REVIEW
DH 2 -1st true fighter aeroplane
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 03:39 PM UTC
It was sent to France on 26 July and on 9 August 1915 armed with a forward firing Lewis gun the prototype #4732 was going through front line evaluations while assigned to 5 Sqdn RFC. It was brought down behind German lines by a crew from No. 2 Marine Flieger Abteilung based at Moorsele. Rebuilt in the Moorsele workshops and put through German evaluations she gave up her secrets. Nevertheless the DH 2 went into production and served as the mainstay of several RFC units well into early 1917. . .In this build we will discusss the current Weekend kit issue #8444.
Link to ItemIf you have comments or questions please post them here.
Please remember to mention that you heard about these products in review, here at Aeroscale's Early Aviation forum.Thanks!
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 07:00 AM UTC
"Warning! Warning! Danger Will Robinson!"
Remember the "faded decals" of this Weekend kit?
It looks like the white overcoating may tend to come off during appication. A fellow modeler passed this on to me.
". . .Just out of curiosity, have you heard any comments about Eduard decals for the DH 2 Weekend kit that I just finished? The white used to make the decals appear to be 'faded' came off in spots when I set them in place with Micro Sol. The decals were not damaged, the top color just came off in random spots. . ."
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Minnesota, United States
Joined: November 07, 2008
KitMaker: 134 posts
AeroScale: 113 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 07:58 AM UTC
Hello Stephen -
How do you plan to rig it?
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 05:08 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Hello Stephen - How do you plan to rig it?
Greetings Johannes;
You may not have seen this but the images of the kit above are not my build. They belong to a fellow modeler. I don't think he plans on rigging his build. He was asking me how to fix the decal problem.
My DH 2 build was rigged with monofilament. I have not posted images of it yet because I have not done the build article yet. Here are some other threads on the subject.
Click Here DH 2 pulleys. Details in brass". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 19, 2007
KitMaker: 604 posts
AeroScale: 600 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 12:18 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
Hello Stephen - How do you plan to rig it?
Greetings Johannes;
You may not have seen this but the images of the kit above are not my build. They belong to a fellow modeler. I don't think he plans on rigging his build. He was asking me how to fix the decal problem.
My DH 2 build was rigged with monofilament. I have not posted images of it yet because I have not done the build article yet. Here are some other threads on the subject.
Click Here
DH 2 pulleys.
Details in brass
This review and Larsa's feature have been enough to cause me to purchase this kit! My decals seem to look hazy, probably indicating they will have the same problem encountered by the modeler of the kit pictured. I also would like to give Squadron Mail order a well done. My kit was ordered online on the night of the 4th, shipped the 5th, and recieved on the 7th!!
RAGIII
Minnesota, United States
Joined: November 07, 2008
KitMaker: 134 posts
AeroScale: 113 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 10:56 PM UTC
Thanks Stephen -
I have on hand some "Dai Rikki" fishing line, as well as 'smoked' thread from one of the local fabric stores. Debating as to which to use.
Osprey just released "Pusher Aces" and I might just snap one up. I had the old Revell 1/72 kit made YEARS ago, and now that the 1/72 Eduard one is out, it makes the Revell kit look ancient to say the least!
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 07:53 AM UTC
I don't know the fishing line you quote but I use smoke coloured monofilament.
Here is a another modeler's build of this kit.Quoted Text
". . .Had to call this one complete. I've been chasing my tail with all the touchups. Thought I better post pics before I start knocking more than a screw loose. Anyway here is the Airco DH2, No7851, from 32 Squadron, France 1916.
Best Regards, Mo"
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Minnesota, United States
Joined: November 07, 2008
KitMaker: 134 posts
AeroScale: 113 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 11:03 PM UTC
Mobious -
Magnificent! That turned out great! Thanks for posting his work!
Indiana, United States
Joined: May 18, 2008
KitMaker: 210 posts
AeroScale: 80 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 21, 2009 - 11:51 AM UTC
Thank you B24, that's very kind. I really enjoy building these aircraft and when someone makes positive comments it really is a reward. Thank you and also thanks to Stephen for the help and knowledge he offers, making this a better hobby for all.
Mobious
"I don't give a d@mn what command says about anything, I'll tell'em when to hold!" Big Joe
Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 6,743 posts
AeroScale: 6,151 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 01:40 AM UTC
I was woundering who built the DH-2 , fantastic job done Mob ! Nice to see you still hanging around here !
Indiana, United States
Joined: May 18, 2008
KitMaker: 210 posts
AeroScale: 80 posts
Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 02:47 PM UTC
Thanks Terri, Looking forward to seeing Stephen's DH2 build.
"I don't give a d@mn what command says about anything, I'll tell'em when to hold!" Big Joe
Indiana, United States
Joined: May 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,117 posts
AeroScale: 2,270 posts
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009 - 02:27 PM UTC
Wow. That almost makes me want to pull out my kit. But my delicate mental state screams "Dont do it". Your color selection and finish is primo. The rigging is really great. Close-ups would be great.
"Treat 'em Rough", Current Builds--Wingnut Rumpler
I am frequently seen with blood shot eyes from staying up past my nap time to get the right colour scheme on my latest WWI model?
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Friday, July 10, 2009 - 05:32 PM UTC
Here are my main references.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 20 #1 1989 Part 1.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 20 #3 1989 Part 2.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 21 #3 1990 Part 3.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 22 #1 1991 Part 4.
Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 22 #4 1991 Part 5.
“The de Havilland D.H.2" by J. M. Bruce, Profile Publications , 1966.
“The Royal Flying Corps in WWI” by R. Rimell, Vintage Warbirds #1, Osprey Pub. 1985
“Thorpe Park’s Pusher” by J. Hall, Aeroplane Monthly Pp. 72-75 1980.
Rigging guide". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2009 - 05:48 PM UTC
Tinkering about I got quite far on this last night and will put up some shots later tonight.
But for now in a side by side comparison.
Eduard decal sheet for the OOP Profipack kit # 8094.
Eduard deccal sheet for the Weekend kit # 8444
It looks like these decals of the #8444 did not get the overpainting found in the kit. Images from the Eduard site.
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 13, 2009 - 10:24 AM UTC
Here is the start. There will be PE.
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 6,743 posts
AeroScale: 6,151 posts
Posted: Monday, September 14, 2009 - 01:01 AM UTC
Very nice so far Stephen
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 12:52 AM UTC
Now for some details.
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 6,743 posts
AeroScale: 6,151 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 01:14 AM UTC
Okay Stephen , you have gotten me really stoked on this project now ! !
Few days ago I made a phone call and yesterday it showed up in the mail . Windsockdata file on the DH-2
Of coruse it took a few months of pestering the poor chap ( dear friend ) , but he final saw the light at the end of the tunnel !
How did you find the fit of the fuselage to the floor ? I did a dry fit on kit # 8093 and I find that it doesn't sit right . ( caps on the underside ) .
Picture it , 1916 sitting by the sea shore doing some fishing and in the distance a plane coming in for a landing on the water and it's a DH-2 on floats ! sorry had to toss that one in !
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - 11:16 AM UTC
There is no getting around it Terri there will be sanding. Its like the cranial sutures in our skulls. Floor pan, fuselage left & right half need some blending. The fuselage sides sit on a dado edge of the floor pan. You will note that both Larsa and I have done our interior work first and then attached one side at a time. This avoids any major problems with fittiing. This rather than unite the fusleage halves then attach it to the floor.
But the fit is better than I had thought. Sanding is a must to blend the unions.
How about a DH 2 on skis?
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - 09:57 PM UTC
Moving on through this build.
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2008
KitMaker: 6,743 posts
AeroScale: 6,151 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 01:31 AM UTC
Moving along very nicely Stephen , but aren't the tips on the prop brass ?
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 10:57 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Moving along very nicely Stephen , but aren't the tips on the prop brass ?
In some cases yes. In some cases prop tips could be marouflage (fabric wrapped) Also white metal could be used. In all cases the whole prop including the tip covers were varnished and sealed. At least from the factory. Manufacturers used what was instock and had materials allowed for as replacements, structured with in government contracts. Otherwise a shortage of this or that could hold up aircraft acceptance schedules.
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 10:29 PM UTC
Here the top wing is attached.
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
North Carolina, United States
Joined: June 19, 2007
KitMaker: 604 posts
AeroScale: 600 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 10:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Here the top wing is attached.
Stephen,
This is looking very good! I like the way you are mixing the PE wing ribs with the kit parts!
RAGIII
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 25, 2004
KitMaker: 11,669 posts
AeroScale: 11,011 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 07:10 PM UTC
Thanks Rick! The fun part is the tail unit. This project is still underway and I have images I can post. But it will have to wait for a couple of days while we shift gears on the forum.
". . .The most important thing is to know why you build and then get the most that you can out of building." via D.D.
