A little late into the campaign, but still expect to get some good learnings from this build. Not a builder of WWI aircraft normally I have never made the wood finish before. it is going to be interesting to try new techniques.

I am building the Eduard 1/48 Albatros D. III weekend edition. I am still trying to convince myself to do the rigging, but the jury is still out on that one.

More to follow.

Its good to have you with us! Remember the landing gear legs in this kit are about 3mm too short. Also there are a couple of reviews from Jean-Luc and Andy Brazier available. If you do Vzfw. Jacobson's bird, here is a bit of fun on the subject.

Vizefeldwebel (acting sergeant) Fritz John Jacobsen of Jasta 31. He was assigned to Albatros D.III 2090/16 of the first production series. He arrived from Jasta 9 on 15 December 1916 and was transferred on 5 March 1918 to Jasta 73.

His first of 5 confirmed total came on 6 July 1917 when he was a Vizefeldwebel (acting Sergeant) . The second came on 18 August 1917. There were two unconfirmed between 28 Sept. - 26 Oct. 1917. He crashed on 28 Sept. 1917 and WIA 26 Oct. 1917.

During Sept. - Oct.1917, Jasta 31 moved to the Italian front. It is likely that the over all Daffodil scheme came in early summer 1917 Probably between 23 June - 12 July . The best record available is either the Jasta record on my website or a well done article in Over the Front Vol. 11 #1, P. 34 - 39 spring 1988. (Back issue may be available to purchase.) There is stunning image on page 37 detailing the repainted scheme. There is serial number on the pilot's right side of he vertical fin. D. 2090/16.

By the way you may remember this from 2007. This was when Aeroscale member Carl Althaus did the repainted scheme on a Roden 1:32 kit and not only was it featured here but won the MOM for that month.

See here.

I have the PE Spandau breech cover & radiator facades (needs to be centered not offset) for this scheme from the Profipack #8035 issue if you want it just send me a PM with your snail mail addy.

Judging by Carl's build, Jacoson's is the early production aircraft with the radiator centered on the upper wing. Eduard's kit gives you the late wing with the offset radiator

Either ignore the error, or find aftermarket markings. Speaking of aftermarket, did D.III types fly in the green and mauve camouflage, or was that strictly a D.V thing?

Only the last production batch of Alb. D.III airframes used just the dark green & light(Brunswick)green upper surfaces. The Venetian red was deleted by German Air Service hdqtrs orders in about May 1917. Ströbel's D.III of Jasta 5 (with the Bavarian Rhomboids on the vertical fin) was one of these from the last production batch.

And Jesper, Jessica is right about this machine of the 1st production batch. Early versions were centrally located (dead in the middle.) In October 1916, the Albatros Werke received an order for 400 Albatros D.III machines, serial numbers, D.1910/16 - 2309/16. In the beginning the radiator was located in the center of the upper wing.

At serial number D.2200/16 and from then on, the radiator was reposition to the right. The purpose of the repositioning of the radiator, was to protect the pilot from being scalded in the event the radiator was ruptured in flight or during combat. And it improved the forward view of the pilot.

The Albatros Werke was given two more orders of 50 each in early 1917, which had offset radiators, s/n D.600-649/17 and D.750 -799/17.

The Tropical Alb. D.III (OAW) had two radiators in the top wing but these were only operational in Palestine and Turkey.

Thanks for the comments, Jessica and Stephen.

There are actually two wings included in the kit. Can I just use the wing with the center radiator?

Regarding the camouflage. Should I just follow the instructions or use another type of camouflage?

Oh cool! You have the correct wing after all! Yes, use the one with the centre radiator
You can paint it with the kit scheme and it'll be correct for the time before June 23, 1917.

Super, thanks for the quick reply.

A little more progress on my Albatros. It is a beautiful little kit.

Could somebody advise on the tail rudder? Since I use the center radiator, which tail rudder should I use?

I'm pretty sure that you should use the one with the straight trailing edge. The rounded one was used at Ostdeutsch Albatrose Werke, and I doubt that the early production run that particular aircraft was part of was produced at OAW.

Yup – Jessie is spot on about the rudder. Nice build Jesper, have you glued the top wing in place already?

Mikael

Thanks for the quick replies. Much appreciated.

Michael, I already glued the wing in place. I reviewed the rigging on the Albatros and choose the cowards way out. No rigging.

I think I messed up the engine and mounted it a little to one side or maybe I accidentally hit it before the glue set. In any case it is very difficult to align the MGs properly.

More to follow

I am getting ready to start painting. However, the eduard kit does not give any painting instructions. I thought that that might be a mistake in my kit, but the PDF instructions from the eduard website also does not include any painting instructions.

From the box I can Judge the colors of the sides, but can anybody show the top and bottom views of this aircraft? My Internet search seem to indicate two different top camouflages, but no underside view and details on the top of the lower wing.

Hope some of the more experienced WWI aircraft builders can help me out.

Eduard's weekend kits show the top and bottom views on the box sides. They're a trifle small, but should show you what you need. It's a little confusing the first time you encounter it.

Hi Jessie

You are right. I missed it on the one end of the box. Should have seen that. The weekend editions are a little on the light side on info - at least for WWI beginners like myself. I guess you still get good value for the low price though.

There is no bottom view on the box. The bottom of the lower and upper wing are just light blue, right? Fuselage is varnished wood all the way around?

Never throw away kit instructions. Here from the Eduard #8035 Profipack.

You are the champ, Stephen!

Thanks a lot!

A little more progress on my Albatros. Painting is underway. My first try ever at a natural wood propeller. Not what I want, but after three repaintings this is as good as it will get.
Next I will try to get the wooden look of the fuselage. Suggestions welcome

More to follow.

The usual way is to apply a wood-tone base coat in acryllic, and then once that's dry, use oils to get the streaking of the woodgrain. If you don't have oils, you can drybrush on a darker colour, then seal it with clear yellow or clear amber to simulate the varnish coat.

There are also some very decent wood grain decals available. Reviews to be seen here at Aeroscale!

Thanks for the tips. I will try the oil method.

The basic paint is on now. Next are the decals. it is incredible how much more difficult it is to make WWI kits when one is used to WWII kits. It is a great learning experience none the less

I assume the fuselage is in a gloss finish. What about the wings? Would they be mat or gloss?

That woodgrain looks really good. Airplane dope dries glossy but then fades to semi-gloss when exposed to the elements. I'd go with an overall satin finsh.

Thanks for the quick reply. Overall satin it is. I appreciate the comment on the wood grain. Not as good as I would like, but for first try I am satisfied.

The decals are now on. One has to love the overall colorful appearance of the early fighters with multi color camouflage and large colorful markings.
The eduard decals settled perfectly and after a top coat of varnish it is almost impossible to see it is decals are not painted on - even up close.

Next is some weathering. I think it will keep it light. Maybe with a little mud on the undercarriage.

After some washes and mud on the undercarriage and tail strut I gave the Albatros an overall satin coat of varnish. I am calling this one finished.

Although I know I cheated a bit by not adding the rigging I am very satisfied with the end result. I learned a lot of new techniques - especially on the wooden propeller and the wood varnished fuselage. Thanks for all the help on the painting instructions and tips underway. It is much appreciated.

Next will be a Fokker D.VII in complete Lozenge camouflage. Now that will be the decal challenge to end all decal challenges

Comments welcome

Hi Jesper,

I wasn't around the forum frequently in the past, so I missed the opportunity to write few words. It is indeed nice and neat Albie! Sorry you didn't do the rigging, but it's all up to how you feel, isn't it? Very nice job on the wood grain. This was particular challenge for me as well... it is nice to see how people are ready to help around here, wouldn't you say so? The last one goes to Jess - she's always there, lurking behind the scene

All the best,
Entoni