Fokker V3 prototype 1/72 Eduard (sort of)

[DaddyO]

Evening all

Following on from the Nieuports I decided to resurrect this build which started because I had had to buy a second Dr1 kit for the wing ties (!) which I needed after butchering the original ones so that I could complete my first Dr1 (a thread elsewhere on the forum)

Wondering what to do with the nearly complete model that I was left with I remembered one of the early prototypes didn't have the wing ties    Easy thinks I - fill a few holes and a lick of paint and Bob's your uncle . . .
However when I found a drawing and compared the prototype to the production version I realised that I had a slightly more complex build on my hands. Still nothing ventured as they say so in between other bits I worked on the kit parts to represent what I needed. In the end every part used has been modified in some way -
i) Wings needed shortening in span as well as the ply leading edge triangles removing with careful sanding. Ailerons also a different shape.
ii) Tail was a different shape with reduced elevators
iii) Cowl needed a re-shape
iv) Upper fuselage needed changing because of the lack of armament
v) New interplane struts also needed because the V4 ones fit to a different point on the wing (one bay further outboard)

To the above I also decided to make the struts from filed brass rod and add etched control horns where needed  (Well in for a penny, in for a pound)

Progress has been steady so far and since it looks like I'm going to finish it I thought I'd post a few progress pics
Here are the big bits after shaping and a quick prime- still needing a bit of work



Here are the new brass interplane struts and undercarriage legs which were made in the same way (These were the source of much 'choice' language as I relearned soldering skills)


Final piece in this jigsaw was a new engine (nothing wrong with the kit one I just fancied a bit more detail) This is from small parts and it's ridiculous with tiny bits of resin which pinged off into the carpet at the least provocation, but I eventually managed to assemble enough bits to look okay under the cowl.


That's enough to be getting on with. I'll update some other bits later
Paul

[Tim Mixon]

That’s a lot o work going into this project!  Looking very nice.  That engine is really detailed. 

[macsporran]

Great idea, Paul, don't think I've seen a V4 being modelled before. Excellent progress, looking forward to the end result.
Sandy

[Brad Cancian]

Nice one Paul - looking forward to see how you tackle this. I've had a 1/48 DML Triplane chopped up somewhere to do a V4 since about, oh, 2008... but I never got around to doing the necessary clean up on the chopped up wings, so it's sat at the bottom of the pile on the shelf of forgotten projects since then....

She's a cute little bird

Cheers,

BC

[DaddyO]

That’s a lot o work going into this project!  Looking very nice.  That engine is really detailed.

Cheers Tim - as usual most will be knocked off or invisible when finished  Engine is a cracker. I might even add spark plug leads to the cylinders when it's fitted

Great idea, Paul, don't think I've seen a V4 being modelled before. Excellent progress, looking forward to the end result.
Sandy

Thanks Sandy. It's a nice clean subject with a plain 'linen' finish and no markings to worry about. Although on the down side it's a nice simple finish with no markings so it'll show up every mistake   

Nice one Paul - looking forward to see how you tackle this. I've had a 1/48 DML Triplane chopped up somewhere to do a V4 since about, oh, 2008... but I never got around to doing the necessary clean up on the chopped up wings, so it's sat at the bottom of the pile on the shelf of forgotten projects since then....

She's a cute little bird

Cheers,

BC

Certainly cute Brad. 
Just comparing the finished bits to a standard Dr1 you realise how tiddly it was.
One thing I did make sure of is the struts have a good location because it's probably not going to be too strong once it's finished (definitely one for structural rigging methinks) The tops of the main struts are a bit overscale, but I thought better that than have it break at an inopportune moment hence the brass wire pins sandwiched between two layers of plastic card. Hopefully you'll be encouraged enough to dig out the old project (or at least move it nearer the top of the pile) 

[KiwiZac]

Lovely job Paul! I enjoy prototypes so this is one to watch for sure.

[DaddyO]

Lovely job Paul! I enjoy prototypes so this is one to watch for sure.

Thanks Zac - nice to have you onboard 

[DaddyO]

Right ho. Here's the obligatory interior shot before it gets covered up never to be seen again 



The bulge in the side near the front is epoxy holding in a small piece of brass tubing which replaced the moulded on kit rod.

Next up is the propeller which has been carved from laminated plywood 'a la Prze' varnished and with a couple of thin coats of burnt sienna oil paint. I'll add the hub detail and then varnish



Final shot for the day is adding the replacement hinges for the control surfaces after they've been cut off and pinned back in place. Just scraps of plastic card 5 thou thick. Control horns are etched brass dropped into slots cut in the leading edges before these were fitted (Came from a generic etched brass sheet)



That's all for the moment
Cheers
Paul

[WD]

Great work so far!  How is the cowling different?  (I know it is, but I can't see it, help a feller out, OK?)

WD

[DaddyO]

Great work so far!  How is the cowling different?  (I know it is, but I can't see it, help a feller out, OK?)

WD

  Cheers WD
Looking closely at the photo's it looks more like the F1 cowl (used on Voss' aircraft) so no separate faceplate and slightly more rounded appearance and no bottom lip to the fuz with a more rounded engine opening. Some are difficult to show in this scale without making a completely new cowl so I've sanded and reshaped till I'm happy that it is closer to the way it should look.
There are some really cracking pictures on the Wingnuts site showing all the differences -
http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/productdetail?productid=3203&cat=1

Paul

[KiwiZac]

Lovely job Paul! I enjoy prototypes so this is one to watch for sure.

Thanks Zac - nice to have you onboard 

Very happy to be here! I love your cockpit work on this.

[Tim Mixon]

Nice looking interior details! 

[DaddyO]

Thank you both 

Sadly now most of the cockpit is invisible without a torch  (At least I have the photo to remember how it looked . . . . . .)

I decided to fix the middle wing in place first on this one rather than the lower wing because I needed to rebuild the area in front of the cockpit and make sure that was all neat and tidy. I'd roughly sculpted this area before gluing the sides together using a platform of plastic card glued to the centre section built up with Magic sculpt putty. Once the bits were glued together a gentle bit of work with the sanding sticks finished things off without damaging anything else. Doing the middle wing first also allowed a bit of playing about with the upper wing strut placement before everything got its finishing coats.


Seeing the wing glued on makes you realise how short the span is, after all it's not exactly a leader in the 'longest fighter fuselage' stakes 

Cheers
Paul

[DaddyO]

Not much time over the weekend since I was the Yeovil show all day yesterday (I did manage to pick up a selection of cracking WW1 kits whist I was there though including an old Skybirds 86 kit so most of the evening was spent perusing what I'd acquired) 

Anyway here's a quick pick of the various bits in their primer - I spotted a couple of areas which need a bit more sanding, but then we'll be ready for painting



Cheers for now
Paul

[Tim Mixon]

Looking great Paul.  Always nice to be at the paint stage.   
Which Skybirds kit did you find?  I have the Rumpler C.4 and Lloyd C.V