Albatros W4 and Phonix

[Mike Norris]

Hi all,
Lucas at 'Lukgraph' hinted in an email reply to me of possibly the next model releases.
The Albatros W4 float plane and an Austro-Hungarian Phonix.
Both welcome additions to the WW1 collections,


Mike

[Flik63J]

This would fit with their release schedule announced last year. I am still excited by the Albatros W4……but also still wondering about the two ‘ ? ? surprise ‘ releases! What do we think they might possibly be?

I had the same experience with the Halberstadt, although only two broken pieces. I am waiting for delivery of the replacement parts. It seemed to me that some of the 3D printed parts were finer (thinner) than on their previous kits, but perhaps there is also some change to the material? Anyway, I hope Lukasz will look at this and also the packaging used before the Albatros is ready!

David

[fruibal]

Finally I just ordered one of those super expensive Lukagraph kits and it felll short my expectations. Broken and missing parts, bare bones cockpit, warped wing, confusing/incomplete/cheap paper instruction manual, not even a story preface of the airplane, in summary it does not represent the money value being charged ....

[NigelR]

Finally I just ordered one of those super expensive Lukagraph kits and it felll short my expectations. Broken and missing parts, bare bones cockpit, warped wing, confusing/incomplete/cheap paper instruction manual, not even a story preface of the airplane, in summary it does not represent the money value being charged ....

I also find the LukGraph kits disappointing for their cost but one thing I will say is that their customer service is great - if you have any broken/missing parts just email them and they will replace them. They did this for me very quickly and you can't argue with that.

[Mike Norris]

Hi Nigel,
Yes Lucas is very quick to respond to any problems,

Mike

[Davos522]

When I was involved with the original Copper State, one thing that I never found was a broken part (bent white metal, yes, but no damaged resin), because of those sturdy white top-opening boxes Eric used. When I got my first next-gen CSM kit from Edgar I burst out laughing (in pleasure!) when I found the same style of bomb-proof carton underneath the colorful "boxtop".

Never having seen a Lukgraph kit, I wonder if it's just a matter of packaging?

Dutch

[PrzemoL]

When I was involved with the original Copper State, one thing that I never found was a broken part (bent white metal, yes, but no damaged resin), because of those sturdy white top-opening boxes Eric used. When I got my first next-gen CSM kit from Edgar I burst out laughing (in pleasure!) when I found the same style of bomb-proof carton underneath the colorful "boxtop".

Never having seen a Lukgraph kit, I wonder if it's just a matter of packaging?

Dutch

The same style as CSM. Bomb-proof cardboard box with a colourful top.
It must be a question of securing the delicate parts inside the box - they are wrapped in bubble foil but not quite prevented from moving inside.

[petrov27]

Yes the Lukgraph kits are in a stout box; I have not had any breakage myself but the 3d printed stuff in particular seems very fragile.

I am unsure if 3d printed parts in their current state are ideal for things like struts and undercarriage - that is my biggest concern with the latest kits. Also I wish the rib tapes were done differently as they are very heavy/prominent at least on the couple recent kits I have purchased (maybe it is just me)

That said I am very grateful for Lukgraph continuing to produce 1/32 WW1 kits and look forward to see what they do in the future.

[Davos522]

Just out of curiosity, is it the 3D printed parts themselves that are breaking? Or is it the forest of tiny "sprues" that attach them to the bases? Or a combination of the two?

Dutch

[Flik63J]

It is the 3D printed parts themselves. Although they are wrapped in a single piece of bubblewrap, this does not appear to be sufficient to stop them moving around in the box during transit. The parts themselves seem to be becoming thinner and more delicate with each kit release.

Although we are still waiting for the Pfalz from Richard at Aviattic, the photos he has released show the Gaspatch 3D printed parts securely fitted into a foam container for transporting……..perhaps this is the way to go.

David

[NigelR]

It is the 3D printed parts themselves. Although they are wrapped in a single piece of bubblewrap, this does not appear to be sufficient to stop them moving around in the box during transit. The parts themselves seem to be becoming thinner and more delicate with each kit release.

I think this is the issue. I bought two Oeffag Albatri and the 3D printed parts are at a higher resolution than the Lloyd CV I bought (some in that kit were so low resolution they were not usable). This means they are thinner (which is a good thing) but more prone to breakage. However, in my two Albatri, only one part was broken, one of the undercarriage legs, which are quite thin. Lukasz replaced this very quickly at no charge when I emailed him.

[Mike Norris]

Hi all,
'Lukgraph' shots of the upcoming Albatros WD.4.
In 1:32nd and 1:24th scale,

Mike

[Juan]

Looking forward to getting this one (to add to my Lukgraph collection).  As an aside, had a couple of broken 3D pieces and Lukas mailed me replacement parts unbelievably fast.  Great customer support!!!

[Umlaufmotor]

I hope that Lukgraph does not show the fuselage from the top to the side and from the side to the bottom as sharp-edged as the CAD drawings show.
That would not be correct.
These joints should be produced with a slight and gentle curve.
Exactly like the fuselage of the Albatros D.I or D.II.
The sharp edge from the lower wing leading edge to the sheet metal fairing on the nose of the airplane would also be incorrectly represented.





Servus
Bertl

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[Mike Norris]

Hi Bertl,
Well spotted.
I also wonder about the keel of the floats.
The keels are not flat?

Mike