New 1/48th SSW D.III from Eduard confirmed

[rowan broadbent]

See their latest newsletter (only in Czech for the moment - English version usually follows soon after):

http://www.eduard.com/store/out/media/InfoEduard/archive/2014/info-eduard-2014-01CZ.pdf

Only the D.III announced for Summer release as the 20th anniversary kit (it was their first full plastic kit, of course). No D.IV it seems, at least not yet... here's hoping. It would need new wings, struts and fuselage (lower wing mounting position was different), so effectively all the major parts need changing and although most of the detail parts would be the same, it still means a complete new mould so a major lump of investment which incremental sales probably wouldn't support. So, still room for a resin kit using the Eduard one as a donor, perhaps? If a 'Weekend' version of the D.III arrives (almost guaranteed) then that would keep costs down but it still would be quite an expensive total outlay.

No idea of markings as yet, of course but rest assured we'll do something if there is anything left!

I do so hope that this may mark a return to supporting our period in 48th scale; maybe we'll get a re-do of the other Eduard kits from the original series: Hannover, Albatros C.III, Sopwith Pup and Triplane, Starstrutter (please!) etc. Lets hope so. Even a brand new Albatros D.III and D.V/Va might be on the cards - a chance to correct the undercart on the D.V....... They have a special commemorative logo for the Great War, so fingers crossed!

[Nigel Jackson]

Thanks for the news Rowan.  With a special commemorative logo for the Great War it could well indeed be that there are more on the way. Incidentally if you scroll down the link there are several scary photos of their 1/48 scale DH 2 stripdown.

Best wishes
Nigel

[Ssasho0]

I already ordered the DH-2 stripdown! Scary indeed, but I just can't miss it. I will have to complete the DrI stripdown first and then move to the DH-2

[Berman]

 I can not figure out Eduard's game plan. They introduce a new 1/48 kit while selling their Fokker Dr.I, Bristol F.2b fighter, late Spad XIII, and Albatros D.V/D.Va molds to Revell Germany. The D.V is the one with the most problems. Besides the landing gear being too short, the wheels are also undersize(should be 760mm), the Mercedes engine is three milimeters too short, the spinner is slightly too large in diameter and a bit short (should be 290mm by 600mm), and the kit features a shared D.III horizontal stabilizer which also makes the shape of the rear fuselage wrong.

[coyotemagic]

Excellent news, Rowan!  Thanks for the link.  You know, if you do a sheet for that kit, I'll buy it.  I have the Koster D.IV, so even if Eduard decides not to do the D.IV, I've got the wings for the conversion.
Cheers,
Bud

[Dave W]

Good news from Eduard today. In the English language edition of their January 2014 InfoEduard newsletter they officially advise they are returning to WW1 aircraft kits to mark the 100th anniversary of the war, announcing that over the next four years they plan to release at least one kit of a WW1 aircraft in each of those years.

The Siemens Schuckert D.III is first plus a "warm up"1/72 scale DH2 stripdown in PE. No word on what the other kits may be.

So 1/48th scale WW1 fans can rejoice and let's hope Eduard see the wisdom of reactivating its WW1 line.

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[ALBATROS1234]

i thought it said 1/48 dh-2 stripdown? and i am very glad to see an eduard new tool ssw d.iii like bud said if need be we can use our koster d.iv to convert.  one kit per year sounds great to me. thats all i ever asked of eduard. i am not foolish enuff to desire a new d.v though. so theres a couple problems. we are modellers thats what we do, fix kit inaccuracies .thats what makes one guys build better than another, the more time we spend to perfect and add detail the nicer the finished model. this is what i enjoy.one of the things that inspired me early on was your 1/48 eduard pup build rowan.that was so nice and it made me realise i could try to improve stuff on my kits. lately i have been working on sierra vacs trying to get the wings nice and scratch interiors from photos and such. thats the fun stuff to me. but i sure wont complain if eduard puts out a few new tool kits of high quality.

[Nigel Jackson]

Yes, Albatros, you're right it does say 1/48 for the  DH 2 strip down.

Best wishes
Nigel

[xmald]

That is some great news!!! I hope I`ll be able to pick a SSW when it will be available! I still got the oldie goldie kit in my stash...

[rolanddvi]

Just saw on the Eduard website that the Siemens-Schuckert D.III is to be available sometime this summer!!

Mike