I want to add PE to my Roden Pfalz D.III

[melsharkskin]

My name is Tom and I am a metaliholic. Yes, I can no longer control my compulsive need to add something metal to every model I build. And if there is no metal, I do not build.

Having admitted that I have no power over my addiction to metal, particularly the photoetched variety (though I often dabble in white metal, chasing the dragon as it were). And here is my latest problem with metal. I hope someone can help me:

I just spent a goodly amount of money of my new Roden Pfalz D.III. And for that money I am used to the dealer throwing in a little metal. But not Roden. Never. So I became desperate and I went digging savagely through my huge stash of metal for something to put on my beautiful Pfalz.

Finally, I pulled out the Eduard fret for the 1/32 scale Roden Albatros D.III. By all measurements so far, and by checking my references (praise the lord for Flying-Machines Press), it appears that all the access hatches on the metal fret fit the engraved hatches on the kit perfectly. Other minor PE parts also match the plastic on the Pfalz.

What concerns me is the radiator. The length on both top and bottom radiator "grills" is spot on, and the width is too if you subtract some of what I believe to be overly wide framing of the radiator with raised plastic. Assuming I choose to remove the raised detail on the upper wing that represents the radiator, how far would you go with this surgery? Cement the upper and lower radiator parts on the plastic with black paint underneath to show through? Or would should I carve out the entire rectangle and risk a lot of work resulting in a show-through, empty radiator core? Or could something simulate this core?

I'd appreciate any ideas on this, and not just on the radiator. I have checked with the management at Eduard and they have no plans to put out a fret for this kit. However, I've been told that before by Vladimir and a few months later a set appears because demand appeared. I doubt that will happen in this case. In fact, the two frets for the Albatros are pretty spartan anyway. Still, metal is metal and I need my fix.

ADDENDUM: I'm almost embarrassed to ask this, because I know it has been discussed here from time to time ad nauseam. But I need to know: Was the interior of the Pfalz D.III and IIIa painted in silbergrau and/or covered in canvas or linen that was doped in silbergrau, or some other color? If not, is it safe to assume that it is bare plylwood, either varnished or unvarnished?
Thanks,
TOM

[buzz1941]

Try here:

Tom's Modelworks

[StephenLawson]

Here is a bit of fun on the subject.

Concerning the Roden 1/32 Pfalz D.III