Author Topic: WnW Albatros D.V - Ernst Udet, Jasta 37, mid-late 1917 (Read 3874 times)

Mark · « **on:** September 11, 2014, 01:34:56 AM »

Here I am, sitting at the beach with my almost-complete D.VII F sitting at home on my kitchen table awaiting my return. I did, however, manage to bring the instruction booklets/sheets for my unbuilt kits so that I could choose my second build. I was looking for a kit where I could both better and expand my techniques.

The kit I chose was WnW's Albatros D.V; in particular, Ernst Udet's mount from mid-late 1917. All the others are great schemes, to the point where I can see myself buying more of this kit.

However, the mostly overall silver grey on Udet's will allow me to try various panel shadings on the fuselage and wings.

I also plan to go all-in on this one--rigging the cockpit, wiring the engine, etc. The actual start on this bird is still weeks away as I first need to complete my D.VII F and its base.

Any comments regarding pitfalls with this kit (D.V) are welcomed!

Mark G

stefanbuss · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2014, 03:19:39 AM »

I personally found the seat attachment really fragile. Those broke three times while I tried to install the seat...

The backing plate at the end of the cockpit needs some kind of textile cover, but that is easy to fix. Any other issues? None that I remember.

Have fun!

Stefan

gcn · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2014, 07:15:55 AM »

I'd angle up the attachment points of the lower wings a touch otherwise the top wing may not be flat.

Alexis · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2014, 08:52:36 AM »

Looking forward to your build Mark

Terri

Ernie · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2014, 10:08:52 PM »

I'll be following your build when you get started, Mark. Looking
forward to more of your fine work.

Cheers,
Ernie

uncletony · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2014, 10:26:08 PM »

Issues? I can't think of anything

Des · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2014, 07:35:29 AM »

A great choice of scheme Mark, and from memory I don't think I had any issues building this kit.

Des

uncletony · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2014, 08:23:21 AM »

Well I guess I an think of a couple of things to watch out for after all

1) the tolerances for the fit of the cockpit formers into the fuselage are very tight. Mask the slots and don't get paint on the edges of the formers
2) super-detailing the left wall of the cockpit -- adding the actuating arm for the throttle and the starting magneto wiring (molded on, but looks better with real wire imo ) -- requires surgery to a former or some other ship-in-bottle trick. See Lance's Kurt Monnington build for his solution.
3) the spinner, as oft discussed, seems to be too pointy and moreover doesn't leave the correct gap to the cowling when seen head-on. Note the on the real aircraft spinners were mated with matching propellers so that the slot was a tight fit. The WNW is a one-size-fits-all type thing.
4) the lower wing-to-fuselage fit is also extremely tight. Mask the slot and recess off to save yourself a lot of scraping later.
5) the lower wing tabs are supposed to slide into corresponding slots on the former behind the fuel tank, and this is supposed to keep the wings at the proper angle, but this is a little bit weak in many folks opinion. See Przemol's build for his take on this.

Of course there is endless opportunity for added detail if you desire, but it is a great canvas as all the many great builds here attest...

RAGIII · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2014, 09:42:19 PM »

One thing not mentioned by Bo that is important!
Most if not all of the upper wings have a warp from slight to extreme. I used CAREFUL finger pressure to straighten my two builds. From Bos List # 1 and 4 are critical, the rest although great to add details, are spice for the soup.
JMHO,
RAGIII

Ian from Doncaster · « **Reply #9 on:** September 12, 2014, 09:52:48 PM »

Definitely dry fit the structural formers with the fuselage halves. Hold together with a tiny drop of PVA or liquid mask. If you can, spray the primer whilst dry assembled and you'll see where not to paint.

uncletony · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2014, 02:08:22 AM »

Oh then there's this little thing -- the ventral fin needs to be thinned a wee bit otherwise this bracket for the tailskid ends up being recessed relative to the fin (whereas it should be just proud of it) :

BLOWHARD · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2014, 03:27:30 AM »

Shameless self promotion

Make sure you get that extra tall weird looking windscreen.

Mark · « **Reply #12 on:** September 15, 2014, 08:33:33 AM »

Thanks, all, for the assorted Hints 'n' Tips! Just returned from the beach so it's time to finish my D.VII . . . then it's on to the D.V.

Mark G

Tony Haycock · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2014, 10:13:55 AM »

Quote from: stefanbuss on September 11, 2014, 03:19:39 AM

I personally found the seat attachment really fragile. Those broke three times while I tried to install the seat...

The backing plate at the end of the cockpit needs some kind of textile cover, but that is easy to fix. Any other issues? None that I remember.

Have fun!

Stefan

That makes me feel so much better. When i broke mine I thougt it was because I ama clumsy oaf. Good to see I'm not the only one to have done this

RAGIII · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2014, 10:35:18 AM »

Quote from: Tony Haycock on September 15, 2014, 10:13:55 AM

Quote from: stefanbuss on September 11, 2014, 03:19:39 AM
I personally found the seat attachment really fragile. Those broke three times while I tried to install the seat...

The backing plate at the end of the cockpit needs some kind of textile cover, but that is easy to fix. Any other issues? None that I remember.

Have fun!

Stefan

That makes me feel so much better. When i broke mine I thougt it was because I ama clumsy oaf. Good to see I'm not the only one to have done this

I learned that lesson also on my first build. Found that a little enlarging of the locating hole in the bulkhead where it passes through, fixed the issue on my second one

RAGIII