Aces Mounts 2025 GB - Dieter Collins Albatros D1 1/72

[DaddyO]

Morning all

Plunging straight into this one I had a quick look through the various kits on the shelf and decided that I ought to reduce the stash of Pegasus kits. Whilst the Roden version looks much nicer in terms of detail I've a soft spot for these very simple models and I do have a PART etch set and Roden kit that I can call on if detail replacement bits become necessary 

Leaning heavily on Mike Sandbaggers lovely 1/32 version of the same aircraft for reference and inspiration I'd recommend you take a look at his build to be found elsewhere on this forum.

First up is the obligatory 'what's in the box image'

DSC_1731 by Paul S, on Flickr

Main components look accurate enough on first inspection, but first job will be to sand off the wing detail so that I can thin the wings down a bit and cut out the slots for the control horns. After that we'll turn to the fuselage insides for more sanding and scraping and general clean up. I'll discard the cast items and make up struts using filed brass wire as per usual.

Paul

[Dirigible-Al]

Good luck on this one Paul. You might call this a 'simpler kit' but I think it is anything but simple. These Pegasus kits, though accurate, need a lot of extra work. I am sure though that you will see it proud.
Alan.

[DaddyO]

Good luck on this one Paul. You might call this a 'simpler kit' but I think it is anything but simple. These Pegasus kits, though accurate, need a lot of extra work. I am sure though that you will see it proud.
Alan.

Cheers Alan

Had a go at a couple so I know exactly what you mean. 
Perhaps I'm a bit odd, but I do prefer a challenging kit to one that just falls together without any drama (although I am intending this to be a fairly simple build so won't be going to town on stuff that's never seen at least that's the initial idea)

Paul

[Jorgo]

I know the kit, it won't be easy. But with your skills, something great will come of it. Good luck!
Joerg

[Allan31]

Paul will knock this out of the park. Looks like a mini Blue Max kit.

[NigelR]

Good choice, it will be nice to see a DI in the tiny scale. If we could see it of course......

[DaddyO]

I know the kit, it won't be easy. But with your skills, something great will come of it. Good luck!
Joerg

Thank you Joerg 
(Just checked I've got another which could be made into a DII, both DIII versions, a DV and the two seat CIII as well as a W4. It looks like I could spend the rest of the year only building Pegasus Albatros kits!)

Paul will knock this out of the park. Looks like a mini Blue Max kit.

  That's very kind Allan. Hope I can live up to your expectations with this one
(I think Chris Gannon was responsible for both ranges)

Good choice, it will be nice to see a DI in the tiny scale. If we could see it of course......

LOL it'll appear soon matey . . . .look I've made a start on the wingy bits 

Pegasus D1 wings by Paul S, on Flickr

Simple rub down top and bottom to thin them down a bit and then scored new rib positions on the top surfaces only (paint and masking will be used to indicate the ribs on the bottom) Then reshaped the trailing edge and cut out the slots for the torque bars(?) on the ailerons, inserted a bit of stretched sprue and finally added some new hinges from 5 thou card.

A quick spray of primer showed everything up and where I was a bit heavy handed scoring lines, so a swoosh of sandpaper brought everything to a point that I was happy. I've left the details on the centre of the bottom wing for the moment, but I suspect most will disappear at the sanding stage and need replacing.

Next up more sanding and scraping to thin down the fuselage (riveting stuff so far eh?)

[Alexis]

Will be following when I can ...


Alexis

[NigelR]

Nice start, those scored wing ribs look excellent, very effective in this scale.

[DaddyO]

Will be following when I can ...

Alexis

Thanks Alexis nice to have you on board 

Nice start, those scored wing ribs look excellent, very effective in this scale.

Cheers matey, yes I think in the smaller scales especially ribs are often a bit overdone; I've been experimenting with a similar technique to William (Adair) using masks and primer to build up a rib which looks really good but wanted to keep it simple on this one

In other news a package from Mr Gaspatch has just arrived with some beautifully detailed resin guns for this one and the BE2. I'll try and get some pics later

[DaddyO]

Here's what you get when the Sturdy packaging has been removed 

Gaspatch MG's by Paul S, on Flickr

One pair of absolutely exquisite resin machine guns complete with sight on the left hand one. Some careful separation of the gates required, but nothing too onerous. There are also a pair of cartridge belts already shaped to fit into them.
Even with carriage from Greece (which didn't take too long) these are excellent value IMO at ?6.00 a pair + carriage compared with the equivalent miniworld versions currently sold by Hannants for ?7.20each + carriage. Since there is a minimum carriage from Gaspatch I ordered 5 sets of various Spandau, Lewis and Vickers which will keep me going for the next few projects

Anyway enough drooling I'll get the rest of the main components finished shortly so I'll be able to start the actual build

Paul

[DaddyO]

As if by magic here they are -

DSC_1732 by Paul S, on Flickr

Obviously lots of thinning for the fuselage sides meant that a very simple framework could be added using strip (Not a great deal will be seen, but the thought is there) 
The nose was slightly less than round when I test fitted the halves together so a stip of 15 thou card was added to the bottom edge to add a touch of width.

All the rigging holes have been drilled in a fit of enthusiasm now to tidy up ready to splash some paint about

Paul

[Jorgo]

Paul, I admire your skill and perseverance with this kit. Excellent work!

Joerg

[DaddyO]

Paul, I admire your skill and perseverance with this kit. Excellent work!

Joerg

Thank you Jorgo 

Added a splash of paint to the inner surfaces today. Because I'm aiming for a quick build wood grain was done with acrylics rather than oils. A few 10 thou tabs help with alignment when gluing.
A quick check shows that filler and much sanding will be needed so I may leave most of the fine cockpit detailing till after the sides are together and sanded. A seat has been liberated from the spares box and a cushion of putty added for extra interest which will fill most of the space anyway unless you use a torch and close up lens 

D1 inner fuselage by Paul S, on Flickr

[Allan31]

This will be fun to watch.