Begin to build models again.

[CharlesNungesser]

Hi there!

Due to a long of absence from the modelbuilding circus, I plan to take it up again and in 1/48 scale, which I prefer. Could you please give me advice to some of the manufacturers, I was thinking about Eduard, are they any good? What about decals etc. etc.. in 1/48?

[PeterL]

Jan, Eduard would be an excelent choice to get back into the hobby. They have been around for some time now and some of the older stuff if crude by comparison with their more recent products. The Nieuport 11 and Albatros DI/II just out are right up there with the best of the mainstream and can be unreservedly recommended.

WWI is well supported by decal manufacturers these days with Blue Rider, Aeromaster and others offering good alternative markings for the many OT kits. In addition there is a trend amongst kit producers to release the same kit several times with different decals, Eduard in particular, so the chances are you won't need additional decals in any case.

As I never tire of saying; this is the golden age of WWI modeling. It's never been better, enjoy it.

[chip55]

Hello Charles

I recently got Eduards Fokker DVI and the Hansa DI, I'm not a big fan of the Full coverage decals. Getting them to line up and stay put is a real challenge.

Tom's Model works 1/48 Pfalz DVIII was the same way. The spaghetti strutting material was a nightmare also on the Pfalz.

Check out this aerodrome discussion :

...broken YABB link...

Be well

chip55

[PeterL]

Chip reinforces the point about early Eduard not being up to the current standard as both the kits mentioned are early production. The HB was either their first or second kit. With the Albatros DV Eduard adopted what they call their "new technology", I think they now use copper molds whereas before they used resin, and quality improved tremendously.

If you're not sure whether your chosen subject is early or late production check with someone, maybe even here.

[Hans]

As already stated, the 'old' Eduards are definetely not comparable to the newer ones. Every new issue is better than the kit before. With the Nieuport series and the recent Albatros D II ( based on D III kit) Eduard clearly reaches Tamiya standard.

Wings could be thinner ( as in every injection moulded kit) and rib representation is a matter of taste. Decals are in the standard versions sparse, but better in 'Profipack' version. And still watch details! In the Pfalz series they forgot radiator plumbing / gas tank plumbing. In the Albatros D.II / D.III the era below the Spandaus is nearly empty, you have to make a gas tank plus the L-shaped plate between the guns.

In 1/32 the Academy /Hobbycraft Ni 17 or Camel will make a good re-start, also.

In 1/72 Eduard Albatros DV, Fokker DrI, MAC's Pfalz and Phoenix and the newer Roden kits will give you the feeling also!

Have fun!
Hans

[Matt_Bittner]

Don't forget about the WW1 Modeler's web site (http://www.wwi-models.org)!

[Albatroid]

Hello Charles Nungesser! Or should I call you Le Verdier? I don't know what your modeling budget is, but I think you will find that dollar-for-dollar, Eduard is the best thing going in 1/48. Given your screen name I would highly recommend their Nieuport 17 profipack- the box art is Lafayette Escadrille, but there are decal options for two of Nungesser's machines as well! Treat yourself to one of their Albatross D-III profipacks, or their new Alb D-II. I'm particularly fond of their Pfalz D-III line too. Even the older Eduard releases like the Fokker Eindeckers and Morane Saulniers are nice in my opinion.

In order to get other subjects like the Pfalz D-XII, SPAD VII, Sopwith Dolphin, Snipe, SE5a, and DH2 I've picked up some of the Blue Max limited run kits. These are pretty expensive, and unfortunately chock full of construction challenges that for my money I'd sooner avoid. I bought them before I had discovered Copper State Models in Phoenix, AZ. I expect to replace my Blue Max Sopwith kits and Pfalz D-XII with the CSM versions soon- they are even a little more expensive, but the overall detail and manufacturing quality is light years ahead of Blue Max. Check their site out at:

http://www.amug.org/~copperst/main.html

Welcome back to the sacred halls of styrene, resin, and photoetch!

[Old_Nick]

Same question, different scale. Have not built a plastic model in too many years. What makers or type planes would you recommend for 1/72nd scale to start with.

Old Nick

[Albatroid]

Howdy!

I don't build 1/72 scale, but from what I've seen the quality and variety of Toko & Roden kits makes them the winner in this scale. I've seen their Fok D-VII in the box and it looks like they just shrunk the DML kit- it looks very nice indeed. A quantum leap over the previous offerings from Revell and most others.

I would suggest you go to the ww1 modelers site linked in the above posts and look arounf the galleries- there are many Toko & Roden kits built by other modelers there.

[Craig]

Albatroid:
I am very nearly shocked that you rate the CSM Pfalz D.XII more highly than the Blue Max version! I found the opposite to be the case. But, perhaps my fine motor skills have deteriorated in a few months, or I just happened to get a bad CSM kit. or a particularly good Blue Max.

Craig