Hi all!
I thought I would break this one out into its own thread. I am currently building two Fokker Dr.1's from Eduard in 1/48. The first, I am converting into a 'what if' sea plane - see the thread here:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12812.0The second, I am building as a conventional Dr.1. I have it in mind to build as Kempf's Jasta Boelcke machine; I have always had a 'thing' for this machine ever since I first tried to ham-fistedly build the DML Dr.1 as a teen way back in the 90s (let's just say etch was a brand new thing to me and it didn't end well...!)
The Eduard kit is quite lovely out of the box. Here are some of the progress pics previously posted over in the other thread - at last update, I had completed the interior, engine, and propeller. The cockpit is largely out of the box, with the addition of trigger and throttle cables, the addition of the fuel hand pump, and omission of the Bosch starter that the kit instructions would have you install. The engine and prop are from the kit.
I've recently moved home, and have now re-set up the bench (including with a shiny new cutting matt, unsullied by years of glue and paint spills). So... time to get back into it!
I have now cleaned up all of the major components, as well as removing the incorrect inspection window on the upper wing (i'll re-add one in the proper location a little later).
One of the major issues with the Eduard kit is the undercarriage. Built out of the box, the legs are too long, and the corresponding 'sit' of the model is noticeably "off" - the model sits way too high at the front, and thus the aircraft 'tilts' too far back when on its legs. A while back (~2009), Pheon were including a page with their 1/48 Fokker decals that provided a template for a jig, and instructions on how to best modify the kit for the correct sit. They identify the issue as being effectively two fold; the forward legs are a too long, and the way that Eduard have you build the kit, the rear legs are tricky to seat properly in their slots on the fuselage sides. Pheon recommend the lower wing is cut in half at the spar, the under-fuselage cover piece added to the fuselage, and the gear legs set at the correct angle using the jig, with the wings being able to be 'slotted' back into the gap after the undercarriage is actually installed. Accordingly, I made the requisite jig (with a few additions), cleaned up the undercarriage legs, and added them to the axle wing, letting the glue set the legs at the correct angles.
It now looks like it will definitely sit at the more appropriate angle once done, so I am happy with these adjustments. When it comes time for final construction, i'll follow the Pheon advice and install the lower wing after the undercarriage, middle wing and interplane struts are on.
The observant will also notice I have omitted the kit axle; I'll add one from metal tube later, for strength. I intend on switching the kit wheels out with wheels from the old DML kit, which I think have more definition (good for washes) and just seem to 'look' a bit better to my eye.
So that's where she sits (pardon the pun). Onwards and upwards!
Cheers,
Brad
