Revell Fokker E-III 1/72 (1965 kit, first build, could use some help!)

[jxeboy]

Hello everyone,

As you can see I am new on the forum here.  I hope this is the section to post something like this, if not please feel free to move it to wherever it fits!

I have just finished college (I studied History and German!), and I am eagerly job searching. Although this is a time-consuming process, there are some dull moments, and today was one of them. I have been thinking of constructive ways to use my time and after reading "September Evening", a biography of sorts about Werner Voss, I decided I wanted to build a model of his airplane.

Now, I know what people are going to say. "He didn't fly an E-III!"  And of course I know this. While browsing for a nice DR.1 at my local hobby store (which has a very depressing selection by the way), I saw a section full of very old kits, and sandwiched between two modern fighterjets was this little beauty,



I always liked the E.III. It fascinates me how quickly the aeroplane developed in just a short 15 years. The E.III ties it all together for me. It is the metaphorical "bridge" between prewar and wartime aviation.

Now, I do have some experience building models, but it is very laughable to say the least. Just a handful of hastily slapped together models from when I was 15 or so. I do know generally how to do the basics, but I want this model to really look the part.

Taking everything out of the box I was pleasantly surprised all of the parts seem to be here.



What I was not pleasantly surprised about however was the quality of the model. It is very mediocre, I don't even believe it has any sort of cockpit modeled. But it is my first model I am doing for quite some time, so I believe it will go alright. Hopefully the decals still work alright!

I decided I will try to make this kit look like Immelmann's E.III, as he was the first ace of the war, and this is my first model of the war!

I am looking for suggestions on how to begin this kit. I suppose the first thing I should do is worry about preping and painting the main body, but I really want a too canvas looking, and not just a solid yellow/tan. I assume the best way might be to spray the body with the solid color, and then go through and try 'weathering' it? I would appreciate any and all suggestions I could get.


I believe that's all I have to say for now, until next time!

[uncletony]

My first suggestion would be to set aside a few hours and read through some of the build logs here. Don't be intimidated -- there are all levels of skill on display and everybody is learning. But I guarantee you will find tons of great ideas and probably a lot of inspiration. The previous group build theme on this forum was old kits, and you will find several folks tackled kits similiar in quality to yours...

Good luck and welcome aboard!

[Chris Johnson]

Building on what Bo has written, I'd also encourage you to visit Des' main web site as it's a treasure trove of information on building WWI aircraft. Compared to the workmanship you'll see here on the forum, I'm nothing more than a plain cook when it comes to building these aircraft but the membership here are unfailingly helpful and encouraging. I'm sure you'll benefit from their expertise.

Good luck with your job search!

Cheers,

Chris

[Des]

http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=309.0

The above link will take you to a build of this aeroplane in 1:72 scale, it was in our GB not too long ago, hope you find it helpful, and welcome to the forum, so good to have you here with us.

Des.

[IanB]

Welcome back to modelling!
 This was also my first kit after 30 something years away from the hobby. It's not a great kit and needs a lot of work, but as a re-introduction to the hobby it works well. If you really want it to be a more realistic reproduction I would strongly suggest replacing the undercarriage and upper rigging struts with thinner plastic or brass rod - they are way too thick. As far as the weathering, take a look at the Pfalz group build logs. I would use a dark pastel, just scrape a little of the pastel stick into a small container and apply using a small brush, very small quantities at a time, building it up until you get to where you want it to be. Mask off the back edge of the fuselage formers and do one at a time, blending in towards the front.
 Also make sure you use thin fishing line for rigging, not invisible mending thread, which is too thick.

Have fun!

Ian

[LindsayT]

...and don't be afraid to ask questions. I've only got one more build notch in my belt than you, but I never felt intimidated in asking questions. Besides, I've covered a lot of the really dumb ones already!

Welcome to the forum, I think you'll enjoy your time on here.

Lindsay

[jxeboy]

Wow, I'm astonished at the quick responses.

I believe I have decided on how I will decorate this machine.



I know that this is an E.I, but it is after all not so different from an E.III, especially in a not-so detailed model.


I am sure I will have more specific questions as I continue.

For now my first is, what color is best for the canvas covering on these older planes?

[uncletony]

Wow, I'm astonished at the quick responses.

I believe I have decided on how I will decorate this machine.



I know that this is an E.I, but it is after all not so different from an E.III, especially in a not-so detailed model.


I am sure I will have more specific questions as I continue.

For now my first is, what color is best for the canvas covering on these older planes?

Wingnut Wings specifies Tamiya XF60 Dark Yellow for "Fokker Beige". It seems well accepted that most Fokker Es were doped with an opaque color, apparently beige, but not simply "clear doped linen." (CDL)

The great thing (or frustrating thing, depending on your temperament)I'd that WWI colors are highly speculative, there is room for interpretation and even artistic license...

[jxeboy]

Well not much to show for today's very first day of progress, but something nonetheless!



I am quickly realizing I am going to need to pick up a lot of different enamels to get things how I want it. I want to make each cylinder a tiny bit darker (I know I shouldn't paint over stuff, so I will reconsider it!).

[Whiteknuckles]

Hello and welcome jxeboy, you've landed at an awesome forum - as you've seen, most questions are quickly answered and it doesn't matter how simplistic or 'green' the question is, all are treated with respect and patience (which I know from experience!!).

Andrew

[uncletony]

It seems well accepted that most Fokker Es were doped with an opaque color, apparently beige, but not simply "clear doped linen." (CDL)

I have to backtrack on this statement a little bit. What's accepted is that the finish on most Es was opaque. Also, the general consensus is that most were a straw or beige color. What is unclear (at least to me) is whether this opacity was a result of a layer of dope, or some characteristic.of the canvas employed.

There is a very interesting picture of the Immelmann wreck which appears to show that the canvas was a distinctly lighter shade on the inside. (You can find this pic on the WNW website, E.III late kit, archive pix, last pic.)

[mgunns]

Well not much to show for today's very first day of progress, but something nonetheless!

I am quickly realizing I am going to need to pick up a lot of different enamels to get things how I want it. I want to make each calendar a tiny bit darker (I know I shouldn't paint over stuff, so I will reconsider it!).

Hello and welcome to the Forum:  As has been stated there is a lot of knowledge and we all build to our own abilities and learn as we go. 
If you are using an enamel paint like Testors or Humbrol or similar you need to use an acrylic to bring out the highlights.  So, what has worked for me on the engines to bring out the cooling fins is one of two things.  I use a thin wash of India ink, which you can get at any Artist supply store.  It works well by thinning with water, a drop on the brush, a dip in some water and move it around for the desired effect.  Another is an acrylic paint thinned with water and doing the same thing.  Rather than repaint your motor, try that to bring out the cooling fins.  Remember, to have fun doing this.  You will also need to get some good paint.  I like the Tamiya acrylics.  They air brush nicely, are a bit fiddly to brush paint, but thinned a bit they are alright.  I usually use laquer thinner or MEK for thinning the paint for air brushing.  I also use a respirator.  If you are going to brush paint, I have found Polly S to be a good paint for brush painting.

Hope this helps and have fun.

Best

Mark

[ETG]

Great kit. I bought one last Saturday, and (almost) finished it today. I am also working on a 1:32 Sopwith Camel, but since I had some bad luck and I am still practicing
painting wood structure, I felt the need for a snack...! ;-)
I came across the E-III quite a few times, recently, and decided to buy and build the model. Its shapes and colors are very pleasing. I thought this would be an easy kit
but looks are deceiving, even though it's "only" a 1:72 scale model...  And it's a delicate kit, as you have found out already.
The latest Revell re-issue does not include that wonderful stand. Too bad. Your picture explains the gap on the sprue.
Tomorrow I shall post some pics of my model and talk about some of the good and bad things I encountered during the build.

__________
Erik.

[jxeboy]

Great kit. I bought one last Saturday, and (almost) finished it today. I am also working on a 1:32 Sopwith Camel, but since I had some bad luck and I am still practicing
painting wood structure, I felt the need for a snack...! ;-)
I came across the E-III quite a few times, recently, and decided to buy and build the model. Its shapes and colors are very pleasing. I thought this would be an easy kit
but looks are deceiving, even though it's "only" a 1:72 scale model...  And it's a delicate kit, as you have found out already.
The latest Revell re-issue does not include that wonderful stand. Too bad. Your picture explains the gap on the sprue.
Tomorrow I shall post some pics of my model and talk about some of the good and bad things I encountered during the build.
__________
Erik.

I don't think I'll use the stand to be honest, maybe I will...

I also notice most people don't put the pilots in their planes. Any reason for this?

[jxeboy]

Ususally because they aren't included with kits anymore. Whereas kits used to have stands and a pilot to portray a plane in flight, nowadays they tend to be displayed 'landed' and without a pilot so that you can see all of the internal detail. It isn't unusual for 50% or more of the parts of a modern kit to be interior detail.

Ah that makes a lot of sense.

Now I must figure out how I want to do this kit. It really has no cockpit detail at all. I am unsure of my skills for making something myself.

Hmmm