Tom's Modelworks Pfalz D.IIIa

[Craig]

I just got this kit. It looks OK. One advantage that it has over the Eduard version is that the wing roots and tail fin are integral with the fuselage. Smooooth....
The spinner is a mess, though - way too flat and part of the white metal prop.

Anyway, anyone have any tips on the build, or links to others' observations?

A Thousand Thanks
Craig

[StephenLawson]

Tom’s Modelworks 1/48 scale Pfalz D.III / IIIa resin kit.
Plastic 0 pcs
Resin 15 pcs
Wht Met 44 pcs
Various serial numbers possible. 2 pages text & plan views. Parts included for both D.III & D.IIIa (early & late.) Note The defining visual difference between early and late versions for the purpose of this review is that the early Pfalz D.IIIa types had angled lower wing tips. The late Pfalz D.IIIa versions had rounded lower wing tips. On the kit the underside and rear edge of the top wing needs to be thinned down about 60-80%. The cockpit interior walls need thinning as well. In most cases the resin fin & rudder (coming in two halves) need to be separated from the fuselage halves and re-attached 90 degrees to the tail surface. WARNING! Do not use common florist or piano wire for substituting tube or metal structures like struts or any pinning, joining or uniting to resin parts!!! Tom's resin kits use formaldehyde in its mixing process. This process won’t allow resin mixtures to cure completely. Ever notice a sheen on the surface of unbuilt resin kits? If you use florist or piano wire for struts or pinning, it will rust and bleed through paint and you will lose the strength you sought to have with metal. ONLY USE BRASS rod or wire for these purposes. A couple of years ago I ruined a $30.00 Albatros D.Va kit because of this.

References;
Colors by Greg Van Wyngarden, Over the Front Journal Vol 2 #4,Pp.371-5, 1987.
German Army Air Service in WWI by R. Rimell, Osprey Vintage Warbirds #2, 1985.
German Fighter Units June 1917-1918 by A. Imrie, Osprey, Airwar #17,1978.
Lafayette Foundation Archive, Denver CO. USA
Pfalz by P. Grosz & E. Krüger, WWI Aero Pub. inc. 1964.
Pfalz D.III by R. Rimell, Datafile WWI a/c Part 1, Windsock, Albatros Pub. Ltd. Pp.20-31, 1990.
Pfalz D.III by P. Gray, Profile Pub. #43, 1965.
Pfalz D.III Technical evaluation by ‘Flight’ Cross & Cockade USA Vol.1 #4, Pp. 29-53,1960.
Pfalz D.III 1370/17 evaluation by ‘Flight’ Cross & Cockade USA Vol. 2 #3 1961.
Pfalz D.IIIa by P. Grosz, Windsock Datafile #21, Albatros Pub. Ltd. 1989.
Pictorial History of the German Army Air Service by A. Imrie, Ian Allen Pub. 1971.
Scale Model Aircraft in Plastic Card by H.Woodman, Model & Allied Pub., 1975.
Scratchbuilding Techniques by Alan Clark, Scale Models Int. Pp174-5, 1990.
Spandau Machine Gun by David Watts, WWI Aero,1998.
World War One in Plastic by Brad Hansen, Great Auk Pub. 1979.

[Craig]

Thanks for the reply and info. Upon inspection and study, the only problem for which I can't see an easy fix is the spinner. Dismal! And so important. Tempted to pick up an Eduard kit for that, wings, and other stuff - but not that lazy.