Roden Fokker Dr 1 - 1:32 scale by Popeye the Sailor - finished

[CDW]

Just now, popeye the sailor said:

there is a card in the box,  which you fill out,  it goes to a place here in the states......Texas.   in all actuality,  they are a distributor for Squadron models.....just look'in to get feedback from the kit purchase.  I looked through the model listing.....1:32,  and I saw a kit for a Fokker F1.   this is strange,  since there were only two F1's built........I like to build obscure models........but yea,  that would be obscure     {and I thought building a V4 would be cool}.

 

Is this the 1:32 F.1 kit you are talking about?

Bought this one quite a while ago, but it's no longer in production.When you can find one, they go for a premium price. The kit comes with resin upgrade parts, photo etch, Voss decals/markings, and a resin figure of Voss. The plastic parts are Roden. Mine is still sealed in plastic, so I cannot say whether the plastic parts are the same as yours, but I suspect they are identical. Only the upgrade parts and decals are different.

 

[cog]

So what you say CDW, you pay a premium price for resin, PE and guy to fly the thing, whom is fidgeting with his helmet (  )The Roden kits are not the best, but currently the only one at 1/32

[CDW]

Just now, cog said:

So what you say CDW, you pay a premium price for resin, PE and guy to fly the thing, whom is fidgeting with his helmet (  )The Roden kits are not the best, but currently the only one at 1/32

Yes, when you consider the additional cost of the resin parts, the photo etch, the figure, and the decal sheet. There was a point in time when you could buy these kits for about the same price as the basic Roden kit, but they were produced in limited quantities and once they sold out, demand for them drove the prices up. Way up.

[popeye the sailor]

it looks like the kit......I do believe I saw that one,  but the one I saw was out of stock { new item}.   at least it's a correct model........the only two that got the F1 was Voss and wolff.......Werner Voss got 103/17.   he died less than a month later.   the kit I have has an MSRP of around $60.00....so the site listed........I didn't pay that much for it from OMKs.   I did bookmark the military model site.......there is information on becoming a distributor.......should I ever retire,  I'd like to look into something like that.   might be something good.......I even have a name picked out.........'Mantel Models'        pipe dream.............

 

the Roden kits are good to a point.  they are molded well,  but the hardness of the plastic and the varied thickness can be a bother.   the absence of locator tabs is another bother,  wondering if the part is in the proper place.

 

more was done yesterday......the assembly is going fairly well with the cockpit.......trying not to break the darn thing.  I started to do some painting as it was assembled.

I looked in my odds and ends to see if I had anything to reinforce the frame........I didn't think of it at the time,  but I do have some Plastruct thin stuff kick'in 'round.  where I can reinforce it,  it will never be seen,  so that's a good thing.   I also did some small parts painting.

the props were painted in a wood color and allowed to dry.

looking at the cockpit frame.....say a lot about the comfort in flying one of these planes.   pilots found it hard to see down the runway,  sitting in such an upward angle.  it was fairly cramped in the cockpit as well,  almost to the point of claustrophobia.  head trauma was common during a bad landing........even worse in a crash........the machine gun breeches were situated so close to the pilot,  that a good jolt would cause them to headbutt them.   I added a couple of things here......one addition was to the compass.   I looked on the decal sheet,  but there no face to give it some detail.   one of the first decal sheets I printed,  was a sheet of dials and gauges for light Balsa aircraft......Cessna's and such.  I dug it out of the inventory.

I should locate it in my files and do another one...perhaps when I get a new ink cartridge.   finding the suitable correct size,  it was cut out and applied.    more painting was done to the frame.   there really isn't a color chart  for painting this........what there is...sure,  what there isn't...I'm just going with what looks logical.   came to the seat.......no color suggested,  except that where the pilot sits should be red leather.   I went a little bit further here and  cut out a piece of leather that I bought for the stage coach model..........glued that in for the seat padding.

I have to have at least one blooper in my session........somewhere   sometimes it's minor and not worth mentioning.......and other time,  just to show that I'm human.   I painted the cabane and interplane struts,  accenting  the brackets with flat steel.  if I was building Richthofen's plane,  it would have been alright......but I'm building Kempf's plane and the color for his is gray.

....guess I'll be changing the color.  even if I changed my mind.......I would have to change the color of the cowl.   Kempf's is black,  while Richthofen's cowl is red.......already painted the cowl flat black   I painted the undersides of the wings while I was play'in a computer game.......a little hack 'n slash was in order 

the session ended with accenting the props with some darker brown and flat steel.

  

looking at the kit box that CW posted,  the prop on the left would be used for the F1........I'll be using the prop on the right.     hope you have fun with the kit Craig......if you really want a clunky kit.......look for a HobbyCraft kit.   you won't believe the thickness of the plastic.   builds into quite the paperweight   

[Javlin]

Looking Good Denis like the props the most out of the post they shall pass methinks. Kevin

[popeye the sailor]

thanks.........  

[cog]

What about this colour scheme?

 

[popeye the sailor]

I really like that scheme.........whose plane is that?   cripes.......pretty soon,  you'll have the prettiest flock in the sky!      my two must be the same scale.......been so long,  I've forgotten    when I got back into modeling,  I got them from an English chap on E Bay...same fellow I got my 1:48 D VII .  I built that one back in my younger days. 

  

built them back in the '90's.   they are the correct serial numbers :  Richthofen's Dr 1 425/17 and Voss's F1 103/17........the only discrepancy is that there is no white border on Richthofen's fuselage insignias.  Voss's cowl does have the 'face' on it.......but I though that the Baron had it too.......  the decals were old to start with.......they are even worse now.

  

........you know........I just noticed that about these two planes.   looking at the port aileron,  the curvature is only one rib.........but on the starboard aileron,  it is two ribs   that's interesting....I'll have to look into that  

 

the only update I have on theis model,  is just paint.

[popeye the sailor]

I did some looking into that aileron thing....  to me,  this would be incorrect.   when the prototype was first tested,  it was found to have bad handling characteristics.   the V5 {F1} modifications  were:  larger wing surface,  the ailerons {thought to be imbalanced} and the leading edges of the stabilizer fin(s).   looking at pictures show both,  but not as show on my two smaller models.  keen to note that these are reproductions and may not reflect what was on the actual aircraft.

this model does show it........the serial number is that of Ltn. Wolff {not sure of the scheme.  this picture of the red Baron's plane doesn't show the different ailerons.

this is a group of Fokker D VIII's........the wings are totally wrong,  but a very colorful group   {there's a scout tucked in there.........what tha..........}  there were no D VIII's in Berthold's squadron either

the Guillow's kit I built,  has the top wing,  as seen on the Dr 1's.   this one may appear to be a 'Berthold's boys' replica,  but his squadron did not host the raven........or the white tail

very nicely done though.......I think this is the Guillow's kit   {if I do alright,  I'm in for a treat!}  I thought this picture was cool too.

so........be the first kid on your block to have a Fokker in your driveway!   here's an old fixer-up to get you started   

Edited May 7, 2020 by popeye the sailor

[cog]

There is quite a lot to be found on the Dr I's The plane above with the yellow tail is from Ltn Arthur Rahn no 433/17 Jasta 19 - 1918

[popeye the sailor]

there are sites that are devoted to the Dr 1

 

Welcome To FokkerDR1.com - Research on the Fokker Dr.I

 

here's a site that covers quite a few types of WWI planes..

 

World War I Modeling Page

[popeye the sailor]

small update on the Fokker     I was asked if I was going to rig 'er......yes I am.   when I did the HobbyCraft Dr 1,  the holes were already open for me to rig.....the rigging is not too complicated and fairly easy to do.

on the Roden kit though,  they need to be drilled out.  the holes for the tail were done.

 I made the pilot hole,  then move the drill sideways to slant the hole.

I did the same for the upper wing,  as well as paint the top surface.

the holes were drilled for the top and bottom.   the other wings were painted too

   

the top part of the landing gear and front part of the fuselage was done too

rereading the paint scheme,  I found that the landing gear struts and cabane struts were to be Olive,  like the main part of the plane.  only the interplane struts were to be gray.

the change wasn't to dramatic......only took a single coat to cover.   hope to get more done.  still need to drill for the landing gear and cabane rigging.   need to see if the levers can be drilled.   more soon  

 

 

[popeye the sailor]

hey there......here a bit more progress on this ill fated Roden build.   the deformed fuselage has altered not only the sequence of the build,  but the location of some of the parts as well.   the base color is olive green with gray under belly........first thing here was to add the bottom wing.

  

the area I cut out reveals the root of the bottom wing......this will be paint the wood color.  the holes were drilled for the elevators and rudder...I still need to drill out the upper cable holes in the stabilizer

in test fitting the upper part of the fuselage and the center wing,  I found it beneficial to cement these two parts together,  later to be added to the model as a whole once the cockpit is in place.  the engine was dry brushed in aluminum....... the wheel and tire assemblies are also being painted.   the instructions only point out one color,  but I'm sure that the rims are a different color.

 more was added to the cockpit....the foot pedals and stick....

engine and firewall being fitted together and painted.   this assembly is bad fitting as well.......had to do some sanding to the back ring of the engine for it to fit properly.

a good thing here is that the center wing assembly doesn't fit too bad........

I painted around the cockpit with a flat brown color........looks like I'll need to use a stir stick to be sure the pigments aren't settled to the bottom..........gotta repaint it anyway  

 

 

[Javlin]

Coming along Nicely Denis!

[popeye the sailor]

....in continuing on.......there were more fit issues with the engine / firewall.........the cowl would not seat on the firewall.   it had to do with the cylinder heads and the curvature of the cowl......kept it away from the firewall.  so I had to trim the front edges of the cylinders that won't be seen to conform to the curvature.

I also added a brace to the bottom front of the cockpit frame.  it won't be seen,  and it will help strengthen it when I slide the assembly into the fuselage.  another cross bar was added to it as well.

when dry enough,  the cockpit assembly was slid into place.   the fuselage sides were spread out a little to aide with this.........it worked out reasonably well and fits tight in there.  the second cross bar can be seen.

   

with that being done,  the center wing assembly was cemented into place.

  

paint looks to be another problem.......I created.  the camo is supposed to be light green and Olive....I should have done the light green first,  and streaked the olive after.   the result is that the light green is hardly noticeable........I have to do something about it.  

 

I've made minimum progress with the Memphis and the second hull.......I have been preoccupied with a problem I've been having.   nothing serious........a problem with my left foot......saw the doc and we're in the beginning phase to find out what it is.  more soon  

[ErnieL]

Looking splendid so far. I have the Encore version with all the goodies as well.  It's a great kit, and if I'm not mistaken, it has enough goodies to build a production Dr.1 as well.

 

What keeps blowing my mind is how incredibly small the Dr.1 is. You almost wear the thing, and the look is amplified by those stubby wings.

 

If I recall, some were a sky blue color, with a few shades of green streaked over the blue? Forgive me if you all mentioned that already.  Mr. Levelling thinner will safely remove paint and not harm the plastic if you wish another go.   Ask me how I know.  Hehehe  I'm a master at paint, strip, paint, strip...

Edited May 15, 2020 by ErnieL

[CDW]

These Roden kits give a modeler a workout, but you are dealing with it very well Denis.

Started work a while back on an Encore SE5A. The plastic parts are Roden, the fuselage was warped like a banana. I tried working with it and ended up putting it all back inside the box. Later, I acquired a straight Roden kit of the same model and the fuselage is fine on that one. Sometimes, it's just the luck of the draw as to whether you get a straight copy of the Roden kits or a warped one. They are not all the same or consistent quality.

[Canute]

Yeah, some of these limited production run kits can give you the fits. Minimal or no locating pins, flash up the kazoo, warped parts. I've got an Amodel YAK-28P "Firebar" interceptor, with decent looking missiles and separate flying surfaces. Nary a locating pin in anything but the axle holes in the wheels. It went back in the box until I really feel like scratchbuilding the pins and such to get the kit parts to fit.

[CDW]

Just now, Canute said:

Yeah, some of these limited production run kits can give you the fits. Minimal or no locating pins, flash up the kazoo, warped parts. I've got an Amodel YAK-28P "Firebar" interceptor, with decent looking missiles and separate flying surfaces. Nary a locating pin in anything but the axle holes in the wheels. It went back in the box until I really feel like scratchbuilding the pins and such to get the kit parts to fit.

I bought the 1:48 Hobby Boss Firebar and it's pretty nice.

[Canute]

May have to ditch this Amodel kit for that, although it's the wrong scale for the rest of my Soviet era jets. I have some ICMs and a Kondor of Foxbats and Foxhounds.

[Old Collingwood]

3 hours ago, Canute said:

May have to ditch this Amodel kit for that, although it's the wrong scale for the rest of my Soviet era jets. I have some ICMs and a Kondor of Foxbats and Foxhounds.

Foxbat would be nice - would love to se a log on that.

 

OC.

[Canute]

OC, P or PD.?  Radar and weapons differences as I recall. Gotta dig up references and then acquire the appropriate paint colors. Soviet paints are rare. It's easier with the older jets, silver normally.

[Old Collingwood]

PD would be cool   guess because its the newer of the Two   awsome plane though  gave some F15s a run for their money.

 

OC.

[popeye the sailor]

now....now.....no more talk about filing it......it'll take more than missing locator tabs to make me want to shelve it     this is now a bash build    as a matter of fact......  the engine / firewall assembly is already on the fuselage.  I'll do something with the paint....I think it's too late to try stripping it.  I'd have posted a while ago,  but errands took me away.   I was going to order a 1:48 Memphis Belle yesterday......it was going for about $60.00,   but when I saw the postage,  I did an about face!   would have added another $30.00 to it!   I did order two other planes though.........a stuka ju87 G2,  and a Marcel Block Aero MB200 Bomber......the Stuka is by Fujimi,  so it ought to be interesting,  since I've never built one of their planes.

 

we just had a storm pass through here........there was even a threat of a tornado.   something you don't see up in these parts........quite a bit of rain and T&L.

[Old Collingwood]

Your Stuka will be an interesting Build Denis.

 

OC.

[Canute]

A late model Stuka will be different. I'd like to see it, too.

[popeye the sailor]

they are another of my favorite planes....built a few in my youth.    I had built a large scale model of one,  but my siblings destroyed it on me.

 

I tried to fit the interplane struts....but I see I'll need to either trim the thickness of the mounts,  or make the slots larger.   same deal with the cabane struts and the landing gear struts......I'll need to drill holes.

[cog]

You didn't think larger is more easy right!?

[popeye the sailor]

heck no........anyone who thinks larger is easier,  would be spend'in their days in a rubber room   the whole logistics of the project is compounded!   I do like the larger models though......a bit more detail,  but still can't say much about the tiny parts,  since the tiny parts are usually the added detail     {I plea insanity again.....I'm just crazy 'bout that stuff!}

 

hey....while I'm here..........I'll post a tiny bit of progress.   I mentioned that the interplane struts might need to be fitted.   I opted to sand the mounts on the struts down to fit.   the first one went Ok......got it so it would go through the center wing,  and into the bottom wing slot.

the engine / cowl assembly is installed.....but at a price.   I had to trim the front of the cockpit,  and remove the engine mount from the back of the firewall.  not being able to assemble it according to the instructions is the reason for it....I knew this would cause issues.  had I not been able to fix the warped fuselage,  I might as well thrown it out.........but I couldn't do it {after all........this is a Dr 1   }!   anyway........the port strut wasn't as quick 'n easy........in my stupidity,  I broke it    this plastic is brittle....good thing........the break was clean and I was able to repair it.  I'll just have to be careful with it until the top wing is on.   sanding the mounts down,  I got it to fit, and the top wing was dry fitted into place.

  

the dehydral shot shows the wing positions are pretty good........spot on with the mounts firmly seated    with all I had to do to get the engine assembly on,  it will never be seen.......the ammo boxes blocks everything out. 

I did more assembly to the machine guns.   I'm kinda happy with myself.......this was done during my work week!  usually I'm too tired to do anything.

I'm off for the next three days....fun time,  except I promised the admiral that I'd mow the lawns {did everything but that during my two weeks off}.   this next week when  I go back to work,  I should have enough time in my PTO to have a four day week end.  guess who's tak'in a day off...........this guy!   --->  <---

[cog]

Looking good Dennis