Aces Mounts Group build 2025: Joachim von Bertrab Albatros D.III Roden 1/72

[Skyhook]

Hello!

It is now ready and colourful. I built it basically as an out-of-the-box build, just tweaking some items closer to the scale. Only additions were sights for MGs, some cockpit details added by scratchbuilding them and rigging the plane with heat stretched black sprue.

I know there is debate lately about the fuselage being black, because Von Bertrab was later shot down in Albatros D.V, which Mick Mannock (the victor) described as black. But before all the sources have described his famous D.III as having a purple fuselage. So who knows... if you look at the photos, the white crosses have a very dark borders with clear contrast with slightly lighter fuselage colour. Probably a different value of glossiness of paint resulting in that effect? But the contrast can be seen also on the shadowy bits of the cross...  well, anyway I decided to go with the purple, as it is very striking color, even among the other colourful Albatroses.

Overall, i found the Roden kit to be very good and  looks rather right, especially with some of the struts shortened a little, to have the correct gap between the wings. This was a fast and simple project and very enjoyable as well...

Cheers, Skyhook

DCACB23F-5485-4579-A480-F17ABB1B28F2

E7926886-A42C-4395-9DC6-87A8E025B5BF

9A4823C1-CD03-4C98-BB89-3F81722FDD9E

761F84E5-B27A-44C1-BA8A-C891E27A068B

C4DD5154-CD4D-47D9-AE12-5061E08F950E

FE7B1906-28E5-4F1B-80EB-4D2ADA179D61

[NigelR]

That's a sharp build in this small scale, getting those MG sights on is quite an achievement! The colour scheme is very striking and your logic for it is definitely plausible. A lovely result on a nice little kit. 

[lone modeller]

I agree with everything that Nigel has written - and as it is in God's Own Scale, tat makes it even better!

We can discuss the issues around colour schems for this period as we all know so well - your interpretation is entire;ly plausible and very colourful.

Stephen.

[PrzemoL]

Very nice. And colourful indeed 

[DaddyO]

Lovely and I rather like the purple fuselage (Like you I noticed that the fuselage cross outlines were 'dark' compared to the 'black' fuselage and did wonder . . . .)

Great build either way 

Paul

[Monty]

This is  great build, Skyhook! I like your attention to detail and the colours are just so interesting! Well done! Marc

[Will Levesley]

I like that.  Looks good in purple.

[Skyhook]

Thanks, guys!

Yes, the purple is quite rare color in ww1 planes. I went for the purple also because Bertrab's Albatros DIII has been described like that for as long as i can remember. The black theory is much, much later one. I was just thinking that probably the mention of purple colour is based on a real observation or source long ago. And it also could explain the clearly visible black borders on the fuselage crosses. Bit strange to paint the reverse colour crosses with black borders on a black fuselage. Well, again one of those things regarding colours we probably will never know for sure. Like Voss's cowling

Cheers, Skyhook

[Flute]

Scale, good (holy, in fact). Aeroplane, Albatros = good. Source kit, one of my favourite things that needs work but usually ends happily. Workmanship and finish, more than good. Okay, what's not to like? Lubbely, as my mum used to say (she was weird too).

Paul.

[Allan31]

Lubberly.