MERIT 1/24 Fokker Dr1

[dinor]

Hello Everyone

With the completion of the SE5a I thought I would get straight into the Dr1 build.

My hope is that this won't take as long as the SE5a though !

I am treating this build again as a vehicle to learn some new skills etc. To this end I will substitute a couple of the kit items for scratch built and try for a generally 'tidier' build. I know that this kit has the wrong engine type but nevertheless I'd like to build Lothar Von Richtofens scheme. For the simple reason I think it would contrast well in the display cabinet next to the SE5a...although if you have any other suggestions for a very colourful Dr1 I am happy to take a look.

Anyway some initial shots showing the start.

[RAGIII]

Excellent start. The wood panels on the fuselage sides look great! I will follow with interest!
RAGIII

[dinor]

Hi Every one, need a bit of advice please.... i want to start painting the engine and have looked at some build threads and how others have tackled them. Need some help re the following please ;

- I was debating whether to paint the engine aluminium/stainless and leave this as the base or some sort of black base first and then dry brush aluminium highlights..my preference is the former ?

- I mainly use Tamiya Acrylics and would like to stay with them for simplicity. Although I notice a variety of paints being used including Des' Humbrol Steel or Humbrol Stainless. .do you think XF 16 Flat Aluminium would work ?

- I'd like to add some slight cylinder discolouration any thoughts on this and recommendations on paint colour  ...again preferably Tamiya but if not then what others ? Should this be sprayed or brushed on...I cant see how you can spray it on without the pushrods acting as a mask in front of the cylinder so I assume this needs to be dry brushed ?

- Should the pushrods themselves be of a different colour as they are presumably made of a different metal.

- I have just discovered Montys thread on this forum so will be using that to help me as well as a thread on Britmodellor.

- Spark plugs are white and I will add ignition leads from copper strand..this sound correct ?

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=8274.0

thank you all in advance.

Kind Regards Dino

[GazzaS]

Hi Dinor,
    I'm looking forward to your build. 

I have a process regarding engines.  First I airbrush them all a solid white metal color.  Then a dark wash to emphasize recesses.  Then I consider the heat taken by the cylinders, unless they are the black ones used by the Germans.  Oils will get burnt on to those cylinders calling for some brown washes.  I believe deeper brown and a little blue nearer the far end of the cylinder.  A picture is always helpful:


I like to use washes for the parts that don't get too hot like the crank case cover etc.   Maybe a little yellow wash or a little blue just to tint the aluminum.  My hope is to show just enough difference in color between the parts to tease the eye.

The pushrods, I leave clean except for the ends which I darken up with a little blue first, and then a little brown to show burnt oil.

There are a lot of pictures out there.

I really don't dry-brush to on aircraft models.

HTH,

Gaz

[dinor]

Thank you Gaz ... what do you mean by a ‘solid white metal colour’ ?

[Alexis]

Looking forward on seeing how this turns out 


Terri

[GazzaS]

Thank you Gaz ... what do you mean by a ‘solid white metal colour’ ?

I usually use Alclad polished Aluminum.  But you can use anything, really.

[dinor]

Progressing slowly but surely.

Motor was  sprayed using SMS Stainless Steel with some brass highlights and white for the plugs. Fuselage frame and cockpit is complete. i left out the kit supplied instrument panel as it just didnt look right.

I was surprised at the differences in cockpit layouts during some research but it was always sparse!

Did some scratch seatbelts, the lap ones are placed incorrectly but thats a learning, also cut off the rear frame as that was not allowing the fuselage to close on dry fitting and seemed to serve no purpose. Reversed the fabric bulkhead behind the pilots seat to show no frame and inserted rudder cabling.

Fuselage will be joined shortly and i intend to add the two fuel caps which are missing from the molding and I cut off the exhaust pipe (/) protrusion on each side as it was far too thick, this will be replaced by a more suitably sized brass tube.

So far a fun build but I am mazed at how wide the front of the Fuselage halves, especially when compared to the Merit SE5a..I thought the DR1 was supposed to be a small aeroplane or maybe the dimensions are out in the kit, will show a comparison further on when the fuselage is together.

Apologies for the crappy IPhone photos but it is convenient.

[GazzaS]

The photos are ok...  details look great!

[RAGIII]

Looking very good! I am looking forward to your next update!
RAGIII

[Alexis]

Coming along nicely 

Terri

[Bughunter]

Looks nice so far! That big scale allows a lot of details.
On the engine some wash with oil paint (highly diluted) would improve the details and act as weathering.

Cheers,
Frank

[lone modeller]

Just catching up. You have made an excellent start - super interior details and it reads as though the engine is going to be very good too. Looking forward to seeing that when you are ready.

Stephen.

[RichieW]

What a great start, nice engine there. I agree with Frank, a dilute oil wash will really make the details pop.

[dinor]

Some small progress. The 'fuzz' is locked up, some seam lines apparent on the top, less so on the bottom. Landing gear seems so much stronger that the SE5a, in fact the whole model seems more 'robust', with the SE5a I always seemed to be fighting its fragility. Not sure if this is the design of the model or it reflects the full size differences.

I also created two openings in the middle wing for refilling inlets which will be made from some copper tube.

Thanks for all your previous comments, the engine did have a tamiya black panel wash applied but I will certainly add some more at a later stage as well as to the firewall.

Wings will be attached this weekend then I will clean up the seams and prepare for painting.

The model has 'presence' I must say.