Knights of the Sky II- The End

MrDrummy wrote:

". . .Hmmm.  I guess it looks like I'm going to have to make some model-type purchases whenever the funds become available.  BUMMER!!!!  Looks like the D.VII is going to be on hold for a bit. . ."

Think about it this way. These components were often / easily damaged and replaced.  At least temporarily while the original wing was  repaired. Maybe yours was replaced at the unit level where all they had was lower surface fabric to use for replacement fabric. . .Just a thought. Yes, I have a lot of experience with IPMS judges. Model on!

Here is a bit of a taste on the Microsculpt.com set

StephenLawson wrote:

Think about it this way. These components were often / easily damaged and replaced.  At least temporarily while the original wing was  repaired. Maybe yours was replaced at the unit level where all they had was lower surface fabric to use for replacement fabric. . .Just a thought. Yes, I have a lot of experience with IPMS judges. Model on!

Haha.  Yeah, I've thought about that, but then I'd have to have extra fabric for the bottom of the wings, which I don't.  It's just a big mess.  

You know what happens when I make a big mess?  I build a 109.  Ha.  Once I kick out the 109, I'll be back to the Fokker.  For the moment it sits in its box and waits.

StephenLawson wrote:

Here is a bit of a taste on the Microsculpt set.

Now that does look nice. I think the brushing of the Field Drab into the mix really makes the right difference but even without, those decals look great. Very nice Stephen.

...Guy

MrDrummy wrote:

StephenLawson wrote: Think about it this way. These components were often / easily damaged and replaced.  At least temporarily while the original wing was  repaired. Maybe yours was replaced at the unit level where all they had was lower surface fabric to use for replacement fabric. . .Just a thought. Yes, I have a lot of experience with IPMS judges. Model on! Haha.  Yeah, I've thought about that, but then I'd have to have extra fabric for the bottom of the wings, which I don't.  It's just a big mess.   You know what happens when I make a big mess?  I build a 109.  Ha.  Once I kick out the 109, I'll be back to the Fokker.  For the moment it sits in its box and waits.

I know how you feel Justin. The slow pace of building required to build these fragile biplanes can really bog you down. Especially if you have a setback like both of us had. You with the decals and me with the fuselage streaking. I  set my Fokker aside for a bit and build a 1/48 Hasegawa Macchi 202 to get me moving agian. It worked and now I have been making slow but steady progress. I have the upper wing in place and about half of the struts in place. Giving the ones I set in place plenty of time to dry before handling the model and adding the other so nothing comes undone. Will have some progress pics up soon.

                                                                                       Soulcrusher

Here is a bit more on the Gunsight graphics.

Marco,

Very nicely done, especially that propeller!   I have now built four of the Eduard Strip-down kits, and one thing is for certain, they are fragile. 

Stephen,

I saw those streak patern decals offered in a mail order magazine that just arrived over the weekend.  They do look nice, but as others have mentioned, I think the hand-painted can look a little better, but for those not wanting to try their hand at this technique, they now have an alternative.  One question, is it just me, or does that Microsculpt set have a little bit of blue in the base color?

Justin,

I feel your pain brother!   I pretty much abandoned my first entry for this group build due to a decal problem.

Frank and all,

I have started my Pfalz D.IIIa, and am just about ready to join the fuselage halves.  I did get some interior photographs the other evening, so once I download them from the camera, I will post them here.  The graduation ceremony went well last Sunday, and my son was the first speaker (does a dad proud).  He wanted to have the party this weekend, so I am spending extra time preparing the house and not at my bench, but there should be more time available soon, and the kit is still moving forward better than I anticipated.  Fortunately, there are not too many decals on this Weekend Edition kit.

More Power Scotty wrote:

". . .Stephen, I saw those streak patern decals offered in a mail order magazine that just arrived over the weekend.  They do look nice, but as others have mentioned, I think the hand-painted can look a little better, but for those not wanting to try their hand at this technique, they now have an alternative.  One question, is it just me, or does that Microsculpt set have a little bit of blue in the base color?"

Not blue but an impression of grey.  It maybe your monitor here. This attempt was done with usinga a base colour that represents bleached linen.  With the streaking tends to give you the greyish yellow. 

I see in the new issue under new products streaked camo decals by Gunsight Graphics. It would have made my life alot easier if I knew about these two months ago! Small update. I have the upper wing mounted and surprisingly I was able to install it without any special tools or any major problems. Now time to try my hand at assembling the photo etch guns. Something else I have never tryed. I know to heat up the photo etch to make it easier to work with I just do'nt know how good I am going to be at turning flat brass into a round tube. Anyway here are are a couple of pics.

                                                                         Soulcrusher 

soulcrusher wrote:

I see in the new issue under new products streaked camo decals by Gunsight Graphics. It would have made my life alot easier if I knew about these two months ago! Small update. I have the upper wing mounted and surprisingly I was able to install it without any special tools or any major problems. Now time to try my hand at assembling the photo etch guns. Something else I have never tryed. I know to heat up the photo etch to make it easier to work with I just do'nt know how good I am going to be at turning flat brass into a round tube. Anyway here are are a couple of pics.                                                                          Soulcrusher

STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!!!! Do not heat the PE if it came from the Eduard kit. It is the type you do not heat.  It bends easily.  Use a drill bit of the appropriate size and use it to wrap the PE gun jacket around. 

Soulcrusher,

I have to concur with Stephen here.  Brass, especially Eduard PE, should bend (or roll in  this case) with minimal effort, and should not require heat.  I have built a few of the older DML Knight of the Air series planes with the stainless PE parts, and probably could have made my life easier by heating them first.

I almost wonder if some manufacturers don't read these group builds as there was a fair amount of conversation in KOTS I and now in this build about the need for streaked camouflage decals.  I was amazed when I saw them advertised in my mail order catalogue and then in Fine Scale.

Stephen,

The blue could also be the fact that the sheet itself is blue, and my eyes may be carrying that over a bit.  Anyway, I have a question regarding the rigging on my Pfalz D.IIIa.  Eduard's directions show the rigging for a D.III where the "a" model appears to have an additional line from the forward outer protion of the upper wing down near the supports on the lower wing.  Any light that you can shed will be appreciated.

Thanks for the input guys. I have seen other people heat the PE when making round shapes with it but I never stop to think that some PE is stainless steel like Trumpeters and some are brass like Eduard. I have never had a problem with PE. I have done many complex shapes and the etchmate made it very easy. I have never had to roll the PE into a round shape before. I might as well dive in as half of the techniques I used to get this far I had never done before either. One more trick I can add to my bag!

                                                                                         Soulcrusher

SC--

That looks really nice, man.  Really like the way that is turning out!!!

Also-- need to waste a little time?  Ha.  Here you go!!!!

http://www.rocksolidarcade.com/games/dogfight2/

SC, she is looking sweet. I love the DVII and this is definately shaping up to be a blinder.

...Guy

Greetings all

My copy of the newest Roden 1/32 kit just arrived and initailly speaking  it is beautiful.

All plastic , no flash, decals appear to be of the newer type and register is spot on.  More later.

Justin thanks. Have you decided to grab some more decals and go at it agian?

Guy I appreciate the compliment. We both know how tricky it is for us WWII peoples to stack these wings on top of each other. I was a bit intimidated but everything lined right up and after the outer struts set up good I added the others in turn with no problems. I am quite pleased with this kit so far.

Stephen I would have nightmares if that thing was sitting on my bench with all of that rigging! All of the examples I have seen built look very impressive because of all of the exposed framework and rigging.

                                                                                   Soulcrusher

SC- I think you owe all of us an apology!

Telling us you have never built a WWI kit before (even going so far as to "mess up" so we fall for the ruse!)!  You obviously have a knack for it, and your lil' Fokker is turning out beautifully!  Well done.

Sorry there Frank did'nt mean to mislead you buddy. I thought for sure by now I would have been beaten into submission by this build. I knew from asking it was a good kit to build but the last biplane I attempted the 1/48 Classic Airframes Cr 42 is still sitting on the shelf with missing and broken wing struts. As you have seen it has not been a smooth build but I have managed to hang in there and figure things out with alot of help from others in this GB. On the other hand I have never build a model so slow in my life. I pretty sure it took less time to build my 1/24 scale Stuka! Now my next hurdle, the machine guns. Lots of tiny PE and plastic parts. I preped everything tonight and I am amazed at how many pieces there are for this tiny gun. here is a pic.

My hands are huge compared to these tiny parts. I'm going to have to come up with someway to handle and assemble these tiny parts. i think I remember someone posting about bits of folded tape on a toothpick. Whish me luck!

                                                                                 Soulcrusher 

Hey Stephen, that looks like a fantastic kit. Ive had my eye on building one of those for a while now, but ALL my building has been put on, I hope, temporary hold Boo.

SC, i remember looking at all those tiny bits when i did mine an wondered if my gert maws could handle the job. They could and they are definately a superb addition. Its funny, when your model is on show, how many people will look at the guns. With all the PE and time. they will look cracking.

...Guy

I agree Guy they are a huge improvement over the plastic injected ones. That is my rule of thumb when it come to PE. I do'nt use it unless it is a substantional improvment over the kit part and it can be easily seen an noticed by anyone enjoying the model not just judges with penlights. I have never and probally will never enter anything I have build in a contest. Its just not why I build. The great input I get from all of my freinds here is all I need to make me happy. These guns sitting right on top of the cowl will really stand out and thats why I am going to take the time and pain of assembling all of these tiny parts. With my huge fingers picking up these tiny parts is impossible. I am going to have to try some other methods of manipulating these little parts around. Hope you get back to modeling soon there Guy. I can't wait to see what you are going to finish next.

                                                                                         Soulcrusher

soulcrusher wrote:

 Hey soulcrusher, The DVII is really looking great, and the "stacked" wings came out very nice. Looking forward to seeing the the TINY MG's assembled.

 Stephen, the added wash on the streak decals is spot on. The DR1's are looking really cool.

Thanks Mobious. Its a good thing I do'nt drink coffe or other caffine drinks because these parts are so tiny super steady hands are a must. I'll just double up on the meds tonight and that should steady my hands enough to tackle this prodject!

                                                                                     Soulcrusher

Here are the interior photos that I promised.  Little did I realize how involved Graduation Party weekend would be.   Anyway, aside from gluing together the fuselage and some pre-shading on the bottom side of the wings, there was not much movement this past week.  I should start to pick up the pace this week.  As always, any comments are welcome. 

The interior left side prior to installing the seat, and prior to putting an oil wash on the engine.  I also did apply a wash to all of the interior prior to gluing the fuselage halves together, but after taking these photos.

A close-up of the engine (exhaust manifold obviously not installed) after it was glued in place following a wash.

Stephen,

Since you typically do such a great job of answering our questions, I think that you may have missed one I asked last week.  I need a little rigging direction for my Pfalz D.IIIa as the Eduard instructions with the kit show the rigging for the D.III.  The photographs that I have found thus far are not entirely clear on showing the end locations of the rigging on the outer forward portion of the wings, which appears to be the only rigging difference between the D.III and D.IIIa.  Any light that you can shed will be appreciated.

Greetings Scotty,

The riggng for the Pfalz D.III and D.IIIa should be identical.  Aeroscale is down for maintenance or I would show you the portfolio of my Pfalz builds. Let me see if I can dig up an image of the real deal.

D.IIIa

D.III

D.III prototype.

Eduard 1/48 Fok. Dr.I #8490 kit.  No decals yet.  Just a bit of rigging.

Here is the progression of the DML / Dragon builds. First   Dr.I 502/17.

Here is the other Dr.I .  This type of marking was originally called a "Hakenkreuz."  The legs turning to the left made this a "female version."  The origins can be seen on the prehistoric caves of  almost every  part of the world.