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Kit: CMR (1:72)
This is Albatros C.III C.736/16 of Unidentified Unit, Western Front, 1916. Model was built out of box. To paint the fuselage dark wood colour I used a technique that consists of applying artistic oil colour burnt sienna on base coat of light wood enamel (combination of humbrol colours 24,60,160). After that I sprayed fuselage with clear varnish.
Kit: Roden (1:72)
This is Albatros D.III D.629/17, flown by Karl Allmenroeder, Jasta 11, Western Front, June 1917. It was built as dogfight duo with Sopwith Triplane and represent combats of "Black flight" with "Richthofen's Circus" during June 1917. On June 25th, Black flight found them selves engaged with Jasta 11 and Gerry Nash became 29th victim of Karl Allmenroeder. There have been claims that on June 27th Collishaw shot down Allmenroeder, but this has been disputed (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #032. Albatros Aces of WW1, Raymond Collishaw from Wikipedia, www.theaerodrome.com). Model was built out of box with PE parts from Part. The fuselage was over painted deep red (including the national insignia) while the nose and elevator were white to identify Allmenröder's aircraft from other red-painted Jasta 11 Albatrosses.
This is Albatros D.III 2062/16, flown by Karl Schaefer, Jasta 11, Western Front, 1917. This is the marking that he used during dogfight of jasta 11 with nine F.E.8s of No. 40 Squadron on the 9th of March 1917. Four F.E.8s were shot down, four others badly damaged, and the survivor caught fire when landing. Karl Schaefer shot down two of them - 6397 and 4874. (WW1 Pas de Calais at www.ficker.com, www.theaerodrome.com). Model was built out of box with PE parts from Part. To paint the fuselage light wood colour I used a technique that consists of applying 3 different layers of artistic oil colours and clear varnish.
Kit: Eduard (1:72)
This is Albatros D.Va flown by Eduard Ritter von Schleich as JGR 8 commander, spring 1918. Flying an all black Albatros D.V, he was known as "The Black Knight of Germany" (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #032. Albatros Aces of WW1). Model was built out of box with original PE-parts from Eduard's profipack.
History: One of the highest scoring German units of WWI was Jasta 5, with over 250 victories to its credit. Three of its most notable pilots - Ltn d R Fritz Rumey, Ltn d R Josef Mai and Ltn d R Otto Koennecke - gained such a reputation that they acquired the nickname "The Golden Triumvirate". Between them, these three non-commissioned officers scored 110 victories by the war`s end. Kit: I used Eduard`s profipack kits for this triple project. Actual "Combo" double kit for Rumey`s and Koennecke`s D.Vs and some older edition profipack kit with much more detailed cockpit PE-parts for May`s D.Va. Models were built almost out of box with some cockpit details additions like machine guns holder, fuel pump and so on. Eduard`s kit upper wing represent older D.V version with Teves and Braun radiator. Upper wing for May`s D.Va variant was taken from Roden`s D.Va kit because of correct Daimler-Mercedes radiator and D.Va ailerons. Decals: National marking was used from box, Almark decals 5-colour lozenges for May`s D.Va and additional symbols and letters were printed on laser printer.
Albatros D.V, serial unknown, flown by Otto Koennecke, Jasta 5, July 1917. Liberally painted in Jasta 5 green, fuselage markings were a black/white/red-outlined chessboard that partially extended over the blue-painted undersides.
Albatros D.V serial unknown, flown by Fritz Rumey, Jasta 5, March 1918. Wheel covers and struts are counter-coloured in black/white.
Kit: Eastern Express (1:72)
Aviatik D.I 138.27 flown by Korporal Andreas Kulcsar of Flik 4D encountered three fighters of 45.sqn RFC (G.H.Bush, T.F.Williams, J.Cottle) over Il Montello. Bush made an ambush on escorted Brandeburg C.I 169.67. Kulcsar tried to protect aircraft but meanwhile Williams joined the duel and hit his lower wing. Kulcsar, well aware of damage to his aircraft and superior number of enemy aircraft promptly raised his hands up to signal surrender. Williams directed him to fly to the other side of river. At which time Bush turned up, put one bullet in the rear fuselage and claimed victory. Aviatik suffered minor damage and was first D.I to be captured by British who later tested it under AG6 marking (Aviatik D.I and D.II published by JaPo). Model was built with PE Part set and some more scratch built parts - partly new cockpit based on photos of survival example, Austro-Daimler engine used from Roden kits and so on. The official RFC report on captured Aviatik D.I simply states that the fuselage and top surfaces of the planes are camouflaged with a mixture of yellow and green in streaks giving a sandstone effect. Flik 4D aircraft were to have the discs in white.
This is Fokker Dr.I 425/17, flown by Rittm Manfred von Richthofen, JG I, March/April 1918. The Rittmeister's final two victories, bringing his score to an amazing 80, were achieved in this legendary all red triplane 425/17 on 20 April. He found death in its cockpit during famous dogfight with Capt. Arthur Roy Brown the very next day (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #040 Fokker Dr.I Aces of WWI). Model was built out of box with original PE-parts from Eduard's profipack. When photographed at Lechelle in late March 1918, 425/17 was marked with white-bordered iron cross insignia. On March 17th, the head of the German Air Force ordered a change in the national insignia iron crosses to the later straight type. The change wasn't always rapid at unit level, and was also often misinterpreted with respect to the dimensions and proportions of the cross elements. These were gradually corrected.
This is Fokker Dr.I 586/17, flown by Ltn Hans Kirschstein, Jasta 6, March 1918. Of all his kills, Kirschstein's second victory was perhaps his most notable as far his opponents were concerned. Flying his Fokker Dr.I he had downed A.W. FK8 of No.2 Sqn on 17 March, the aircraft's demise resulting in the award of Victoria Cross for its Canadian pilot 2Lt A McLeod (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #040 Fokker Dr.I Aces of WWI). Model was built out of box with some minor scratch-built parts: machine guns and some interiors details. Kirschstein painted his machine in black and white diagonal lines. He maintained that this made it more difficult for the enemy to aim at. Therefore, he also called his crate "Optische tauschung".
Kit: HR Model (1:72)
This is Fokker D.III 352/16, flown by Oswald Boelcke, Jasta2, Battle of the Somme, 1916. In this plane Boelcke scored victories number 20 through 26, the first seven for Jasta2 between 2 and 17 September 1916. On 15 September he intercepted a flight of Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutters from 70.squadron and shot down two of them in 15 minutes - A895 (this plane was flown by Capt. G. L. Cruikshank) and A1903. The dogfight with Capt. G. L. Cruikshank is mistakenly described as “The longest dogfight of WWI” in some sources (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #073 Early German Aces of World War 1, www.theaerodrome.com). Model was built with a lot of scratch-built parts because of poor quality of original resin parts. Boelcke’s Fokker D.III was finished in clear-doped linen with crosses painted directly on to the translucent fabric (common camouflage for early Fokker D-types).
Kit: MAC (1:72)
This is Fokker D.VII Albatros built, flown by Ltn. Hans Miller, Jasta18, September 1918. At 0900 hrs on 14 September 1918, Fokker D VIIs of Jasta 18 ambushed SPAD XIIIs of the 13th Aero Sqn over Thiaucourt, resulting in Ltn Hans Miller claiming three aircraft destroyed and single victories being credited to Ltns Gunther von Buren and Heinz Kustner. In this air battle Ltn. Miller shot down Lt. G.R. Kull (KIA) flying SPAD XIII no.11 s/n 4562 south east of Thiaucourt for his 10th victory. (Osprey Duel - Spad XIII vs Fokker D VII, www.theaerodrome.com)Model was built with some scratch-built interior parts, Mercedes D.IIIa engine from Roden kits, machine guns from PE Part. It is coloured in typical jasta 18 red and white marking with raven emblem on fuselage. Miller's personal marking were black and white stripes. Allmark lozenge decals were used for bottom sides of planes, although not sure, whether they were red or left in natural lozenge.
This is Fokker E.V 156/18, flown by Theodor Osterkamp, the German navy's highest scoring ace, MF Jasta II, late 1918. Model was built out of box with some minor scratch-built details. Osterkamp's machine was in typical factory finish, marking and lozenge prints were used from the box.
This is Fokker D.VII 278/18, flown by Oblt Hermann Goering, Jasta27, June 1918. He gained his 19th and 21st victories in this machine as leader of Jasta 27 (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #053. Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1 Part 1). Model was built with scratch-built opened nose airframe. I also added some details to Mercedes D.IIIa engine and new machine guns from Eduard's PE parts. Goering's combat reports describe the markings of D.VII 278/18 as a "White engine cowling and white tail" and photos of what is probably this machine reveal the struts and wheels were also painted in white colour. This was an early Fokker-built machine with usual streaky camouflage on the fuselage and five-colour fabric on the wings.
This is Gotha G.III 389/16, Kagohl 2, Balkan front 1916. Idflieg ordered 25 G.III's and almost all of the aircraft that were built were delivered to Kampfgeshwader 2. The Gotha G.III reached the front in the autumn of 1916. After October of 1916, Kasta 20 operated on the Balkan front and used this type. The combat service of the G.III was very limited, but they accomplished some important missions like the destruction of the railway bridge over Donau at Chernavoda, and this was a serious problem for the Romanian troops and their reinforcements. Model was built out of box.
Kit: Choroszy Modelbud (1:72)
On 6 October 1916 this conspicuously emblazoned CC Hansa-Brandenburg was handed over to the celebrated ace Gottfried von Banfield, CO of Trieste Naval Air Station. Differing only from prototype in being powered by a 185-hp Austro-Daimler engine, the aircraft was tested by Banfield, who later declared it to be the best single-seat naval fighter so far. It was later given the serial number A.12 and flown operationally in the first months of 1917 by Banfield (Windsock Worldwide - Vol.23, No.4 Hansa Brandenburg CC). On New Year`s day, 1917 Gottfried von Banfield engaged in a dogfight with Italian`s top ace, Francesco Baracca. In several moments of his life, Banfield told the story of this dogfight with the Italian ace, which he claimed ended with a chivalrous mutual salute. The story is amusing and edifying, but it cannot be considered completely reliable because its substance is not supported by contemporary Italian sources, by the letters written by Baracca and even by the contemporary documents signed by the very same Austrian airman. Model was built out of box, decals were used from the kit. Austro-Daimler engine is from Roden kits, beaching trolley is from Eastern Express, sawhorse is scratch-built.
This Junkers D.I is one of few planes that may have seen combat service. It was found by allied inspection teams at Homebeek, Belgium on January 21 1919. (Windsock Datafile 033 - Junkers D.I). Model was built mostly out of box. Stating from inspection report: "the body was painted chocolate brown colour except the underneath. The wings were painted a pale green with irregular patches of light mauve on top, white underneath. The tail planes and elevators were white above and below."
This is Pfalz D.III, flown by Ltn d R Hans Klein, Jasta 10, Marcke, November 1917. On 27 September 1917, Klein assumed command of Jasta 10. After scoring 6 more victories, he was wounded, losing his right thumb on 19 February 1918. Upon recovering, he rejoined Jasta 10 but served the remainder of the war as a ground officer (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #071. Pfalz Aces of World War I, www.theaerodrome.com). Model was built out of box. Previously, the lengthwise fuselage band has been depicted of Jasta 10 yellow, but detail photo in "Osprey aces of WWI" shows, that it was more likely black and extended to yellow marking on the nose.
This is Pfalz D.IIIa, flown by Hptm Rudolf Berthold, JG II, Balatre, April 1918. The question of how much Berthold actually flew this machine in combat is problematical. He had sustained the devastating wound to his upper right arm on 10 October 1917 and even after his return to Jasta 18 the following March 1918 he was in terrible pain and unfit to fly. According to JG II historians, Berthold did not fly again until 28 May 1918, when he had acquired a new Fokker D.VII (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #071. Pfalz Aces of World War I). Model was built out of box and displays the familiar "Berthold colours" of red nose with dark blue fuselage and wing upper surfaces along with the celebrated winged sword emblem.
This is Pfalz D.XII 1394/18, unknown pilot, Jasta 77b, late 1918. This was an early-production machine with the initial style of fin and rudder and it boasted the staffel marking of blue nose and tail. The black swastika was personal insignia of a pilot. (Osprey - Aircraft of the Aces Series #071. Pfalz Aces of World War I) Model was built with PE parts and some other scratch-built parts - interior parts, ammunition and ejection chutes, engine parts and early style fin and rudder. National markings were used from box and lozenge prints are Allmark.
This is Phoenix D.I 228.24, flown by Kurt Gruber, Flik 60J, Italian Front, April 1918. On the morning of 4th April 1918 Kurt Gruber with three other Phoenix D.I's were approaching Primolano, when they got into skirmish with two formations of British aircraft. Kurt Gruber still managed to shot down an enemy plane (his 11th and last confirmed victory), but then was caught in hail of deadly fire from a Sopwith Camel. His Phoenix D.I 228.24 crashed with broken wings in the Cismon area killing Gruber. According to British records, at least three pilots of 66.sqn participated in this fight - Capt. Francis Symodson in Camel B7353 "L", Lt. Christopher McEvoy in Camel B7389 "T" and 2/Lt Row in Camel B5171 (JaPo - Phoenix D.I - D.III). Model was built almost out of box. I only added some scratch-built parts to Hiero 200hp engine and cooling pipes. Typical style of marking used by Flik 60J was red band with personal letter "G" for Gruber. National marking was used from box, "G" emblem was printed on laser printer.
Kit: Heller (1:72)
This is LFG Roland C.II, flown by Wilhelm Cymera, Kasta 1 of Kagohl 1, Battle of the Somme, 1916. On the evening of 22 August 1916, Cymera's Roland two-seater was shot down over Maurepas by English ace Albert Ball of 11 Squadron. Crashing into the roof of a house near Vaux, Cymera survived but his observer was killed. After training on single-seat fighters, he was reassigned to Jasta 1 near the end of the year. Model was built with a lot of scratch-built parts and parts from other models - completely new cockpit based on Eduard's 1/48 instruction sheet, Mercedes D.III engine and observers machinegun used from Roden kits and so on. I have found no picture of Cymera's particular plane, so it was finished as an early series Roland C.II in typical overall "sky" camouflage.
Kit: Eastern express (1:72)
This is early version of SSW D.III, flown by Olivier von Beaulieu-Marconnay, Jasta 15, Western Front. In April-May 1918 40 D.IIIs and one D.IV were sent to Jagdgeschwader II for evaluation. This one was probably flying by Olivier von Beaulieu-Marconnay on 18 May, when Veltjens scored his 13th victory described in memories of Jasta 15 commander Ziegesar. Although some sources state, that on 28 May 1918 von Beaulieu-Marconnay downed a French AR.2 for his first of an eventual 25 victories in this plane, it doesn't seem possible. Combat evaluation shown, that after just 10 hours of operation the engines began to overheat, have pistons seize and crankcases shatter. The problem was traced to a bad batch of oil, but the damage was done and the D.III was withdrawn from service for upgrading. On 26th May the JG II war diary reported "Two staffeln without any planes". Standard Eastern express kit was used for this conversion of an early type SSW D.III. The upper wing and lower wing tips, rudder and cowling are scratch-build. Unvented spinner was used from Roden's S.E.5a. There is no photograph of von Beaulieu-Marconnay airplane, therefore its marking is based on the Jasta marking practice, Bob Pearson's profile and known photograph of Ziegesar's machine. Formerly serving with the 4th Dragoons, von Beaulieu-Marconnay used their branding iron insignia on his aircraft.
Albatros D.Va 5284/17, flown by Josef Mai, Jasta 5, November 1917-April 1918. Upper portion of rear fuselage over painted in a mottle of dull colours.