WIP Pfalz DIII 1/32 Roden

[Graham Hunter]

Nice work Bob. I really like the offset seat cushion, that touch really adds character. Which scheme are you going to do? I wish I had started this kit instead of the Gavia Bristol Scout. Oh well I'll have to live until I am 120 to finish all the kits I have anyway...

What made you go with all wood finish for the interior?

[bobs_buckles]

Hello Graham,
Cheers for the comments.
I'm not sure who to go for as regards livery, the book is open on that little conundrum
I chose wood interior (As has Lars) because I like the contempory look it gives and lets be honest, no one can say 100% if all DIII interiors were doped grey. That's my excuse anyway

Von Buckle

[bobs_buckles]

Hello all,
Just a simple question I need help with.

Am I right in thinking that there was a venneer strip that ran along the spine of the DIII fuselage? If so, would this have been only on the upper surface? Or was it mirrored underneath?

Cheers,
Bob

[Galloway]

Originally Posted by bobs_buckles

Hello Graham,
Cheers for the comments.
I'm not sure who to go for as regards livery, the book is open on that little conundrum
I chose wood interior (As has Lars) because I like the contempory look it gives and lets be honest, no one can say 100% if all DIII interiors were doped grey. That's my excuse anyway

Von Buckle

Bob,

I went with a natural wood finish on the interior of my DIIIa as well.

Ken

[bobs_buckles]

Hello all,
Finished the harnesses and closed up the fuselage. The cushion and harnesses will both receive a thin burnt umber wash when nearing completion.



I have removed the engine inspection panel, which really helps show all the detail in the engine (see picture) I have also drilled out the machine gun inspection ports and filled with white glue. After painting the model I will pick out the glue and then fill with Gator glue... Marvellous stuff!
More updates to follow

Von Buckle

[AROTH]

According to the "Pfalz Datafile" and "Pfalz Aircraft of WWI", the completed fuselage halves were attached to the subframe, covered with fabric, and doped. Didn't see anything regarding any other sealing strips over the joint lines.

Maybe Dan-San has more info on this.

[bobs_buckles]

This is the area that has me guessing.
Cheers,
Bob

[AROTH]

Yes, I see that raised "ridge" which may indicate a strip of tape on the joint seam underneath the final fabric covering of the fuselage.

There was another picture in the "Pfalz Aircraft of WWI" book (page 38), which shows D.III on its nose from a bottom view, in which the joint line appears to be very dark and obvious (much like a built model that was not sanded or smoothed down).

I did not see anything else in the text regarding details on how the joint lines were dealt with.

Mr. Dan-San, help please....

[StephenLawson]

The fabric strip joint cap between the fuselage halves was under the fuselage fabric envelope.

[bobs_buckles]

Stephen,

That sounds just about right.
To gain the effect, I have scribed along the spine with a Tamiya scriber and filled with Epoxy. This has been sanded back leaving a faint raised strip. I'm hoping that with a couple layers of paint the effect will be spot on.

Happy days!
Von Buck