Thanks guys.

Yes it's a lot of work, but enjoyable especially adding the details that can't be moulded in the kit. Also I love the challenge of all the little detail changes between different manufacturers, some very subtle, but now I can spot an OAW Albie far easier.
Roden's use of a generic fuselage for the DI-DIII (OAW Excepted) has thrown a few curve balls too. Nothing that a little head scratching and reading and measuring couldnt overcome.

Once a ggain thanks for the encouraging comments.

Keith

Keith, it's Sunday, I'm relaxed, and pouring over your post looking for any hints-n-tips in anticipation of the future of my little build. I'm just wondering how are you going to get that engine in there? It seems like a smart idea, what you are doing, considering the application of exterior paint issues and masking. I'm wondering if it will work for me.

You are doing such a wonderful job. Me thinks you are a magician.

Guy, Hi. thanks.

Ref the engine what I did was cut the cylinders off the block, as she is cowled up the amount of detail you can see is quite limited. In this case of course the engine is a resin addition to the normal Roden kit. So I had a spare Roden engine I cut the case off and fixed it long ago giving it a rudementary coat of paint. The cylinder assembly complete with manifold and exhaust can be twiddled and eased in once she is built and painted (hopes as it fits now) With my DI which I built the conventional way I had a daymare trying to line up the cowls/spinner etc and thought this a easier way..in my opinion only.

Now no pics but a bit of an update, got the cowl catches done, a few final tweaks here and there, primed her and shot the underside blue on.... I ground to a halt though when I realised I was out of thinners...sighs...forward planning not!

The blue, I mixed, it came out nice at first very close to the blue used on the Windsock datafile. BUT in the morning, it had dried overnight and took on a vivid hue, so will need blending somewhat.

Hopefully tomorrow will be good weather and I can take a few snaps...speaking of which, thats what happened to the U/c leg, minor surgery turned into major surgery... lol

TKS K

Thankyou for the answer, Keith.

I was wondering, but, now I see that you are a greater modeler than I. I'm going to have to take my chances with Rodens engineering and my alignment ability. If I'm going to cut-up an engine, it'll have to wait until I earn experience equal to your own.

Perhaps some day. Happy modeling!

Hi Keith

All I can say is --- wow!!!

Your eyes are much better than mine-even with the trusty Optivisor.

Guy & Dennis I wish what you say were true on both or either account.

Heres a couple of pics, Taken today amazing how pics show every flaw so vividly, anyway I got the final PE and scratched cowling catches on, a couple of tiny PE went walkies already, so I decided to addthem and the few missing ones after she is painted.

These pics show my glowing blue underside and if you look closely the pale green upperside is done too. so once the rest is on the red/brown and deep green I'll assess whether to lighten the underside and deepen the light green. The colours as they are pretty much match the colours on the windsock datafile so I'm waiting till she is all done before deciding, The act of weathering and such might well draw all closer together.





Ideas and comments always welcome of course.

Keith

Hi Keith

Only comment is still "WOW."

Question: Is the edge between the wood fuselage and the blue underside going to be sharp, faded or a compromise between the two (I guess the question could also be applied to the wing camouflage)?

Dennis TY.
Well the reference shows a sharp line between the blue and the upper surfaces but the cammo is soft edged, in some pics it looks badly sprayed (speckled) though it's said it was brush applied, perhaps it was muddied together when wet.

Anyway I've sprayed the green and brown, had a couple of incidents and had to recover a bit of overspray here and there, now it's drying, tomorrow night it might get glosscoated so I can try decalling before blending and weathering. those decals are a mix and match of Rodens and various WNW ones *kind of hoping the LVG upper wing ones sort of fit with not too much bodging...trust me to choose to do something that wont use the kit supplied markings.

K

In a word, gorgeous!
RAGIII

Keith,
Every time I look it's better; keep those reports coming! (learning a lot from this build)
On another note, if I may......................I agree with your assesment of the u'side blue, too bright and too blue is my vote as well. Here's a quote from notes I took from a painting manual years ago that may be helpful."Albatros Bottom Blue cross references to Methuen 25B5 (WWII Sky Type S is close) This can be matched by mixing 2 parts Humbrol WWI Blue HU 109 with one part white. It is also fairly light thus good for scale effect."
I have this mix on my 1/48th DVa and really like the effect.

Cheers,
Lance

Hi Rick, many thanks, it's a build I'm really enjoying and learning from all those little differences between Albatros and OAW built machines.

Lance, yes thats the standard but OAW used a different blue it seems Methuen code 23A3... I have no idea hoow that bears out though, I was matching the colours to the windsock file and they are quite close...enough for me anyway a little weathering, fading, lightening when the national markings are on (hopefully today, if I can fir the time in while the light is good).

Incidentally I'm using the excellent DII paint guide available on the Aerodrome website by Dan San Abbott for a guide to cammo and markings. It's well worth a read even if you are building any type of Albatros.
http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/aircraft-articles/26276-camouflage-markings-albatros-d-ii-aircraft.html

Thanks again guys for the encouragement.

Keith

It has been some time since I last drop in here to see what you have been up to here .

Most excellent job so far Keith ! Your attention to the details has really paid off

Kornbeef apologises for the lack of posts, had some probs and havent had my Mojo working, progress has been made, will post pics soon

Keith

No worries sir. Life intervenes sometime. Check out the WNW new release thread. That will fix your Mojo!

Hi Keith – Lost Mojo is never fun – hope you find it soon!

Mikael

Hi Keith:

Like you I am also in the doldrums. Don't know if it is the weather or what. I hope to get back on it this week and make some progress. Hope you do too.

Best

Mark

Keith,
This loss of Mojo must be very well traveled and quite epidemic in nature; there are several coincident cases revealed in just the last 24 hours so don't feel too badly, apparently you are not alone. Hope the cause of the symptom is not too serious and you get back to the bench asap; I'll be watching for your next update.

Cheers,
Lance

Update time.

Decals are a mixed bag of Roden and WNW, the upper wing crosses are actually off thw WNW LVG... I realised after they sit a little too far back though. the Underwing ones were Roden... old type, fracturous to say the least, I found hot water the best to ease that pain.

weathering is rough, it isnt as rough as it looks in the pic and is more toned in now, pics are about 9 days old, progress is slow, I'm busy with other things that draw my attention from the bench and leave me a little to tired to concentrate.. but such is life


Lets play spot the OAW mods?




Yes I knocked the rear maxim suport off again.


I'm so pleased with the rad, shame you can't see it.



U/c to finish, Maxims to detail hopefully I'll find time to do them soon.

TY for looking, all comments welcome

So that's what you get when you're tired and can't concentrate? Pretty darn sweet.

Hi Keith,

This is looking very, very good – whats your medium for the weathering? Keep up the good work

Mikael

Mikael its a mix of Klear...like future. and citadel bleached bone, I was trying for a watered in dust , storm after a dryspell type effect..lies badly

Once I get to my LHS and buy some thinners I'll tone it in with smoke and various other shades.

Got the U/c finished and base painted now, I wanted to add the boots over the bungees but can't find a decent reference for them.

ho hum

K

Hi Keith

She is really starting to take shape. I can't wait for the next update.

TY Dennis

I spent a while last night making rigging eyes in preparation though thats a while away yet.

Keith,
Nice to see you back in action; she's looking very nice. Particularly like the way you've enhanced the fasteners and fuselage hardware etc.
Very "real" appearance even at this stage.

Cheers,
Lance

Thanks Lance,

I've got thinners at last... Sorry state of affairs being skint..

Meanwhile I have the guns done, the engine in and the undercarriage ready for fitting, rigging points are on the lower wing and hopefully if the sun's out tomorrow I'll get a few shots of her as she stands now.

K