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Seimens-Schuckert D.III

intordution

Siemens-Schuckert's D.III was delivered to front-line units in May 1918, where they proved popular. The tubby fuselage earned the nickname "Flying Beer Barrel".

However, after only 10 hours of service the engines started showing serious problems, overheating and eventually seizing. The planes were withdrawn from service and replaced by Fokker D.VII's. When they were removed Rudolf Berthold, commander of JG.II, noted that he felt “...the Siemens fighter be made available again for front-line use as quickly as possible for, after elimination of the present faults, it is likely to be become one of our most useful fighter aircraft.”

Although it arrived in service too late and in too few numbers to affect the course of history, the SSW D.III and its companion D.IV are considered by some authorities to be the best fighter aircraft of the first World War, even surpassing the legendary Fokker D.VII.

Adapted from Wikipedia.

Roden's kit

Just finished this kit. It's basically out of the box with the exception of Karaya's MG photoetch cooling jackets. The rigging is .06 monofiliment and high E electric guitar string.

The areas that were the biggest challenge are the lower wing attachment and the lozenge decals. Dry fitting is the order of the day for the wing attachment and some creative cementing will go a long way to making it fit. Make sure your files, sandpaper and putty are nearby. I highly recommend that some drops of white glue are added to some warm water when you apply the lozenge decals. I cut the upper wings decals in thirds to avoid the famous Roden fracturing and it worked out well. I also coated the lozenge sections provided for the rib tapes with Future clear acrylic to prevent them from cracking when they were cut with my hobby knife.

This kit does not go together like something produced by Eduard or WNW. It certainly is a challenge to your modelling skills but with a little work and a little putty, it will be a nice addition to your shelf. I certainly recommend it.