Central Powers
by Bud Pearson

Up | Chez Bud Pearson | Gallery | Home


Special Hobby 1/48 scale Albatros C.III

Kit: Special Hobby (1:48)

This is the Special Hobby Albatros C.III. A few minor fit issues, but overall a nice kit.


DFWDFW C.V Late, 1. Eskadra Wielkopolska 1919/1920

Kit: Karaya (1:48)

Przemyslaw Litewka and I had a mini group build on another forum back in October in which he and I built the same aircraft, his being a WNW kit and infinitely better than mine. Our build logs can be found here: Przemo's: http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=6363.msg116132#msg116132 Mine: http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=6393.0


Fokker built DVII early

Kit: Roden (1:48)

Eduard decals, Aviattic lozenge, Gaspatch guns and BEAM PE set.


Fokker D.VII

Kit: DML (1:48)

This is DML's venerable classic done in the markings of Carl Degelow, Jasta 40 commander. Lozenge is from Microsculpt and tapes are Techmod (too bright, IMHO!). All markings and crosses are from Pheon's excellent Jasta 40 sheet. Just before the final coat of clear satin, she took flight from my work bench, shed the top wing, broke all cabane struts and opened the seam on her back. Oh, well...No contests for her, but I'm content with the results.


Fokker D.VII (OAW), Kurt Monnington

Kit: Roden (1:48)

Having one D.VII in my collection was more than enough for me, not being a huge fan of the type. Then Rick Geisler invited me to join him in a team group build on GWITA. He would build a D.VII in 1/32 scale and I would build mine in 1/48 scale. This is my side of the project and it turned out to be a lot of fun and, in fact, changed my view of the Fokker D.VII. Because of the diverse liveries, I decided that perhaps I could build a few more. This one, being Roden, had it's share of fit issues, but none that were seriously challenging. Overall, a quick, enjoyable build. If you have the inclination, you can see the build log here: http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=2478.msg40108#msg40108


Steinhauser's Fokker Dr.I

Kit: DML (1:48)

This is The old DML Fokker Dr.I kit in the markings of Ltn. Werner Seinhauser, February 1918. I had started this build with the intention of participating in the Triplane Contest. I used Wojtek Fajga's excellent build of Eduard's Dr.I featured in AeroScale as a guide. I added a leather pouch on the port side and some additional tubular framework and instruments. I used Microsculpt's streaked camo and it went on beautifully. I wanted to build Steinhauser's bird and chose the Blue Rider sheet. With the application of the first Blue Rider decal, I knew this would never be in any contest. The decals are very thick and leave a distinct step from the painted surface to the edge of the decal. I began trimming off as much carrier film as possible to mitigate this effect, but the damage was already done. This, plus the fact that I've never been a huge Fok.Dr.I fan (it's just too damned ubiquitous) prompted me to rush to get it done. So, here she is. I'm not in love with her, but I'd take her home to meet my parents. I now have a reasonable representation of a Fokker Dr.I in my collection and I feel fulfilled.


Halberstadt Cl.II

Kit: Mirage (1:48)

This is the Mirage kit with the lozenge decals and I have to say that these are the best loz decals I've ever used. The colors seem very accurate to me and they go on like a dream. The kit's a bit fiddly with a 5 piece cowling and a 6 piece fuel tank, but it's nicely detailed and the pe fret is spectacular. Sprue gates are kinda big and a few of the parts had considerable flash, but the plastic is soft, so clean up is easy. All in all a very nice kit.


Hannover Cl.IIIa

Kit: Koster (1:48)

This is the excellent Koster Hannover Cl.II/IIIa kit and although vacuform, it's vastly superior to the Eduard kit.


Fokker DVII OAW late

Kit: Eduard (1:48)

Lifelike Decals and Aviattic Lozenge were used. Gaspatch guns.


Albatros D.III (Oef) 253.06

Kit: Blue Max (1:48)

This is the excellent Blue Max Oef. D.III. I started out cleaning up parts and test fitting and the kit just took on a life of it's own, pushing ahead of two other models I have on my bench. I had read so many negative things about Blue Max engineering that I had to see what all the fuss was about. I found this kit to be a delight to build. After all the (substantial) clean up, the fit was near perfect and I had so much fun, I couldn't stop. There are many firsts for me on this model and more mistakes than I can list. This was my first attempt at using a sponge to do the camo. I didn't thin the paint enough and ended up with a "textured" finish. I hit it with a final matt coating to knock off some of the sheen so the pebbliness wouldn't show so much. First time making turn buckles and they were not as consistant as I would like, but it was fun. I know, the aft radiator pipe isn't on yet. It will be. Thanks to Chris Gannon for making such wonderful kits of relatively neglected subjects in this scale. Please keep it up!


Eduard Oeffag D.II conversion

Kit: Eduard (1:48)

When Pheon released the spectacular Oeffag D.III series, I knew I was in trouble. Combined with the excellent Eduard Oeffag D.III kits, the prospects for a vast variety of projects loomed tantalizingly before me. So many cool schemes and configurations. In addition to all those 53, 153 and 253 series D.III's, Rowan snuck a little D.II in the mix. Couldn't resist. So, I chopped up and Eduard Albatros D.II kit and tossed the bits into a bag with some Oeffag D.III parts, shook it up and this popped out. Hope you like it.


Eduard Oeffag D.III 153.06

Kit: Eduard (1:48)

This is Eduard's excellent Oeffag D.III done using Pheon's equally superb decals to portray 153.06 flown by Godwin Brumowski, August 1917.


Pfalz D.III

Kit: Eduard (1:48)

This is Eduard's early issue of the Pfalz D.III in the markings of Werner Voss. The finish is a 50/50 mix of Tamiya flat aluminum and Tamiya light grey. The first couple kit decals disintegrated until I remembered something I had read on this list and added a drop of detergent to the water and the rest went on smoothly. I replaced the missing crosses with Glencoe crosses so, if you look closely, you will notice the mismatch. Rigging is aluminum painted 2 lb test monofilament. This is the first kit I built after an 18 year break and I enjoyed every frustrating moment ( I hate microscopic pe ). It's not like riding a bike. It was a learning experience, but a lot of fun.


Phonix D.I, J.4 of the K.u.K. Kriegsmarine

Kit: Blue Max (1:48)

When building the D.I, I had to choose between the Blue Max and the Special Hobby kits. I decided on the Blue Max kit since, in my opinion, the detail is much better. The Heiro engine, especially, is vastly superior. I also sacrificed accuracy in choosing to leave the fuselage uncamouflaged, keeping the wood grain finish exposed. I just liked the look better. This was a very enjoyable build and I recommend this kit to anyone who loves Austro-Hungarian aircraft.


Roland C.II

Kit: Eduard (1:48)

This is the first release of the non-Profipack version. Added some pe and went with what I thought would be the most likely colors for the time. The "2" on the old decal sheet seems a bit large to me, but I used it anyway. Too cheap and lazy to do otherwise. Very nice kit, fun to build. I may have to do another, earlier, scheme.


Rumpler C.I

Kit: Planet (1:48)

This is the Planet Models excellent resin Rumpler C.I. I recently finished her as part of a two seater group build on Des Delatorre's site. I added some parts from the Copper State kit and made new interplane struts using Strutz. The build log is here: http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=1000.0


Hansa Brandenburg W12

Kit: Copper State (1:48)

One of the drawbacks to having access to the WNW instructions for anything in the smaller scales is that you feel compelled to try and replicate it. In this case, it required drilling and cutting out the fuselage floor and making a new one out of Evergreen sheet, adding floor windows, thinning the side walls, scratch building basically everything in the cockpit. Many of the struts were not included in the kit and those that were, had to be replaced with Strutz. Otherwise, it's a very nice kit and I recommend it. Copper State is redoing many of their older kits and the casting and resin are superb.


Up | Chez Bud Pearson | Gallery | Home