Another in Progress... 1/48 Eduard Alb. DVa

Brad Cancian · 12 July 2006, 11:38 PM

G'day guys.

Whilst plodding away with my BE-12b kitbash project, I have started a more orthodox and less adventurous project - the 1/48 Eduard Albatros DVa. Many of you have probably built this kit and know how nice it is. I have finished the interior so far - whilst out of the box it is quite comprehensive, I still found room to make improvements (using the NASM's excellent book on the Albatros DVa they restored as a primary reference).

First I started with the engine. I added various wiring using fine wire and rocker arm springs (2 per cylinder) from fine wire wrapped around a pin. The oil tank on the stbd side of the engine was added from scrap plastic sanded to shape, and other details were added.

Before painting, showing the modifications, and after painting:

Brad Cancian · 12 July 2006, 11:38 PM

The biggest area for improvement of Eduard's interior is the area between the cockpit firewall and the rear of the engine. Having built Eduard's DIII, I know this area is visible under the Spandau's on the completed model and looks very odd if left empty, so I added some details. Firstly, I scratchbuilt the main and reserve fuel tank from scrap plastic, and added some basic machine gun bearer details onto the firewall.

I later added some wiring and plumbing again using the NASM book as a main reference.

Brad Cancian · 12 July 2006, 11:39 PM

The cockpit itself required very little modification. Firstly I made a cushion for the seat from Tamyia putty. I added foot straps and control horns to the rudder bar, and rigged the controls using stretched elastic, run through holes drilled through the bulkheads. I added the throttle to the pt side of the control column and added the throttle control wire. I also added wires from the triggers to the gun locations. Other minor details were added from scrap plastic and various other bits. The rest was OOB.

Brad Cancian · 12 July 2006, 11:40 PM

Wiring was added to the side walls from fuse wire and solder. Here you can see the attempt at wood grain, which was done using oils. I tried to keep the grain very subtle - in 1/48 all you will really notice is slight changes in tone as opposed to seeing individual grains.

Here's the whole thing together in the fuselage.

Now that troublesome area behind the engine will look busy once the Spandau's are on.

Next is onto major construction... I still have no idea what scheme I'm going to paint this thing in, but I would like to have a dig at replicating a varnished plywood fuselage but still have an interesting scheme... any suggestions anyone??

All comments / criticisms welcome!!

BC

se5a12 · 13 July 2006, 12:35 AM

Those springs over the engine valves look hard to do,I have heard of people using guitar 3rd string ends to achieve this.How did you do the spring covers ?

they look very good....

StephenLawson · 13 July 2006, 07:56 AM

Brad; Very nice as usual! Shoulder straps are a bit long. Eduard's faux paux was having the anchors at the top of the rear cockpit screen. They should be at the bottom. The cross piece on the shoulder harness' usually went over the pilot's chest. The "resin"(?) fuel tanks are interesting. I usually cut mine out of plastic. Are you interested in making some copies for trade or sale? The tower for the decompression bell looks like the one used for the early 160hp D.III and 170hp D.III engines.

Trackpad · 13 July 2006, 09:14 AM

Hi, Brad,
Very nice work. I have one of these kits in my collection, and it's good to see how you've tackled the detailing here. One question about the laptop seatbelts. Yours come over the side of the seat, but I have seen other references to the belts coming through the lower sides of the seats. For example, a posting on the Fokker triplane gives the latter method. Were both methods used on various aircraft? Thanks for any insight!

Gary