Eastern Express/Toko 1/72 Hansa-Brandenburg (UFAG) W.29

[MR Bentley]

For a while I've been looking for something a little different to build. After some digging, Ive found the perfect plane to build. This specific airplane is a late World War One German floatplane design lisence-built by the Austro-Hungarian UFAG company. It likely flew with the k.u.k. Kriegsmarine, and was later photographed in service of the Hungarian Socialist Republic in 1919.

I'll be making a 1/72nd scale model of this machine using the Eastern Express Hansa-Brandenburg W.29. A lot of modifications will be done including scratchbuilding many interior components, making a new radiator, cowl panels and engine. Here is an inbox shot:

Some of the interior parts as well as the decals will de superfluous for this build.


The exact colors and pattern of the camoflauge of the machine I'm building aren't known, so I've chosen a plausible set of colors that look interesting together.



As mentioned, the main modifications will be of the fuselage. Here is a pair of before photos:



After day one, the cowlings, ejector pin marks and incorrect interior frames have been removed. I have also added spure goo to the inside of the turret  the ejector pin marks levelled and the



Cheers!

-Max

[Dutch522]

Max - Looks like you're off to a great start! I've always loved this aircraft, and used to dream of the day there would be a proper kit of it... I bought a vacuform in 1:48 many years before the first "real" kit came out, but never had the nerve to start it! I'll look forward to following your build.

Dave V.

[Tim Mixon]

Max,
What an interesting idea.  I really like the cammo you chose for the Hungarian version.  Nice modifications to the interior. Following with interest. 

Tim

[RAGIII]

Excellent start Max! I will follow along with interest!
RAGIII

[enathan]

Nice one, and in the right scale! A good start Max, I will follow with interest.

[Brad Cancian]

An excellent start with some great modifications, and in my favourite scale too I'll be watching along with this one.

Cheers!

BC

[Rick_H]

What tool did you use to remove the stuff from the fuselage interior?

[KiwiZac]

Great start Max!

[MR Bentley]

Thanks for the comments, guys! 

What tool did you use to remove the stuff from the fuselage interior?

I used a chisel blade to remove the majority of the stuff, then gave the areas a pass with some 1000 grit sanding sponge

[MR Bentley]

The UFAG-built W.29s had a style of observers turret that was different to the german design. I've been filling and filing the area to get it to the correct shape. At this point it's almost to the correct shape. The last bit of sanding and shaping will happen once the fuselage is together.




I've also filled in the step on the outside of the fuselage, and sanded the interior bump away (after I took the photo, annoyingly). The interior bulkhead has also been removed, as shaping a part to fit the hole seems like a lot more work than just making a new bulkhead from styrene.



Cheers!
-Max

[RAGIII]

It is taking a lot of work to get this one where you want it but I am sure the work will pay off! Looking good.
RAGIII

[MR Bentley]

It is taking a lot of work to get this one where you want it but I am sure the work will pay off! Looking good.
RAGIII

And a heck of alot more work it will take to get it right...

I've now opened a hole for the observers window


I've also begun adding bits to the interior. First, the framing and rear bulkhead



And then the front bulkhead, radio aerial support panel, control cable tubes and fuel/oil tank? I havent found much info on what the side boxes actually were.



Cheers!
-Max

[gedmundson]

Exceptional work in such a small scale - very impressive indeed.
Cheers,
Gary

[RAGIII]

Exceptional work in such a small scale - very impressive indeed.
Cheers,
Gary

I Must agree with Gary!
RAGIII

[PrzemoL]

Indeed, a very fine modelling. I will be watching this thread with great interest.