though.

Thanks also to Terri and RAGIII!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on March 24, 2015, 08:37:07 AM
I really like what you have done to the interior so far, painting will make all the difference.

Des
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 25, 2015, 11:32:13 AM
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours painting the interior tonight.  I sprayed everything with Tamiya Buff to start with and then tinted, washed and drybrushed with various JoSonja craft acrylic colors.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20cockpits%20b_zps29whlohw.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20cockpits%20b_zps29whlohw.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20cockpits%20c_zps55wof1b1.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20cockpits%20c_zps55wof1b1.jpg.html)

I've still got to add some belts to the pilot's seat and then I plan to paint the engine so that it can be installed.  After that, I can close up the fuselage!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: coyotemagic on March 25, 2015, 11:40:22 AM
That is one seriously awesome cockpit, Dan, especially for a vac, especially for 1/72 scale.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on March 25, 2015, 11:41:40 AM
You have done a superb job with the interior painting Dan, really brings everything to life.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Alexis on March 25, 2015, 10:04:30 PM
Super job on the pit Dan ! Very nice wood tones  :)



Terri
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on March 26, 2015, 12:57:50 PM
Super job, Dan!

Now that my Do-17 is done and the Stirling is waiting, I'll finish up the Staaken vac transport...then start on another vac.  Like I told you (I think) probably an AEG!

Dan^2
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: ALBATROS1234 on March 26, 2015, 02:01:08 PM
your interior looks great,nice scratch building and paint work. i like vacs,have a bunch in the stash.
i have started a few vacs but have yet to complete one. i like the albatros c.i its a pretty 2 seater. looks cooler than the c.iii to me due to the pointy tailplane as opposed to the c.iii has that rounded heart shaped thing. there are no 1/48 kits for this plane so i think i wil either get a 1/72 or convert an old eduard c.iii.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: RAGIII on March 26, 2015, 04:39:36 PM
That is one seriously awesome cockpit, Dan, especially for a vac, especially for 1/72 scale.
Cheers,
Bud

I agree with my Amigo! truly AWESOME interior!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 27, 2015, 12:34:19 AM
Super job, Dan!

Now that my Do-17 is done and the Stirling is waiting, I'll finish up the Staaken vac transport...then start on another vac.  Like I told you (I think) probably an AEG!

Dan^2
Thanks Dan!  Nice choice on the AEG, I've been keeping an eye out for one of those myself.  I've got Joystick's Rumpler and I see they have a few other 2 seaters that I'd like to get.  This is getting addicting!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 27, 2015, 12:41:05 AM
Thank you all for the nice comments!  I'm pretty happy with it so far.  Started working on the engine last night, added what I think is a header tank that sits above the cylinders and am starting to figure out how I'm going to make the exhaust.

I'm curious about the best way to attach the lower wings, they are so thin that I know it will be difficult to drill into them for any substantial size wire pins.  Is it the usual practice to just butt-join them to the fuselage sides?

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on March 27, 2015, 07:08:19 AM
I have made 8 scratch builds Dan and some of them have extremely thin wings, but I always manage to get two pins into each wing, some are only 0.5mm but for these I use drill bits, straight and strong and long enough to give substantial strength, any pin is better than no pin. Looking forward to seeing how you manage to mount the wings.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 27, 2015, 10:32:08 AM
I have made 8 scratch builds Dan and some of them have extremely thin wings, but I always manage to get two pins into each wing, some are only 0.5mm but for these I use drill bits, straight and strong and long enough to give substantial strength, any pin is better than no pin. Looking forward to seeing how you manage to mount the wings.

Des.

Thanks for that Des, I know I'll feel better about having two pins in each wing, just like you said.  If I read your post correctly, you use old drill bits for pins when they're that small?  That's a great idea and I keep all my broken bits for when I need something stiffer than brass, this will be a good use for them.

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 27, 2015, 10:50:11 AM
Last night I worked on making the tubular apparatus that sits above the engine's cylinders, I assume it's a header tank of some sort for the cooling system?  I still need to add a few little details to that. 

Tonight I tackled the exhaust which got off to a rough start when I tried to find photos showing the same type that is shown on the drawings included with the kit, as well as other drawings I've found on the 'Net.  I couldn't find any period photos showing that style of exhaust!  I know  two different models of the Mercedes engine were fitted and it looks like a variety of exhaust were used so I decided to follow the drawings and get on with it.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20exhaust_zpsoogxergb.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20exhaust_zpsoogxergb.jpg.html)

The exhaust is made from a couple chunks of sprue that was stretched, whittled or carved to shape.  I used Albion Alloys brass tube for the pipes but I've left them overlong and will trim them after the cabane struts are in place because I think there's going to be some interference there and I want to make sure I have enough length on the pipes, they can always be shortened.  I like using brass tube for stuff like that because I can glue lengths of wire into them that will mate up with holes in the cylinder heads when the time comes.

Thanks for looking!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on March 27, 2015, 12:25:27 PM
Very nice work on those engine and exhaust details, this is getting interesting.....

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on March 27, 2015, 12:37:08 PM
Great work on the engine, Dan.  Nice scratching.  :D

As far as the bottom wing is concerned, I have had some success just butt joining if things are thin and light enough and my rigging functional but a couple of pins is probably better.  I always have trouble getting things lined up properly so I also do something else...

I make the lower wings one piece and cut the shape out of the lower fuselage and attach it that way.  There is some filling, but it's strong and no worries about lining up pins.

Just an alternative.  Looking forward to more progress on this one!

Dan (P.S. I've got that "Aces High March" stuck in my head thanks to Larry over on HS! It could go equally well with your build  ;))
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 28, 2015, 08:26:55 AM
Great work on the engine, Dan.  Nice scratching.  :D

As far as the bottom wing is concerned, I have had some success just butt joining if things are thin and light enough and my rigging functional but a couple of pins is probably better.  I always have trouble getting things lined up properly so I also do something else...

I make the lower wings one piece and cut the shape out of the lower fuselage and attach it that way.  There is some filling, but it's strong and no worries about lining up pins.

Just an alternative.  Looking forward to more progress on this one!

Dan (P.S. I've got that "Aces High March" stuck in my head thanks to Larry over on HS! It could go equally well with your build  ;))

Hi Dan,

If Josytick had molded the lower wings with a "carry through" connecting them, I definitely would have cut into the fuselage to keep them in one piece.  But,  they molded them as two separate wings so I'll be drilling and pinning veeeerrrry carefully.

That "Aces High March" and your Do-17 have put me in the mood to watch "Battle of Britain" yet again.   Not a bad way to spend a snowy evening I guess, it will probably have me fondling my own Do-17 and Blenheim kits though!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on March 28, 2015, 08:32:30 AM
Great work on the engine and the exhaust Dan.

The broken or worn out small drill bits have a myriad of uses, even though only small they are really strong.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 28, 2015, 09:07:35 AM
I took a shot at making up the cabane struts this afternoon.  I kinda knew I'd be making them from brass wire at some point so I'd already glued plastic blocks inside the fuselage to give some support at their mounting locations.  I used the "pattern" on the vac sheet to bend two lengths of wire simultaneously in an attempt to get two exactly the same.  That was like herding cats but eventually I got two I was happy with.  My bright idea was to solder them together at the top seam with a couple lengths of brass wire wrapped around and left long to act as pins when it comes time to attach the top wing.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20cabanes%201_zpsw101aylv.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20cabanes%201_zpsw101aylv.jpg.html)

You can see that I transferred the pattern of the mounting holes from the fuselage to a block of wood with a pair of dividers and that worked pretty well to hold things while I soldered it all together.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20cabanes%202_zpsadxiwmoo.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20cabanes%202_zpsadxiwmoo.jpg.html)

It even fits to the plane but I haven't checked yet to see if it's the right height above the fuselage or if it will position the wings  correctly but at least I know the concept works!

-Dan

Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on March 28, 2015, 01:39:04 PM
Novel idea, Dan...at least I've never seen it before.  I wonder if the soft pins will be enough "oomph" but time will tell.

As far as adding the cabanes, I've found that I can just simply stick brass wire into some pre-drilled holes with some CA and that has been more than sufficient so maybe interior blocks won't be necessary.  Of course, they certainly can't hurt!   ;)

This is a fun build to watch.  Keep going!

Dan^2
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Ernie on March 28, 2015, 10:38:57 PM
Amazing work on something so small, Dan. 
Fantastic soldering job!  You are really making
wonderful progress. :D  And Des, thanks for the
tip about the use of worn drill bits!

Cheers,
Ernie :)
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 28, 2015, 11:04:47 PM
Novel idea, Dan...at least I've never seen it before.  I wonder if the soft pins will be enough "oomph" but time will tell.

As far as adding the cabanes, I've found that I can just simply stick brass wire into some pre-drilled holes with some CA and that has been more than sufficient so maybe interior blocks won't be necessary.  Of course, they certainly can't hurt!   ;)

This is a fun build to watch.  Keep going!

Dan^2
Those perpendicular wires are fairly stiff so I think they'll help to hold the inboard ends of the wings to the cabane.  I plan to get a close enough fit that some CA can be flowed into the joints as well. 

The plastic blocks in the fuselage are probably overkill but the vac fuselage plastic is so thin that I was worried about having enough gluing surface.  When I glue those strut ends in place now, I know they won't be coming loose! 

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: uncletony on March 28, 2015, 11:10:37 PM
Nice work, and there's no such thing as overkill when it comes to these things imo :)
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: radio on March 29, 2015, 02:05:13 AM
Very good work.
Martin
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on March 29, 2015, 03:11:13 AM
Nice work, I may well have to steal that strut idea!

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: WarrenD on March 30, 2015, 02:15:10 AM
Dan,
        You guys just kill me!  ;) :)  I'm still trying to deal with injected styrene, and here you (and others in this section of the forum) go making these wonderful works of art.

Well done so far sir!

Warren
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on March 30, 2015, 07:45:45 AM
Thank guys, so far its been a lot of fun.

I got the fuselage halves together yesterday, here's one last look at the interior...

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20int%20and%20engine_zpsnhe4fiy0.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20int%20and%20engine_zpsnhe4fiy0.jpg.html)

Today I added the horizontal stabs and began work on joining the lower wing halves to the fuselage.  I made a jig to hold things in alignment and set the correct dihedral of the wing panels.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20jig%202_zpskhivjos4.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20jig%202_zpskhivjos4.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20jig%201_zpstokwhcc3.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20jig%201_zpstokwhcc3.jpg.html)

Then I carefully drilled two holes into the root ends of the wings with a #80 drill, inserted pieces of brass wire that protruded just a bit, lined the wing up against the fuselage in the jig and gave it a firm enough push that the wire left impressions in the fuselage sides- now I knew where to drill holes in the fuselage.

I was able to drill out the forward holes in the wings with a #74 bit which is big enough to get a good size brass rod in there.  I was able to work a single length of that rod through the fuselage so I've got a short "spar" to give the wings some strength.  The wings aren't thick enough at the rear to get much more than a thin wire in them so that will have to do back there.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20spar_zpsabmbtrij.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20spar_zpsabmbtrij.jpg.html)

I'm not going to glue anything in place until after I make and fit the landing gear, because I know I'll break something!

Thanks for looking.

Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: WarrenD on March 30, 2015, 08:21:11 AM
I like your jig, brilliant build Dan!

Warren

PS: You should really post this over on the 72nd scale Aircraft Forum too.

Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on March 30, 2015, 10:56:01 AM
Nice work, Dan.  I love the shot before you closed her up.  Looks pretty stunning from here.  Good idea about your tubing and how you lined it up.  I'll use that in the future!

Cheers,

Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on March 30, 2015, 11:20:51 AM
Nicely done. That one piece of brass rod should be enough, it just gives it that bit more strength and resistance to being knocked......

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 03, 2015, 10:50:53 AM
I wanted to get the landing gear built before gluing any wings on so I spent last night cutting the two main parts from excess plastic from the vac sheet.  That plastic is much stiffer than any of the Evergreen stuff I have so I hoard it all for things like struts and LGs.

Tonight I added a brass axle and made an attempt to replicate the bungee cords with copper wire, not sure how successful that was.  Its not going to come apart on me, that's for sure.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20LG%20top_zpsq2z11keu.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20LG%20top_zpsq2z11keu.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20LG%20bottom_zps98cp80im.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20LG%20bottom_zps98cp80im.jpg.html)

The gear is held to the fuselage with brass pins at this point, I need it to come off so the model can be put back in it's jig for the wings to be joined.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20jig_zps7yxihwrg.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20wing%20jig_zps7yxihwrg.jpg.html)

I was really happy when it started to look like my cabane strut arrangement was going to work.  My simple jig will hold the upper wing panels in alignment while I glue all the struts in place.  That's the plan anyway!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: uncletony on April 03, 2015, 11:04:39 AM
Me likey
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: WarrenD on April 03, 2015, 11:18:49 AM
This is really excellent Dan, thanks so much for the update.

Warren
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on April 03, 2015, 11:27:23 AM
Your model is looking really good Dan, you have done a great job with the cockpit interior and also with the engine, it looks excellent with the fuselage closed up. The work you did making the cabane struts is very well done and will prove to be very strong.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on April 03, 2015, 12:11:08 PM
Nice work, Dan,
 This is starting to look really good....

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: RAGIII on April 03, 2015, 04:56:06 PM
Dan,
Outstanding interior and beautiful and precise construction! One of the best vac builds I have seen!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Thumbs up on April 03, 2015, 07:37:34 PM
Seat of your pant's modelling love it.Taking a nondescrpt  sheet of plastic and turning t into a thing of beauty pure Zen.Love it love it love it and the same to all you other dear vaccy's.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: radio on April 03, 2015, 08:55:40 PM
An very beautiful build Dan.
Martin
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 04, 2015, 11:46:37 AM
Thanks guys, I'm having a blast with this!

I just got the lower wings glued on, hoping to get struts and upper wing panels done tomorrow.

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 05, 2015, 10:48:47 AM
I decided it would be smart to get as many of the little things done on the fuselage/tail before the upper wings go on so today's efforts concentrated on getting PE control horns in the elevators and rudder, support struts and braces around the tail, and the tail skid.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20tail%20braces_zpsb8nvvtjh.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20tail%20braces_zpsb8nvvtjh.jpg.html)

I made the upper braces from the sliding cover of a 3.5" floppy disk, I assume it is aluminum.  Its easy to score and bend until it breaks, and it seems a bit stiffer than brass.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20tail%20skid_zpshtnd9dvp.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20tail%20skid_zpshtnd9dvp.jpg.html)

The lower braces were cut from plastic sheet, maybe stretched sprue would have been more appropriate here? 

I had to give some thought to how I should make the support frame that forms the fulcrum for the tail skid and I finally decided to bend up two pieces of .01 brass wire and glue them into 4 holes drilled in the fuselage bottom.  It's not perfect but it should give the correct impression when it's all painted.

That's it for today!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: WarrenD on April 05, 2015, 11:02:31 AM
Great and inspiring work Dan!

Warren
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on April 05, 2015, 11:12:47 AM
Great work with the tail bracing and the tail skid, well done.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: coyotemagic on April 05, 2015, 12:23:34 PM
Excellent work, Dan!  She's shaping up very nicely.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: radio on April 05, 2015, 07:18:46 PM
Very great update Dan.
Martin
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on April 05, 2015, 11:03:56 PM
Nice work, Dan.
I think the upper "brace" should actually be rigging though.

http://www.flygvapenmuseum.se/en/

The tails were usually braced on the underside and rigged on the upper.

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 05, 2015, 11:05:50 PM
Thanks gents, she is going together fairly well so far.  This morning I gave it a shot of primer, looks like there are only a few spots that will need some work.  I think I might as well fill that ugly panel line around the nose and rescribe it.  I've also got a few PE details I'd like to add to the fuselage.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20primer1_zps72y9dzik.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20primer1_zps72y9dzik.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20primer2_zpsvfvmanrb.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20primer2_zpsvfvmanrb.jpg.html)

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 05, 2015, 11:26:14 PM
Nice work, Dan.
I think the upper "brace" should actually be rigging though.

http://www.flygvapenmuseum.se/en/

The tails were usually braced on the underside and rigged on the upper.

Ian

Hi Ian,

That upper brace is definitely rigging in that photo but I suspect that is an earlier B model.    The C models all had solid braces between the fin and horizontal stabs as far as I can tell.  There didn't seem to be a huge amount of standardisation either, different manufacturers and units seemed to have their own way of doing things, maybe that accounts for the wire bracing on that Swedish machine?

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/albatr16_zpspq8ttu4w.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/albatr16_zpspq8ttu4w.jpg.html)

I suspect that more powerful engines meant more stresses on the tail, hence the solid braces on top too.

Thanks for pointing out a potential error!

-Dan

Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on April 06, 2015, 07:08:57 AM
  :) :) Great work, Dan!  That looks great and is going together so quickly.  I can't wait to see your painting of this little guy.

Thanks for sharing...Dan^2
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on April 06, 2015, 08:06:03 AM
No problem, thanks for pointing out the differences!

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on April 06, 2015, 08:31:27 PM
Even though it is only primer a coat of paint makes all the difference, it is looking really good Dan.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: radio on April 07, 2015, 01:43:24 AM
Looks very beautiful Dan.
Martin
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: RAGIII on April 07, 2015, 01:45:10 AM
This one is looking better with each update. Absolutely stunning work in any scale!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 07, 2015, 02:21:02 AM
Thanks guys, things are still going along pretty well with it.  Last night I put it all back in the jig so I could fit the upper wing panels and that worked out really well, I was able to drill into the root ends for the wires on the cabane struts and now I could glue them in place and fit all the interplane stuts if I wanted to, but I still have a little work to do on the fuselage before I commit to mounting the wings.

For one thing I want to rethink the way I was going to mount the radiators, I had it all wrong and have some holes to fill and sand.  I think now I will just sand them even thinner and mount them with some thin standoffs and forget about trying to replicate all the plumbing!

I also need to decide on a color scheme which I'm having a bit of trouble with- I would like to do an overall light blue machine but haven't come across any definitive photos or profiles of a particular aircraft.  I've also seen some other models on the 'Net that are mostly light blue but have medium gray on the fuselage top and sometimes the upper surfaces of the wings as well.  I kinda like the look of the overall light blue, maybe with all the struts, braces and metalwork in gray/green.  I may end up doing a "generic" type model along those lines.

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement, it is appreciated!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: vincentm on April 07, 2015, 02:44:39 AM
Very nice and crisp detailing. I see that Roden spare engines always end up being useful.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 11, 2015, 11:41:07 AM
I got about as much done on this as I could before I had to put some paint on it, so that's what I've been doing the last couple of evenings.  I just pulled the masking tape off after painting the pale blue on the fuselage sides and bottom (wings and struts too).  The upper surfaces are a medium gray.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20paint%201_zps5s2y5dik.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20paint%201_zps5s2y5dik.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20paint%202_zpswufuyxp6.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20paint%202_zpswufuyxp6.jpg.html)

I've got a markings scheme in mind based on a profile I found on the Internet and I've done some work in Photoshop so that I can print my own decals, hopefully that won't be a disaster!

-Dan





Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: RAGIII on April 11, 2015, 03:52:05 PM
Looking great!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Thumbs up on April 11, 2015, 06:40:51 PM
Nice work! The fusalage sides look sharp compared to the usual roundness of vacs.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: WarrenD on April 11, 2015, 09:51:09 PM
Nice work! The fusalage sides look sharp compared to the usual roundness of vacs.

Exactly!

Warren
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 13, 2015, 09:05:48 AM
This project was a lot of fun until it came time to put all those struts in place.  Actually it wasn't that bad but I made a monumental error which complicated things a bit.  Somehow I drilled the upper mounting holes for the outer set of struts on one side WAY off and didn't discover it until I already had the inner set of struts glued in place.  I was able to get a drill bit into the correct spots and make new holes but only because of the unequal length wings- thanks Albatros!

Oh, and I got all the decals on too!  They worked fairly well considering I printed them myself on my cheap laser printer.  For some reason I couldn't get a good dense black on the white decal paper but I could on clear so I printed an extra set on clear and doubled up all the Maltese crosses

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20wings%201_zpsyvpdwarm.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20wings%201_zpsyvpdwarm.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20wings%202_zpspnjd00mp.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20wings%202_zpspnjd00mp.jpg.html)

-Dan

Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: WarrenD on April 13, 2015, 09:15:47 AM
Dan, that color-scheme makes her look very elegant and sophisticated IMHO.  You've done a beautiful job.

Warren
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on April 13, 2015, 11:16:22 AM
Absolutely gorgeous, very nice work indeed!

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on April 13, 2015, 11:51:10 AM
Agreed, agreed...man I want to get back on my AEG!

Looks great, Dan...

Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 13, 2015, 12:11:40 PM
Thanks guys!

Dan- you should definitely get going on that AEG!  I'm already thinking about putting what I'm learning from this one into the next one, this stuff is fun!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: RAGIII on April 13, 2015, 03:46:26 PM
Your Albatros is stunning with all of the markings in place! Great revovery on the strut locations.
RAGIII
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on April 13, 2015, 04:08:47 PM
A great colour scheme and fantastic decals, well done Dan.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: coyotemagic on April 14, 2015, 12:39:21 AM
Top notch work, Dan!  She's gorgeous.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: radio on April 14, 2015, 03:06:47 AM
Fantastic build Dan.
Martin
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 18, 2015, 10:47:23 AM
I started on the rigging tonight, got the first 4 wires in place.  I'm using .005" Nitinol wire held in place with white glue.  It's a slow process, I put a few wires in place and take a break while the glue dries but I'm hoping to have it done by the end of the weekend.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%20rigging%20started_zpsexmxuuho.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%20rigging%20started_zpsexmxuuho.jpg.html)

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on April 18, 2015, 11:03:28 AM
She's looking very good indeed! This is turning into a real gem.

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: ALBATROS1234 on April 19, 2015, 03:30:21 PM
wow you have gotten quite a bit done recently, looks very nice. i for one love the lines of the albatros c.1,much sleeker than the more popular c.iii ,i remember seeing an old albatros add and wondering what 2 seater it was i was seeing with that cool pointy tail feathers, later i discovered it was either a b.1,b.ii or c.1 c.1 is the beefier armed version so i became a fan hoping someone would do a 1/48 injected kit but alas. i have often debated on getting the joystick vac as they are not to hard to find for a decent price .this build has made me want one even more. great work
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 20, 2015, 03:28:45 AM
Well, here she is, finished!  Not perfect but I learned a whole lot that I'll put to use on future projects.   I'm pretty happy with it, my favorite part is the little spring on the landing "brake", it took a few tries to make that.  It also represents my first vac biplane so it will always have that going for it.

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%201_zpsijf0juxj.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%201_zpsijf0juxj.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%202_zps5ybu5qsr.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%202_zps5ybu5qsr.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%203_zpsiimu8u3f.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%203_zpsiimu8u3f.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%204_zpsrexhmfwz.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%204_zpsrexhmfwz.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%205_zpsog9yz8na.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%205_zpsog9yz8na.jpg.html)

(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/Danh4/Albatros%20C.1%206_zpsededba2j.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Danh4/media/Albatros%20C.1%206_zpsededba2j.jpg.html)

Thanks for all the help and encouragement along the way!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: WarrenD on April 20, 2015, 04:32:43 AM
Dan, that's an absolute jewel of a build there. I really like it, and you have certainly given me the vac-u-form bug.

Warren
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Thumbs up on April 20, 2015, 06:38:15 AM
Lovely!  Really enjoyed watching this build,and your first vac ta boot! Whats next???? ;)
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: coyotemagic on April 20, 2015, 01:48:23 PM
She's truly spectacular, Dan!  Looks very much like she began as a well engineered 1/48 scale injected kit.  So clean, precise and solid.
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: NinetythirdLiberator on April 20, 2015, 01:58:25 PM
Agreed with everyone else...WNW will need to make one before yours has the least bit of competition.  Awesome finish and cunning brake!

With much admiration...Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 21, 2015, 05:42:02 AM
Dan, that's an absolute jewel of a build there. I really like it, and you have certainly given me the vac-u-form bug.

Warren

Thanks Warren.  I hope you do get the bug, let's get a few more underway here!

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 21, 2015, 05:52:51 AM
Lovely!  Really enjoyed watching this build,and your first vac ta boot! Whats next???? ;)

Actually it's my third vac but it was my first vac biplane which I was a bit apprehensive about.  I think the cabane arrangement of the Albatros simplified things and made it a good first subject though.

Not sure what's next, I was going to take a break and do something more conventional but there's this little voice in my ear....

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 21, 2015, 05:54:03 AM
She's truly spectacular, Dan!  Looks very much like she began as a well engineered 1/48 scale injected kit.  So clean, precise and solid.
Cheers,
Bud

Thanks Bud!
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on April 21, 2015, 05:56:08 AM
Agreed with everyone else...WNW will need to make one before yours has the least bit of competition.  Awesome finish and cunning brake!

With much admiration...Dan

I'm thinking now that I could have made that brake operational via the lever in the cockpit, there's always next time I guess!  ;)

-Dan
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: radio on April 21, 2015, 08:24:21 AM
It is a perfect build.
Martin
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: IanB on April 21, 2015, 10:10:50 AM
Beautiful, Dan.
 Congrats on a great build, even better as a first vac!

Ian
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Des on April 21, 2015, 10:44:09 AM
Congratulations Dan on producing a superb model, the overall finish on this model looks fantastic and you did an awesome job of the rigging, extremely well done.

Des.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: RAGIII on April 21, 2015, 06:29:29 PM
What can I add? Stunning, beautiful, crisp details and painting.... and so much more!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: vincentm on May 02, 2015, 10:26:42 AM
Beautiful and precise build. So that thing between the wheels is a brake? That was really kind of primitive, guess it would rather dig grooves in the runway, especially when it was muddy...
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Culi on May 05, 2015, 01:43:16 AM
Great work. This turn to be beautiful bird.
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Cajun on June 14, 2015, 01:57:16 AM
Oh man.......

 Marvelous!!!!!! Really superb!!

 I have this exact same kit and reading this build has me quit iffy about wanting to build it lol.....Anyone wanna trade? haha
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Danh4 on June 14, 2015, 11:54:09 AM
I have this exact same kit and reading this build has me quit iffy about wanting to build it lol.....Anyone wanna trade? haha
Thank Cajun!  To be honest with you, I was a little bit iffy myself when I started it and I thought I'd just do one thing at a time and see how it went.  Turned out to be some of the most fun I've ever had building a model.  I advise you to start yours immediately!

-Dan


Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: Cajun on June 14, 2015, 11:24:18 PM
lol.  I have 2 Vacform kits and man....... I think I need to build about 40 more of my revell kits before considering trying to tackle this bird!!

 I have this and Falcon B.E.2c. in 1/48.  one day I might get to them lol
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: GAJouette on July 24, 2015, 11:16:29 AM
  Dan,
The Albatros  is absolutely beautiful my friend. Having built countless vacuforms myself I can appreciate the skills needed to do the kit justice and you have done just that. Even more impressing is it's in 1/72........OUTSTANDING !
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: Joystick 1/72 Albatros C.1
Post by: PrzemoL on August 05, 2015, 07:19:05 PM
Beautiful Albatros!