Keith,

You deserve the inspiration, because you really have inspired so many of us!



And Thanks!

Dave

Guess what I did today?...


Drum roll...


Made the brass cabanes and am reasonably happy with the results.

Now to find the safely put aside Interplane struts, gather stock and carry on... I suspect issues with them but can't quite recall. LOL I seem to recall the upper wing looking high when dryfitted.

Will update soon.
K

Proof

brass tube with brass rod inserts, a nice robust combination. Not fantastic, but functional, and strong, now I'm wondering about those white metal bendy interplane struts..hmmm

Tops my brass effort, below Rodens stock parts, pinned as first planned but snapped as unplanned.


Ive flatted the sides, hard to see in the shininess of brass. I just need to tidy the joints a little more.



Keith

Keith,
Are the joints soldered or CA? I just recieved some brass "STRUTZ" in the mail from Aeroclub; suspect they may get used in the near future. (Have several more Roden Kits in the stash, one already underway)
Nice clean results on your brass substitutes. Good to see you "spun up" on the linen and wire circuit again and looking forward to more on your DII.

Cheers,
Lance

Lance, Hi,

Theyre soldered, something I've never had much success with before but they went together like a dream. I don't think Cyano is strong enoughas I expect a little tweaking when fitting the upper wing finally.

Though I had contemplated a mix of brass and plastic for a while to avoid the dreaded (unfoundedly) soldering. I used a butane soldering iron, upto now I used an electric one and its much better for this I found.

Yes my wayward ventures into WWII is about over, just in time for WNW's up and coming releases and Xmas. Will I ever get my bench cleared of all those half built Fockers Albies, Pfalz LVG's SE5a's and Sopwiths?

Keith,
As always excellent works.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

Keith – Welcome back from the dark side Struts are looking really good!

Mikael

Keith,

Very nice struts, and functional as well.

I hate it when I run up against something in a build that stops me in my tracks. It can be the end of a great build. But you handled it very well. Better than a lot of mine. And it looks like you've conquered soldering too!

Dave

Thanks for the feedback gents, it has reinspired me, I've been repairing the interplanes today and started making turnbuckle assemblys, got 4 done.... must sharpen up production..

Who knows it might beat the deadline?

K
if it does then its on me.

Excellent work Keith. Thanks for being here.

Thank you Stephen, rest assured I aint going nowhere, just been busy with life's issues and tinkering with spamcans....

what with the up and coming WNW releases where finer is there to be than here?

K

Hello Keith:

The struts look good. Your work is always inspirational with great results. This DII is really going to be sweet.

Looking forward to more

Best

Mark

Thanks Mark,

GTSY

I got the rigging points and turnbuckles on today, realised I had set things up a bit wrong, no hard fix though, might be rigging by the weekend... Whoo hoo!

K

Okay I've stretched your patience as far as I dare

These shots are VERY WIP wobbly wheels are loose, as is the prop and rudder.
Spotted the Undercarriage support bar has come adrift during fixing.






Apart from rigging theres still a lot to do, seatbelts, coling pipework, cabane mountings and more more more.

Getting the wing on was a bit of a chew, still not sure the height is right though the dims of struts etc match Windsock data file.

On a side note I was thinking of the *what if* campain and building a *what if Albatros had developed the DII and not gone the way they did.

comments, ideas, and critique welcome as always

K

Very, very nice Keith! Your panel and fastener work never ceases to amaze me................. looking much forward to pics of the finished product.

Much enjoying this one,
Cheers,
Lance

Keith,

You have turned the Albatros D.II into my favortie plane! And that is worth a whole lot in my book.

That wing looks GREAT sitting on top of that plane. Beautiful job! And that connector hanging from the starboard side really makes it all so believable.

Thanks,
Dave

Brilliant Keith – well worth the wait

Mikael

Hi Keith:

This is coming along nicely. The undercarriage on these is so fragile, definately requires rigging to firm them up. Looking forward to more.

Best

Mark

Lifes been full of distractions, But rigging is all but done, a few mishaps on the way to repair. Now to add those final bits and bobs, with good luck maybe done in time... now the Pfalz to rig too...eek. I MUST do that before the Rumpler drops onto the bench.... listens to the tradewinds blowing it from NZ

Sorry I missed this 'til now.

Metal cabanes? Really? Now you're just playin' with us!

Nice.

Wow Keith!

So is a Rumpler going to be your next Build? My favorite is the early version.

Your Albatros is looking great! Can't wait for the Pictures Please!

Dave

David.

A Rumpler is my next *to start* project. I've several stalled builds in various states of completion. I've swore to get one or teo at least finished and others progressed before starting the *still en-route* Rumpler.

HaaaHaaa like that'll happen.

Anyway a long and involved build is close to completion!!!!! Just a few finishing touches, a little touching up, weathering and wearing and I'm calling this one done very soon.

Heres prefinished pics for those interested.




Rigging finished, now to run some paint over the lines and turnbuckles and blend them in a bit. a few replaced and late fitments to paint, touch ups here and there but oh so close.


ockpit area, I'm not really happy with the coaming padding colour and might revisit it later.


Engine close up showing an alternative cooling pipe routing favoured by OAW around the time this camo style was used.

Comments always welcome.

Thanks for everything guys n girls even the much needed kick up the bum... it took to get me remotivated....... .

Keith

She looks great Keith!

Keith,
Simply stated, beautiful build!
Curious; is the cockpit coaming courtesy of foil? It's very well done and I'd like to know how you produced such a realistic effect. I used it on my DIII however this one of yours is outstanding.

Cheers,
Lance

Hi Keith:

This is a real stunning build. I think the cockpit coaming looks great. Maybe a tad too red, but looks like leather none the less, I am sure it would be a quick fix to change the color or weather it a bit. Your attention to detail, like the cowling clamps, the clamps on the prop and others really make this a stand out build. I know it has been a long time in the making, but it has come together so nice.

Best

Mark