Online Build - Roden 1/32 Fokker F.1

[Brad Cancian]

Hi all,

Some of you may recall that not so long ago I built a Roden 1/32 Albatros D.III in the markings of Werner Voss for fellow forumite and Voss fanatic PC777. See Here.

The Albatros was one of three 1/32 Voss-related kits that I agreed to build for PC777, the other two being the Roden Fokker F.1 and Pfalz D.III. Well I decided after completing my latest project that I would get off by backside and get stuck into the F.1. As per the Albatros, I intend to make this an online build (if y'all don't mind) - I will be building this kit with the assistance of the PART photoetched set for this kit.

So far I have tackled the engine, which took me an afternoon to complete and paint. My research tells me that Voss' triplane was fitted with a 110hp LeRhone at the time of his famous final flight. After digging though a couple of references, the kit engine looks pretty well spot on to represent the LeRhone (I am guessing that the Oberursel must have been a pretty close copy) - this was a good thing as it meant I did not have to do any modifications to the kit engine. The engine looks very nice out of the box and I did not feel that I had to make any modifications other than to omit the cylindrical looking part that Roden will have you fit to the back of the engine (part 8E). I found that if I fitted this part, that the cowling would not fit over the engine and flush with the firewall. Anyway, here are some pics.



I have also painted the wood parts of the cockpit as well as the propeller - as per most of the Roden 1/32 kits, the prop has some large sink holes, but these were easily dealt with. Next, onto the cockpit, where I intend to enhance the kit details with the PART set.

Also - I notice the kit instructions tell you to use the straight edged tailplane for Voss' aircraft as opposed to the curved tailplane seen on the rest of the F.1s - is this correct??

Abyways, all feedback welcomed!

BC

[Troy Raines]

Nice looking engine, Brad. I would go with the curved tailplane myself.

[Taz]

Brad- F.I 102/17 and F.I 103/17 had the same curved leading edge to the tailplane, as seen in photos of both. F.I 101/17, WN 1697 had the same curved leading edge tailplane, but with squared off balances on the elevator.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[MerlinV]

Hey Brad,

Stephen Lawson has uploaded a photo of 102/17 on the Kitmaker galleries over on Aeroscale (WW1 1/32 Group Build/ F1) that quite clearly shows the curved leading edge.

On the engines, there seem to be a few different variations on the theme of the Oberursel and 110 Hp LeRhone. I have been trying my self to find definitive evidence of exactly which way the valve tappet levers attached.
I have even seen one photo of a LeRhone with the Induction pipes and the Push rods on the FRONT of the engine?

http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Eng...0Rhone%201.jpg

http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Eng...ngDSCF4698.JPG

http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Eng...yl.lerhone.jpg

Yes, the Oberursel was a direct copy... (This photo was actually in the section under Oberursel)

http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Eng...yl.lerhone.jpg

...but the LeRhone was thought to be far more reliable.

Cheers,

Hugh

[MerlinV]

You see what we modellers are up against!

Album:Fokker Dr.I

Album:Fokker Dr.I

Here's a LeRhone fitted to a Pup.

Album:Sopwith Pup

And a Nieuport 11...

http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Fre...1-nose-int.jpg

So, It seems to me that it's all far from certain.

Cheers,

Hugh

[Brad Cancian]

G'day Hugh - some informative stuff there! My study of some of the pictures of Voss's aircraft as well as the report into the crash site indicate that a LeRhone 110hp Type J engine was fitted at the time of the crash - this engine is identified on the following links:

Le Rhone Rotary Engine - France

Le Rhone 110 hp

Pictures of Voss' tripe from the front back up that this type of engine, with its induciton pipes, rods etc fitted to the rear, was fitted to Voss' triplane.

I suspect that the engine with the induction pipes / rods to the front of the engine is either a different version of the 110hp engine or may be the 80hp version?

BC

[StephenLawson]

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

". . .I suspect that the engine with the induction pipes / rods to the front of the engine is . . .the 80hp version? BC"

Indeed this is the 80hp LeRhône.

F.I 103/17 used a captured 110-120hp LeRhône. Oberursel was developing the license built copy that would become the Ur.II. And later power most production Fokker Dr.I types. The main outer difference from the LeRhône 110 and the Ur.II was the face plate was seperate from the prop spindle on the LeRhône. Push rods were behind the cylinders on both types. The French LeRhône also had its cylinder veins painted a black colour in many caes. The Ur.II was natural metal with a patina.

As a point for the neophyte. Research legend Peter Grosz debunked the Thulin engine story many years ago. And even though it is still in some model instruction histories, should be totally disregarded.

[MerlinV]

Hey Brad,
it seems your research is a little more detailed and conclusive than mine.
Great! I can stop stressing about what to do with the engine in my build.

Interestingly the three gentlemen in the photo in your second article there are actually perusing a Clerget... the same photo appears in the DR1 in Action publication captioned refering to the engine as a LeRhone too...

Stephen, I was just going to try to replicate the differing materials... ie. Steel for the front plate and the cylinders and aluminium for the crank case body.

Isn't research fun?

Cheers,

Hugh

[StephenLawson]

I am with you Hugh. I love this stuff.