They shoot horses don't they? - the rebuild

[StephenLawson]

Here it is at this point. Interplane and cabane struts in place.

[SteveS]

Hi Stephen!

Hope it's as much fun the second time round!

I think this particular kit is possessed. I almost dropped the case containing mine a couple of months ago. Don't know if I would have bothered fixing it.

Salute,
Steve

[Doug Baumann]

good looking model steve i am glad to see you are fixing it Doug

[StephenLawson]

I have wondered, what makes me dig my spurs in with this build? The answer maybe two-fold.
1. Its the only game in town as far as 1/32 Fok. D.VII kits.
2. It was part of one of the earliest Group Builds here.

Here we don't have much interest in building in groups with themes, related subjects (or even one kit at the same time as others) and sharing the information. The result is that information on various builds is spread out over multiple years. Unless you know how to work the search engine here it can get frustrating.

Maybe that is why we do come here, because most people are willing to help if you ask?

As with any subject you can loose interest in a build. And a build is left unfinished or life gets in th way and a project gets put on the back burner long enough that it gets lost. I know a fellow. (Good bloke that he is.) Can get through most of a build but never finishes what he starts. He has keen insight and a real talent but his endgame is weak. I know of several Eduard kits (four) he has more than half finished but then parts get lost, misplaced or another project gets stacked on the first. Then another project and then another. . .and so on.

Then you have people that come here expecting something for nothing and don't contribute to the general forum. Then when they don't get what they want - they become nasty.

For as much as I have put into this kit it is still just a kit. Thats all it will ever be. But my joy is completing the build and moving on to the next experience. People have be generous to me and I thank them for their kind words but there are many better modelers than me out there. I am not in competition with them. I am trying to better myself. Fix the major flaws - sure. But after all it is just a kit. Enjoy the build. I never thought I could say that about the Battle Axe Fokker D.VII.

[Doug Baumann]

well Steve its a good model and a good job, it took some work to build it to make it look that good . A group build?? Great idea, what a good way to learn about and aircraft.. Doug

[StephenLawson]

Just for a refresher on the kit - build and markings. This is the Battle Axe 1/32 scale kit. The entire kit has been upgraded using Copper State Models Spandau etched metal fret and Tom's Modelworks German interior and Spandau Machine Gun brass etched metal. Further a Tom's Modelworks resin 160hp Mercedes D.III / 170hp D.IIIa has been upgraded to the specifications of the Mercedes 180hp D.IIIaü that was the standard inline power plant in German single seat fighters for 1918. The Propeller is a laminated wood item from the Czech shop of Mr. M. Digmayer available through Copper State Models.


This build will represent Fokker D.VII 402/18 (w/n 2489) accepted in May 1918 and assigned to "Vizefeldwebel" (acting Sargent) Max Holtzem of Jasta 16b. Vzfw. Holtzem had been assigned to this unit on 22 Sept. 1917 and stayed there until the end of the war. A modest man he refused to take credit for any of the combat victories that he took part in. Around the turn of the century children were told that the comet was a departed soul en route to heaven. Holtzem's mother had died when he was nine years old and he had the comet painted on all his Jasta 16b aircraft to denote her spirit as his "Guardian Angel."Holtzem's own description says that this machine was his at the war's end. He says that he "acquired" some benzine and flew the machine home where he hid it. His narrative goes on to say that he removed the guns and later added a second seat behind the cockpit. Max Holtzem later befriended Dr. J. J. Parks President of the Lafayette Foundation and shared his wartime experiences. Two years before his death in 1980 Max posed with the foundation's replica Fokker D.VII in one of our German officer uniforms as evidenced by the photos presented here.

[FOKKERJ]

hi Stephen,

Great story and fotograf of Max Holtzem, thanks for sharing that.
I agree with you about not competing with others, just doing ones best and trying to improve one's skills should be enough for anyone.
It can be a little intimidating though when you see some of the awesome builds on this Forum that look like somebody had to sell their soul to the Devil to acquire their skill level!

Keep up the great work, Jay

P.S. Talking about unfinished projects..... I resemble that remark!
I tend to jump around alot, but have not brought anything close to finish for awhile.
I hope that I can make more time for my builds soon after I have completed other business.

[StephenLawson]

Thank you for the kind words Jay. Well folks here it is repaired and ready. Though for some reason I have an itch to put a Model Cellar 1/32 German standing pilot beside it.

[StephenLawson]

". . . Though for some reason I have an itch to put a Model Cellar 1/32 German standing pilot beside it."

If they only made this in 1/32.

[PrzemoL]

Good to see this bird finished. It would be a shame to leave it in pieces, wouldn't it? Great you took it back to the workbench! Repair works are by far less exciting than new builds, the more I congratulate you decided to restore it. Thanks for sharing.