Hi there, another Dr.I

[kiwi123]

Hi to all !

I see a lot of familiar faces around, hi Russ, Jerry, Mark, Jock and others

I'd like to show my latest here, a fokker Dr.I. Usually I work on second world war topics but decided to venture outside of my comfort zone and have a stab at the first world war.
Being dutch I've always had a fascination with Fokker's aircraft. In the past I've created artwork with the fokker D.XXI and G.I.a, now it was time for the most well known of all, the DR.I
I'll post some images of my work in progress on the 3d model.

Cheers,

Wiek

[kiwi123]

[kiwi123]

[kiwi123]

Sorry, the images are fairly large

The model is getting close to finished after which I can start painting her. Looking forward to it already !

[Laserlloyd]

Hi Wiek,

Nice work.

Here is a link that goes over the correct ammunition belt used. You have the three rivet belt that was used on a field guns (Maxim M.G.) not one that was used in for the Spandau's in the Fokker machines. I had posted close ups so you can see the correct type. You will be able to also see the belt ejection tube that is rectangular exiting the gun with a removable panel located on the top side that was used to help feed the belt into the round section of the ejection tube.

The Correct ammunition belt used on the Spandau

Question, the aileron counterbalance horns look to be of the longer style used on the F.I prototypes and the earlier Dr.I's. This was shortened ofter the grounding of the Dr.I's in October of 1918 with the lengthening of the wing cord to 1000mm and the shorter counterbalance horns .

Under the muzzle of the guns there was another piece of metal attached as a muzzle flash guard. I'll have to find a photo of it for you.

The bottom of the ruder looks flat. It had more of a curve to it.

The Axle wing looks to be the correct on used on Dr.I's production number higher then 500. This would be the shorter cord axle wing. On production number lower then 500 had the longer cord. It looks like your going with the paint scheme of Kirschstein or Udet's 586/17 so the wing you have would be correct.

I know that mark and Tim West could help you out too on finalizing the design.

Really nice work and look forward in seen your progress.

Lloyd...

[kiwi123]

Hi Lloyd,

Thank you for taking the time for a such a detailed reply !

Originally Posted by Laserlloyd

Here is a link that goes over the correct ammunition belt used.

Oh, cool, I'll fix that. It was hard finding proper reference for the guns, I scraped some photographs together of mostly replicas. On various expert sites it is shown with 3 holes (the memorial flight and vintage aviator photos show it with 3). I wasn't even aware there was such a thing as a 2 hole belt

Originally Posted by Laserlloyd

Question, the aileron counterbalance horns look to be of the longer style used on the F.I prototypes and the earlier Dr.I's.

I did apply the correct shape for the ribs near the other end for the later type but must have used the wrong reference for the counterbalance horns, you are indeed right...OOPS !

Originally Posted by Laserlloyd

Under the muzzle of the guns there was another piece of metal attached as a muzzle flash guard. I'll have to find a photo of it for you.

That would be great, I also need to add the "hood" for the dial between the guns. It is very hard for me to find good photographic reference for it. If you have any that would be of help I would be grateful. Also on the side there seems to be variation between round and square panels next to the exhaust, would you happen to know why ?

Originally Posted by Laserlloyd

The bottom of the ruder looks flat. It had more of a curve to it.

I based the model on drawings from the book "fokker Dr.I Triplane" by Paul Leaman, I'll double check against those drawings again as well as photographs.

Originally Posted by Laserlloyd

It looks like your going with the paint scheme of Kirschstein or Udet's 586/17 so the wing you have would be correct.

I am indeed going with the paint scheme of 586/17 for now, I love the stripes Whether I will show Kirschstein or Udet depends on what information I can find for paintschemes of other pilots in their geschwader as I intend to show 5 in flight for the first image. The current colour scheme is merely stand in by the way as I still need to start the proper paint job.

Later on I also intend to show one of the early Dr.Is shedding it's top wing fabric, hence the internal structure. I'll make sure to get the correct ailerons for that and the right undercarriage wing cord as well.

Many thanks for your help,

Wiek

[Otis Glenn]

Hello Wiek:

Outstanding work! I am always amazed at the artwork that can pe produced nowadays.

Who's triplane are you doing? The stripes look like Kirschstein's but placed a little diffrently. In any case, keep up the excellent work, I can't wait to see the finished product!

Hello to Lloyd as well. I would like to see photos of the muzzle flash guard too. I have noticed the guards in drawings and artworks but have never seen a clear picture of what they really look like. In those diagrams they appear to have a surface shape or texture and aren't just flat pieces of metal.

Take care guys!
Glenn

[Otis Glenn]

Hey Wiek:

I was typing my message when you answered who's plane this will be in your previous post. Kirschstein's is one of my favorites. COOL!

Glenn

[Laserlloyd]

Hi Wiek

He is a older thread that Taz had posted the photo of the deflector plate.

Fokker Dr.I Muzzle Deflectors

You can also see one style for the Fuel cover in the same photo. There is another photo that has a different style.

Lloyd...

[Laserlloyd]

Here is Udet's color markings and take a look at the rudder. You can see here how it cures back up.

THE STEFAN BASTEK COLLECTION

I do have Kirschstein's that I forgot to post. I think the only difference is Udet's "LO" markings. I'll take another look.

Now the markings on the rudder (Fokker and the work-number) I believe had been painted over when the change on the cross happened. The "Fokker" marking on the rudder (in the profile) is in script and should be in the block style as this would have looked with the Eisernes Kreuz before the change to the second Balkenkreuz style.

Lloyd...