Knights of the Sky (3 Viewers)

[ivanmoe]

It is a beauty and very sturdy.

For those of our readers who may not have "bitten" on KotS, let me elaborate on Al's comment above as regards the models being sturdy.

Most of you, no doubt, will recall a minor tragedy from your youth, a completed plastic kit, knocked over, somehow, with catastrophic results. In fact the shortest of "spills," could snap off landing-gear, props and other parts. As an adult collector of diecast models, I've occasionally has the same sort of experience with that medium, particularly when any sort of "projections" are involved, antennas, weapons and such.

Well, my JJD KotS have taken more than one tumble off of a riser. The result has always been the same; no visible damage resulted. Admittedly, the distance was short, two or three inches, perhaps. But, that same kind of incident would have probably wrecked a plastic model and/or many of my fancy diecast types. Now, don't go "trying this at home," 'cause I don't offer 3rd-party warranties or insurance. Disclaimer stated, the KotS models have been a very pleasant surprise in terms of durability.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Hi Al,

I picked up my pre-ordered SPAD from the London Show last Saturday. I afraid I don't know too much about the "nuts & bolts" details but I think it's a real knockout.
It looks so much better than any of the photos can capture. It's a very sturdy model ( pretty much like the real machine I would think ). The lines all very straight and true.

I've always thought that John would never match the SE5a ( my favourite ) but I think this one really comes within a whisker!

I've put one of the ACE-BP British Pilots in the cockpit and I reckon he looks pretty perfect in it. Almost as if he was designed especially for the SPAD.

So 10 out of 10 from me - but I still think the SE5a rules!!!

Cheers, Roy.

Hey Roy-

My wife purchased one for me as a gift at the show on Saturday as well. I agree with everything you said. I parked it in my display case last night. Only thing I might have liked to see were rolling wheels but she's a beaut no doubt.

 

[ivanmoe]

Hey Roy-

Only thing I might have liked to see were rolling wheels but she's a beaut no doubt.

A lot of folks pooh-pooh "rolling wheels," as these model likely aren't intended to be "played with." However, moving hub/tires offer certain advantages. The biggest of these are that the paint doesn't come off the parts when they are moved across a surface, and the surface itself doesen't suffer as much wear. This isn't a huge deal, I know, but it does matter to some collectors.

 

[lancer]

A lot of folks pooh-pooh "rolling wheels," as these model likely aren't intended to be "played with." However, moving hub/tires offer certain advantages. The biggest of these are that the paint doesn't come off the parts when they are moved across a surface, and the surface itself doesen't suffer as much wear. This isn't a huge deal, I know, but it does matter to some collectors.

I'm a big fan of rotating props (who can resist giving the prop a whirl?:wink2, but not so much of rolling wheels. At $200+, I want no freak accidents with one of these beauts rolling off a shelf. Fixed wheels are a definite advantage in keeping the aircraft in place. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Well, now that Capt. Eddie's Spad has joined my air fleet, I lack only the Barker Camel to complete my JJD WW1 aircraft collection. I can pencil Barker into my August slot, if another Spad doesn't show up before then. If another Spad does show up in the July releases, I guess Barker will have to wait another month or two. I am a little behind on my pilots, still lacking Udet and Frommherz. Oddly enough, I already have the Barker pilot. I need to catch up on the aircraft and pilots before going after the multitude of ground personel and accessories. Priorities, don't you know. Once all that gets done, or at least the planes and pilots, I would like to see JJD produce a couple more of the outstanding SE-5's, specifically, McCudden and Rhys Davids of B Flight, 56 Squadron, dated September, 1917. Good thing I'm not greedy or I'd ask for the whole of B Flight. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Well, now that Capt. Eddie's Spad has joined my air fleet, I lack only the Barker Camel to complete my JJD WW1 aircraft collection. I can pencil Barker into my August slot, if another Spad doesn't show up before then. If another Spad does show up in the July releases, I guess Barker will have to wait another month or two. I am a little behind on my pilots, still lacking Udet and Frommherz. Oddly enough, I already have the Barker pilot. I need to catch up on the aircraft and pilots before going after the multitude of ground personel and accessories. Priorities, don't you know. Once all that gets done, or at least the planes and pilots, I would like to see JJD produce a couple more of the outstanding SE-5's, specifically, McCudden and Rhys Davids of B Flight, 56 Squadron, dated September, 1917. Good thing I'm not greedy or I'd ask for the whole of B Flight. -- Al

Actually, I'm going to get a 'little' greedy and ask for my very favorite WW1 aircraft, a Nieuport Type 11, aka, the Bebe. I would LOVE to see several versions from N-124, better known as the Lafayette Escadrille. I would like to see the early-mid 1916 versions in brown & green camo paint, with the pilots personal ID letters or emblems. I know these Type 11's date from before the adoption of the Indian head emblem but I would like to see the early members such as Chapman, Hall, Prince, Rockwell, Thaw, McConnell, Cowdin, and, of course, Thenault and de Laage. Those eight would do nicely and maybe a Lufbery version, as well.:wink2: I don't think I am asking for too much, eh John? :rolleyes2:^&grin -- Al

 

[Combat]

I received my SPAD. A beauty. Maybe the best yet.

 

[Terp152]

My SPAD is due to land Sat. Can't wait! :smile2: Chris

 

[ivanmoe]

I've posted an in-depth analysis of ACE-16(S) to another venue:

http://tmwcf.forumcircle.com/viewtopic.php?p=6980#6980

If you're interested in the model, there are a lot of pics included.

 

[lancer]

I've posted an in-depth analysis of ACE-16(S) to another venue:

http://tmwcf.forumcircle.com/viewtopic.php?p=6980#6980

If you're interested in the model, there are a lot of pics included.

Very good revue, Moe, and very fair. You obviously did your research for this critique and it shows. You are very sharp-eyed about the details, both those present and those missing. I only noticed the missing main wing bracing wire myself. I didn't catch the missing tail cables, fuel pipes, or the slightly off headrest-cockpit combing. Good eye. I must admit that the only detail that bothers me is the missing wing-brace wire, but I will live with it. I find it a very fine effort overall. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

I must admit that the only detail that bothers me is the missing wing-brace wire, but I will live with it. I find it a very fine effort overall. -- Al

I REALLY hope that JJD will do a better job with the riggging on any future SPAD XIII that it might manufacture, as it's handling of this aspect of it's models has been simply stellar on previous releases.

And thanks for your review of my review! :wink2:

 

[lancer]

My SPAD is due to land Sat. Can't wait! :smile2: Chris

Hey Chris, did Capt. Eddie touch down? ^&grin -- Al

 

[Terp152]

Hey Chris, did Capt. Eddie touch down? ^&grin -- Al

He made a landing at the local aerodrome yesterday! What a great model! Trying to decide where to "park" her, having to rearrange the ramp area. ^&cool Chris

 

[lancer]

John has gotten me, again. He must know that I have a real weakness for the Fokker triplane. I have all his current releases and now there is the Weiss triplane on the way. Another must have for me. In all honesty though, all the JJD planes have been must haves for me, with the possible exception of any more Sopwith Camels. The Camel is not my favorite Allied plane whereas the Tripe is my favorite German plane, so any number of versions of this will be on my list. That said, I would still buy further versions of the SE-5, Nieuport, Spad, and D-7's. The further purchase of an Albatros would be on a narrow basis and would probably have to be a Richthofen version, preferably not all red, but more along the lines of the one he was wounded in with the red wings, tail, and natural wood fuselage. There are lots of other aircraft I would buy on a one-of basis, but the Fokker tripe has it's fangs in me for more versions. My name is Al and I am a tripeaholic.:rolleyes2::wink2:^&grin

 

[lancer]

A little additional (one might say 'rivet counting') info on Lt. Hans Weiss, pilot of the newly announced JJD Triplane #545/17. Weiss had 16 confirmed kills along with 2 unconfirmed kills, which is why you might see his total listed as 16 or 18. Weiss included 5 balloons amongst his victories. Weiss was the second flight leader on patrol with Manfred von Richthofen on the fateful April 21, 1918, when von R was KIA after engaging Camels of 209 Squadron. Weiss suffered damage to his triplane prior to the fatal dogfight and had to return to base, thus was not present when von Richthofen was killed. Weiss was KIA by Camels of the same 209 Squadron on May 2, 1918, falling at 1345 Hrs, over Mericourt, to Lt. M.S. Taylor, a Canadian, in Camel #D3326. Weiss was Taylor's 5th victory. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Tripeaholic continued: Now that John has produced the Weiss triplane and announced 2 more Jasta 11 tripes for the future, I thought a little more rivet-counting about the tripe might be interesting. The triplane, as originally designed by Anthony Fokker, was to be of cantilever design, meaning that no inter-wing struts were necessary to support the wings. In fact, the production triplanes were capable of flying and fighting without the inter-plane struts that were finally fitted. Several reasons for the inclusion of the struts have been given over the years, from stopping wing flutter, or stopping the flexure of the wings, or for moral purposes because Fokker felt that pilots would have more confidence in a design with visible supports. All are probably true to a degree but the struts actually did very little. The struts were very thin in cross-section, and were under tension, not compression as they would have been in a load bearing situation. The struts were not one long piece, fitted from top through the middle to bottom. The struts were 4 individual pieces, hand fitted at the factory and were marked for position as upper right, lower right, upper left, lower left. They were not interchangeable but apparently could be and were fitted upside down without any real adverse effects. What these struts DID do was help to distribute wing loading by transferring some of the stress to the middle wing and also did assist in reducing some upper-wing twisting when the ailerons were in use. The triplane did have wing structure failures at the front but it wasn't due to design flaws or the lack of strut support. It ended up being a factory quality-control issue. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Now that John has produced the Weiss triplane and announced 2 more Jasta 11 tripes for the future, I thought a little more rivet-counting about the tripe might be interesting.

Hi Al,

Don't want to steer you away from your rivets, :wink2: but can you link us to the announcement?^&confuse

Moe

 

[lancer]

Hi Al,

Don't want to steer you away from your rivets, :wink2: but can you link us to the announcement?^&confuse

Moe

Hi Moe. JJD announced it in this months releases. In the Knights of the Skies section, right under the listing for ACE-19, the announcement reads, "There will be another 2 "Red-nosed" Triplanes produced, which will give a total of 5 members of the famous "Flying Circus"!, end quote. There have been the two Richthofen tripes, now the Weiss tripe, and the 2 new mystery tripes, all from Jasta 11. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Hi Moe. JJD announced it in this months releases. In the Knights of the Skies section, right under the listing for ACE-19, the announcement reads, "There will be another 2 "Red-nosed" Triplanes produced, which will give a total of 5 members of the famous "Flying Circus"!, end quote. There have been the two Richthofen tripes, now the Weiss tripe, and the 2 new mystery tripes, all from Jasta 11. -- Al

Okay, I got ya now. I was thinking that there was an announcement on his website(s). Wow, that'll make eight of them! The triplanes must be selling, or the dealers wouldn't couldn't continue to order them.

 

[lancer]

Tripeaholic continued: Historians have identified 7 different Fokker Triplanes that Manfred von Richthofen flew. Of these, only 2 were painted all-red and only #425/17 came from the factory as an all-red aircraft. All the other triplanes came with standard Fokker factory camo and were then modified in varying degrees with red paint once at the front. The 7 planes were:
Prototype F1. 102/17 - one of 2 prototypes sent to the front by Fokker. The other, #103/17, went to Voss, who died in it. Kurt Wolff also flew #102/17
when Manfred was away from the front. Wolff was KIA in it.
Dr.I #114/17 - lasted 10 days in October 1917 before it threw an engine cylinder and forced MvR to crash land. It was a write-off.
Dr.I #127/17 - scored victories 71,74, and 76 in this machine
Dr.I #152/17 - the other all-red plane, but started out only partially red before being repainted later on. Actually survived the war to be put in a Berlin museum
and was destroyed during WW2 bombing raids. Scored victories 64, 65, and 66 in this machine.
Dr.I#161/17 - this machine was later passed on to MvR's cousin, Wolfram when he came to Jasta 11.
Dr.I #425/17 - the all-red machine that everyone associates with MvR, the machine he died in.
Dr.I #477/17 - no additional info, had red nose, wheel covers, struts, upper surface of top wing and upper surface of tail plane.
As said, only 2 of the planes were all-red. All the others had combinations of red wings, partial red fuselages, struts, wheel covers, cowlings, and all had different style cross markings in their varying careers. All started with the Maltese cross in some form or another and 3 of them, #'s 425/17, 152/17, and 477/17 survived long enough to be converted to the March 1918 Greek cross styles. -- Al