That's one beautiful Fokker. -- Al
Knights of the Sky (3 Viewers)
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Makes a gorgeous set. -- Al
In a discussion with Moe the other day, the subject of a Boelcke aircraft came up. With the exception of a KC figure of Oswald Boelcke some years back, and a Tom Gunn Eindecker, nothing has been done in the way of one of Boelcke's aircraft, a most curious oversight considering that Boelcke is certainly Germany's second most famous airman, and, arguably, her most important. There is no lack of choice for such an aircraft, not counting numerous 2-seater types, as Boelcke flew examples of all 4 marks of the Fokker Eindecker, (in which he scored the majority of his victories). He also flew a Halberstadt II, (briefly), at least 2 different Fokker D-III's, an Albatros D-I (briefly), and the Albatros D-II that he was KIA in. Part of the problem in doing a Boelcke aircraft is that he flew during the early period of the war (KIA in October, 1916) and this was a period of very little in the way of colorful or personal markings. Boelcke's aircraft all seem to have been left in basic factory finishes, ie., plain varnished fabric, natural or gray painted metal cowlings, varnished wood fuselage (Albatros), and maybe 2 or 3 color camo on the top of the Albatros wings. Markings consisted of the standard German Maltese Cross in 8 positions. He did fly a least one Fokker E-IV with a white fuselage band, a 6-pointed star on the wheels, and a OB (Oswald Boelcke) insignia in small letters on the front of the engine cowling, and another E-IV with a white fuselage band and tri-colored wheel discs (black, white, red). There is only very iffy evidence that he ever flew anything but basic colored aircraft. There is mention by Victor Chapman (Lafayette Escadrille) that he engaged Boelcke in combat and recognized his adversary because he always flew a black aircraft with two giant skulls painted on the bottom of the wings. I have never seen this referenced anywhere else but this one statement and it should probably be left in the category of trumping up a good story. At any rate, a Fokker E-IV, or a Fokker D-III (think Fokker Eindecker fuselage with 2 wings), would make good choices. My personal choice would be the Fokker D-III, just because it's never been done before, and he did score several victories in it. The downside to the D-III is that it is bereft of personal markings or bright colors, simply being natural fabric and metal. Still, it would be an unusual and interesting choice. -- Al
ivanmoe
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Not sure why I didn't comment on this when Vicknor first posted, above, but I really like his use of a "light tent." It really helps highlight the shape and detail of a model, and it helps provide a good, more accurate account of the paint and other embellishments. Nice and much appreciated!
-Moe
ivanmoe
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Thanks for your comments, Al. Boelcke is a must have, not to mention Werner Voss. There are just so many worthwhile subjects yet to be done, among them, as you mention, the Lafayette Escadrille. I'm hoping that we'll eventually have a Nieuport 11 to go along with the Eindecker and (yet to be released) D.H.2. So many planes, so little time!
-Moe
Absolutely, we need Voss and his tripe, and the Lafayette Escadrille with my favorite Allied fighter, the Nieuport 11. I would buy every LE Type 11 that John would make, especially the original half-dozen members. Would love to see the Voss tripe, as well, even though controversy still rages over the actual color Voss may or may not have used on the cowling and wheel covers. One side favors the original factory camo, meaning the cowling and wheels would have been a dark olive type green. The other side favors Voss painting the cowling and wheels in his unit color, Jasta 10's yellow. I don't really have a preference. The yellow would obviously be more colorful but it's perfectly possible that the cowling was left in the original green because the tripe was so new, being one of the first 2 tripes to the front, that there had not been time to paint the yellow markings yet. Voss had the tripe for about 3 weeks before his fatal encounter with 'B' Flight, 56 Squadron on September 23, 1917. Anyway, Voss did have his personal Japanese fighting kite face applied to the cowling in white, which contrasts much better against the Fokker's original green, as opposed to the yellow. -- AlThanks for your comments, Al. Boelcke is a must have, not to mention Werner Voss. There are just so many worthwhile subjects yet to be done, among them, as you mention, the Lafayette Escadrille. I'm hoping that we'll eventually have a Nieuport 11 to go along with the Eindecker and (yet to be released) D.H.2. So many planes, so little time!
-Moe
Thought I'd drop a note about Fokker D-7 literature for those who care, or have been bitten by the coffin-nose bug. Albatros Productions, Ltd., has a 3 volume Fokker D-7 Anthology on the market. They are not new, being published from 1997 thru 2002, but they are the best thing on the subject that can be currently found. The 3 volumes cover all the details of all the different versions built by Fokker and Albatros. Details such as radiator styles, engine panel styles (8, at least), fabric, fabric application, constuction, markings, camo, engines, armament, batch numbers, etc., it's all in these books. They are heavily illustrated with period photos, scale drawings, color profiles, and drawings. Each volume is 60-65 pages, on heavy gloss stock, in an oversize pamphlet like style, stapled at the spine. There are also brief descriptions and photos of aircraft of the Jasta's that were equipped with the D-7. If you are a D-7 fan, you will want these books. They can be ordered straight from Albatros in the UK, or tracked down through dealers that might carry Albatros publications (they do WW1 aircraft profiles that are outstanding and currently number over 170 separate aircraft). I buy mine from Byrdaviationbooks.com in Williamsburg, Va. -- Al
Waiting... -- Al
ivanmoe
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Hi Al,
If/when we get more S.E.5a, it'll probably be a new one, rather than a rehash of the Mannock model. I suggest that because of our experience with the Fokker D.VII and Albatros models, both of which have seen truly significant upgrades. I believe that the faithful will all agree that this is a good thing. The downside is that the creation of what's essentially a new model will have to go in the que with all of Jenkins' other projects!
I'm with you in regard to a desire to see B Flight control come to life under the JJD banner. However, we may witness the passing of a full moon, or two, before the models in question come to fruition.-Moe
Just noticed the tiny, but essential, detail on the new Jasta 19 Fok.D-7, that of the Albatros (OAW) emblem on the rudder. This stuff is just great. I've also been spinning the prop on by Udet D-7. It spins forever. Just add machine gun noises and it's 1918 again.:wink2:^&grin -- Al
ivanmoe
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The erstwhile toy pilot also benefits from another meaningful detail on this one, a rear-view mirror mounted on the underside of the upper-wing.^&cool
-Moe
ivanmoe
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Great pics, Vicknor. It's as if they were taken in daylight. Looking at the model indoors with room lighting, the blue is a little darker than what we see above. All in all, it's a great looking model in every regard. As always, thank you for the pics!
-Moe
Nicely spotted. I missed it. :redface2: -- Al
TGM has released a beautiful Nieuport 11 in French colors. The N-11 'Bebe', is my favorite WW1 fighter. Alas, at $475, it is way too rich for my blood. I renew my call for John to please do the Bebe in Lafayette Escadrille colors. I know John is very busy, with more than enough irons in the fire, but I need opposition for my Eindeckers. The N-11 is one of the iconic, and important, aircraft of the first aerial conflict, so having access to it done in the JJD manner and the JJD pricepoint, is really kind of essential from my POV. I only need a few of them, then I will quit my begging and whining.:wink2: -- Al
ivanmoe
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'Nuther plus for the Bebe is that the wingspan was only a foot longer than the Fokker triplane. They really were tiny. That means that I could pack a ton of them into a display!^&grin
-Moe
