"Manfred's Fokker Dr1" Topic

Hi Guys

This is my fist WWI fighter, it was made about 7 years,Manfreds Revell 1/72 Fokker Dr1, I have about 20 WWI fighters in my stash to make, love the colours of this period, I made a mistake on this one, the tail should be white. All comments welcome.
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Great work, and I love the cross-wires around the cockpit.

Did they come with the kit, or did you add them yourself?

Hi plutarch

They are made from stretched spru.

Sorry Gunner, but do you mean heated plastic sprues?

Yes

Beautiful…

Very nice. Probably too fragile for wargaming though.

She's a beauty,all right. Good job.

Actually Revel Kits are great for Wargaming. I probably have at least 20 that see regular use.

mjc

Yes, I use 1/72 scale for wargaming as well.

Nice work, especially on the prop.

Hi

Some of my 1/72 gaming pieces started out in the early 70s as IPMS display models an survive. Hundreds of games.

Rocky

Hi gunner--A lovely job. I especially like the sort of translucent satin red over the whole plane – and the propeller is great. I take it Manfed has rushed off for a shnapps.

Here's a hint from and old IPMS guy (me):

Rigging and contol wires on 1:72 scale aeroplanes along with lines on GHQ and Langton ships is neatly simulated using nylon brush bristles. Go find a cheap one of the right color (a cheap one will NOT have tapered bristles). Cut the bristle to length and dip both ends in white glue. Place in desired location and let it dry. As the white glue dries (clear) it will shrink and pull the "wire" taught. Using this method is extremely effective and fast. For ship models used for gaming, it's not only quick, but if the model gets dropped and a mast bent, the "lines" just pop loose without taking anything else with them and are quickly replaced or reattached.

Wow I love that little Fokker!

I'm afraid I lack the patience to make aircraft these days. Smelly, noisy, oily things that can ruin a good land or sea battle!

Thanks guys
XRaysVision- good idea I will try that

a question, does anyone know of good cheep seated pilot figures? if I can't find any I might sculpt some from green stuff, any recommendations for a stand to mount planes on?

My other stuff can be see at my blog
gunnerswargamming.blogspot.com

There is a boxed set of 1/72 pilots including a variety of seated ones.
link

PK

Looks great, I want one too!

For the most part you will be disappointed in these '1/72' pilots. They are way too big for the 1/72 aircraft.

I do use them on occasion. However, you have to do some major amputations to get them in the cockpit.

mjc

Hi

Xray, I use fine music wire, makes the plane STRONG. .004 and .006 is in scale for most WW1 aircraft and strings small instrements like violins.

Rocky

I tried that too. The nylon bristles are eaiser to work with, cheap as dirt, come in appropriate colors, and pop or flex when the model is roughly handled. This is especially true of ships. Bending one mast doesn't take them all out.

I can see your point, though, as a biplane rigged with music wire is extremely rigid. I would opt for ease of use though. At 1:72 the use of non-scale "wires" isn't typically noticable. We are talking about game pieces anyway. Back in my IPMS days I would use fine wire from electric train motor windings and flatten it. But that OCD scale stuff is for the IPMS Nationals, not the game table.

The old classic airfix and revell lines could be quite sturdy ,those by esci tended to be display items only as i recall..(esp the alb dV!).

I have several Esci planes in my line up as well. The only planes that are not suitable for game play are the fragile resin types like Czech Masters and Choroszy.

I often use Pegasus planes (made of resin) but have to pin them with stainless steel in places to keep the wings on. The two seaters are the problem planes. The Pegasus single seaters are just fine for gaming -- at least so far.

mjc

Hi

I use a number of the resins as well. I havent really had a problem, but I use flattened brass as the struts and lots of .015 piano wire!

I am an outcast in my circles because I have always preferred the vacs though.

Rocky

Gunner, very nice paint job on the Fokker Dr. 1

I always preferred Revell's DR1 over Airfix's.

Eduard made some nice ones too.

Encore Models has a pretty cheap Dr1. I believe they are the same molds as Roden. Squadron Mail Order puts them on sale pretty often and I have found them on eBay priced pretty low.