Knights of the Sky WWI GB The End

StephenLawson wrote:

Just cruising through the previous pages I picked up on darson's interest in the Eduard Weekend kit #8426 Nieuport 16.  I happen to know of some plugger that did a review on the kit.

Hey, I know that guy!!!

Stephen,

THanks for the tip. I just received "Albatros D.III(OEF)" by P.M. Grosz. Its a great source of information on those planes. Thanks again !! Now its time to digg through it

Greg 

Hey GZT--

Looks like you and I are building the same kit/plane.  

Are you building straight OOB?  Going to detail it up? 

MrDrummy wrote:

Hey GZT-- Looks like you and I are building the same kit/plane.     Are you building straight OOB?  Going to detail it up?

Hi Drummy !

I got an Eduard kit of D.III - and I plan to convert it to OEF version 253. This one used Austro Daimpler engines - 225 HP. I just got a book on OEF Albatros - plans for 1/72 and 1/48 scale. I know that I have plenty of reading before I will start building this bird and I will be more than happy if I can share it with you - if you are interested in OEF version, if not I will share my findings anyway

At this moment I am not sure what aftermarket parts I can get - its Eduard kit anyway - so some PE parts are included, masks etc.

Greg 

gzt wrote:

". . .At this moment I am not sure what aftermarket parts I can get - its Eduard kit anyway - so some PE parts are included, masks etc. Greg"

Yeah- my kit came without any PE parts-- all plastic. 

I'd love to hear more about your a/c.  I know that I'm doing one of the early versions of the DIII, though.  I think that I'm going to build Richtofen's D.III and Fokker D.I. 

I AM going to get that Eduard PE set for it, though, as soon as the cash comes rolling in. 
I've got to calm the model accessories buying a little bit...whew.  Sometimes one just gets carried away...

Check this out--stunning work.

http://hsfeatures.com/albatrosdiiitb_1.htm 

wing_nut wrote:

OK... Stephen has set the bar...  and I can almost see it from way down here Nice job.

Lucky you...I can`t even see the bar, it?s so F***ing far away....but we are ale going to (hopefully) learn from this exirence so I`ll try my best:D:D

MrDrummy wrote:

"...I'd love to hear more about your a/c.  I know that I'm doing one of the early versions of the DIII, though.  I think that I'm going to build Richtofen's D.III and Fokker D.I.  I AM going to get that Eduard PE set for it, though, as soon as the cash comes rolling in.  I've got to calm the model accessories buying a little bit...whew.  Sometimes one just gets carried away... Check this out--stunning work. http://hsfeatures.com/albatrosdiiitb_1.htm

Greetings  MrDrummy:

As ruddratt has discovered I have kit reviews on my website BUT The older out of production kits are usually no longer offered as downloads.  While they are all still available on CD's  My stuff is aimed at helping the average modeler who has little or no knowledge about WWI aviation.

That said Here is a list of what I did to "improve" the basic Eduard Albatros kit #8017. 

1. a Copper State Models resin pilot,
2. an extra radiator facade and
3. some instrument switches from Eduard's aftermarket set,
4. a couple of cut and shaped brass rods plumbing to the radiator,
5. some motor wiring,
6. scratchbuilt fuel cell (Upper half only), 
7. monofilament rigging,
8. the four control horns for the elevator
9. landing gear legs and axle parts are cut and shaped brass rod.
10. Grandt line hex head nuts  for the strut tie - in's on the top wing,
11. Cabane struts are cut and shaped brass rod, 4 pieces per side,
12. photoetch Spandau machine gun jackets, end caps, gun sights  and etc.

THE MOST IMPORTANT MODIFICATIONS TO THIS KIT ARE,

". . .Step 3.) Remove the forward plastic locator pin in the lower wings (B2&3) and have a brass pin/ rod inserted into predrilled holes through both sides of the fuselage with corresponding holes in the lower wings. Leave the rear plastic pins intact. This provides a rigid structure to hang the wings from.

While in the area there is a vertically scribed line between the forward engine compartment vent and the rear edge of the cowling ring. It needs to be filled and sanded smooth. Lay common masking tape over the details you want to save and then sand and fill with gap filling "Super Glue" cynoacrylate. . ."

Trapping the axle bar ends in the lower end of the landing gear per the original.  Wrap upholstery thread around the langing gear legs above the axle.  See photo images or your references.

I have a list I can recommend.

Hey Stephen--

Well, after reading your list, it does look like I've got a few things to get before I get going on this aircraft!  I think that a lot of the things will be taken care of when I get the Eduard photoetch set, such as the guns, the radiator, and instrument switches.  I've got the monofilament already in the drawer.

Here are a couple of questions:

1.  Can you actually see the wiring once the engine is mounted?

2.   I'm guessing that the brass rod through the wings and fuselage are for added strength.  This seems like a pretty easy task.  What guage of brass rod would you recommend?

I don't want to get for free what you sell on CD, but at the point the model money is drying up!!

MrDrummy wrote:

Hey Stephen-- Well, after reading your list, it does look like I've got a few things to get before I get going on this aircraft!  I think that a lot of the things will be taken care of when I get the Eduard photoetch set, such as the guns, the radiator, and instrument switches.  I've got the monofilament already in the drawer. Here are a couple of questions: 1.  Can you actually see the wiring once the engine is mounted? 2.   I'm guessing that the brass rod through the wings and fuselage are for added strength.  This seems like a pretty easy task.  What guage of brass rod would you recommend? I don't want to get for free what you sell on CD, but at the point the model money is drying up!!

Greetings Mr Drummy;

1. Only seen on the pilot's left.  (unless you use white painted wiring)

2. Make it easy on your self keep it the same diameter as the front locator hole in the fuselage for the lower wing.  (I don't have the gauge with me right now but I'll check later.)

3. No worries.  If I offer it (like I did in the list above) you can ask about it.

Modelers come here to get help.  But I used to get requests like ". . .give me everything you have on . . .fill in the blank. "  I have been writing about WWI aviation kits and its real history for years.  My website does that, fills in the blanks.  By the way the list I posted is just the stuff I did.  If your budget doesn't permit certain things. . . hey you got to eat right? 

The downloads are quick and have a few images.

The CD's have everything I can burn into the Disk about the subject and that includes 40 -60 images. 

So far the site pays for itself and a couple of kit purchases for me.  Yahoo!

Stephen, I have another question about the DH.2 kit. Eduard provides options for three different instrument panel/deck configurations. As I plan on building DH.2, No. 5998, Capt. J. O. Andrews mount (1916), do you know which configuration I should use? I could scan the instructions and post that section here if that would help. Thanks!

(edit)

Here's a scan of the instructions. I boxed in the step in question. Thanks again!

Got my Dragon Fokker Dr I in the mail today-- GOSH!  That thing is small!  I was a little worried that I had accidentally gotten a 1/72 kit.  The Albatross is almost twice the size.  I had no idea it was such a small aircraft!

ruddratt wrote:

Stephen, I have another question about the DH.2 kit. Eduard provides options for three different instrument panel/deck configurations. As I plan on building DH.2, No. 5998, Capt. J. O. Andrews mount (1916), do you know which configuration I should use? I could scan the instructions and post that section here if that would help. Thanks! Here's a scan of the instructions. I boxed in the step in question.

Greetings ruddratt;

Eduard had a minor screw up here.  Other wise it would be very clear.  I'll explain.  In your instructions the headers are 2 A, B & C.  These stand for the colour profile schemes provided in the kit.  The problem was someone forgot to add "D" to the instrument cluster that has "C".  So "C" should read "C & D."   Your choice is "C" so its the choice on the far right.  Both are 5xxx series machines and will have the same instrument cluster.

http://www.eduard.cz/products/pdf/n80/8094_15.pdf

Im up for this group build. I whant to do a Bristol Fighter as one is based just down the road frrom me (airworthy). I also watched all 3 airworthy origional Bristol Fighters flying together. Can someone recommend a good 1:48th scale kit of the Bristol Fighter please.

Heres a photo just to savour the moment:

If people are interested i am able to complete a photo walk around of the following aircraft which i would hapily burn the images to cd and mail it to you at a small cost: (note these aircraft are all origional unless otherwise noted, i even have cockpit photos of a few of them, again these are labelled)

Dr1 (replica) -

Sopwith Pup - cocpit shot included

Sopwith Triplane (late production) - cockpit shot included

Bristol M1C (replica) -

Avro 504k - cockpit shot included

Bristol F2b Fighter - cockpit shot included

SE5A -

Cauldron G3 -

Hanroit Hd1 -

Sopwith 1.5 Strutter -

Sopwith Tabloid (replica) -

Vickers Fb5 (replica i believe) -

Vickers Vimy (replica) -

If you are at all interested in these contact me by private message or by email.

Greetings Ollie;

 You will find that both Eduard and Roden have excellent 1/48 kits of the Brisfit.  I have one (Roden) in progress myself.

StephenLawson wrote:

Greetings Ollie;  You will find that both Eduard and Roden have excellent 1/48 kits of the Brisfit.  I have one (Roden) in progress myself.

How do you find the Roden kit?

ollie wrote:

"How do you find the Roden kit?"

Why Ollie wih my hands unless I turn the light on!  Ok sorry couldn't resist.  The main difference between the Edaurd and Roden kits is buidability. Both are about equal. 

The Eduard kit goes together well but has no engine. There are only facades to mount the exhaust pipes to.

The Roden kit has tight fitting parts and a complete engine.  

Eduard aims its kits at mainstream modelers.  The average Joe or Josephine.   2-3 colour schemes.

Roden aims its kits at detail loving modelers looking for variety.  5-6 colour schemes.

StephenLawson wrote:

Eduard aims its kits at mainstream modelers.  The average Joe or Josephine.   2-3 colour schemes. Roden aims its kits at detail loving modelers looking for variety.  5-6 colour schemes.

Stephen , that's why I was so pleasantly suprised with the F.1 Camel....tons of PE and markings for 8 different birds. I still think it's one of their best releases to date.

ruddratt wrote:

"Stephen , that's why I was so pleasantly suprised with the F.1 Camel....tons of PE and markings for 8 different birds. I still think it's one of their best releases to date."

Yes I agree the old Profipacks and now the Combo, Limited Edition, Royal even the weekend kit issues have Eduard trying to broaden their outreach to get a bigger slice of the WW (in this case World Wide ) pie.

Here is one of a Combo I built last year and the review.

http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=2095

StephenLawson wrote:

ollie wrote: "How do you find the Roden kit?" Why Ollie wih my hands unless I turn the light on!  Ok sorry couldn't resist.  The main difference between the Edaurd and Roden kits is buidability. Both are about equal.  The Eduard kit goes together well but has no engine. There are only facades to mount the exhaust pipes to. The Roden kit has tight fitting parts and a complete engine.   Eduard aims its kits at mainstream modelers.  The average Joe or Josephine.   2-3 colour schemes. Roden aims its kits at detail loving modelers looking for variety.  5-6 colour schemes.

 I was more drawn to the Roden kit anyway. I plan to finish her as D8096 as the real D8096 is based barely 3 miles from my house. If i can find some decals for it i would not say no to doing one with that Fish scale paint job (serial no escapes me right now).

ollie wrote:

". . .I was more drawn to the Roden kit anyway. I plan to finish her as D8096 as the real D8096 is based barely 3 miles from my house. If i can find some decals for it i would not say no to doing one with that Fish scale paint job (serial no escapes me right now)."

You mean this one

Also here's a Bristol Babe like Ollie was mentioning.

http://photos.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/19336

StephenLawson wrote:

ollie wrote: ". . .I was more drawn to the Roden kit anyway. I plan to finish her as D8096 as the real D8096 is based barely 3 miles from my house. If i can find some decals for it i would not say no to doing one with that Fish scale paint job (serial no escapes me right now)." You mean this one Also here's a Bristol Babe like Ollie was mentioning. http://photos.kitmaker.net/showgallery.php/cat/19336

 Thats the one i am talking of. Im going to build her first. i love that colour scheme.

 O and the one in those photos is not my local one but it is not far from me being in London.  Im fairly lucky in that D8096 is just down the road at Old Warden, there is a static one at Duxford and the one in the photos at Hendon.

Daywalker,

I was just going back to catch up on my reading with the postings from this group.  I must admit that I am impressed with the amount of traffic thus far.  I guess that maybe I should move up the start on my build early.  Anyway, I took this week off with the Holiday being a "free" day for me, and spent time today sorting through and rearranging kits.  I am not sure when the kits started reproducing, but they have been busy.  I did pull down my Dragon Fokker D VII, and in comparing it with my Eduard plane, I am leaning more toward the Fokker.  Several years ago I built a Dragon Fokker Dr. I  that came with a 1/16 bust of Manfred Von Richthofen, which I built as his plane with a red upper wing and tail, and I planned on building a D VII to match one that his brother flew.  I still need to get a bit further on my present build before I start this one, but I think that the D VII will be my plane of choice. 

Before I forget, I do have a question for you.  How did you get your group badges in the form that they are in on your signature line?  I was admiring it as I went through the pages catching up.

Scott-

I would have to agree with you, the traffic here thus far has been nothing short of amazing!  The GB doesn't start for three more months, but the excitement here is building so much that by the time October 1st rolls around, we are all going to be in a frenzy!  Also, I will update the list to reflect your choice. 

As for the GB badges in my signature, a friend of mine does them for me as I have no fancy computer skills.  About all I can do is send emails and download photos!