Eduard 1/48th Fokker D.VII (Fok)By Thomas Solinski |
 |
Background
Ahh
yessss!!! Another Fokker D.VII! What a glorious time to build WW-I models!
A little history.
The significant items to remember about the Fokker D.VII are that from
March of 1918 till November 1918 three different manufacturers built nearly
2,000 of them: Fokker, Albatross and OAW. Each of the manufactures, in
essence, built two different versions of the airplane, usually designated
‘early’ or ‘late’. The key physical differences
in 
the
six versions of the Fokker D.VII are found in the cowling configurations,
there are minor differences in the attachment and width of the axle fairing,
which one of three different types of engines are installed and lastly
what type of propeller is used.
For more information in IM see here:
https://www.internetmodeler.com/2005/february/first-looks/roden_dvii.php
https://www.internetmodeler.com/2005/september/aviation/Fokker.php
https://www.internetmodeler.com/2004/february/first-looks/roden_dviif.php
https://www.internetmodeler.com/2004/february/aviation/dvii.php
https://www.internetmodeler.com/1999/october/galleria/d7.htm
The Kit
Eduard
kit number 8132 is their second Fokker D.VII in 1:48 scale. As with the
previous kit Eduard has again provided the modeler with one of the most
complete OOB kits available. Featuring complete decals, including reverse
lozenge for inside the fuselage, both 4 AND 5 color lozenge for the upper
and lower surfaces, and individual factory serial numbers for each of
the flight controls and strutting. They also include extensive PE detailing
for control horns, the instrument board and the machine gun cooling jackets.
The kit is molded to represent both the early and late versions of the
Fokker built airplanes, to do this Eduard has included two complete fuselage
assemblies.
As
is Eduard’s custom with this line of kits the instructions are in
a very heavy glossy paper 20 page full color booklet that contains 2 pages
of history, 1 page of parts layout and color keys. 8 pages of instructions,
which includes location of all of the PE and a rigging diagram. 8 pages
of full three views of the 4 paint schemes provided and one page showing
the locations of all of the lozenge decals. The markings are for two early
Fokker built aircraft with streaky green fuselages flown by Offizierstellvertreter
(roughly equivalent to a modern Warrant Officer) Paul Aue in Jasta 10
and Willi Gabriel in his streaked and orange trimmed aircraft. And for
two later built Fokker machines with markings for a blue machine with
white lightening bolt flown by C. Alfred Greven of Jasta 12 and lastly
a black and white trimmed aircraft of Jasta 2, pilot unknown. All of these
drawings may be found on Eduard’s
webpage.
The
model itself is on 4 nicely molded tan sprues. The instructions clearly
show which components are not to be used with this version of the D-VII.
Conclusion
I’m
looking forward to another enjoyable D-VII build, and you’ll probably
see the finished model at the US Nats in Kansas City.
This review kit is courtesy my wallet, purchased through Mary and the other good folks at Roll Models.