Just another red one - 1/32 Meng Fokker DR.1

[kensar]

I'm returning to WW1 subjects with this Meng Fokker DR.1.  I'll be doing the red one 'cause everybody has to do one, right?
I have completed the interior as the pictures below show, and currently working on the overall paint job.
I have not been particularly impressed with the molding here.  The detail is very good, but my kit has some misaligned mold halves and warped fuse halves, along with the usual warped wings and broken fuse panel on the middle wing.
I guess I got a 3rd shift kit.

So, interior pics below depict 425/17 as I have read about, with a black frame and dark red-brown ply panels on the sides.  I don't have detail pics of the interior, so I went with what I could find, tending to leave detail out instead of including something the real plane didn't have.







So, moving on to the overall paint.  I didn't want to just paint on broad panels of pure red, so I devised a method of streaking that will just barely show through the red due to the color's translucience.  I did a test piece and it came out okay, so I forged ahead.

I call this technique 'sponge streaking'.  It entails painting the gray plastic with a white lacquer based primer, then wiping off the primer using a sponge dipped in lacquer thinner to create streaking.  This method dries fast and allows painting the top coat in just a couple of hours if desired.

The starting point:  Materials needed - Tamiya white lacquer in the spray can, lacquer thinner, and a cellulose sponge.




Bare gray plastic



Then, spray thin coats of the white primer.  Here, I set down a heavier coating on the rear edges of the wings, leaving a lighter coating on the leading edges.



After drying a while, dipped the sponge in some lacquer thinner and brushed it across the wing multiple times until I got the streaking effect I wanted.  I found it best to wipe from the leading edge all the way to the trailing edge without stopping.





This is where I'm at currently.

My test pieces:




The white balance is off, so the red color looks very orange in the pics, but the color is a brick red.

I think this method has some promise if one wanted to create a standard Fokker streaking finish.  If an acrylic light blue was painted first, then a light layer of dark green lacquer, followed by the sponge treatment, it should create the streaking seen here.  Saving this idea for the future.

[FAf]

I'm yet to build a red one... but maybe you're right that everybody has to do one?!

The streaking is absolutely looking promising! Interesting idea!
/Fredrik

[RichieW]

Nothing wrong with doing the red Tripe. I have the kit in the stash and think I will be breaking out the red paint too.

I like that streaking method and will be filing it away for future use.

Richie

[Gisbod]

Looks good to me!

I think Aviattic do a Red set of tripe decals too. I’m never quite convinced by decalling a whole aircraft, but I guess it could look great if well done…

Guy

[KiwiZac]

Another interesting approach that looks rather good! Thanks for the tutorial and I'm eager to see more progress - the cockpit looks superb!

[RAGIII]

Ken,
The interior really looks great! You came up with a very interesting method for the under streaking. I am looking forward to the results!
RAGIII

[kensar]

I have completed most of the painting now.  I'm very satisfied with the results after a pastel wash was applied.  The streaking effectively breaks up the expanse of red color.





Other bits in progress:





Attaching the bottom wing.  I didn't streak the bottom surfaces - just went with the light blue, then painted red over it.



Should be ready to make significant progress now that most of the main components are done.

[gedmundson]

Looks fantastic, Ken.
Cheers,
Gary

[Tim Mixon]

Very nice result with the covered streaks. Looking forward to seeing more. 

[RAGIII]

That is a terrific looking red DR1 Ken! You have far more faith in the struts than I do...having broken a few  You are certainly tempting Me to save up for another Meng kit 
RAGIII

[RichieW]

You have every right to be very satisfied with the painting Ken. It looks fantastic, I have made a note of how you have painted this and will shamelessly try to copy your method. I have this kit in the stash and as you say, everybody should build the famous red triplane. It must be the most iconic of all fighters. I have seen the Le Rhone engine from it in the Imperial War Museum, London. Well worth the visit if you are ever in this part of the world.

Richie

[Borsos]

I‘ve never heard of a red triplane, but your progress looks lovely!
Andreas

[KiwiZac]

I‘ve never heard of a red triplane

Same here, it sounds like a novel idea for a model.




 

[kensar]

Thanks for all the comments, gents.
And yes, at least one all red triplane did actually exist!   

[kensar]

This one's done except for the prop and minor weathering.   Here's a few shots of the details and the final finish.









A look at things to come.




Still a little weathering and the prop to complete.
I'm delighted with the finish and overall appearance as I wanted to avoid a solid red toy-like look.

Now that I have built both the Meng and Roden triplane, I would say the Meng is more detailed, but more fragile as the rudder, ailerons, and landing gear are delicate and have minimal attachment points.  The Roden is more robust.  Both kits have their warts, and things needing correcting or fixing.  I would not hesitate to build a Roden tripe again.
More pictures will be in the completed section when everything is done.