Wingnut Wings 1:32 Albatros B.II Early

[FarEast]

Wingnut Wings 1:32 Albatros B.II Early

All present and accounted for - I hear I'm one of the lucky ones!

So after a bit of healthy peer pressure from George aka Pgtaylorart I decided to switch out what was supposed to be my Christmas gift for the recently arrived DH.9a 'NINAK' (thank you sir she arrived safe and sound and is resting under the tree - the wife is none the wiser )

So between family duties and window shopping for a motorcycle I managed to make a start on the Albatros B.II Early.

Now I have to say the kit is stunning, the detail on the parts is fantastic and more than what you can hope for even for a Wingnut wings kit, however I'm really not a fan of the wooden decals. At first glance they look great and no doubt they they do look really good on the promotional model on the Wingnut Wings home page made by the very talented, phenomenally talented Zdenko Bugan but on closer inspection they are very over emphasized to the point where I can't help but notice it each time I look at them in the packaging - maybe its just me.

So with that in mind I will be building mine using a combination of Uschi vander Rosten Wooden decal sheets and oils.

So lets get started!

So first up the Cockpit floor, after preparing the piece I gave the edges and details a very fine coat of flat black for preshading followed by Tamiya Deck tan. I then gave the center of each panel a very fine coat application of flat white and blended them all in together with the deck tan creating a dark to light effect for each section. Once dried I gave the whole piece a coating of gloss varnish ready for the decals.



In regards to the decals I made my own templates from the original decals sheets in the form of a psd file thhat is then printed on to an A4 masking sheet and hand cut, one day I'll buy a digital mask cutter like the silhouette






The metal parts were done using Tamiya flat black followed by Uschi van der Rosten Chrome Polishing powders



 

[Pgtaylorart]

Glad to see you've joined me, James. Of course you're already pulling ahead!  

I've cleaned up a lot of the parts but I haven't started painting. Actually, I'm finishing the last bit of my DH.2. I just have to paint the prop and she's 100% done. Then I will go full speed ahead on my B.II.

George

PS: Glad to hear the Ninak arrived!

[RAGIII]

James,
Fantastic start on your interior. I am sure this one will be another Beauty!
RAGIII

[Rob]

Great start James.
My wife wouldn't know the difference between an Albatros and a Ninak either...and I'm OK with that too. Question Sir, are the raised frames between the panels painted or did you use decals there too? Looking forward to seeing what you do with this!
v/r,
Rob

[LukasTheLight]

Hi James,

as always, it is with pleasure to see you getting on with another kit - your building productivity is beyond my understanding but I love it!!!

Great interior and as always, great pictures!!!

Cheerio
Lukas

[Des]

You have made an excellent start James, what you have done so far is up to your usual high standards, I will be following along closely.

Des.

[Monty]

This is a wonderful start, James, I'm enjoying the great presentation and attention to detail! Just beautiful work! I think WNW have improved their technology and finesse just a bit on this kit - a really wonderful production! I will follow as you turn it into an exquisite model...
Regards,
Marc

[FarEast]

Glad to see you've joined me, James. Of course you're already pulling ahead!  

I've cleaned up a lot of the parts but I haven't started painting. Actually, I'm finishing the last bit of my DH.2. I just have to paint the prop and she's 100% done. Then I will go full speed ahead on my B.II.

George

PS: Glad to hear the Ninak arrived!

Looking forward to working side by side on this one sir as well as seeing your finished DH.2, there are never enough pushers built in my opinion!

James,
Fantastic start on your interior. I am sure this one will be another Beauty!
RAGIII

Thank you sir, I always appreciate your kind words.

Great start James.
My wife wouldn't know the difference between an Albatros and a Ninak either...and I'm OK with that too. Question Sir, are the raised frames between the panels painted or did you use decals there too? Looking forward to seeing what you do with this!
v/r,
Rob

Rob, actually my wife would notice but she's not bothered as she knows I want them all and it doesn't matter which kit is under the tree, I'm happy that its a Wingnut Wings!

As for the raised frames, those are done with a mixture of acrylics and oils using the same techniques as I did with the engine firewall seen in the 3rd portfolio shot. Not shown but already completed is the fuselage frame - this was also done with oils and acrylics.

You have made an excellent start James, what you have done so far is up to your usual high standards, I will be following along closely.

Des.

Thank you boss - I go on holiday from the 23rd till the 7th and apart from getting my performance motorcycle license sorted this will be my main priority!

This is a wonderful start, James, I'm enjoying the great presentation and attention to detail! Just beautiful work! I think WNW have improved their technology and finesse just a bit on this kit - a really wonderful production! I will follow as you turn it into an exquisite model...
Regards,
Marc

Marc, I agree the detail on the kit is exceptional however even with the ultrafine Uschi decals I'm noticing that some of that detailing is hidden. For instance there are some staple/tack lines on the cockpit flooring just behind the fire wall and in front of fuel tank (You can see the deeper line where I decided to highlight the area) these will need special attention if you want them to stand out otherwise they will get lost. Granted though once the fuselage is assembled you'll never see it but I'll know if I don't represent it! Grrrrrrrr.

[KitRookie37]

Hello ladies and gentlemen,
Lucky guy !!! A very amazing start, your wooden effect is outbreathing. I love it !!
Best regards.
Alain.

[hiddeous1973]

Question:
You are not using the wood decals from WNW, but if you have a moment and a test piece to try them out, could you tell us if they are a bit or not at all translucent?
My guess is not at all, but I would really like to know before I go looking around for Ushi's or other wood decals.

many thanks, Hidde van der Donk from Holland

[FarEast]

They are 100% opaque you can't see any preshading or colouring under the decal.

[FarEast]

So yesterday I got the cockpit fully assembled!

[Des]

You are moving along very quickly with this build James but what you have achieved so far is superb, the cockpit is a sight to behold with excellent painting and detailing, the instrument panel looks brilliant.
Des.

[RAGIII]

A beautiful interior to say the least! The panel is superb!
RAGIII

[coyotemagic]

Awesome work on the innards, James!
Cheers,
Bud