Aurora Albatros D.V, 1/48....FINI...

[Allan31]

Building this one in the retro style as Dave might have back in the day.

Extensive research in my library on Albatros yielded enough to scratch build and start the cockpit. Sheet styrene, brass, photo etch and 3D printing really went a long way to sprucing up the old Aurora cockpit..



Just kidding.

This is built as Dave might have. No aftermarket except for decals. Not completely out-of-box but nothing we would not have done in yesteryear.

I added belts from foil to the existing cockpit. I re-scored the rudder, added wire to the guns and re-did the cockpit combing with styrene rod. Those are the only tweaks.




I had this 24"x36" poster hanging over my bed as a kid. I thought it was appropriate for this build as the Aurora kit came out about the same time and I always wanted to do this but lacked the necessary skill sets at the time.



Using the Profile Publications of that time for reference gave me the mauve/green camouflage for the wings the fuselage markings.





Wings are painted and decaled. Fuselage in Valejo white so here we go.



More soon.....

[AngryJazz]

Great start! you are making quick progress 

Also I had a bit of a laugh from you using the picture from my Albatros build as the upgraded cockpit 

[NigelR]

You had me going with that first photo....

Great work, just build the thing and have some fun! It looks like the masking might take longer than the building......

[macsporran]

I couldn't believe my eyes with the top picture - initial thoughts were that this man is a magician!!!

Subsequent pictures brought me back to reality. I have to say your excellent flattening of the top decking ahead of the cockpit certainly helped to overcome the nine-months-pregnant look of the original. Looks much better now.

You've done a few of the old Auroras now, Allan - what about completing the whole set of 12 scouts in this same improved manner, I for one am enjoying the series so far.

Sandy

[Tim Mixon]

You had me fooled as well Allan. Nice masking skills. That busy scheme will look the part on that old kit.

[Allan31]

Sorry about the cockpit joke but with this kit we can't be too serious.

I've done more masking on this kit than I can remember. This came out well with only a little touch-up needed.



Continuing with the period correct incorrectness I did not remove the white border from the bottom wing.



Scary times, I hate masking over decals.



I misted over with some tinted Future.





Now with all the picky painting done I can assemble.

[NigelR]

Superb work on the masking and painting, this is looking really good. A real fun build!

[FAf]

Quick and good looking work!
/Fredrik

[Brad Cancian]

I love how you're tackling these old stalwarts Allan, well done! Love the paint work on this striking scheme.

I also had to do a double take on that first picture - well played, haha!

Looking forward to seeing more!

Cheers,

BC

[Dirigible-Al]

WOW I like where this one is going.
Alan.

[KiwiZac]

Excellent! Another gem in the making.

[Flamingo]

I misted over with some tinted Future.


Ha, gotcha!
At the time of the kit acrylic floor lacquer was a thing of the distant future! 

 A good paint job does wonders to these old warriors!

Regards Joachim

[FokkerFodder]

Agree, you?re giving these old kits a real spruce up with these great schemes!
Cheers
Matt

[Vickers]

Gadzooks! That's the Aurora kit!? Coming from your bench it could easily pass for Eduard or even WNW. Fantastic work on this venerable old beastie, Allan31, and your striping is super tight. Well done!

[Allan31]

I'm glad this Dave Wilson Group Build gave me the opportunity to build these olde, classic kits. I'm thrilled I'm able to build the kits I mucked up as a kid with my present adult skill sets.

From now on, Dave's words of "Just build the thing" will be the deciding double headed coin flip whenever I hear the siren like call of these old boxes sitting on the shelf.



Aurora did the best they could with what they had at the time. Although I didn't think of it during this build, I bet if you put this plastic up against an enlarged Profile Publication plan view it will match perfectly. A wildly distracting paint scheme plus certain lenses and certain angles completely eliminate the visual issues with the third trimester fuselage.



It's been a pleasure to be able to participate in this homage to someone who contributed so much to this forum and who helped make it the world class collection of aviation enthusiast it is my honor to be included in.

Tail winds and blue skies Dave. Godspeed.