So, here we go with my entry in the Canvas Falcons I campaign. I realize, of course, that it's not an early war airplane but the rules allow any Great War machine and I REALLY want to build this one, so here goes:

The Wingnut Wings 1/32 Fokker D.VII F done as Ernst Udet's aircraft. Here's my start pic:



All I've done so far is glue the wings together and gloss coat them since I had the gloss out for another kit. WNW suggests painting the wings glossy before putting the lozenge decals on. After checking in with Richard Alexander, he suggests that my normal gloss coat of MicroScale Micro Gloss should be fine without paint if applied fairly heavily. A product such as Future (or Kleer) might not work without paint as it actually goes on too thin. Hope he's right!

I have looked at sources, asked questions, and been unable to come up with a definitive answer whether the nose is red (as the rest of the fuselage is) or black (Jasta 4's identifying mark). Since I think black will look better, that's what I'm going to do, so there!



Michael

Hi Michael
Im following,The Miniart 1/16 kit of Udet would make a nice companion piece.

Cheers


Chris

Hi Michael

Nice! I'm looking forward to following this.

All the best

Rowan

OK, been doing some pre-painting. One thing I'm finding is that there are a number of annoying errors in the instructions including parts numbers and paint call outs that don't exist. Some of them seem to be a result of this kit having the BMW engine and the part number call outs appear to be for the Mercedes. Nothing that can't be worked out, but a bit of a let down from this excellent manufacturer.

Here's something I got done, my crack at the prop:



Not fantastic but better than I've done before. I can live with it. BTW, the instructions show both prop options but reverse the numbers on them. Happily, the illustrations are excellent.

Michael

Your prop looks great! If the rest turns out as well as the prop, it'll be a fantastic model.

Hi Michael

Lovely work on the prop. This is giving me the itch to get back to my own D.VII, but I mustn't let myself get distracted from current projects!

All the best

Rowan

Thanks guys! Now I have to live up to your expectations!

Michael

Cockpit components. That instrument panel has four parts and 10 decals! I think I only lost one, so not bad.



Michael

And the assembled cockpit:


Quite fiddly, as has been said elsewhere. I absolutely recommend installing the control cables prior to bringing everything together, I hate to think how hard it would have been doing it after all this is done! Hard enough as it was.

The cables are all attached to the rudder pedals and stick. We'll see if I can keep them straight when I try to put the fuselage together.

Michael

Beautiful work, Michael! It's great to see so much detail in a model kit. It all looks very lifelike and realistic.

Thanks Gary!

Michael

Hi Michael

Really nice!

All the best

Rowan

Last look at the cockpit before the fuselage is closed up:







Now we'll see about that famous WNW precise fit...

Michael

Looking pretty good so far





Terri

Michael, I looks great so far. As far as the nose color goes, looking at the picture you posted of the original aircraft there is an angled line that separates the nose from the rest of the fusalage. The nose is defenitly darker, probably black. I can at least see it on my computer. You might want to brighten up the picture a bit to see it better.

Al

You could easily be right Al! The odd thing is that according to WNW that panel on Udet's aircraft is fabric, the metal panels don't start until further forward and they angle forward rather than back the way later D.VIIs do. Of course, there's no law that says they couldn't paint the fabric black to match the other Jasta D.VIIs.

Michael

Michael, that's a wireful and cablelous cockpit! Curious abut your next steps...


And again the big question:
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Quoted Text

Michael, I looks great so far. As far as the nose color goes, looking at the picture you posted of the original aircraft there is an angled line that separates the nose from the rest of the fusalage. The nose is defenitly darker, probably black. I can at least see it on my computer. You might want to brighten up the picture a bit to see it better.

Al
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However I think it's red all over. Have look at the developed pic below. The black (you agree?) cross at the underside of the left under wing is defenitly darker than the rest of the wing fabric and the fuselage/nose color.


Thomas

Thomas,

You're harshing my buzz man! First, the wing should be lozenge covered so certainly the cross is darker. I see what you mean about the nose. Of course, it's always possible that it was originally all red then the black nose was painted later!

Ah, WWI colors.

Michael

Don`t worry! Your kit - your rules
I have to extend my research
Thomas

Beautiful build, Michael. The level of detail in the cockpit is stunning. Great job.

Looking forward to see more.

Now where did I leave my build for this campaign....

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments! Believe me, the credit goes to WNW, not me.

Fuselage buttoned up







I don't know what caused that gap between the main fuselage and the engine panel, but I see plastic strip in my future.

Michael

Hi Michael

Lovely work! Wow it's racing along since I last had a chance to look.

All the best

Rowan

Wish it was still racing, but it looks like it's ready for decals anyway!



Michael

Well, that actually went pretty quickly!





Michael

Mmmh, a black nose? - O.K., Michael I'm just kidding
For sure I like your Fokker-build very much!

Thomas