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Fokker D.VII Royal Class

lower wings assembly

Page 9 - 10. Here we assemble the lower wing parts (PP A 2 & 3, B 1.) One could actually insert spars held in place with double sided tape or glued in place. This type of wing assembly is great for the modeler who wants to simulate damage. By thinning down the inner surfaces, internal structure is easy to replicate. Also, before putting the lower wing together sand the vertical edge of the lower wing at the roots of all three lower wing components (PP A 2 & 3, B 1). The unmodified fit between the lower wing an fuselage is tight and cause anhedral just like the Roden kit. This fix will eliminate the fit problem. Do Not narrow the whole fuselage by taking away from the center union area.

The fuel gauge (PP C 16) can have a decal (#30) or a metal gauge face (PE 12). Note that the large ammunition round counter gauges (PE 5 X 2) are located on both sides of the machine gun rear brace (PP C 28 ) not just one. ( On page 7 you will have the option to install smaller round counters (PE 6 X 2 ) directly to the gun breeches). The radiators (PP F 7 or 11) have plain internal faces and no shutter assembly. Eduard chose completely enclosed cowling types and thusly no detail was added. The early and mid production versions were known to operate with upper cowling panels removed during the hot summer months. Check your references. If you decide to open up this area, you may need to alter the rear face of the radiator (PP F 7 or 11) before you attach it. By scribing some crisscross lines in the rear face of the radiator you create a better simulation. Also the radiator fillets (PP D5, E2, F12 or 14 - mislabeled on the parts map as another F13) are given for six aircraft. After painting or decal applications, assemble the horizontal stabilizer (PP A 10). Eduard has given the modeler an easy way to deal with the undersurface fuselage fabric seam (PP C 21). A first for WWI aviation modelers. The altimeter gauge (PE 5) is optional as some pilots used wrist watch sized types.

For the exhausts (PP F 8 - 10), Mr. Pete Grosz tells me that there were at least six manufacturers putting out these exhausts. The instructions take this time to discuss the application of its lozenge. For me it seems that this should have taken place a page back before assembling the major components. See the rear cover of the instructions for more. Next comes the rudder (PP A 12) and stabilizer fin (PP A 15) and control horns (PP C 3 X 2). On the original aircraft these items were covered in normal fabric (either plain or lozenge depending on the batch) and the white areas were then painted in place. Next, werke numbers, factory serials and rudder cross were applied. I would now add the control horns (PP C 11 X 4) and let dry. As this begins to dry set the attitude of the elevators (PP A 17) that you wish to reflect. The four plates are hinged panels (PE 4 X 4) to access the lower wing spar attachment for the fuselage. Note these should have the triangular plates (PE 26) on the fuselage, located immediately above the hinged access plates (PE 4 X4).

Page 11. The kit provided Spandau machine guns (PP A 5 X 2) are entirely plastic. But Eduard gives you etched metal parts for the fretted jackets and other details (PE 6, 20, 21, 23 X 2). The empty belt chutes (PP C 2 & 7) attach next. The completed Spandau machine guns should be painted in semi gloss black. All German issue Spandau and Parabellum machine guns came from the factory with the outer surfaces covered in a baked on black enamel. Some highlighting in gun metal colouring maybe appropriate. You have the option to install smaller round counters (PE 6 X 2) directly to the gun breeches. On the previous page larger versions were discussed.

The Eduard top wing assembly (PP A 1, 4, 9 B 2) does not have the mold casting problem found in most of the DML / Dragon kits. By this time I have painted and added decals to all completed wing surfaces and they are thoroughly dry. As mentioned earlier this type of wing assembly is great for the modeler who wants to simulate damage. By thinning down the inner surfaces, portions of internal structure is easy to replicate. For those of you with AMS - a strip of 20 thou strip could be added between the cabane attachment points out to the leading edge mating surfaces of the top wing. It helps the Eduard wing match the wing thickness shown in Anthology 3. Otherwise the wing will be too thin seen from the front. Even with this easy modification, it's still not as deep as the Roden wing, but that item may be on the too thick side. Add the control horns (PP C 11 X 2) next. More is discussed here about the lozenge placement. See the rear cover of the instructions for more.

upper wing assembly

Page 12. To bring the fuselage and top wing assemblies together I use children’s “Lego” blocks. To form a jig to keep everything level and square. Then add the interplane (PP C 5 X 2) struts first, then the cabane (PP C 9, 15 30 & 31) struts. The anemometer (PP C 29, PE 9) is an air speed indicator. The plastic struts are commendably thin and clean up quite nicely. My own opinion is that metal etched or white metal load-bearing struts or supports gives a build a much greater longevity. The kit provided photoetch under the chin-pan access door on my example is off set and should be centered. The hinge was at the forward edge on the original machines. These are easy to replicate with a couple of .005 thou plastic sheet / card scraps cut to shape.

Page 13. Continues the cabane strut (PP C 9, 15 30 & 31) attachment details. Next the horizontal tail unit stabilizer struts (PP C 20 X 2 ) and the tail skid (PP C 12). I did replace this item with a modified brass rod for strength. It looks like Eduard originally forgot to add two control horns (PP C 11 X 2) to this image. On the Schwerin built machines the grab handles (PP C 8) do splay out about 30 degrees from the fuselage.

Page 14. Is the axle wing (PP B 7, F 5 & 6 ) and wheel (PP F 4 X 2) assemblies. With the wing axle mid section (PP B 7) I routed out the plastic axle and replaced it with a brass rod of appropriate diameter. Next add the landing gear legs (PP C 23-26 ) to the wing axle (PP B 7, F 5 & 6). There are four propellers of two types offered by the kit. Axial (PP B 16 ) and Heine (PP B 17) and note that Eduard has not referenced the right application to the profile provide in the kit decals. The problem is that the Heine propellers (PP B 17) are far too short for inline six cylinder engines and should be closer in length to the Axial (PP B 16) types provided. Two of the four kit propellers with the cones on the bosses are quick release items seen on some BMW engine variants only. It is the pitch and length of a propeller that determines the engine application. The paddle profile was the company hallmark.

Page 15. The half moon strut attachment points(PE 26 X 8) that Eduard include as photoetch are for the underside of the top wing assembly are a nice touch to add as well. Rigging paths are shown in thin red lines. There should be four aileron actuation cables (two on each side for the fuselage) running up into the area behind the rear cabane struts (PP C 9 & 15.) Check your references.