Scratch build DFW Mars

[lone modeller]

Evening All,
 
I have posted in the announcements section that I had missed this until now: I have been seriously distracted from modelling for a time now and had not seen this GB. i already have a project in hand which is inappropriate as a subject and more than half finished, so I am going to start a new one specifically for this GB. I will be slow at first as I want to finish the other project, but I think that I can complete this one well before the deadline.

The subject is the Deutsche Flugzeug Werke (DFW) B1 Mars. This machine came in one of two variants: a monoplane and a biplane - mine will be a biplane. Both were two seaters and were intended for reconnaissance. They entered service prior to the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 but saw service in the early months of the conflict and so meet the criteria for the GB.

I have made a start by gluing two pieces of basswood (lime) together which will be shaped to make moulds for the fuselage.



While the glue is setting I can proceed further with the Short project!

Thanks for looking.

Stephen.

[RAGIII]

I Love the unstarted kit  I look forward to your Tribute Build!
RAGIII

[enathan]

Looking forward to your build log!

[Dirigible-Al]

Well done LM, the DFW Mars is a great subject. If memory serves me right a biplane version was purchased by and served with the British, the Ottomans also had at least one too.

[NigelR]

Very interesting project, looking forward to this.

[lone modeller]

Thank you gentlemen for your kind comments - they are much appreciated.

Enathan: thank you for the correction - I have amended the heading on this thread. I am not sure how I managed to confuse the two types.

Alan: yes a machine was delivered to the UK in May 1914 and went first to Farnborough and then to Eastchurch where it was based when war broke out. Apparantly it was sent to the north of England in August in case it was mistaken for an enemy machine.

[Flamingo]

What an interesting project! The Mars is such an ugly dinosaur it is almost beautiful.
The british machine had the number 154, so it was a naval plane.
Do you use the Woodman drawings?
This picture is from Deutsches Museum, Munich
If you want more references please check your messages.
Greetings Joachim

[lone modeller]

evening All,

Although I am still working on the Africa/Hibernia/Short S 37 I have also spent some time working on the DFW Mars  Here is an update on progress with that project.

I carved the fuselage male mould and cut a female mould from plywood. The two fuselage halves were plunge moulded from 30 thou plastic card:



The moulds were cut from the card, and I have also cut out the wing blanks. The upper wing was swept back so I have had to cut that in two pieces which I will join together later. I have marked in pencil where the ribs will be cemented later:



Thanks for looking.

Stephen.

[RAGIII]

Wow Stephen! Another Great example of your scratchbuilding Skills! Fuselage and wings look great.
RAGIII

[NigelR]

Another amazing example of scratchbuilding in the group build. I feel slightly embarrassed just assembling a WNW kit.....

[AngryJazz]

Very nice work! Fun to see all the skills required for a scratch build