1/48 Fokker Dr.I in brass origami - Aerobase

[PeterL]

Stephen, you're a braver man than I am. Etched brass drives me up the wall and aside from odd items such as gun jackets and wire wheels I avoid it like the plague. Good luck with it and let me know if you need a good therapist.

I never had luck with brass. Would rather scratch build. The brass is weak and always bends. And evan superglue has a hard time.

[StephenLawson]

Hey PeterL:
Its good to hear from you! *I enjoy a good challenge and brass etch is just another medium for me. *Like pens or penicls or paint to an artist. I plan on two projects with this kit. Some thing like Stapenhörst's 144/17 in the Agricultural Hall. *You've seen my strip down Alb. D.Va at www.us-aircraft.com *and the second project will also be my second attempt at doing a crashed Dr.I with wing failure. I'll use half the DML wings from the spares box and a fuselage and the other half of the wings combined with the Aerobase kit. Most expensive kit I've ever purchased. (Unitl I get a Cpper State Gotha that is.) * On the therapist connection just a hot cup a tea by the fire will do nicely thankee

[StephenLawson]

Heres what it builds upto. *I want to alter mine for a more accurate cockpit and completely detailed engine, better profiled wheels and wooden prop.

[Ross_Moorhouse]

That would make a great basis for a DrI being built in a factory or one that crashed and been stripped by Allied soldiers.

Please keep us updated as you go mad, I mean as you build it.

Beautiful model. I always wanted to nbuild a model with fuffl operating control surfaces from the rudder pet. and stick.

Good Stephen, and for your next post are you going to quote George W.?

[StephenLawson]

Well folks here it is; I Began This post back on May 7, 2002. As of this post I'm about halfway through the build. I found this kit a challenge with several different possibilities for display. I toyed with doing a detailed diorama on the crash of 425/17 revealing some things I’ve learned that may surprise people. A factory diorama was also considered using several completed and one almost complete Fokker Dr.I types. Typetesting for the military with stress weights attached to an inverted machine. I had mentioned earlier that when I purchased this kit I had high expectations. Near the end of this build I can honestly say that I was not disappointed. While the kit could have contained a few more or differently detailed parts I found the fit of the kit included items, great! A tribute to the toolers and artists involved.

[StephenLawson]

WARNING!!! When handling this bird if you do a conversion and add parts of the DML/Dragon wings you will have to add about 1/16 of and inch to all forward leading edges. Also its tough to hold onto because your always trying to be careful. Too lightly and she dives out of your grasp. Its almost happened to me three times. Imagine the diorama as a crash scene and it will happen. Always work over your desk and close to the surface. My 42 inch high work surface saved this kit more than once.

[JohnReid]

I am of the etched brass drives me crazy school too.I only tried it once and didnt like it. But I admire anyone who ultimately masters it.Good Luck! Cheers .John.