In Progress - Roden Fok D.VII

[Troy Raines]

Brad I think the fuselage streaking looks good and your engine work is awesome. I'm curious about your take on the horizontal stab and elevator colors. Pictures I have show dark stripes, I figured maybe yellow/black or some such would account for the dark tones. But maybe you have info I don't that points to an overpaint?

[Brad Cancian]

G'day Troy - a fair question

I am using two primary references for this scheme, the first is the large photo in the "Fokker D.VII in Action" publication, as well as the instruction book from the Americal-Gryphon Jasta 4 decal sheet which includes this scheme. The instructions have a particularly lengthy blurb about this aircraft and mention that it most likely served in Jasta 6 (where it picked up the Jasta 6 white and black tail stripes) before it was transferred to Jasta 4. The instruction sheet goes on to say that it is known that Jast 4 used a home-made mix of "grey-green" to overpaint fuselage crosses, and as such it is likely that this colour was used to overpaint the tail plane; the paint being thin enough to still clearly discern the black and white stripes (which are the stripes that can be clearly seen in the photograph). This goes in line with other info I have on Jasta 4 aircraft which shows the only unit markings were black cowls and struts - overpainting the tailplane in this manner would bring the aircraft markings roughly back in line with the rest of the Jasta.

Cheers,

BC

[StephenLawson]

It was either Modeling Madness or Internet Modeler where a fellow modeler did this same scheme on a 1/48 DML Fokker D.VII. The Fokker in Action book is ok but be-cautioned about the captions. The Anthology is a better bet.

[Troy Raines]

Thanks Brad. I don't have that Americal-Gryphon sheet yet. I seem to be stuck in the Jasta 5 Albatros decals right now. I'll get to the Fokkers later. Sometimes I wish A/G would print their booklets that come with the decals separately, they are full of great info. I look forward to seeing your finished model, I do like the early DVII's with all their modified crosses and overpainting.

Troy

[Brad Cancian]

A quick question that I can't seem to find an immediate answer to - did the undercarriage "wing" have the streaky camo applied to its upper surface at the factory or was it a solid colour like the decking and cowling? Photos don't seem to be real clear on this and the Roden instructions do not say. I believe the underside was turquoise?

Thanks in advance,

BC

[Troy Raines]

Arguments have been made for streaks or solid. It seems to me that most people favor the solid color. I have done a couple of early DVII's in 1/72nd and painted the axle wing "fokker green" on both surfaces. Turquoise is possible, if you can see the leading edge of the axle wing it will show up.

Troy

[Brad Cancian]

Top Wing is on, but the fit was terrible. The front and rear cabane struts were ok but the interplane struts were not quite long enough and the angles were wrong. The lozenge decals are a little chewed up due to struts popping out of their location points (at the worst times mind you) and taking the decal with them....



BC

[Kitboy]

Very recognizable, was lucky to build my Roden DVII in Dutch version, so no Lozenge decals that could be damaged. But still the upper wing was built up with plenty of cursing. Hope to have less problems with de Eduard version, top wing nearly has its Lozenge finished.

It's a very nice built!!!

greetings, Nico

[StephenLawson]

Looking very nice Brad. Another jewel in your crown of builds. For the chewed up lozenge you can repair that easily. Cut sections of lozenege in circular patterns punch holes through the centers. Viola! reinforcement patches. It is better if they dont' quite match ethe surrounding area.

[Troy Raines]

Very nice Brad.