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Kit: Roden (1:72)
This is the Roden Albatros W4 (early) version. According to the instruction sheet only three were built. This is w/n # 747, which was the first prototype built.
Lead foil seatbelts and a fuel pressure pump were added to the interior. Ethicon stainless was used fo all the rigging. The horizontal stabilizer's control horns were replaced with .020 evergreen strip stock, and the stabilizer was re-positioned. The radiator center sections were filed down a bit, and fine screen was added to cover the sink mark. The fuselage was painted with a "home brew" of clear brown over panels of wood and Afrika brown. The woodgraining was drawn on with Berol water color pencils.
The wing rib "effect" was achieved with pastel chalk. All other enhancement was achieved with an oil paint wash. National markings are a mix of Americal Gryphon, and kit decals. Total time spent on building this model was approx. 25 hours.
Kit: Eduard (1:72)
The Rosemont conversion kit was used on this model. The conversion parts were molded flawlessly and were a joy to work with. The kit itself is the Eduard Alb DV, probably the best DV on the market at this time. The lozenge is Eagle Strike as are the rib tapes. It was appled over a coat of Future....no paint was used. The only additions to the kit were control horns on the horizontal, a fuel pressure pump, and lead foil seatbelts. Highly recommended conversion.
This is the Roden W4 (late version). Basically the same plane as the early version with the exception of an upper wing radiator, different shaped floats, and lower wing ailerons.
The usual things were added to the cockpit such as seatbelts and a fuel pressure pump. The interior was also woodgrained using the "Laskodi" method. The lower wings were "pinned" with a .022 guitar string. The windscreen and radiator lines were scratched, as were the horizontal stabilizer's control horns. The horizontal stabilizer was cut off and repositioned.
Americal Gryphon Naval lozenge was used in lieu of the kit decals. The national markings and serial numbers are from the kit.The entire model was flat coated after assembly to reflect the effects of salt spray on the finish. An oil paint "wash" was used to bring out details, and the model was rigged with .006 Ethicon stainless.
Special thanks to Dave Rhuling for the naval lozenge,and to Pedro Soares and Marcio Campos for their encouragement and support.
Kit: Meikraft (1:72)
Meikraft Albatros C.III. Aero Master woodgrain decal was used for the fuselage. Rigging is .010 surgical wire.
This is the Roden Albatros D.I. Built OOB with lead foil seatbelts added, and rigged with Ethicon stainless. A mixture of kit and Americal Gryphon decals were used. I "woodgrained" the fuselage with the Bob Laskodi method. (Thanks Bob) This model represents Hone's mount according to the instruction sheet. The windscreen is scratched from clear acetate. Model is painted with Model Master and Tamiya paints. An oil paint wash was used for enhancing details.
This is the Roden Albatros DI. The usual things were added to the interior...fule pressure pump...seatbelts...instrument bar w/ instrument. Paints used are all Model Master. Colors are rust, RLM 82, and RLM 76, insignia white, insignia blue, insignia red, wood, steel, anthracite gray, and panzer interior buff. Decals are AeroMaster. I have been looking at this picture for over forty years. It was part of my father's WW1 collection of photographs purchased for fifty cents each from a Canadian company in the fifties. I felt compelled to try to duplicate this photo into a model....don't ask me why. Thanks to Ken Henderson for the technical help and information.
This is the Roden Albatros DII. Several additions were made to the basic kit including fuel pressure pump, seatbelts, an instrument bar, and a rear view mirror, which is pictured in the data file on this particular a/c. The model is fully rigged with Ethicon stainless steel, and woodgrained employing the "Laskodi" method. All decals are from the kit, and had to reaction at all to any setting solution.
This is the Roden Albatros DIII. Added features are a fuel pressure pump in the cockpit, seatbelts, and an instrument bar. The model is fully rigged with Ethicon stainless steel, and painted according to the instructions. The "Laskodi" method of woodgraining was used for the fuselage.
Built with added seatbelts, shoulder harness, fuel pressure pump aileron actuators radiator coolant lines and horizontal control horns. All rigging is Ethicon stainless.
The model represents the mount of Oliver Frhr Von Beaulieu-Marconay of Jasta 15. All decals are from the kit. These decals are from an FMC sheet given to me by Dan Hartz. Construction took 5 days for 2 models, and is model #40 for the year 2008.
The model represents the mount of Otto Kissenberth of Jasta 16B. All decals are from the kit. These decals are from an FMC sheet given to me by Dan Hartz. Construction took 5 days for 2 models, and is model #41 for the year 2008.
This is the Eduard Albatros DVa, constructed as a DV. Photo etch bits and pieces from the Eduard interior set were added to this model. The woodgrain finish is the first I have ever attempted. Following Bob Laskodi's tips, it was accomplished without any problems. The model was painted in accordance with the instructions. Rigged with .005 stainless steel, and painted with Model Master and Tamiya paint.
This is the Roden W4, and having built nine other Roden Albatrii, this was just another day at the office. The build was straight forward, and with the exception of the cabane struts and floats, this is basically another Alb.DII.The float struts were broken in my kit, so I replaced them with .035 evergreen rod. Other than that, the build is OOB. I rigged the model with Ethicon stainless, and accentuated some details with Windsor Newton oil paint. The kit decals were used only for the w/n, the fuselage and rudder. All other national markings are Americal Gryphon. Lead foil seatbelts were added. The Windhoff radiators were easily fixed by adding fine screen after filing most of the center sink mark away. The model was painted wood, a mix of sand and panzer interior buff, RLM 02, and insignia white. All paints used were Model Master enamels. For the"woodgrain" effect, a Derwent water color pencil was used. I experimented with a "clear" brown for the interior.
This is the Eduard Albatros D.V, built as Hpt. Eduard Ritter Von Schleich's mount. He was the C.O. of Jasta 21. The Eduard kit is probably the best 1/72 DV available at the moment. However several items were scratch-built, and added to "accurize" the model further. The horizontal stabilizer control horns and top wing aileron actuators were scratched fromEvergreen stock. A fuel pressurizing pump, radiator lines, lead foil seatbelts, an instrument bar, better m/gs (Roden) and a rear view mirror were all added. The mirror was a personal touch used by Von Schleich, and verified by a photo in the Profile Book # 9. The model is fully rigged with Ethicon stainless steel. Fuselage was "woodgrained" with Derwent Water color pencils used in conjunction with the "Laskodi" system. The star logo was hand painted using Burnt Sienna and Burnt Umber oils. The fuselage panel lines were enhanced using an oil paint wash. Micro Scale National insignias were used in lieu of the kit decals. The Bavarian lion (which was Von Schleich's personal marking) came from the Roden DVII kit. The model was painted using Model Master, Tamiya, and Windsor Newton oil paints.
This is the Roden Albatros DV/DVa kit. This represents Franz Schlieff's mount from Jasta 56 according to the instruction sheet. I added seatbelts made from lead foil. All paints are Model Master, and rigging is Ethicon stainless. Decals are all kit supplied, and as usual, had no reaction to any setting solution. I repositioned the horizontal stabilizer, and replaced the control horns with .020 evergreen plastic. Construction took about one week.