Print Scale 1/72 Albatros D.II Decals
By Matt Bittner
This time around, Print Scale turns their WWI sights onto the Albatros D.II in 1/72. This set of decals comes with 11 schemes:
- Albatros D.ll flown by Vzfw. Kohler of Jasta 9, 1917
- Albatros D.ll (OAW), 910/16 flown by Lt. Max Bohme of Jasta 5, after being downed 4 March 1917 by Lt. A. J. Pearson of No. 29 Squadron, RFC and Lts. Graham and Boddy of l l Squadron, REC. lt was assigned British capture number G.14
- Future Orden Poul le Merite decorated 30-victorg ace Ltn. Karl Emil Schaefer sits in the cockpit of Johannisthal-built Albatros D.ll, 1724/16 of Kampfstaffel 11. Schaefer would be credited with seven FE 2s shot down while serving with Jasta 11 and 28, but ultimately died fighting one in June 1917
- Albatros D.ll, D.504/16 flown by Lt. Franz von Scheele of Kasta 11, 1917
- Albatros D.ll flown by Oblt. Stefan Kirmaier, Commander Jasta 2 after the death of Oswald Boelke, 1916
- Albatros D.II, D.1729/16 flown by Lt.Scheller from Jasta 19
- Hannover CL.II C.13181/17 FA(A) 226, Tactical ‘K’ Vzfw. Willy Engler and Lt. Alfred Kuemann
- Albatros D.II, w/n 1753/16, Jasta 24, Western Front, flown by Godwin Brumowski during his training in the German Air Force, March 1917
- Albatros D.ll, (D.1045/16) Jasta 23, 1917
- Albatros D.ll, (D.1782/16) Jasta 14 - Pilot: Vizefeldwebel Otto Gerbig (4 victories). He was deadly wounded on 18th August 1917
- Albatros D.ll,(LVG), D.1069/16, Jasta 24 oder FA(A) 224
- Albatros D.ll, Jasta 14
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Decals are nicely printed and appear to be in register. Included on the sheet are propeller markings along with the distinctive Albatros logo that was applied to the fin. The last page of the instructions shows how the flying surfaces were painted in two variations. It's up to you to decide which markings on this sheet correspond to how the camouflage was applied to those surfaces and while there is color on the instruction sheet, the colors are not called out nor are any paints mentioned. Again for that you're left on your own.
Kit-wise the Albatros D.II is well represented. There were/are resin kits from Choroszy Modelbud and HR Model; in vac there was a kit produced by Classic Plane; and in injected plastic you have an older Pegasus kit along with two releases from Roden.
Reference-wise there are plenty of books to help the modeler. Books dedicated to the type include a publication from Schiffer; a Datafile from Albatros Productions; and one in the Air Vanguard line of books from Osprey. There is also the Volume 4 from Aeronaut Books in their line of Albatros Aircraft of WWI books.
This is a great set of decals for the Albatros D.II and I send my "thanks" to Print Scale for sending them to review.