1:32nd scale Roland D.II

[NigelR]

Attention to detail of the highest order as always Mike.

[Umlaufmotor]

Hi Mike,

I've also had the Roland D.II at home for a few days now and - of course -, I couldn't resist and have already removed the 3D support elements from the fuselage and wings.
Since I'm planning - when the time comes - (  ) to build a Roland D.II that flew under the German flag (with the two birds on the fuselage sides, as seen in Jasta 32), I've also removed the auxiliary water tank between the two wing radiators.

Anyway, I'm following your work closely and will keep in mind your tips and solutions for this kit.

Greetings from Bavaria
Servus
Bertl

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Your aircraft is shown in several photographs on this site:

https://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25484.htm

Excellent!!
Thank you so much, Mike.

Servus
Bertl

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
Best laid plans of men and mice !!
Regards the fuselage louvred panels, it seems I fell foul of research fog.
I've now been in contact with the author of the Aeronaut Book' - The Bulgarian Hunters: Roland D.II & D.III in WWI (by Mitko Mitkov).
Mitko is somewhat of an authority on Bulgarian Roland D.II and D.III aircraft, so I bow to his knowledge.
It seems only six Roland D.II aircraft, all built by Pfalz with Mercedes D.III engines, were supplied to Bulgaria.
Photographs of the Roland aircraft being destroyed in accordance with the peace treaty clearly show five louvered panels on the left side of the D.II fuselages.
Also, the aircraft I'm modelling shows the same panels on the fuselage right side.
Therefore, I'll re-instate the panel I removed in error from the fuselage left side,

Mike

[macsporran]

Didn't want to say anything but I'd assumed these details were all pretty authentic for the Bulgarian Haifisch as it's my understanding that Mitko is, in fact, the guy behind MDesign!
Maybe I'm confusing my Mitkos, but I think I'm right.
Sandy

[Flamingo]

Interesting photo giving a vague idea of the fuselage underside between the wings, which is not convincing in this kit as in most others, including Pfalz types.

You do a really great job here but you cheat with the louvres as they are for Albatros! 

Regards Joachim

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Didn't want to say anything but I'd assumed these details were all pretty authentic for the Bulgarian Haifisch as it's my understanding that Mitko is, in fact, the guy behind MDesign!
Maybe I'm confusing my Mitkos, but I think I'm right.
Sandy

Hi Sandy,
You're correct.
Mitko is the author of Aeronaut Books - The Bulgarian Hunters: Roland D.II & D.III in WWI? (Mitko Mitkov).
He is also the man behind MDesign Studio Models,

Mike

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Interesting photo giving a vague idea of the fuselage underside between the wings, which is not convincing in this kit as in most others, including Pfalz types.

You do a really great job here but you cheat with the louvres as they are for Albatros! 

Regards Joachim

Hi Joachim,
Yes the louvres are intended for the Albatros DV/DVa.
However, they are more or less the correct size as replacements for the kit printed louvres,

Mike

[Tim Mixon]

Looking forward to this one Mike.

[NigelR]

Well, that's even more great research  Good that you've been in touch Mitko and he has helped out.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The basic engine is finished.
Normally I would add all spark plugs and ignition leads from the magnetos.
In addition, control cables/rods etc.
However, as can be seen, not much of the engine will be visible once it's fitted into the fuselage.
Therefore, I've only added spark plugs and leads to the first four engine cylinders, as they will be visible.

Also the engine exhaust pipe and both machine guns are finished,

Mike

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The pilot's seat is printed to include the four harness straps.
However, these appear to be too thin, so I chose to replace them.
I used a spare HGW Models harness set of the appropriate type.
These were secured over the printed straps using thin CA adhesive,

Mike

[NigelR]

Very nice work so far Mike. That engine looks really good. I applaud your decision not to include unnecessary detail, it's an approach I too have adopted. 

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
I could not find any information on the cockpit for the Roland D.II.
However, a report was written by Capt. F. Wells on a Roland D.III aircraft at Thessaloniki Aviation Park in 1919 and is contained in the book Bulgarian Hunters: Roland D.II & D.III in WWI?.
The report contains details of the cockpit of a Roland D.III.
Although this was from a D.III aircraft, its possible that some, if not all of this equipment was fitted in the D.II version.
Therefore, I chose to represent some of that equipment in the cockpit along with the kit supplied parts.
I've added:
Floor mounted compass.
Floor mounted fuel tank contents gauge.
Starter magneto and switch.
Throttle/spark advance levers and control rods.
Machine gun trigger cables.
Starter magneto and switch cables.
Rudder bar control wires and turnbuckles.

The gun trigger cables and rudder control wires will be final fitted after the fuselage halves have been joined,

Mike

[NigelR]

Very nice work indeed Mike. I really like the added details, they bring the cockpit to life.

[Mike Norris (UK)]

Hi all,
The fuselage is now closed up.
Fuselage joint has three locating pegs so the fit was aligned.
CA adhesive used as its resin and very slight Mr. Surfacer 500 used to fill some areas of the fuselage seam joint.
Sanded and primed ready for painting later.

Now it's onto the remaining parts of the model,

Mike