Fokker D.VIII and such

Charles Hart (hartc@spot.colorado.edu)
Wed, 3 Jan 1996 00:19:23 -0700

Randy has written:

>
>1) The lozenge appears to be essentially the same as the 1/48 (which I also
> have). Looks like the whole sheet is just scaled down. Is this pattern
> correct in colors?
>
>2) The wing looks pretty darn smooth. Did the D.VIII have a smooth plywood
> wing, or should I be preparing to work some ribbing and texturing in there?
>
>3) The color naming on the instructions being fairly sparse, what should I
> paint the interior, presuming that I use the lozenge decals? In this, I
> mean the structure, as well as the fuselage sides. (Note: in the 1/72
> pressing, I noticed that Eduard has etched the cockpit in either stainless
> steel, or nickel. Either way, it is not brass.)

My two cents: Yes the inner surface of the lozenge fabric would show
muted colors of the original printing. This was a printed linen fabric and
the inks/dyes were pretty well impregnated into the fabric. A couple of
photos in the back of one of the 1995 Windsock issues showing the
restoration of a Fokker D-VII in the UK point this out. This restoration
is using the replica fabric produced by the Museum fuer Verhekr und Teknik
in Berlin, a well done, authentic looking product.

To solve this dilemma for modelers Americal/Gryphon has recently
produced a decal sheet of 4-color lozenge, printed with the pattern in
reverse and using muted colors, ask for sheet #108 in 1/72, #109 in 1/48.
So if you are modeling a Fokker built machine you are in luck. Getting the
same product for 5-color might take writing a letter to Americal.

Also of interest, in the January flyer from Squadron Mail order, a new
book in the "in Action" series, "The Fokker Eindekker, in action" selling
for $9.95.

They also list a Windsock look-alike book from Poland featuring colors
of WWI aces aircraft for $11.95. If anyone out there has seen this, I am
curious to know what it looks like.

Happy 1996 to all.

Charles

hartc@spot.colorado.edu