Fokker D-VII 1/33rd Fitter's Paper Model with Matt77 Repaint

[smithdr]

Hello Everyone,


I'm starting this model and can't wait to see how it goes together. The combo of Fitter's nice designs and Matt77's amazing texturing are a home run.

Watch this space!


Dan

[Don Boose]

Good news that you are starting another WWI aircraft model, Dan. I look forward to seeing what you do with this one.

Don

[smithdr]

Thanks, Don...this one should be really neat and pretty when done!


I got the beginning started by pasting the paper former and structural parts to some 1/32nd sheet balsa and couldn't help but start to fuselage and cockpit. Got the floor, main bulk heads and the seat installed. Belts next, rudder pedals and all that jazz!

Can't wait to add the fuselage sides and color to this guy! Engine will be fun too.

More soon...Dan

[smithdr]

I started working more on the fuselage by skinning the sides from the cockpit to the tail and the underside too. You can also see part of the instrument panel, stick and belts. I need to make some thin wire clasps for those. Slowly beginning to look like a D-VII now!

Cheers,
Dan

[smithdr]

So it's steady as she goes. Looks neat with some more cockpit and tail work. I really like the subdued and weathered effect on the lozenge Matt77 has achieved.

A couple of shots show the nose section which is somewhat of a conundrum to me...when I look at photos of D-VIIs, the nose seems to follow the contour of the lower curve. If I put this thing together as I think it's supposed to go, I think things will be too square and boxy. Maybe it's just an illusion but I need to think on it a bit.

All in all, looks cool from just forward of the cockpit back!

More soon...Dan

[thunderbolt13]

Beautiful work so far!

[smithdr]

Thanks, Thunderbolt!


A tad more tonight. Got the stab struts on as well as planked the elevators and attached them. Then I did the buckles in the fuselage, the main instrument panel and the cockpit edging along with the next upper planking where the twin Spandaus will go. Really starting to look like a Fokker.
More soon...Dan

[smithdr]

A bit more done today!
Here are two shots just showing some progress on the beginnings of the engine and the MGs. The clear wrapped brass tubing has one of the cooling jackets wrapped around in there and it will be left overnight. By tomorrow, I'll take it apart and the paper should have a nice, even tube structure to it. We'll see!

The breaches are largely done and look cool with little tiny cocking handles.

More soon...Dan

[smithdr]

She's armed! Well, almost. Still some details and they are just sitting in there but everything lines up well etc.


Dan

[smithdr]

Evening All,
The engine looked a little anemic so I made the cylinders bigger by wrapping with paper, then colored them with black Sharpie. Tonight I added the little spark plug wire tubes on each side as well as the valve springs. I also had to shorten my cylinders as they stood way to high above the upper fuselage decking. I'll add the rocker arms etc. tomorrow along with the interupter gear on the rear of the engine and then she'll be looking pretty sharp. Then I'll FINALLY try fixing the front end. I hope it works!


Dan