Scratchbuild 1/32 Pfalz A.I

[Kalt]

Hello everyone,

I think the best way to remember Des is with a 1/32 Scrachtbuilt model. I decided to build an aircraft that was on my "Top 10" list for a long time: The Pfalz A.I Parasol, the license-built version of the Morane Saulnier Type L. 

Pfalz40 by clkal, en Flickr

I have been collecting information and photos for a while without much success. So, I will be very grateful if somebody can share photos or can direct me to a book with good photos. I am interested in detail photos, particularly showing the interior of Pfalz built machines.

These are the books I have or have access to:

- Windsock Datafile 16 Morane Saulnier Type L, JM Bruce, Albatros Productions.
- Windsock Datafile 59 Pfalz E.I/E.VI, PM Grosz, Albatros Productions.
- Pfalz Scout Aces of WWI, Greg VanWyngarden, Osprey Publishing.
- Pfalz Aircraft of WWI, Jack Herries, Flying Machine Press.
- French Aircraft of WWI, JJ Davila/AM Soltan, Flying Machine Press.
- Victoria Cross. WWI airmen and their Aircraft, Alex Revell, Flying Machine Press.

The starting point.....

P1080383 by clkal, en Flickr

[Ryan]

Excellent project, you might try this gentleman's Flickr account.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/varese2002/albums

Ryan

[gbrivio]

Fine choice, this is another rarity. Can't wait to see your project on its way. Good luck.
Ciao
Giuseppe

[Juan]

This is a great choice of an early aircraft.  Cannot wait to see how you develop her.

[Kalt]

Thanks for the link, Ryan. Great photo collection! but sadly, no Pfalz A.I photos.....

[Kalt]

Thanks Giuseppe and Juan. I am a bit worried about the time needed to complete the build but I will do my best.

[RAGIII]

Outstanding entry. Des would Love this one. Check out the scratchbuild section as a member did a Morane a while back
RAGIII

[Kalt]

Thanks Rick, I have not seen that build

[Alexis]

Looking forward to this one 





Terri

[Monty]

This is a classic and beautiful subject to scratchbuild, Kalt! I'm looking forward to it - your info looks great! ATB, Marc.

[pepperman42]

Nice choice and that WOULD be in Des' wheelhouse!!

Steve

[Kalt]

Thanks Steve and Marc. I will do my best!

I spent last days working with scale drawings. I am using the Morane Saulnier Type  L drawings from the Windsock Datafile as a basis but I had to redraw them using Corel Draw to include some particular characteristics of the Pfalz A.I.

Meanwhile, I started to work in the wing. I used Harry Woodman's method but with a variation, instead of a balsa core I used a more stable material: 2mm plasticard.
The wing profile was achieved with the help of a heat gun and a PVC tube. The trailing edge was sanded to get the correct thickness and the leading edge was rounded. The sanding was the most tedious part of the procedure with a lot of plasticard dust flying everywhere....

Here is a photo of the almost completed wing's core (I still have to make the cut outs in the middle of the wing):

P1020366 by clkal, en Flickr

If everything goes Ok I am planning to post a new update in the following days

[RAGIII]

Your wing core looks excellent! Looking forward to your next updates!
RAGIII

[Ryan]

This is great work, thanks for posting.

Ryan

[Kalt]

Thanks Rick and Ryan.
This weekend I found some free time and I managed to advance with the wing.  I printed the rib pattern on a 0.25mm plasticard sheet and then "embossed" each rib with the help of a fine ballpoint pen. Then, I glued it to both sides of the wing core with the "positive" embossing on the upper side of the wing and "negative" on the lower.  I did this to depict the characteristic "sagging of the lower surface of the real wing.

P1020364 by clkal, en Flickr

P1020600 by clkal, en Flickr

P1020605 by clkal, en Flickr

P1020608 by clkal, en Flickr

Morane-Prop-deflector-3bN by clkal, en Flickr