Not an unusual scheme, Udet's LO!-marked D-III is one that I've loved since I first saw it in the Profile series as a teenager, This model features a fully-detailed interior and PE guns from Fotocut. All air scoops were carved out with an Xacto, the hand-holds were also opened, the grips replaced with styrene strip. The engine is Aeroclub's, with push rods added. Struts are PE nickel silver. Upper lozenge is from Americals, lower lozenge and all rib tapes as well as national markings are from Pegasus, with the wing edge tape hand-painted to match. The "LO!" decal in the kit was a bit lean, so I had new dry-transfer markings made from my artwork.
Based on the LVG featured on the cover of the Windsock Datafile, this model features a fully-detailed, scratchbuilt engine of over one hundred pieces, as well as fully-appointed cockpits, scratchbuilt upper-wing radiator, flare pistol and flares, and addition of photo-etched guns. All surface detail was further added using styrene strips, etc.; Meikraft photo-etched access panels with bits of styrene added and shaped to represent the louvres. All molded rib detail was sanded off the wings as I intended to paint the lozenge, appropriately-colored decals not being available at the time; besides, this is where my particularly masochistic approach to modeling rears its ugly head!
A 'bolt' lozenge pattern was created on my trusty Mac, then copied and pasted to create templates for each flying surface. the patterns were then printed out on a laser printer using Chartpak DAF-8, an adhesive-backed mylar film used by draftsmen for creating title blocks for conventional blueprints. Ten copies of each template were made (one for each color upper and lower), then were cut with an X-acto to create stencils for airbrushing the lozenge directly on the surfaces. Although a very tedious process, the results were very satisfying, allowing total control over color and registration. Rib positions were replaced using Chartpak graphing tape, appropriately painted after application.
I used Polly-S colors exclusively; the woodgrained fuselage was achieved with subtle glazes of thinned shades of red-brown over the base-coat ochre. The wing crosses were airbrushed using stencils made, again, from DAF-8, while the other markings are custom-made waterslides from my artwork.
The cabanes are shaped brass rod, while the struts are from Contrail strut stock. In my effort to make this piece as detailed as possible, I re-drew the rigging diagram and photostatically reduced it to the proper size. It is mounted to the port side of the a/c, and can actually be read under magnification! The model was rigged using 1lb. test fishing line, though to day I prefer to use ceramic 'wire'.
I prefer to display my models on scenic bases. I have the wood prepared by a carpenter friend, though appropriate plaques are available from craft stores. The groundwork is a combination of Celluclay, Railroad modelers' Static Grass, good ole dirt and enamels.
