Roden 1/32 Albatros D.I By Rick Geisler

Introduction

When Roden released their 1/32nd scale Albatros D.III most WW1 enthusiasts expected the usual related aircraft such as an OAW variant, coming soon, and an Albatros D.II. Therefore upon Roden's announcement and release of the first in the Albatros Fighter line the D.I, most were pleasantly surprised!

The Kit

The kit consists of approximately 100 injection molded parts on 7 sprues, one containing the new pylon cabane structure and interplane struts, and an acetate sheet containing 2 variations of windscreens. As one would expect most of the parts and trees share a common mold with the Albatros D.III early version, released last year. The parts are molded in a dark grey plastic with some flash in evidence on the fuselage and cockpit/engine cover. Roden has done their homework as the new parts molded for this kit match up well with photos and drawings in the Windsock Datafile on Albatros fighters. The most obvious "new" parts are the wings. Unlike the D.III, the D.I had a 2 spar lower wing similar to the upper wing and both lacked the rakish tips of the later Albatros D series fighters. These wings are faithfully reproduced and like Roden's D.III the ailerons can be positioned for a more realistic look when on display. The center pylon structure required that Roden change the cockpit/engine cover, part #5L, allowing for mounting the pylon directly to the cover. The highly detailed engine is common to the D.III kit, as is the cockpit interior, fuselage, tailplane and landing gear. The detail is excellent, and this kit can be built out of the box and still be a fine replica. As in Roden's previous releases of German aircraft they include complete Spandau machine guns and also guns that are ready for PE cooling jackets. The decals include markings for 4 D.I's including:

1. D.I 436/16, Lt.Gunter, Jasta 2

2. D.I 435/16, Lt. Spitzhoff, Jasta 5

3. D.I 390/16, Lt. O. Hone, Jasta 2

4. D.I w/n unknown, Rittmeister Prince Freidrich Carl von Preussen

This selection of markings offers a variety of color schemes and this reviewer wishes he could choose more than one!

Construction

Construction follows a pretty conventional process. Steps 1-8 involves building the engine , engine supports, and forward fuselage structure. Step 9, 10 and 11 cover the cockpit strucure and control stick assembly. Steps 12 and 13 involves removing the locating holes and detail for the original D.III mold from both fuselage halves. In step 14 the Windhoff radiators are assembled. Roden would have you assemble the landing gear in step 15, but I would recommend waiting until after assembling the fuselage halves in a later sequence. The tailplanes are assembled in step 16, and step 17 is the assembly of the fuel tank and ammo cans and attaching them to the former. Next the ailerons are attached in step 18. In the next 2 steps 1mm holes are drilled in pre marked locations in each fuselage half for attaching the radiators. The small interior detail parts are also assembled and attached at this time. All of the subassemblies are brought together in step 20 and 20a, as well as attaching the lower wing. Machine guns, tailplanes, rudder and struts are added next, followed by attaching the upper wing.In step 24 the landing gear prop and spinner, and final fuselage details are attached. The final step, # 25, is the rigging diagram.

Conclusion

This kit offers yet another historically important aircraft in 1/32nd scale. Many of the German Aces cut their teeth flying this first version of the Albatros, including Manfred von Richthofen.

Thanks to Roden and Matt Bittner for the review sample.