¹⁄32

Albatros D.Va

Here are some pictures of my latest completion, the recently released 1:32 scale Albatros DVa from Wingnuts Wings. The kit is built completely out of the box other than the rigging. The scheme does not come with the kit, though kit decals were used.

The model is painted to represent the mount of 17 victory ace Ltn Walter Böning of Jasta 76b (Bavarian), early 1918. He had the rear fuselage of this machine painted in the blue and white diamond pattern of the Bavarian Wappenschild coat of arms.

The wood grain was painted using oil paints and oversprays of clear yellow and orange. The diamond pattern was all hand masked.

With regards to the kit itself - I have never built a Wingnuts kit before, but I can certainly say that this is a stunning, comprehensive and well engineered model straight out of the box. There are some minor fit issues (i.e. getting all of those interior goodies in, for example), but these are very minor issues. The only other issue is the slightly bowed upper wing (which I may have "accidentally" straightened in some hot water). The decals are also excellent and respond well to decal setting solutions. The kit is indeed a real joy to build, and could easily be built by those with any level of experience. One nice extra would have been some lozenge decals, but I am sure these will come in future issues of the kit. I also would expect after market decal and detail set makers to start coming out with some goodies for this kit real soon.

Hope you like my build!