Thank you for the pictures, the 6219 captured airplane is exactly the one I am going for!
definitely there seems to be a mistake in Dimitar Nedialkov book, I dont have this particular one, but I have another one from the same author. Also Mitko (the guy behind mdesign) have a book on captured by Bulgaria aircrafts during WWI, ait is called "On the wings of the enemy". This aircraft and this exact picture is on the cover
Now back to the build itself, I am using the same text as I used to post on FB, apologies to those that already have seen it! Some parts on the pictures are not glued, sanded clean or even painted, but that will come,
Armstrong-Whitworth FK.3 in Bulgarian Service
1/48 mdesign kit
This is mdesign?s second 1/48 kit, and they?ve switched sides with this attractive British two-seater from the early years of WWI. What makes it especially interesting is the option to build it as a captured aircraft ? I?m going with Bulgarian markings, which gives this British design a neat Central Powers flavor.
First Impressions & Kit Contents
The presentation is already a clear step up from their debut Roland kit. The box art looks much more professional, and the sprues are better protected inside. Instructions are provided as a PDF ? just scan the QR code on the box and you?re good to go.Part count is pleasantly low (the engine, for example, is a single beautiful piece). The detail level on that engine is outstanding ? Mitko should seriously consider offering it as a separate aftermarket item. Smaller parts come on a box-style fret, while the wings and fuselage are on their own frames. Everything is crisply molded with excellent surface detail.
A smart engineering touch is the provision for steel wire reinforcement inside the wings. This should prevent any long-term sagging ? a very welcome feature on biplanes.
Build Experience So Far
Fit is generally good, though not perfect. There are a few minor misalignments (likely from resin shrinkage) that were easily corrected with a bit of putty and sanding. Nothing dramatic, and well within the expectations for a limited-run resin kit.The parts are very finely detailed, so you need to handle them carefully to avoid damaging the crisp ribbing, stitching, and other surface textures. The interior is noticeably more detailed than the one in the Roland kit. While it?s perfectly acceptable out of the box, the two-seater layout offers great visibility, so there?s plenty of scope for those who like to add control cables, extra wiring, or other scratch-built details. These early aircraft were relatively simple inside, so super-detailing remains an enjoyable and manageable project.
Painting & Marking Plans
I?m aiming for a well-used, frontline look with faded colors, paint chipping, and some weathering ? exactly how these aircraft probably appeared in Bulgarian service. The captured markings should make for a distinctive and eye-catching model on the display shelf.Here are the pictures of the build so far:
