Fokker M5K conversion

[Boggler]

Hello,

I'd like to convert a 1/72 Eduard/Smer or Revell Fokker EIII into a Fokker M5K.

Apart from omitting the gun, shortening the wings, enlarging the cockpit and shortening the fuselage (I think?), what else would I need to do?

The model would be for aerial wargaming so wouldn't have to be super accurate, just look right and not like an EIII.

Any help would be very welcome.

Thanks

Jim

[lnagel]

According to my source:
Wingspan: M5K=28', E.III=32' 8"
Length: M5K=22' 2", E.III=23' 6"

The M5K also had rectangular shaped cheek cowls, while the E.III had triagular shaped cheek cowls.

Larry

[josef scott]

Jim,

Actually, M5K refers to the airframe itself. You mean to make an UNARMED M5K, right? Unarmed A.IIIs (military designation of M5K) have symmetrical curved "cheeks" that are smaller than those on an EIII. The Parabellum-armed M5K (Parschau's A.III, early E.Is - E1/15-6/15) did indeed have symmetrical rectangular "cheeks" to accomodate ammunition storage and belt collection.

The side panels do not go as far back as the EIII though - just aft of the point where the rigging pylon attaches and no window. Some of the first armed EIs had side windows crudely put into the fabric. There is considerable variation in these Eindeckers. The upper deck on an EIII is raised slightly creating an overhang on the sides (I'm not sure how accurately the Eduard/Smer kit depicts this) whereas all EIs are level with the main upper longeron and more "square-looking". This also affects the way that the rigging attaches to the airframe - just one hole per side for the wires from the wing and pylon to attach to the nose (2 per side on the EIII).

The wings are definitely smaller - only 10 & 2/3 ribs as opposed to 12 on the EIII, possibly smaller chord. M5Ks originally had the main planes mounted higher than EIIIs, right under the upper longeron. Some were changed to the lower mounting that would continue with later Eindeckers. Also, SOME had openings in the wing root between the spars for the pilot to look down.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there regarding the exact dimensions of these machines. You could just leave the length as-is and nobody would know the better.

The "bath-tub" cockpit is a bit of a myth. The M5K (or some of them) definitely could accomodate 2 persons - Boelcke was able to teach Immelmann the ins-and-outs on his E3/15 (M5K) and there are photos of him giving a nurse a jor-ride in it as well. There is some mention of them having a "bench" seat for this but some definitley had single conventional bucket seats.

Oh, and the most important difference (defining, actually), the engine must be a 7-cylinder U.O Oberursel, not the 9-cylinder U.I. on the EIII.

Hope this doesn't confuse things TOO much.

[josef scott]

A couple of other points:

Because the wings were set higher, there was no need for the cut-outs to accomodate the cowling cheeks. The EIII has angled corners to go around these.

As there is no armament, the gas/oil filler caps and gas guage are centrally located on the forward decking. The gas guage doesn't have the tear-drop fairing used on later Eindeckers.

[Boggler]

Fantastic!:)

I didn't expext so much information on such an obscure subject.

Thanks for your help.

I'll start thinking how I can modify the Revell kit and, if all goes well, I'll let you know how I get on!

Cheers

Jim

[Craig]

Fantastic!:)

I didn't expext so much information on such an obscure subject.

Thanks for your help.
You'd do well to get used to it. Nothing is too arcane, obscure, or minute for these blokes to overlook!

Cheers, and welcome to The Forum!