Three Pfalz D-III and IIIa's, MAC Distribution 1/72

[vincentm]

Thanks all!

It doesn't have to be based on a photo, unless you're real committed to that manner of doing things

I am! All my builds are based on time pix of the actual machines, and whenever it's possible, as close as possible to the real scene. Moreover, when I made my first D-V, building Udet's black D-Va was my first intention but I shifted to Lörzer's a/c. So I already have all the markings for Udet on an FCM sheet...

Ian, not sure if the decal issue is related to that very MAC box. Cos I had no problem with the other box (D-IIIa Aces). It may only be a matter of an incorrectly printed sheet or just an aged decal sheet, I don't know.

[stefanbuss]

All my builds are based on time pix of the actual machines, and whenever it's possible, as close as possible to the real scene.

I really like that approach to things, as it comes quite near to my own intentions.

Stefan

[WarrenD]

As someone who participated in living history programs/reenacting for 30+ years, and was what was known as a "stitch nazi" about his uniform, equipment, etc. I too like that approach. However, sometime we can get too pedantic at times. To each his own!

Warren

[vincentm]

Sure. The rule I stick to is: at least one period pic of the actual machine, allowing to identify it. Then I either try to reproduce the exact scene (mostly when it's about crashes), or sometimes I build up my own scenario. For instance, I don't know if von der Marwitz's Pfalz D-IIIa has ever been repaired in a remote maintenance unit...

[vincentm]

I was thinking about pre-printing a rib shading effect on the lozenge decals. It would look like this (left, normal lozenges, right, with rib shading)


Unfortunately I had already applied the lozenges on Böhning's a/c. So i printed only the shading layer and will check what it looks like over the lozenges. I will also try on silbergrau painted wings. Below is a sample rank of home-made lowerside lozenges:


Black outline was completed with paint on Marwitz's a/c:


The wings of the same plane, with the first rib (they will lie on trestles):


Upperside lozenges on Böhning's a/c:


Fuselage and lower wing of Stark's D-III. Buried hooks for turnbuckles are visible:


I had to rebuild the spinners from the original kit parts. I cut the prop blades away, then added a plate of plasticard at the bottom, because the diameter was too small (probably because of the metal panels I added on the cowling). Then I drilled them with a conical drill and carved in the blade holes:

[vincentm]

My shading decal didn't work. The shading should be printed with the lozenges, otherwise it's too clear to be visible over them.

I've been building heaps of small stuff: painting 6 wheels, applying s/n's and Pfalz logos on a bunch of masts, painting 3 gear spreaders, etc. For example, here are the landing gear legs with additionnal copper rods for a better attachment to the fuselages. I broke several of them, like I did with the Roden Albatros, and start to think about ordering brass tube...


Overall view of the diorama accessories. Since I took the shot, I've covered the wooden elevator structure with rolling papers and Future as a clear dope.


All decals have been apllied, including crosses, s/n, logos, stencils. On the righmost machine, the elevator is noticeable: it is the previously 'fabric covered' sparepart, that has been painted with a mix of tan and gloss varnish to get a translucent varnish, allowing the inner structure to show through:


Upperwings show the contrast between parts painted with aluminum dope, which highlights every single shape, and the lozenge covered wing that looks totally flat. I will have to add some post-shading with oils on each side of the ribs.


For my next build (2 Albatros D-Va's), I've already been working on the decal sheet with pre-shaded ribs. Here's a preview:

[xan]

Very intersting work for the decals!
Your losange paints in one fuselage is awesome too (or it is decals?)
go on and good luck!
Xan

[coyotemagic]

Spectacular work on all three, Vincent!  You'll have a trio of real gems when finished.
Cheers,
Bud

[Alexis]

Spectacular work on all three, Vincent!  You'll have a trio of real gems when finished.
Cheers,
Bud

Second this , wonderful work so far !


Terri

[vincentm]

Thanks!
At last I'm done with that lot of painful things to do (masts, landing gear legs and spreaders, wire hooks etc). I can go on the building again, starting with fixing the weapons.

[frame]

Incredible work, Vincent.
The idea for printing a decals with pre-shaded ribs is simply fantastic and with your permission, I would use it in certain my next project.
I look forward to your next posts.

Best Regards
Hristo

[stefanbuss]

Hm. Incredibly detailed smale-scale work, but those eyelets for the turnbuckles seem to be much oversized. You might try to improve those?

Stefan

[vincentm]

with your permission, I would use it in certain my next project

Sure you can. I don't think I'm the only modeller who also made skins for video game models, so others may have had the idea before...The only problem is to properly space the tapes so they match the ribs. For that sample, I scanned the wings of a Roden kit rather than using a plan, in case the ribs would not exactly be moulded at the right place.

Yes the eyelets are oversized, but having the buckles go through wouldn't be possible if they were the right size (or the wires would have to be too thin and wouldn't be visible)...I plan to hide most of them with the masts, but on this bird, turnbuckles are slightly offset from the mast ball and socket joints.  It helps for the rigging, but not in hiding the eyelets...
The final touch will consist into making them less visible by painting them the same color as the wires, even a little darker.

[vincentm]

I've been scratchbuilding a lot of small details those last days (rearview mirror, fixing tailskids, control cables etc) and I was wondering if anybody would know the color of those kind of flares on the cockpit side:

[vincentm]

I've just poured plaster into the dioramas bases, now it has to dry properly before painting.

Then I've added the last details before weathering the birds and fixing the upperwings. On Marwitz's D-IIIa: tail control cables, Spandaus guns, retractable windscreen (seen on some D-IIIa's), and exhaust. The latter has been painted with an undercoat of aluminum, then burnt metal mixed with drops of blue and red, and a wash with Humbrol 70 for the rust traces.


On Stark's D-III: I've made bullet holes in the scratchbuilt rudder, added a classical windscreen, and the Spandaus nozzles (the guns are buried in the fuselage on this type).


On Böhning's D-IIIa: a telescopic gunsight above the Spandaus, windscreen, machine-gun supply ducts, and flares on the right cockpit side. I guessed that those flares were probably white or yellow, and red.


On the upperwings: expansion tanks above the radiators, radiator shutter handles, and on Böhning's wing (with the lozenges): a faired rearview mirror, the reflective part of which was made with the holographic portion of an old credit card.


At last, all the masts: they all wear a Pfalz logo, a side indication (L or R) and the aircraft serial number.