Knights of the Sky (1 Viewer)

[lancer]

I've always been impressed by the small details such as the Axial prop maker emblem on the props but I am even more impressed by the tiny Fokker emblem at the base of each rudder on the tripes. The struts also have small markings on them. It was the excellent color schemes, weathering, and markings that really made me a JJD loyalist. The amazing detail in the cross markings of the very first tripe, the Red Baron's, is something I never get tired of looking at. The crosses on the wings, both upper and lower, repay close examination with the detail that the crosses were originally of the Maltese design and have been converted to the straight edge style, with the further added detail that the crosses on the lower wing have been converted in a more haphazard, less efficient way. These models are simply superbly well thought out in design and execution by John. -- Al

 

[Flyboy]

I've always been impressed by the small details such as the Axial prop maker emblem on the props but I am even more impressed by the tiny Fokker emblem at the base of each rudder on the tripes. The struts also have small markings on them. It was the excellent color schemes, weathering, and markings that really made me a JJD loyalist. The amazing detail in the cross markings of the very first tripe, the Red Baron's, is something I never get tired of looking at. The crosses on the wings, both upper and lower, repay close examination with the detail that the crosses were originally of the Maltese design and have been converted to the straight edge style, with the further added detail that the crosses on the lower wing have been converted in a more haphazard, less efficient way. These models are simply superbly well thought out in design and execution by John. -- Al

Definately. I am starting this collection the right way. With the Red Baron plane! Mike

 

[lancer]

Definately. I am starting this collection the right way. With the Red Baron plane! Mike

No better way than to start your collection with the aircraft of the best there was. It is an excellent model/representation. ^&cool -- Al

 

[Wolf]

I have followed this thread for some time, and after reading the excelent reviews and posts, I am now ready to pull the trigger on purchasing my first JJD WWI plane the Red Baron model.

Question: does the R Baron plane come with the mounting hole for the display stands?

 

[ivanmoe]

Question: does the R Baron plane come with the mounting hole for the display stands?

There are two versions. The original did not have the threaded-hole. However, later production does come with it. BE SURE TO ASK YOUR DEALER ABOUT WHICH IT IS THAT YOU'RE BUYING, as there may be some old production still for sale. BTW, this is also true of the Roy Brown Camel. I encountered this reality when I purchased the Sopwith thinking that it had the fitting, only to discover that I had purchased an early production version. I believe that what I've detailed is only true of JJD's Richthofen and Brown replicas.

 

[lancer]

Hey guys, if the fittings for the stands is a concern for you, be aware that several of the JJD aircraft were initially released before the stand fittings became standard. I have purchased first run issues of most of the planes and there are 9 that I know came without the fittings.
Ace 01- Red Baron's red tripe
Ace 02 - Bishop's Nieuport
Ace 03 - Jacob's black trip
Ace 04 - MacLaren's Camel
Ace 05 - Lothar von R's yellow tripe
Ace 09- Goering's white D-7
Ace 10 - Brown's Camel
Ace 11 - Kempf's triplane
Ace 12 - Nungesser's Nieuport
I do not yet own the Ace-14, Barker's Camel, so I don't know if there are ones without fittings. So, as Moe suggests, ask your dealer about whether the plane you are buying has the required fitting or not. I don't think the Kempf tripe was ever produced with fittings before going SO. Just be aware that there will be early issues without the stand fittings still available for sale from the dealers. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

I do not yet own the Ace-14, Barker's Camel, so I don't know if there are ones without fittings.

Hi Al,

My Barker Camel has the fitting, so I'd assumed that they all do. BTW, the confusion at hand is partly owed to the JJD/KotS webpage:

http://www.johnjenkinsdesigns.com/knights.htm

Note that some of the models have an (S) at the end of the "product code," denoting the part as having the fitting for a stand. In the case of the Brown and Richthofen replicas, I believe that the (S) was only added after additional production of the parts was ordered by JJD. In other words, there were second runs of the two types that were upgraded to include the fitting. The stands are great, BTW. The Camel is actually a pretty large model, and mounting one on a stand is a big help when it comes to displaying it with other pieces.

 

[Wolf]

There are two versions. The original did not have the threaded-hole. However, later production does come with it. BE SURE TO ASK YOUR DEALER ABOUT WHICH IT IS THAT YOU'RE BUYING, as there may be some old production still for sale. BTW, this is also true of the Roy Brown Camel. I encountered this reality when I purchased the Sopwith thinking that it had the fitting, only to discover that I had purchased an early production version. I believe that what I've detailed is only true of JJD's Richthofen and Brown replicas.

Thanks for the tips. I'm looking forward to starting my collection, and will post pics when I figure that out.

 

[Wolf]

Hey guys, if the fittings for the stands is a concern for you, be aware that several of the JJD aircraft were initially released before the stand fittings became standard. I have purchased first run issues of most of the planes and there are 9 that I know came without the fittings.
Ace 01- Red Baron's red tripe
Ace 02 - Bishop's Nieuport
Ace 03 - Jacob's black trip
Ace 04 - MacLaren's Camel
Ace 05 - Lothar von R's yellow tripe
Ace 09- Goering's white D-7
Ace 10 - Brown's Camel
Ace 11 - Kempf's triplane
Ace 12 - Nungesser's Nieuport
I do not yet own the Ace-14, Barker's Camel, so I don't know if there are ones without fittings. So, as Moe suggests, ask your dealer about whether the plane you are buying has the required fitting or not. I don't think the Kempf tripe was ever produced with fittings before going SO. Just be aware that there will be early issues without the stand fittings still available for sale from the dealers. -- Al

Thanks for the detailed information, much appreciated. After my first purchase, I'm looking forward to joining the conversation in this thread.

 

[lancer]

I finally got the breathing space to catch up on the last missing piece to my JJD WW1 air force. I have the Barker Camel (Ace-14) on the way to me now. This particular aircraft just kept getting pushed back, month after month, not because I don't like it, which I quite do, but because I just kept getting starstruck by the other new releases. Glad to finally have caught up as, with the release of the new St. Chamond tank, it now appears I will be buying the JJD WW1 armor as well as the planes. I had resisted the armor until the St. Chamond came along, and now with the new gun/supply carrier just announced, I will be after that too. But make no mistake, the aircraft rule and will have collecting priority for me. At any rate, my air force is up to date for the first time ever, at least for a little while.:wink2: -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

I finally got the breathing space to catch up on the last missing piece to my JJD WW1 air force. I have the Barker Camel (Ace-14) on the way to me now. This particular aircraft just kept getting pushed back, month after month, not because I don't like it, which I quite do, but because I just kept getting starstruck by the other new releases.

Congratulations Al!:salute::

I know that this isn't like collecting First Legion or some other ultra-expensive TS line, but KotS do take a bite out of the pocket book, don't they? And I really do appreciate the JJD figures, although that wasn't my original focus. Because of that, I certainly understand how folks can enjoy pieces like the new gun-tractor so much.

 

[lancer]

The Barker Camel arrived today and I must say that I believe it is the best looking of the 3 JJD Camels. The white trim of the prop cone and wheels goes well with the 28 Squadron white square insignia. It has the usual excellent weathering and I rather prefer the natural metal color of the cowling over any other color. I note that when the 3 Camels are viewed side by side, the green camo finish is slightly different on each aircraft with the Barker Camel I have being of a slightly more olive color than the other two. It is just personal preference, but I like the Barker Camel olive green a little more than the others. -- Al

 

[lancer]

As regards the different shades of olive drab green on the various RFC aircraft models by JJD, this is pretty normal in terms of the real aircraft and their actual colors. This green color (khaki, if you prefer), was known as PC10. It was the result of British experiments to determine the best varnish and dope to add tensile strength to and protect the fabric from weather exposure, particularly the effects of the sun. It was a fortunate accident that the color of PC10 also happened to be the best for camouflage purposes of the many combos that were tested. The color was the result of the specific proportions of various colors that were mixed. The colors were Yellow Ochre, Umber, Red Ochre, and Chinese Blue. The Yellow and Umber were by far the largest proportions. This color would vary according to proportions mixed, thus different shades of green to an almost brown. As a matter of interest, the RNAS felt it necessary to come up with their own mix, PC12, which was slightly browner than PC10. PC10 became pretty general in the field by mid-1917, thus achieving a rather uniform presentation to British aircraft. Prior to PC10, clear doping of the natural linen color was normal, as were some field applied camo attempts. PC10 was officially to be applied to all upper services and fuselage sides. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Checked the JJD website today, and the SOLD OUT list continues to grow:

ACE-01P, His Last Cigarette
ACE-02, Nieuport 17 (Bishop)
ACE-03, Fokker DR1 (Jacobs)
ACE-03P, Lt Josef Jacobs
ACE-04, Sopwith Camel (MacLaren)
ACE-04P, Capt D.R. MacLaren
ACE-05P, Lothar von Richthofen
ACE-11, Fokker DR1 (Kempf)
ACE-12P, Lt Charles Nungesser
ACE-14P, Capt William Barker
ACE-BP, British Pilots
ACE-GP, Fokker Pilots
ACE-X, Baron von Santa <GULP>! {eek3}
GCC-01, German Ground Crew 1
BGC-01, Model-T Ford Ambulance

Many of the items above are still available via dealer, BTW. There's no need to panic, if you're light on a piece or two that you fancy. On the other hand, some of them are nowhere to be found at this point. The Kempf Triplane comes to mind in that regard.

 

[lancer]

Checked the JJD website today, and the SOLD OUT list continues to grow:

ACE-01P, His Last Cigarette
ACE-02, Nieuport 17 (Bishop)
ACE-03, Fokker DR1 (Jacobs)
ACE-03P, Lt Josef Jacobs
ACE-04, Sopwith Camel (MacLaren)
ACE-04P, Capt D.R. MacLaren
ACE-05P, Lothar von Richthofen
ACE-11, Fokker DR1 (Kempf)
ACE-12P, Lt Charles Nungesser
ACE-14P, Capt William Barker
ACE-BP, British Pilots
ACE-GP, Fokker Pilots
ACE-X, Baron von Santa <GULP>! {eek3}
GCC-01, German Ground Crew 1
BGC-01, Model-T Ford Ambulance

Many of the items above are still available via dealer, BTW. There's no need to panic, if you're light on a piece or two that you fancy. On the other hand, some of them are nowhere to be found at this point. The Kempf Triplane comes to mind in that regard.

My big fear is that the related ground crews and accessories will start going SO before I can get them. It is all I can do to stay current with the aircraft and with the new French tanks starting to show up (and future related crews and infantry), the problem will only grow. I can only hope the ground crews, hangers, etc., will stay around for awhile.:redface2: -- Al

 

[BK Trade]

My big fear is that the related ground crews and accessories will start going SO before I can get them. It is all I can do to stay current with the aircraft and with the new French tanks starting to show up (and future related crews and infantry), the problem will only grow. I can only hope the ground crews, hangers, etc., will stay around for awhile.:redface2: -- Al

A little birdie told me awhile ago that "Out of Stock" meant more to be made........"SOLD OUT" meant 'thats all folks'.............{eek3}

 

[whdamon]

Knights of the Sky--Ideas for JJD to produce

Looking at my WWI aviation displays today It appeared I needed some more "viewer interest" pieces,

Therefore here are a couple photos I thought might be interesting figures or like facsimlies(SP) for JJD to consider producing, what thinks you??

How about a fellow loading the Grenades and flares on the side of a plane compltete with a cart load of these weapons



or some crewmen playing chess in between sorties

Also now the Rickenbacker figure is out for the current Spad, how about Lufbery's Spad and a figure to go with in a future release (maybe even with his cubs, Whiskey and Soda sitting next to him)


Walt Damon

 

[ivanmoe]

Great suggestions, Walt!:salute::

 

[lancer]

I'd be in on the Schlachtflieger Halberstadt for sure. It is a great aircraft. I would also love to see Lufbery with either his Lafayette Escadrille Nieuport or Spad, but I am not sure that Lufbery ever flew the S.13, so it would have to be the S.7. Some great ideas you have there about the chess players, too. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Question for you gentlemen about the following set:

What is the standing figure up to, what is he doing?