Revell Ancient Molds 1/72 scale Albatros D.III Completed

[lone modeller]

Oh happy days! I remember the plastic being blue when I built this kit in the ealry 1970's - although by then I was a more experienced modeller. I had to paint Voss' personal markings on minne and the fuselage was yellow not wood!

Looking forward to seeing more of this.

Stephen.

[GazzaS]

Some color.  A lot of shapes are killing me mentally right now.  Those propeller blades look suspiciously short, too.






Not happy with the gray on the cowl.  Need it to be lighter.

Happy modelling!

[Rick_H]

Do you have the upper wing glued on?

I'm working on one of those too and am trying to get all the paint and decals done before attaching the wing.  (Or maybe I am just postponing the upper wing as long as possible.)
Rick

[WD]

Great progress Gazza, I think for it's age, the kit holds up very well in terms of shape, etc. It's product from 50 years ago.

I dreamed of getting my hands on this kit when I was a kid, but never found one. 

WD

[WD]

I have been guilty of building orange-stained Albatros fighters.  Only about a year ago did I learn of the Idflieg (Inspekteur Der Fliegertruppen) regulation stating that the wooden areas were to  be stained yellow.  How yellow?  I'm not sure.  But probably not orange.  So, mine now looks like this:

I spent several years in rural construction, and have seen my share of plywood made from softwoods (pine, fir, etc.) A lot of it, in its natural state, has an orange cast to it, so going with an orange/yellow blend wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility IMHO.

Just my two Pfennings,

WD

[GazzaS]

Do you have the upper wing glued on?

I'm working on one of those too and am trying to get all the paint and decals done before attaching the wing.  (Or maybe I am just postponing the upper wing as long as possible.)
Rick

It's just dry fitted, mate.  Easier to illustrate that way. 

[GazzaS]

Great progress Gazza, I think for it's age, the kit holds up very well in terms of shape, etc. It's product from 50 years ago.

I dreamed of getting my hands on this kit when I was a kid, but never found one. 

WD

Thank you.  I didn't even know of this kit back then.

[GazzaS]

I have been guilty of building orange-stained Albatros fighters.  Only about a year ago did I learn of the Idflieg (Inspekteur Der Fliegertruppen) regulation stating that the wooden areas were to  be stained yellow.  How yellow?  I'm not sure.  But probably not orange.  So, mine now looks like this:

I spent several years in rural construction, and have seen my share of plywood made from softwoods (pine, fir, etc.) A lot of it, in its natural state, has an orange cast to it, so going with an orange/yellow blend wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility IMHO.

Just my two Pfennings,

WD

I suppose anything is possible.  If we consider the orthochromatic film of the day that would turn yellow into black, then we are given more evidence for yellow.

[GazzaS]

Hi Friends!

The decals really make the model.  I got a little stupid and let my desire to tackle a new challenge upset the build.  I really was looking forward to turning the empty white field that comprised the empennage into 3d shapes sculpted with oil paints.  I should have waited until the decals were on.



To make the shapes appear on the tail I used black, blue, and white oils.  I'm pleased that even in the intense light of my bench, some of the shades are still visible.



The original blades were very stumpy and broad.  So much so that I thought they were under-length for scale.  But I was wrong.  They were the proper length.  Still... they were ugly enough to warrant replacement.  And the spinner required a lot of reshaping.  This is as steady as my hands can do with a paint brush.  Remember that the blades are only 2.6mm wide.



 used oils to darken the spaces between the ribs on both upper and lower wings.  It shows more on the lower wing of this picture than on the upper wing.  I'm hoping that it becomes more apparent after a matte coat and better, less brilliant lighting.

 

Happy modelling!

[WD]

Looking great Gazza.

WD

[RAGIII]

This old kit really looks great after the care you have taken to do such an excellent paint job. Love the colors!
RAGIII

[lone modeller]

That really does look the part. The markings have given it a real lift. The propellor blades look fine too - remember that the camera lens magnifies things a lot.

Stephen.

[Borsos]

Lovely antiquity, Gazza! These vintage kits really look nice when build carefully like you do.
Andreas

[KiwiZac]

Very clever work with the oils, and with the decals she looks like a much larger (and more recent) kit!

[GazzaS]

Very clever work with the oils, and with the decals she looks like a much larger (and more recent) kit!

Thank you Zac!  The decals took about three minutes each soaking and waiting for the cement to allow them to slide off the paper.  They laid down nicely, though.