The dummkopf guide to making an Albatros

[Romani]

My latest model an Albatros DIII fighter from 1917 of Jasta 2 Boelcke flown by future ace Hermann Frommherz, the kit is an old Revell one 1/72 scale. The nickname Blaue Maus (blue mouse) come from the fanciful resemblance of the nose wires with the whiskers of a mouse.

This is the kit number 8 of all I've ever built, 5th rigging and I think I'm making some progress.

It's the old Revell 1/72 scale mold, it came in a multipack. I chose it because it's a simple paint scheme while I learn to use the airbrush, and because blue is my favorite color.

Nothing is what seems, this kit is like the Frankenstein monster, more a learning experience in construction and painting technique, and is another triumph of masochism and stubborness over a kit that is almost unbuidable. Wether by age or by defective fabrication, the plastic was very brittle , while making the cuts outs at the trailing edge of the wing root, the starboard lower wing broke, the lower wings in this model are as fragile as in the original, because in addition to that, the board wing broke twice at the wing root due to being weakened by the multiple holes drilled for putting bracings, and the top wing broke once again! Luckily the rigging was already in place and the tension helped to glue it back. I think everything save the fuselage broke at least once! Each aileron broke both along the hinge line (normal) but twice at the point of the attachment of the control cables.

If you are like me, novice to model building, you might learn something from my experiences and construction technique tips (that is, what NOT to do) reading my full blog entry on this botch up *grin*

http://www.xanga.com/Capitan_Contreras

Sunday, September 17, 2006 entry

And for the übermodelers here (that is anybody that builds) and those with a short attention span, here are the pics, not very good.. but will do

[Tom L.]

Dummkopff nothing!
If it didn't increase your blood pressure through traumatic levels of stress, how would ever know you were pursuing a relaxing hobby?

Looks sweet. Beauteous color scheme, nicely executed.

[John Masters]

Nice build, indeed! For a novice to tackle the rigging is a feat in itself. Applause all the way 'round.

From the Factory on the hill,
John