Knights of the Sky (1 Viewer)

ivanmoe said:
Next up in the hit parade of previous KotS releases is ACE-16(S), the Rickenbacker SPAD 13:


In the years since this model was released (and quickly sold-out), I doubt that I've come across five of them on EBay. When it does appear, the sales price is pretty dear. Clearly, the replica dedicated to "Captain Eddy" is held closely by collectors. As for me, I would love to see an ACE-16(N), a whole new release upgraded to the standard seen in the Guynemer and Luke models. In fact, I might buy two of them!:D Hope you enjoy this new look at an old model.

-Moe
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A fine review, as usual, Moe. It struck me that, for collector's of a certain age (old), the Rickenbacker Spad might bring back buried memories of an comic character from our youth, a certain Cap'n Eddie Ricketyback of the Li'l Abner comic strip than ran from 1934 through 1977. Cap'n Eddy was the famous former WW1 ace that now owned and ran The Trans-Dogpatch Airlines. His old foe Count Felix Von Holenhedt was the West German Civil Aviation Chief and had awarded his now friend Cap'n Eddie the West Berlin Route. As foes, Cap'n Eddie had shot the Count straight through the head while engaged in a dogfight over Flanders Field in 1918. Because of the hole in his head, the Count was never photographed without his Spiked Helmet on his head, which brings me to another tie to JJD. I believe ACE-BGD, 'The Duelists', is perfect for representation of the Ricketyback-Holenhedt dogfight. We have the Ricketyback Spad, but history is vague on what the Count flew in the engagement, but evidence points to JJD ACE-41, the here-to-fore unidentified Albatros D-III. John brings us interesting stories and history with his wonderful models. This concludes tonight's history lesson. -- Al
 
These short videos are just super and very well done Moe. The SPAD has always been one of my all time favorite WWI airplanes. When John offered this one it took me about three months to order one. By then they were sold out. Bummer! I grew up in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio the old stomping grounds of Rickenbaker and home to Rickenbacker Air Force Base. Rickenbacker was an iconic hero in that area and his story was well known by almost everybody . . . . Thus my disappoinment when his SPAD was sold out before I could get one . . . . .
:smile2: Mike
 
lancer said:
A fine review, as usual, Moe. It struck me that, for collector's of a certain age (old), the Rickenbacker Spad might bring back buried memories of an comic character from our youth, a certain Cap'n Eddie Ricketyback of the Li'l Abner comic strip than ran from 1934 through 1977. Cap'n Eddy was the famous former WW1 ace that now owned and ran The Trans-Dogpatch Airlines. His old foe Count Felix Von Holenhedt was the West German Civil Aviation Chief and had awarded his now friend Cap'n Eddie the West Berlin Route. As foes, Cap'n Eddie had shot the Count straight through the head while engaged in a dogfight over Flanders Field in 1918. Because of the hole in his head, the Count was never photographed without his Spiked Helmet on his head, which brings me to another tie to JJD. I believe ACE-BGD, 'The Duelists', is perfect for representation of the Ricketyback-Holenhedt dogfight. We have the Ricketyback Spad, but history is vague on what the Count flew in the engagement, but evidence points to JJD ACE-41, the here-to-fore unidentified Albatros D-III. John brings us interesting stories and history with his wonderful models. This concludes tonight's history lesson. -- Al
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Delivered with your trademark verve and panache, Al, aviation lore at its finest!:salute::

-Moe
 
mestell said:
These short videos are just super and very well done Moe. The SPAD has always been one of my all time favorite WWI airplanes. When John offered this one it took me about three months to order one. By then they were sold out. Bummer! I grew up in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio the old stomping grounds of Rickenbaker and home to Rickenbacker Air Force Base. Rickenbacker was an iconic hero in that area and his story was well known by almost everybody . . . . Thus my disappoinment when his SPAD was sold out before I could get one . . . . .
:smile2: Mike
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Mike, that seals it. If a righteous collector like you couldn't score a Rickenbacker SPAD, then a new production run isn't just needed, it's by golly ESSENTIAL. If you'll contact John and put in the request, I'll do the same. Deal?:)

-Moe
 
ivanmoe said:
Delivered with your trademark verve and panache, Al, aviation lore at its finest!:salute::

-Moe
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Why, thank you, sir. WW1 aviation has many such legends hiddden by the mists of time.:wink2:^&grin -- Al
 
ivanmoe said:
Mike, that seals it. If a righteous collector like you couldn't score a Rickenbacker SPAD, then a new production run isn't just needed, it's by golly ESSENTIAL. If you'll contact John and put in the request, I'll do the same. Deal?:)

-Moe
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Perhaps John could be persuaded to do a pairing of Rickenbacker machines, a re-issue of the in demand Spad XIII, and a model of the very elegant and never before done Nieuport 28. I can see it now, a special 100th Anniversary issue for 2018. ^&cool -- Al
 
lancer said:
Major Hawker's DH-2 #5964 made a perfect landing at my aerodrome this afternoon, a day late, because of head-winds, I am told, combined with a dust-up with some enemy Albatros. It is everything I have been led to expect through the many excellent photos and reviews posted by our forum members. I am at a loss for words concerning this model. Virtually in every category that one would want to grade, this model gets a 10 out of 10. I would add that I now have a new favorite JJD aircraft model.
There are several dio possibilities for those who like to put their aircraft in scenes. Hawker led 24 Squadron in combat, flying their DH-2's, through most of 1916. While he never scored in the DH-2, he was KIA in it on 11-23-16, while in combat with Manfred von Richthofen. The year 1916 is thus in play for possible dios that could include JJD's Nieuport 17 #A213, flown by Albert Ball. Ball flew this Nieuport in action during the same time Hawker flew his DH-2 during late 1916. Ball scored victories 20 thru 31 in September, 1916, thus a scenario where the two occupy the same dio is possible, maybe one visiting the other. The DH-2 could also be displayed with the JJD crashed Eindecker as those aircraft were still in use far into 1916. For the ultimate dio, Hawker vs Richthofen, I'm afraid we have to wait on John to make Richthofen's Albatros D-II. One more thought for an aerodrome based scenario, until an actual Hawker pilot figure appears, is that the Roy Brown pilot figure would make an excellent pilot standing by his DH-2, as the Brown figure is clothed in the heavy coat, gloves, and boots that DH-2 pilots found essential. Anyway, that is where my Brown figure now stands, and he looks right in place.
Did I mention that I am just thrilled to death to be the proud owner of this new DH-2?:wink2:^&grin -- Al
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Just a further note on Major Lanoe Hawker. Though he never scored in the DH-2, he did score 7 victories and was actually Great Britain's first air ace. He did all his scoring in 1915, scoring 3 victories in a Bristol Scout in June and July. He then scored 3 more victories in August while flying the two-seat pusher FE2b, not uncommon as this aircraft was actually called a fighter and was used as such quite often. His final victory was in September while in a Bristol Scout. Just a note, the RFC classified single-seaters as Scouts and some 2-seaters as fighters (such as the FB-5 or the FE 2 series). Hawker was KIA just 5 weeks short of his 26th birthday. Ironically, Hawker's victor, Manfred von Richthofen, was also KIA just days short of his 26th birthday in 1918. -- Al
 
Posted a new slideshow for the Immelmann Fokker E.III:


ACE-23 was the first model to emerge from JJD after the Rickenbacker SPAD. A considerable period of time had passed, and Jenkins had clearly gone back to the workshop. This model boasted a host of improvements over prior releases such as a smartly improved cockpit. Follow-up E.III have included a "cocked-up" and disassembled version, all clearly intended to make your toy airfield a more visually interesting place!:D

-Moe
 
ivanmoe said:
Posted a new slideshow for the Immelmann Fokker E.III:


ACE-23 was the first model to emerge from JJD after the Rickenbacker SPAD. A considerable period of time had passed, and Jenkins had clearly gone back to the workshop. This model boasted a host of improvements over prior releases such as a smartly improved cockpit. Follow-up E.III have included a "cocked-up" and disassembled version, all clearly intended to make your toy airfield a more visually interesting place!:D

-Moe
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A fine study, as usual, Moe. This is my favorite JJD Eindecker. Now all we have to do is convince John that we need a Nieuport 11 (or two or three) in Lafayette Escadrille colors to combat the Eindecker. Actually, I might even settle for a N.11 in the colors of Navaare, the 'Sentinel of Verdun', as a viable opponent for the Eindecker. :wink2: -- Al
 
lancer said:
A fine study, as usual, Moe. This is my favorite JJD Eindecker. Now all we have to do is convince John that we need a Nieuport 11 (or two or three) in Lafayette Escadrille colors to combat the Eindecker. Actually, I might even settle for a N.11 in the colors of Navaare, the 'Sentinel of Verdun', as a viable opponent for the Eindecker. :wink2: -- Al
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Thank you, Al. To tell you the truth, I'm almost surprised that we don't have a Nieuport 11 yet. It might just be that it's in the queue along with everything else. And, I'd really like to have three, or so, from the LE for a nice display.

-Moe
 
ivanmoe said:
Thank you, Al. To tell you the truth, I'm almost surprised that we don't have a Nieuport 11 yet. It might just be that it's in the queue along with everything else. And, I'd really like to have three, or so, from the LE for a nice display.

-Moe
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There is an outstanding booklet pertaining to LE Nieuports titled 'Nieuport Flyers of the Lafayette' by Jon Guttman. It is published by Albatros Productions, done in 2006. It is heavily illustrated with photos, color profiles, and 1/32 scale drawings. I can't recommend it highly enough. It tracks every Nieuport flown by the LE, covering the 10's, 11's, 16's, 17's, 21's, and 24bis. The LE flew some 20 type 11/16 Nieuports (the 11 and 16 being virtually identical excepting the type 11 had an 80-hp Le Rhone 9C engine, the type 16 had a 100-hp Le Rhone 9J engine). Most 11/16's were finished in a brown and green camo and carried the pilot's personal ID in white. The LE did not carry the famous Indian Head insignia on these early 11/16's, all flown between May and August, 1916, before transitioning over to the Type 17's, mostly in silver finish and carrying the Indian Head. As an exception to the camo 11/16's, Victor Chapman flew a type 11 that was finished overall in a cream color and carried what were later the USAS style roundels instead of the standard French roundels. At any rate, this book is a must have if you have an interest in LE Nieuports. -- Al
 
Once again Moe, a nicely done review of a nicely done JJD aeroplane . . . . now if only the Boeing F4B-4's were here you could do a video featuring them . . . .
:smile2: Mike
 
mestell said:
[...]now if only the Boeing F4B-4's were here you could do a video featuring them[...]
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Hah, Mike, I check in with ALL the usual suspects on a daily basis. I need to remind myself that a watched pot never boils!:redface2:

Thanks for the kind words,

-Moe
 
lancer said:
There is an outstanding booklet pertaining to LE Nieuports titled 'Nieuport Flyers of the Lafayette' by Jon Guttman. It is published by Albatros Productions, done in 2006. It is heavily illustrated with photos, color profiles, and 1/32 scale drawings. I can't recommend it highly enough. It tracks every Nieuport flown by the LE, covering the 10's, 11's, 16's, 17's, 21's, and 24bis. The LE flew some 20 type 11/16 Nieuports (the 11 and 16 being virtually identical excepting the type 11 had an 80-hp Le Rhone 9C engine, the type 16 had a 100-hp Le Rhone 9J engine). Most 11/16's were finished in a brown and green camo and carried the pilot's personal ID in white. The LE did not carry the famous Indian Head insignia on these early 11/16's, all flown between May and August, 1916, before transitioning over to the Type 17's, mostly in silver finish and carrying the Indian Head. As an exception to the camo 11/16's, Victor Chapman flew a type 11 that was finished overall in a cream color and carried what were later the USAS style roundels instead of the standard French roundels. At any rate, this book is a must have if you have an interest in LE Nieuports. -- Al
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Hmm, perhaps we should send a copy to u-no-hoo. He responds well to a nice graphical presentation. Such is the eye of the artist inspired.:D

-Moe
 
ivanmoe said:
Hmm, perhaps we should send a copy to u-no-hoo. He responds well to a nice graphical presentation. Such is the eye of the artist inspired.:D

-Moe
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That's not a bad idea. Albatros Productions does excellent WW1 aircraft profiles, some 175+ to this point. 'Nieuport Flyers of the Lafayette' is still in print at about $42 but many of the profiles, like the Nieuport 10-12 and N-28 volumes are OOP and expensive on the secondary market, if they can be found. -- Al
 
lancer said:
Affirmative. The 2 volumes on the Nieuport fighters are also excellent. I have quite a few of the Albatros publications and they are all worth having. -- Al
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Thanks Al, an order is placed. In lieu of a finder's fee,;) please accept a slideshow OF YET ANOTHER gem from JJD, and a clear favorite of yours, the Guynemer SPAD:


-Moe

Edit: Found a nice YT clip of Guynemer film footage for Al:

 
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