Eduard 1/48 Albatros D.III, the build. “The Feast continues”

[StephenLawson]

I had been toying with the idea to revisit this kit for quite sometime. We have been discussing it piecemeal in different posts and always there seem to be the new people interested in this kit. In another thread member and resident prankster Barker mentions the desire to have this bird in his own stable. No doubt Ginger has a red one full of 12 gauge bird shot glued to a patch of "No man's Land" ground work complete with Tommy figures using it as an advanced observation post. Our own Familyman has a beauty that he has posted images for us. Feel free to comment, question or add your own images. The basic kit is discussed here but since Eduard used the same numbering system for the plastic on all subsequent issues they will be relavant here. In the case of the various issues with photoetch and or the aftermarket frets or kit decals included or those available, we can discuss them as we go.

Eduard of the Czech Republic has been blessing us regularly with masterpieces in their 1/48 scale range of World War One aviation kits. Recently they have tried a new approach to issuing kits. They take one aircraft type and their one mold will have early-mid and late production versions and they simply cut away the unwanted parts not applicable to the box art. I will attempt to tell you here what you get for your money.

Strangely a Schneidemuhl rudder is included in all six examples I have of the # 8017. This curved face rudder was a late development and was only on OAW built Alb. D.III type and all later Alb. D.V and D.Va types. Also the kit motor types are generic to the Merc.D.III 160 hp but the Albatros D.III type aircraft had the Merc. D.IIIa 170hp installed.. The Basic kit is typified by kits #8017 and #8038. The kit # 8035 is called a “Profi-pack” and has the bells & whistles “Profi” is short for “Professional” and is meant for the collector or serious modeler. For every basic kit in the Eduard list there is the potential for a “Profi-pack” kit. Next came the "Limited Edition" Kit #1104.

Step 1.) The firewall (A31), ammunition boxes (A5) and spent belt link collector (A21). Are brought together into one unit. The rudder bar (A14) needs wire half loops over the foot rests. The instrument panel (A13) is too long so cut it and add a triangle wedge at its base to act as a small shelf and the addition of a fuel gauge .to rest on it. The hand pump to pressurize the fuel tank (A17) needs an air line running forward. The control yoke (A12) is a little crude for this fine of a kit I suggest scratchbuilding one or Tom’s Modelworks Brass fret #210 has a fine example that with modification to the control column (A18) head (“C” shaped) will render a beautiful piece. This kit does not have lap or shoulder harness’ and these I added next from spares but again Tom’s has some nice items. I added a tachometer and compass as well using one of the Eduard Alb. D.V sets that come in pairs. The starter magneto (A9) is too thick and needs a lever crank. Again the Eduard Alb.D.V kits have extras The flooring (A23) should be shortened by 2/3 fore to aft and keep the front section with the notch for the control column. The lower step on (A4) can be used to support the fine wire that will simulate the rudder and elevator cables at their aft ends.

Step 2.) The motor needs spark plug wires by adding short sections of .008 brass wire. Forward of the Firewall you need to add a fuel tank built up from .060 and .030 laminated plastic. The cylinders should have their water jacket (cylinder outer shell) painted a dark gun metal as if it were blued metal. I altered the Spandau machine guns (B18) by cutting off the solid plastic jackets and adding etched metal fluted type again from Tom’s Modelworks..

Step 3.) The lower wings (B2&3) had brass pins inserted into predrilled holes in both sides of the fuselage with corresponding holes in the lower wings. This provides a rigid structure to hang the wings from. While in the area there is a vertically scribed line between the forward engine compartment vent and the rear edge of the cowling ring. It needs to be filled and sanded smooth. Lay common masking tape over the details you want to save and then sand and fill with gap filling “Super Glue” cynoacrylate..

Step 4.) After I drill all the appropriate holes to accept the rigging lines (monofilament) I finished the upper surface of the lower wings and then the lower surface of the upper wing then mate the pair using the “V” shaped outer wing struts (A27-28) and a jig constructed from “Lego blocks”. This will allow for you to construct the cabane struts from metal( brass is good) rod and rig as you go.. Alignment is critical to a kit like this.

Reverse the order of Steps 5&6 .) For the control horns I disregarded the kit items and again used Tom’s #210 fret for Albatros fighters. Also when it comes to the landing gear I replaced all kit pieces (A14-15 & 25-26) with metal rod for strength and scale thickness. Remember also that the weakest point of “V” type undercarriages is the side to side twist. This is eliminated with metal rod to the largest degree.. Use nylon thread to loop around the area where the axle meets the undercarriage “U” . This represents the bungee shock absorber cords on the real a/c and also provides contact and stability for the axle. I added a laminated wood propellor that I built and drilled out the exhaust horn opening.


Concerning the markings profiles:
KIT # 8017
1. The Albatros D.III from production batch 1910-2200/16 represents the one flown by the Red Knight of Germany Manfred von Richthofen while commander of Jasta 11. Used primarily during March & April 1917. It is generally accurate.

2. The Albatros D.III from Production batch 1910-2200/16 represents the one flown by Ltn. des Res. Hermann Frommherz while he served with Jasta (Boelcke) 2. during April - May 1917. It should have a white tail unit ( Horizontal and vertical with a narrow black band around the fuselage at the juncture of these units) This was the Jasta’s unit marking at this time. In all other respects the profile is generally accurate.

Some listed references;
Profile # 127 The Albatros D.III by 1966 Profile Pub.
Albatros Scouts Described by Chas Schaedel, 1971 Kookaburra Tech. Pub.
Albatros Fighters by Ray Rimell,1991 Albatros Pub. Ltd.
Albatros D.III (OEF) by Peter Grosz, Windsock Datafile #19.
Lafayette Foundation Archive, Denver CO. USA
Spandau Machine Gun by David Watts, 1998 WWI Aero.

[StephenLawson]

Here is kit #8038

[StephenLawson]

Here is the True "Profipack" Kit #8035

[StephenLawson]

This is the one that Eduard lists as "Limited Edition" Kit #1104 see also;http://theaerodrome.com/forum/showth...354#post194354

[StephenLawson]

Here's my first attempt at the kit {#8017.) Picked up in Dec. 98'. Begun Aug.99' finished Sept.11, 99'

[StephenLawson]

Here is my second attempt. Ltn. Eddy Lüppert of Jasta 11 Feb. - March 1917. He was nicknmed the "bullet catcher". This machine was later used with a strip camera installation.

[StephenLawson]

Before there was the Eduard Albatros D.III kit there was the D.V kit and I used about 30.00USD of Resin to get a good copy of the wings and a"Highly modified Glenco Alb. D.III fuselage to build this. Titled "Home from the Hunt Dec.24, 1917."

[StephenLawson]

Here I used the basic kit and modified it into an Austrian Albatros D.III (253.577.) The personal inisgnia is purely fictional. The sworl pattern is from Rob Johnson of Chandelle fame.

[StephenLawson]

Here is the basic kit with the Eduard aftermarket fret and brought upto OAW Tropical variant standards it also has a wood veneer fuselage.

[Barker]

All looked at, admired and saved to drive, back when posted.

Thanks for this, Stephen.
The Albie File is a bigg'un and awaiting someone at this address knows what they're doing...

It's about time to barrel into a couple barrels.

THE boid of WW One, German side of town.
Dogbox is a far better a/c but Albert gets the lines.