Al bat ros D.V.
by Thomas Tirtaine
MANUFACTURER: Eduard
SCALE: 1/48
TYPE: Injection moulded plastic,
photoetched brass and mask set
PARTS: 60 plastics (7 unused) and 81
brass
DECAL OPTIONS: 5E
veryone who has an
interest in World War One
can identify the Albatros
D.V. Its bullet shaped fuselage
combined with the low upper-
wing give this aircraft both an
ominous and ferocious aspect.
This kit was irstly released in
2002, and several editions are
still available, the last being a
ProiPACK edition in 2018. As
shown on the side of the box,
ive schemes are available
with colourful markings or a
unique wooden pattern. For
Eduard kit, this is also the
irst time found a sitting pilot
moulded on the sprue. This
part is also marked as ‘not for
use’, as it’s not very good! All
the other parts are perfectly
moulded in a dark plastic. Some
etched parts are pre-painted
(seat belts, instrument panel
and dials) and look beautiful,
as well as the decals - all
making for an pleasant build
The irst steps deal with the
cockpit. I choose to replace the
part B11 (instrument panel)
with the corresponding etched
parts and its levers, for their
better appearance ofered by
pre-painting. The assembling
process requires some
attention, since the placement
of all the parts are not clearly
marked on the fuselage. In the
same way, the structure around
the seat and the pedals needs acareful alignment. But nothing
diicult with a little patience!
The seat belts must be placed
around tubes or rings around
the seat. A step which seemed
diicult at the irst sight, but
the process was easy and like
the real thing. Before closing
the two halves of the fuselage,
the engine has to be built. I
build it out of the box, and
suitably pained and detailed it.
I then added the lower
wing and the tail planes to the
fuselage, and then prepared
all the sub-assemblies for
painting. These being the
spinner, the upper wing, the
struts and the undercarriage
with the wheels. Painting42 MARCH 2019 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
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