Albatros C.III, Special Hobby 1/48, Grand Giveaway

[Bughunter]

Albatros C.III  
 

As the winner of the Special Hobby Grand Giveaway, a kit of the Albatros C.III is on its way to me. As the kit was only sent a few days ago, it can't be here yet, of course. But ...
The only condition was to build the kits and publish a build report about the project in the Forum.

My library has the Windsock Datafile 13 describing the Albatros in detail.



I love the title painting, done by Brian Knight. So I decided to replicate again his paint by my model. As no serial is shown there is no decal problem to be solved.

And after opening this Datafile, I came across a wonderful opener picture on page 1 showing a beautiful Axial air screw with three different kinds of wood! Since I don't need the kit for this, was tired of rigging the DH-2 project and working with wood is always relaxing, I just had to give it a try


Air screw


That is the result after shaping and primer, the front side:



and back side.



Then I reduced the strong contrasts using airbrush and clear paints like Clear Orange. Again the front ...



... and back side.



Not sure, if it is a bit dark now?



On the other hand it matches nearly the painting:



The Wikipedia collection has a Albatros C.III detail picture showing the hub.

Source: wikimedia.org

According to the review page there is no PE hub in the Special Hobby kit, but I found a matching spare in my stash.



One option would be to remove the paint with alcohol and try again.
What do you think?

That is so far a start of the new project. For the rest we are in the hands of the postal minions 

Cheers,
Frank

[Borsos]

Might be of some help:
http://originalundmodell.de/bauberichte/albatros_c3.htm
 
Andreas

[PrzemoL]

Lovely project. And fantastic start.
Yet, I have my doubts about the three-woodsort propeller. Honestly speaking, I have never come across an info about something like this.
I know, the photo seems to have three shades of grey. But is it not some sort of shadows play?...

[KiwiZac]

I love that you already have a prop before the kit has hit your bench Frank! After the DH.2 I'm very excited to see this Albi take shape under your hand!

[Bughunter]

Thank you very much my friends!

Thank you for the link Andreas, there is much to read and follow!

Yet, I have my doubts about the three-woodsort propeller.

At least not for Axial.
The printed version show clearly, that there are really three different wood colors. I have seen this also on an Axial mounted to a Fokker D.VIII/E.V, and some Albatros too (can't remember the type)
Also in a book about German propeller some color pictures of actual existing Axial shows some very dark layers (like mahogany), some very bright layers, and others in between.

In the air screw I made it makes sense to use mahogany (which was under embargo and not widely available) exact on that layer where the very dark layer can be seen. This is a wide and long load-bearing layer.


Zac, I sooo love working with wood, this was a welcome change from rigging the DH-2!

The plan is to continue the work on the Nieuport Triplane. I hope to have this one finished, if the kit arrives.

Cheers,
Frank

[kensar]

Honestly, I like the lighter wood tones better.   

[Brad Cancian]

I don't know how you do it... between work and other commitments, I can't seem to find a couple of hours in any given week to get any modelling done. And yet you smash out model after model after amazing model in such a short period of time... how do you do it....?!

[Dave W]

Hi Frank

Please be patient re the prize kit arrivals. We have no control over international mail deliveries and some packages are taking a while to get from Australia to other points on the globe.

cheers

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[Bughunter]

Thanks!

Ken, I'm leaning towards repainting too! Not only because of the colour, I have previously overlooked problems in the surface of the primer.

Please be patient re the prize kit arrivals.

Yes Dave, I know - no problem!
I just wanted to escape the rigging work on the DH-2 and relax while working with wood. So this was a good excuse
I like to finish other projects before really starting this one, so there is really no problem with a late kit arrival.

Cheers,
Frank

[lone modeller]

Oh dear Frank. Not rigging the DH 2 is almost unforgivable! I was so looking forward to seeing it finished....

I agree that the painted prop is too dark - I think that you should remove the paint and try again.

Stephen.

[Bughunter]

Thank you Stephen!
That prop was only a very short break - the DH-2 is in the Completed section 

Cheers,
Frank

[PrzemoL]

Thank you Frank for the info on 3-colour prop. Interesting!

As for the darkness/brightness I will refrain from giving advice.

[KiwiZac]

Zac, I sooo love working with wood

It shows in the end product, Frank! And I always enjoy seeing the fruits of your labours.