1:32nd scale Albatros D.V - COMPLETED

[NigelR]

Looking very nice. Are you painting the plywood or using decals?

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Looking very nice. Are you painting the plywood or using decals?

Hi Nigel,
Not sure.
I usually brush oils for wood effects.
However, I have the plywood decal set from 'Proper Plane', which I might try this time.
I've previously had a go with 'HGW' wood decals, but found them too fragile.
We'll see,

Mike

[PrzemoL]

Lovely.

[NigelR]

However, I have the plywood decal set from 'Proper Plane', which I might try this time.

I've often been tempted to try decals but it seems difficult getting them to conform around the curved areas. I see that some of the Proper Plane sets are tailored for the DV, so if you use those I'll be interested to see how they turn out.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

However, I have the plywood decal set from 'Proper Plane', which I might try this time.

I've often been tempted to try decals but it seems difficult getting them to conform around the curved areas. I see that some of the Proper Plane sets are tailored for the DV, so if you use those I'll be interested to see how they turn out.

Hi Nigel,
I had used the 'Proper Plane' wood decal set for the Roland D.VI model by 'Wingnut Wings'.
I wrote a booklet on how to apply those decals.
Alex had it on their website, but no longer as the decal set is no longer available.
However, the techniques are just as applicable to the Albatros set.
I've emailed you a copy as it might be of interest,

Mike

[Tim Mixon]

Looking wonderful Mike. 

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Progress on the Albatros.
Fuselage painted and plywood effect by Raw Sienna oil paint over Dark Yellow base coat.
Decals from the 'Pheon' set.
Kit circular access panels and cooling louvres removed and slots made under louvers.
Replacement were from 'Proper Plane.
'Aviattic' decals used for flying surfaces and on a mid-grey base coat (to slightly darken the decal colours).
Wing decals are from the 'Wingnut Wings' decal sheet.
All clear gloss coated to protect painted surfaces and decals from future handling, but will be semi-matte for final finish,

Mike

[NigelR]

That's looking really good Mike. I see you decided not to use the wood decals after all, any particular reason for that?

[Mike Norris (UK)]

That's looking really good Mike. I see you decided not to use the wood decals after all, any particular reason for that?

Hi Nigel,
Despite a smooth and glossy surface, I had problems with patches of silvering on the first few decals I applied, even with PVA added to the decal water.
Therefore I reverted to using oils instead.
Anyway I think some wood effect decals are overstated with the wood grain too heavy and obvious.
When I've stood next to actual aircraft, the wood grain is there, but I think less obvious than some decals.
Just my take and others may disagree 

Mike 

[FAf]

I think your wood looks great - there's a hint of grain and I suppose that it would be more visible if one crept closer to the actual model.
/F

[RAGIII]

I think your wood looks great - there's a hint of grain and I suppose that it would be more visible if one crept closer to the actual model.
/F

I agree! Of course, I have always been a "Less is Best" guy with wood grain in scale! Lovely DV Mike!
RAGIII

[NigelR]

Anyway I think some wood effect decals are overstated with the wood grain too heavy and obvious.
When I've stood next to actual aircraft, the wood grain is there, but I think less obvious than some decals.
Just my take and others may disagree 

Well, that's my take too, I totally agree Oils are more subtle and controllable, it looks like you got a really good finish on this one.

[PrzemoL]

Lovely progress, fine colours. I do prefer painting the wood over the decals, too. Yours is looking great.

[Umlaufmotor]

Hi Mike,

very nice progress on your albatros.
The fuselage and the coloring on the wings look really good - I'm looking forward to the overall result.

One small detail:
The retaining plate for the turnbuckles on the wing root should be made of wood, not metal.
So no gray-green primer on these two plates.
It doesn't matter whether D.V or D.Va, this was built in the same way on both series.





Here on the replica it can be seen much better than on most of the original pictures:
Source The vintage Aviator and James Fahey






Servus
Bertl

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi Bertl,
Thanks for the heads up 
I'm planning to replace the anchor point with the 'Proper Plane' parts anyway.
So I'll change the colour to wood then,

Mike