WiP - Eduard 1/48 Albatros D.III

[Brad Cancian]

Hi all,

As I am sure some of you know, there's currently a WW1 group build over on Eduard's facebook page. The Group Build started on 07 August and runs until 07 November, 2023. The kit must be an Eduard base kit, but the rest is free for the modeler to choose.

I've had an eye to building the classic Albatros D.III kit for some time; I last built this kit way back in 2005, so nearly 18 years ago now... yikes! It was one of my earlier builds when I got back into WW1 modelling (my third, I think). I enjoyed the kit and want to do it again. So, this is my topic for the group build. Let's see if I can make it...!



So, the Eduard kit is quite lovely as is. It has its origins back in 1998, and was one of the earlier 'new' technology moulds from Eduard that appeared around this time. The detail is still nice today, but it does have a few errors and omissions that, if it was released today, would no doubt draw some comment.

I'm off to a bit of a slow start due to work and other things... but... the first thing I decided to tackle was the panel lines on the exterior of the fuselage. Eduard has a vertical panel line aft of the nose ring, however this wasn't there on the real aircraft. The real D.III had a number of length-wise running nose panels back to the panel line just aft of the forward cabane strut mount. The hatches and louvers on the nose are also slightly mis-positioned. First thing to do was to fill the extant panel line:



Next, I bit the bullet and decided to sand off the extant hatch and louvre detail; this would aid with rescribing and painting later also. So, having done this, I then re-scribed the length-wise running nose panels. I also decided to add some rivet / nail head detail to the fuselage, as this would help to provide some additional visual interest once painted.




Lastly, I also decided to add some detail to the kit engine; not too much though. I really just wanted there to be some more detail on those elements of the engine that sit above the cowling.



So, that's the start of the adventure... let's see how well I progress to the deadline...!

Cheers,

BC

[NigelR]

Excellent work so far. Superb detail work.

[Tim Mixon]

Excellent start Brad. The extra engine details will really look great.  Nice panel and nail effect as well. Small but necessary improvements! 

All the best,
Tim

[RAGIII]

Another Amazing Model has been started Brad!
RAGIII

[KiwiZac]

I wasn't terribly hopeful for my chances of snagging a prize in the GB before, after seeing this I think I'll be taking part for the fun of it  Wonderful work Brad, this is a terrific start!

[osterkamp]

 As always a great build begin....

[Brad Cancian]

Many thanks all for the kind words on the build so far!

Hey Zac - I don't hold any hope of snagging a prize either, but I'm participating because I think it's great that Eduard is showing support to and promoting the WW1 side of the hobby. The more participants the merrier, I say!

Not much in the way of progress, but I have detailed the kit guns, in this case using MASTER barrels and muzzles, and some Eduard etch from the spares box. I thought I would do this vice a 'drop in' like gaspatch, as I had a little trouble fitting these to my previous DV build. The modified guns aren't super detailed but they should look the part once installed. I'll paint them up when I go to paint the engine.





Next, onto the cockpit details!

Cheers,

BC

[DannyVM]

Great work done allready Brad. I love those LMG's you've tackled with the superb Master colling jackets and barrels.

[NigelR]

Superb work so far, this is looking like a great build.

[davec]

Superb work- I'm really impressed by the added detail, especially the guns.

Dave

[Tim Mixon]

 Great guns!

[AngryJazz]

Excellent work! Looks great 

I have thought about getting a Eduard Fokker for a while, but WW1 planes just seem so tiny in 1/48 that im not sure I can build them with my clumsy hands

[Brad Cancian]

Thanks all!

Slow but steady progress on this one. The interior is now largely complete. I could have done a lot more with this one (hollowed out bulkheads, added more accurate details to the engine and engine bay, etc), but for the purposes of progress, and noting not much will be seen on the end product, I kept it simple. I did add some details as noted, namely some control lines, a barracuda cast resin seat with some additional straps added, a scratchbuilt fuel tank (well, half of one... enough to sit on the fictional kit engine bearer), and some other details here and there.














Next the big step forward of joining the fuselage!

Thanks for looking!

BC

[PrzemoL]

What a show!!! Thank you Brad, your build log will be a great help for my planned 72nd scale build - later this year.

[NigelR]

Looking really good so far, lovely detail work.