Windsock Worldwide returns with its bi-monthly feast of WW1-era aviation modelling fare.

This issue features the final installment of Lance Krieg's Modelling Masterclass - Major Assemblies Part 2. The article begins with a look at glues and cements and the precautions needed for their use in various styles of assembly. Something I found particularly useful this time is the description of the use of purpose-made jigs for sub-assemblies ensure that they'll actually fit when added to the model - there have certainly been occasions when using this technique would have saved me a great deal of frustration. In fact, if there's one point that has come through loud and clear during this comprehensive study of early aircraft modelling, it's the need for planning and thorough preparation at every stage to ensure a pain-free assembly of these often complex subjects. All that care should hopefully pay off in the final assembly, but the author recognises that sometimes there is no alternative but to backtrack and start again.

The 18 installments in this series, some now out of print, present a fantastic grounding for anyone building WW1 or Golden Era models - in fact all us can find much to learn here, whatever our primary area of modelling interest. For anyone who's missed the series, I really hope it's compiled into a stand-alone volume in its own right - it really is a mine of information.

Circumstances have prevented me making a start yet on the beautiful Wingnut Wings Rumpler C.IV, but proof that every cloud has a silver lining comes in the form of Ray Rimell's superb 10-page guide to building the kit. As usual, the author goes well beyond a straight OOB approach, correcting and adding details along the way. Each stage is ilustrated with over 60 colour photos, and there are a number of useful original shots for reference. The article even presents new research into the Rumpler's colour schemes, based on the study of fabric samples taken from 1463/17 under restoration by Craftlab in Austria. Ray Rimell has examined these and provides matches to a range of commonly used colour systems - as he comments "a somewhat different palette than what we are used to"... The completed model certainly looks striking.

Under New Management takes a look at four very interesting examples of the use of Allied machine guns by the Germans. The clear original photos are supported by detailed captions. Particularly striking to me is a pair of Italian Vella Perosa 9mm guns on a folding twin-mount designed to be fired upwards at about 80° on an Albatros D.V - perhaps WW2's "Schräge Musik" wasn't such a new idea after all...

Great War Paint No. 4 presents a 2-page spread of excellent colour profiles of the Vickers Vimy, with a healthy mix of bombers in a variety of schems, along with Commercials - one of which was ironically among the only Vimys to ever drop bombs in anger, when a batch of civil machines were converted to carry weapons in China in 1924.

Rara Avis delves once more into the archives of the late Ian Stair and George Haddow to present the Morane Saulnier Type ANL. The fascinating type is described concisely, and a pair of reference photos illustrate clearly the aircraft's clumsy appearance, particulary the engine installation which belies the involvement of Ettore Bugatti. The focus of interest for modellers will surely be the scale plans in 1:72 and 1:48, and this really would make a challenging subject for a scratch build with its unusually shaped monocoque fuselage and inward-sloping interplane struts.

Thsi issue's final research article examines the case of an Albatros D.III (OAW) which landed in error on a Russsian airfield in November 1917. The article not only describes the story of the Albatros itself, but also the chaotic situation behind the lines in the aftermath of the October Revolution, as Russian units were left without supplies or even a clear idea of who was now in charge. The Albatros is illustrated in its original scheme and after capture, the colours reconstructed from original photos. These provide a classic example of the difficulty in interpreting such sources, and I have to admit I'm not entirely convinced as to whether the insignia were repainted as suggested, or if the apparent differences are down to the use of different film stock.

Lastly, Logbook and Kitbag look at the latest releases of publications, kits and accessories, including some very interesting new releases from AZmodel and HGW. But one subject rather steals the limelight in both sections: the Vickers Vimy, with a comprehensive 258-page study by Peter McMillan perfectly timed to coincide with Alley Cat's impressive new 1:48 resin kit. Thoroughly reworked and improved from the out of production TC Models kit, the new Vimy boasts improved castings and new decals for three colour schemes. Not cheap at nearly £100 - but it does look gorgeous!

Conclusion

Windsock Worldwide continues to provide a unique blend of modelling and research material focussed on WW1 and Golden Age subjects, but with much of value to aviation modellers in general. Recommended.

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