Since Steven Lawson's retirement we have seen a decline in formal activity in the Early Aviation forum. This is certainly no fault of Rowan Baylis, who is temporarily moderating it (he's currently advertising for a new one). He's a busy guy and took it on in addition to his other duties. But I do think Steven's continuing Knights of the Sky campaigns were helpful and am sorry that they stopped just before the 100 year anniversary of World War I, particularly with the flood of great new WWI kits out there. Therefore, I am proposing a new series of campaigns in the spirit of the KoS series that I am calling the Canvas Falcons campaigns.

These campaigns will run from Nov. 12 of one year to Nov. 11 of the next and will go from 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. The Knights of the Sky campaigns would each have a particular focus but all kits were welcome, the modeler didn't have to take part in that focus. Similarly, the Canvas Falcon campaigns will focus on the specific year of the war, but any WWI aircraft will be welcome. One thing the KoS campaigns did that was unusual was to encourage separate build threads in the Early Aviation forum and links to the main campaign thread. I liked the way that encouraged people to expand on their builds and will be doing the same thing.

I hope to have the actual campaign page up soon and will link to it here. Get ready to remember those wild and crazy early birdmen and reinvigorate the Early Aviation forum with those builds!

Michael

Hi Michael.
Count me in for this campaign, to remember all though's who fought in "the war to end all wars"!

Hi Michael,

well, I am in. I cannot promise I will be very prolific but adding some life to the WW1 section was one reason to start the Fokker Dr.I build thread...

all the best

Steffen

Thanks Richard and Steffen!

Well folks, it helps to know the Campaign Admin. This campaign is now approved. You can sign up here.

I really enjoyed the Knights of the Sky builds and learned a lot, so I'm looking forward to pulling out those WNW kits and starting these campaigns. Now I just have to find a good falcon image for the ribbon...

Michael

OK, my first take on the ribbon. It will be the same for each campaign but with a different number. What do you think?





Michael

So what would you say to the prototype fighter aircraft?

Um, I suppose; YES!

Michael

Hi Michael,

maybe it is easier to recognize a more stylised img. This is the badge of KG 30 during ww2 but it can be a start (mirror remove frame ... etc)



greets

Steffen

I'm in. Not sure if I have anything for the early war period but I'll have a look in my stash.

I like the campaign ribbon! One thru four go for it!

I have joined a couple of early aviation campaigns in the past, but life kept getting in the way. This time I wish to finish one so I just signed up.

Bob

Frankly, I still prefer the up-close and personal ribbon approach. That's just me, though.


Steffen's idea is really cool, too.

Hi there

Count me in too. I owe Richard Alexander (WnW) a build, so this could be the perfect opportunity to make good.

All the best

Rowan

I like the idea of started kits allowed, as I have at least two efforts that were set aside until later. It would be nice to get them done sometime.

Its nice to see that the AeroScale big guns are taking an interest. Could be some very interesting builds coming up.

Hi again

Trying to stay within the favoured 1914-15 focus for Canvas Falcons 1, I reckon I'll go for one of WnW's Fokker Eindeckers. I'd love to try the DH.2 or FE.2b - but I know I've got a lot to learn about rigging, and the pushers might be a bit too ambitious for my first real effort in this scale.

All the best

Rowan

Given the time available for this campaign I am going to join.
I think I am pretty much in agreement with Rowan on the likely potential candidate, an Eindecker, since I haven't yet tried a plane with rigging.
The plus side is that it looks like there will be three subsequent campaigns to get better

cheers
Michael

ok, i've signed up for the kings shilling, I'm in for the duration, all 4 years!

paul

Nice one Paul

The scary thing is that four years will have gone by before we even know it!

All the best

Rowan

I tried to order for an Eduard Eindecker online and it seems that this side of the pond is out of that particular kit.

Bob

Seems like most of the WW1 kits in my stash are all mid to late war types. Looks like I'll buying something to keep with the spirit of the early war period. The earliest I have is the Smer rebox of the Eduard 1/72 Fokker Eindekker which is reaching completion as I speak.
A quick look has turned up pfalz monoplanes by AZ Model and ICM which look interesting and the A-Model Spad SA2. The Spad looks tempting just from its haphazard/death-trap looks, but then I think its A-Model and there are a lot of horror stories about their kits.

Stephen,

Don't forget, the focus is on early war but you can build anything from the whole period and still qualify. We're being inclusive here. Still, if you want to use the focus as a reason to get something new, don't let me stop you! (I think you're right about A-Models, though I'm sure you'll hear from others more knowledgeable about them here.) In any event, welcome aboard, and the same to the rest of you. I thought this one might be popular!

Michael

I'm all for going through the campaign in chronological order. In fact I think I've found the very kit:


The kit comes with PE grappling hook and a tail mounted saw which were used unsuccessfully by their pilots to bring down opponents. It's from ideas like these guys that aircraft rapidly became more sophisticated and deadly, so a good starting point.

I know, times really flying these days !

i'll do the airco DH2 that I reviewed a while ago... no rigging though.... well it is only the "weekend edition"....

paulo

Bob, are you looking for the weekender 1/48?

http://www.modelcars.com/eduard-fokker-eindecker-monoplane-fighter.html

Count me in though I won't start anything till next year. I have kit for the later years (Nieuport 11, Pfalz DIII and Bristol F2B, all Eduard all 1/48, just need a year i kit, something like a BE2c would be ideal.