History

I have been acquainted with the owner of FCM decals in Brazil, Felipe C. Miranda for almost nine years. He is dedicated to bringing a quality product to model makers. From the FCM Great War Collection we have two sheets (#48-16 & #48-17) of their Albatros Fighters D.III – D.V series. While these are OOP if you are a fan of the 1:48 Albatros kits I recommend if you can find them, get them.

Bag contents

In each set you get 1 sheet 5 ½ X & 8 inches with ¼ inch blank border around the perimeter of the sheet. Enough national insignia crosses are provided for 2 complete aircraft (1 German & 1 Austrian). Also there are personal insignia for 6-7 aircraft.

How to apply

They are typical in their make-up of waterslide silk screen paint based decals. Their worst problem can be jagged surfaces. Also the method that you use to lay them down makes all the difference.

First, do yourself a favor and spray the strip you are working from with a clear gloss. Once this begins to dry it bonds the surface and when dry to the touch will keep fracturing on the edges to a minimum. If you use clear lacquer on specific sections, apply them within 12 hours.

Second, remember always use a "new" blade to cut the sections of the strip. Do not use scissors on this type of decal. The paper is white on my examples. Remember to use a good light source to note the locations of the “white” decals.

Third, always use hot water to submerge the cut decal section in. Work one piece / section at a time.

Fourth, lay down liberally a decal setting fluid (Microscale blue script on the bottle).

Fifth, Move the decal section in place and after a few minutes roll the brush you applied the setting fluid with - over the decal and smear any excess fluid out over the adjacent areas.

Sixth, add liberal amounts of decal solvent or Sol (Microscale red script on the bottle). I usually hit the decal at least twice or even three times. When the decal wrinkles its working - don't touch the decal at this point.

When you get good at this you will be able to lay down up to three decal sections at one time with very pleasing results.

FCM Sheet #48-16 has personal & unit markings for;

1. Alb. D.III (OAW) D.2377/17 Vzfw. Wittenfeld, Jasta 50, Feb.1918. 5 colour lozenge not 4 as recommended.
2. Alb. D.III (Oeffag) 153.45 Hptmn. Godwin Brumowski
3. Alb. D.III (OAW) Jasta 32b, 1917. 5 colour lozenge not 4 as recommended.
4. Alb. D.V Oblt. Ernst Udet, Jasta 37, Oct.-Nov. 1917. 5 colour lozenge not 4 as recommended.
5. Alb. D.V Ltn. Otto Kissenberth, Jasta 16b, 1917
6. Alb. D.Va D.7161/17 Vzfw. Gürgenz, Jasta 46w (post restoration) 1978
7. Alb. D.III (Oeffag) 53.37 Zgf. K Bedö, Flik 24
Enough crosses are provided for 2 complete aircraft (1 German & 1 Austrian).

FCM Sheet #48-17 has personal & unit markings for;

1. Alb. D.III (Oeffag) 153.255, Flik 63J.
2. Alb. D.III (OAW) D.2362/17, Uffz. Fritz Liese, Jasta 50, Feb. 1918. 5 colour lozenge not 4 as recommended.
3. Alb. D.V D4594/17 Ltn. Paul Strähle, Jasta 18, Oct. - Nov. 1917. 5 colour lozenge not 4 as recommended.
4. Alb. D.V Ltn. Ulrich Neckel, Jasta 12, Feb. – March 1918. 5 colour lozenge not 4 as recommended.
5. Alb. D.V Vzfw. M. Stimmel, Jasta 32b, 1917.
6. Alb. D.V Vzfw. Fritz Rumey, Jasta 5, Feb. 1918. with stripes!!
Enough crosses are provided for 2 complete aircraft (1 German & 1 Austrian).

References

Albatros Aces of World War 1 by Greg VanWynGarden, Osprey Pub. Aircraft of the Aces #32, 2000.

Albatros Aces of World War 1 part 2 by Greg VanWynGarden, Osprey Pub. Aircraft of the Aces #77, 2007.
Albatros D.III by Peter M. Grosz, Windsock Datafile special Osprey Pub.
Albatros D.III (OEF) Windsock Datafile #19 by Peter M. Grosz, Osprey Pub.
Albatros Fighters by Ray Rimell, Windsock Datafile special Osprey Pub.
Austro-Hungarian Aces of WWI by Christopher Chant, Osprey Pub. Aircraft of the Ace #46, 2002.