There has been a lot of discussion concerning the "realism" of the photetch
interiors provided with the Eduard Fokker E.III kit.
While browsing thru the May issue of WWI Aero I came across a great photo of a
Fokker E.III in profile, minus wings, and fabric covering. This was the
"centerfold" (drool pant pant) photo and shows lots of good interior detail.
Nothing is flat with the exception of the bottom of the pilots seat! So, those
of you who have suggested using the Eduard kit photoetch interior as a
template
for constructing a more accurate interior from stryene rod have the right
idea.
I started working on the Eduard 1/48 Siemens Schuckert D.III over the past
weekend. I had previously built the Koster vac of this plane and at the time
thought the Koster kit was the best WWI kit ever made (pre-DML days). The
Eduard
kit is very nice and exceeds the quality of the Koster vac in many ways.
1. Better fuselage detail
2. Better wing/tail rib detail
3. Great sheet of photoetch gee-gaws
4. Better instructions
5. Great decal sheet
This is what I would call a "limited run" kit. There is a lot of flash on the
trailing wing edges that requires cutting and sanding. The attachment points
of
the sprue to the kit pieces is thick and requires careful cutting and cleanup
to
ensure that the brittle plastic is not cracked. Try a razor saw or a pair of
sharp pastic cutters followed by sandpaper. The fuselage parts are thick and
require some sanding on the uneven interior to make it smooth. The fit of the
bottom fuselage/wing assembly to the main fuselage is not the best and will
require some filling and sanding. Other than that I think it is a great kit.
This is better that their E.III kit - with better quality moldings and surface
detail. You still have the same problem with the flat photoetch interior
pieces
but this is easy to correct with styrene rod.
Decals include national markings, upper/lower lozenge strips, upper/lower rib
tapes, and personal markings for 4-5 (?) aircraft.
The kit cost $22 US.
Their future releases include a Pfalz D.III, a Hansa Brandenburg D.I (joy -
Austro-Hungarian aircraft), a Sopwith Scout, and a Fokker D.VIII. Keep an eye
on
these guys. While not up to DML standards the choice of subjects is
outstanding
and the quality is more than adequate.
Now if only someone would make a series of decent 1/48th scale Albatros D
planes......
Question for y'all: How do you simulate unpainted plywood covering on your
models?
Later,
--Jesse