Model Airways 1/16 Albatros D.Va

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 01:37 AM

Hello everyone,
My purpose here with this thread is to show anyone who is interested the contents of the Albatros kit. My apologies in advance for the quality (or lack thereof) of the photos. My photographic experience can be measured in hours at this point. As I stated when I joined the forum recently, my level of knowledge regarding WW1 aviation is limited so I am not really in a position to comment as to matters of accuracy in the kit. I will make some brief observations as to the quality as I see it of what is provided in the box. As time permits I will begin construction and post some (hopefully better) pictures along the way. My thanks to all the fantastic modellers on this site for the inspiration and motivation you've given me. Keep up the good work!

Please note that any cans of beer that appear in the pictures were only used as photographic aids and no beers were harmed during taking of these photos.

On with the show...

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 01:39 AM

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 01:43 AM

Please note that the manuals for all the Model Airways kits are available to download in pdf format on the Model Expo website.

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 01:45 AM

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 01:56 AM

Fuselage building jig parts

Fuselage formers, wing and tailplane ribs, seat and propeller

The overall quality here is very good. The wood is evenly grained and free of imperfections. There was a problem with the wing rib sheet as it appears that at one end of the sheet the laser only seemed to mark the wood but did not actually cut it. I have contacted Model Expo about this (and a couple of other things I will touch on later) and am awaiting a reply.

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 02:05 AM

The wood again appears to be of decent quality and of consistent size. The other various and sundry items include rubber tires (or tyres, if you please), rubber tubing, assorted copper and brass wire, assorted string and line,aluminum tape, plastic sheet, rubber bands and alligator clips.

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 02:27 AM

A note here: I have spoken a little with John Reid (who has a great deal more experience with MA kits) about the quality of the metal parts provided. He tells me the parts in the Jenny kit are much improved over what is here. I have not seen the Jenny so I can't really compare them. I will say ,however, that my experience with cast parts up to this point has not been good. Very often these would be misshappen lumps that bore a passing resemblence to something vaguely related what the item was supposed to represent. On that basis, I have to say that I am pleased by what I found in this box. Yes, some parts will require some clean-up and tweaking, but to me they appear to be very workable. Based on the weight of the engine peices alone I will definately be heeding John's warnings about the relative strength of the landing gear lest I inadvertantly create a diorama of a rookie training accident

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 02:32 AM

One of the machine gun barrel jackets was incompletely cast and another small lever was missing. This info was also passed on to Model Expo.

pat1066 · 12 March 2006, 02:40 AM

Well I guess that about covers it. Let me apologise for somehow posting side by side images and thereby making this thread a bit of a pain to view. Having never attempted a review of any sort before I hope this was somewhat informative.

Now I better get cracking on some research.

Cheers,
Pat

mgtaylor · 12 March 2006, 05:40 AM

Very First Kit my Wifey bought me for my Birthday! Then I covinced Her I HAD to have the Model Airway Niue 28 and just recently snuck and got the Curtis Jenny on Sale. These Puupies remain safe in Humity and Temp contorlled storage in my office closet. They are a few of the Musem Quaility kits which often sweetly call my name like sirens calling Odessa to ground his ship. These pupies are all waiting a proper work space built around a Home Depot Hollow Core Door work Table. I have Goals!! They will come!