The letters on the tires aren't a success yet. Painting them white and putting a wash on top does help, but it also becomes a bit messy. There are different grades in its finish, from matt to gloss. And I want it to be completely flat. Of course I can spray some matt cote on top, but I will have to mask everything else then.
Now some thoughts about the thickness of the front panels and cowls inspired by Keith "Kornbeef's" D.VII.
First the chin cowl and the connecting bottom panel:
Here you see probably the need for lenghtening the chin cowl. I supposed it wasn't any longer, perhaps even for ventilation purposes. On the left and right you do see very prominent the thickness of the 2 triangular side panels, which were a lot thinner for sure on the real thing. If you make them thinner though, you have to make the bottom panel wider, otherwise it doesn't fit to the fuselage.
I must admit, this one was completely new to me. But you do see ofcourse that the radiator is less wide than the chin cowl. This iwill be corrected when the two top cowls are in place. In my opinion they are thin enough. Thinner can be achieved only if you would make them from metal.
Here the top cowls are in place. Those are actually the only parts that don't fit by themselves. Here again the air pump in front of the cam shaft creates problems that can be solved. I still don't know if it is caused by the Taurus parts camshaft or that those problems would surface anyhow. But with the top cowls in place I think WNW did a good job for fitting the radiator, top cowls and chin cowl, but you should put them all together and not leave the top cowls off (what I am doing).
Here again the thickness of the triangular side panel that will be visible when left open. I will remove this one in order to be able to reach the throttle control etc.
When the side panel is in place everything looks ok to me (ofcourse the top cowl is not yet in its final position)
The other side gives thesame impression. I do need to paint the edge of the chin cowl with LVA Khaki.
My idea is that what you see here is the result of making a product of styrene and not in metal. Its a compromise. We just should stop detailling the Mercedes D.III and want to see the result afterwards
. Just cover her up and everything will be fine. But no, mine will stay open too.
I am preparing a stand with sand and a field. A friend is already producing some heather too
regards,
Ivo
