Hi fellow forum members. After lurking in the shadows for some time and gathering a vast array of handy hints and tips combined with viewing all the excellent high quality builds that abound this forum I have decided hopefully to present my first offering and venture into the world of WW1 modelling.
I have been a hardened diecast collector for many years now and although I have built some kits to supplement my collection I have never before built a biplane and having collected virtually all the available diecast WW1 subjects I now need to expand my collection using kits ( quite daunting and a real challenge).
So first up was the Eduard Pfalz DIIIa 8044 which I picked up from Ebay for a very reasonable price and complimented it with the readily available photoetch set.
So I eagerly set about the cockpit and the dreaded woodgraining . I realise the evidence swings to the fact that Pfalz interiors were the SilberGrau but I did need to practice this graining aspect and although I am sure it is too dark it turned out better than I expected, this was achieved with acrylics after much research now I will be using methods gleaned from the forum for my next build.
All the interior now locked away never to be seen again
and work progressed
This is where my plan to depict Holtzem's aircraft went horribly wrong , the decals had not aged well and although I made miraculous saves on the upper wing and tail the distinctive black and white banding decal disintegrated
and an alternative aircraft was then sought without causing major upset with the build. The subject was sitting looking at me all the time I was trawling internet and books and it is taken from a painting by Brian Knight which is the cover of the Windsock Datafile 21 and shows the unidentified aircraft in company with Holtzem on patrol, so my subject is now this aircraft from Jasta16b, pilot unknown.
Appropriate masking was undertaken and the black bands for this subject applied by hand (I should in hind-sight have airbrushed them, as I would have achieved a much better finish) using acrylic, an interesting exercise and experience but eventually achieved. This is now the stage I am at now.
Just decals to complete, top wing assembly, exhausts to root to top wing, rigging and control wires to run then final finish, all interesting challenges.
I would be most grateful of any handy hints , criticism (constructive or the other) or advice from you experienced modellers out there.
I hope to update this next week when I am hoping to be near completion.
Thanks folks
