WnW 1/32 Fokker E.IV "Oswald Boelke"

[gedmundson]

After seeing a remarkable build on Oswald Boelke's Fokker E.IV by US modeller Ken Niles at a model show a few years ago, I bought the WnW kit at that show from one of the vendors selling a pile of second-hand models. No instructions were in the box - but they are still happily downloadable, and printable offable. Having recently picked up a very comprehensive reference on the Fokker Eindecker, I was inspired to modify the WnW kit and add the Model Cellar figure, sculpted to match a photo of Boelke standing by his E.IV.

Boelke's E.IV was serial 123/15 (wrk. no. 337) and the second "prototype" to be built featuring the double-stacked Oberursel U.III 14 cylinder engine. Although provision was for three lMG.08 guns, Boelke's aircraft only was fitted with the middle and right-hand MG's when in service. It seems WnW had intentions of releasing a kit of Boelke's aircraft, since "Parts Not Used" included the "OB" logo on the etched metal sheet (and this was also embossed on the prototype cowling with "remove with scalpel" in the instruction guide).

Some of the following images are from my progress on the build so far, which is in reality well under way. Lots of surgery was needed for the MG's placement and alignment, since the prototype aircraft had them aiming at a slightly higher angle than Boelke's ended up being.

Cheers,
Gary


My great reference guide to all things Eindecker-ish

[RAGIII]

Great start and I am sure thi will be another Master Build!
RAGIII

[Borsos]

Very cool, Gary! This was always something I had planned to do one day, too. Beware that Boelckes E. IV prototype had the bulkier „chin“ on the lower fuselage front, compared to the standard version of the E. IV!
Andreas

[gedmundson]

Thanks Rick and Andreas!

Beware that Boelckes E. IV prototype had the bulkier „chin“ on the lower fuselage front, compared to the standard version of the E. IV!
Andreas

Yes, Andreas - the kit provides parts and markings to replicate the first prototype with the different "chin", so Boelke's aircraft can be modelled from it. They also had molded the cut-outs for the prototype cowling on the inside - so I was able to just trim those holes out...



Work on the engine involved using Uschi powders over flat black for a metallic finish.

[lone modeller]

Wonderful start to what will be an interesting conversion. The engine colours look very convincing indeed.

Stephen.

[AngryJazz]

Beautiful work so far! Engine looks ready to start 

[bobs_buckles]

Excellent work, Gary 
I, along with everyone else will be following along in anticipation of the next update.

Cheers,
Bob

P.S. Congrats on  being published in Model Military International. 

[RAGIII]

Awesome Engine Gary! That polishing powder is something I would like to try someday as it really makes a difference!
RAGIII

[gedmundson]

Awesome Engine Gary! That polishing powder is something I would like to try someday as it really makes a difference!
RAGIII

Thanks Rick - that Uschi powder works a treat for things that I don't want to drybrush with silver enamel mixed with oil paint (since mineral spirit washes make a real mess of that!).

For a wood grain in the interior I mixed up Ochre, Raw Umber and a touch of Burnt Sienna oil paint and streaked it onto a surface of glazed XF-57 Tamiya Buff. The propellers were a much darker tone, and WnW suggests they were painted dark brown. But I could see evidence of lamination in some photos, so masked a two-tone pattern and then applied the oils over that.

[RichieW]

Wonderful as always Gary, the propeller looks just like the real thing. It is gard to believe it is a plastic kit part. Mission accomplished!

I've never tried the Uschi metal powders before, I really need to. The results on the engine are again incredibly convincing.

Richie

[gedmundson]

Wonderful as always Gary, the propeller looks just like the real thing. It is gard to believe it is a plastic kit part. Mission accomplished!

I've never tried the Uschi metal powders before, I really need to. The results on the engine are again incredibly convincing.

Richie

Thanks Richie - the powders have a convincing metal look, but are very messy to work with. If they fall onto your work surface unnoticed they can ruin a paint finish if they get onto your model accidentally...so I use them in a separate work area and make sure it's spotlessly clean afterward!

I added the HWG seat belt set to the model. After studying as may period photos as I could, these belts appear darker than not, and scraps of existing artifacts have shown some examples to be reddish in colour. So I painted mine dark red.

The turnbuckles used on the interior frame rigging had a wrapped cover on them, so I just used a buildup of white PVA glue to replicate this. It didn't work quite as well as I'd liked...tending to accumulate in the middle. I should have been more patient with the application.

I tried to replicate a bit of oil staining on the cockpit interior with oil paint washes, and also added a bit of squiggly lines to the aluminium panels replicating the "turned" look. Barely seen when closed up, but I know it's there. The final photo shows things ready to be closed up - but here's where things went horribly wrong. My fuel tank was in backwards, and I'd failed to add the upper support for the rudder bar. Some surgery was needed to correct these things later in the build. It's times like these that I question whether I'm cut out for this hobby 

Cheers,
Gary

[RAGIII]

Wow Gary! The wood finish, seatbelts and especially the Turned Aluminum are all outstanding! Lovely interior.
RAGIII

[PrzemoL]

You are well into another gem build, Gary. Fantastic work so far!

[KiwiZac]

What a terrific start! The cockpit looks superb, I love your detail work. Bravo Gary and bring on the next update.

[RichieW]

I'm not sure those powders are for a messy guy like me but in the right hands they work beautifully.

Good choice re the seat belt colour, the interior looks super, I love that you even painted the little fasteners on the control column. So neatly done but then your eye for detail never ceases to amaze me.

Richie