This past weekend, the urge to build a couple of WWI airplane kits arose. What sparked this inspiration? A recent purchase, of course! I picked up a small assortment of old kits that arrived in-house this week. Using the Last In/First Out method, I grabbed two models from the recent acquisition. Those two kits were a British Bristol F.2B two-seat fighter from Renwal and a Fokker DR-1 Triplane from Revell. Both kits are likely of a 70s vintage.
First up is the Bristol F.2B. The Bristol is a great kit from Renwal. I have two Bristol F.2B kits from Renwal in the pile, one of which is packaged with an "aero-skin." Maybe I have more than two! Today's kit is a regular kit without the aero-skin. While I am not happy with the way in which the decals came out (they were a little oversized and did not stick), overall the model is a good addition to my aero-force.
The other kit is a model of a Fokker DR-1 Triplane sporting the signage of the Red Baron. Another nice kit that goes together well.
The triplane is a good, little kit. Compared to the Bristol, the triplane is little. Whenever I build a DR-1, I am always a bit surprised at how diminutive the aircraft is. The relative size is shown in the comparison photo below:
What land are the two aircraft overflying? That is the battlefield layout for the 1859 battle of San Martino in Northern Italy. Having cleared the table of the Maisnon battle, the San Martino battlefield is expected to hold an extended engagement on the table.
Lovely bits of kit!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAn Airfix Fokker Triplane was the very first kit my dad bought for me and made. I may have painted a bit of it, but doubt it, with dad most likely doing the work. Seeing your models brought back many happy memories of my first forays into model building:).
ReplyDeleteAh, the memories! Somethings, we (or at least I) never grow away from.
DeleteA couple of tidy models looking very fine cruising over your tabletop.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter! One day they will return to the skies over the table in anger.
DeleteVery nice Jonathan...
ReplyDeleteWhat’s not to like about WW1 aircraft...
I was told many years ago that gloss vanishing the areas where the decals are to go first... then once dried the decals go on a lot better...
The downside is that you then have to matt spray your kit afterwards.
I have tried this on tanks and it seem to work well.
All the best. Aly
Thank you, Aly ,for the nice comment and the modeling tip. Many of the these vintage models I find
Deletethe decals just don't age well. I will give your tip a try the next time out.
Lovely planes Jonathan, makes me want to go "dakka, dakka, dakka, take that Jerry!" Will you be using them at all or was it all just part of a kit making nostalgia trip?
ReplyDeleteThanks, TJBM! The planes are used in the aerial combat game, Canvas Eagles.
Deletehttp://www.maxeagles.com/
Lovely planes, great colors...and impressive pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil!
DeleteLovely pair of biplanes! The Fokker is very diminutive! Nice aerial view too!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you, Iain!
DeleteOne of my favourite planes of all time!
ReplyDeletefantastic!
Which one?
DeleteNice miniatures
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAnother couple of fine additions. Did you manage to start and finish both over the weekend?
ReplyDeleteYes, both were started and completed in a couple of days. The kits assembled easily and the painting schemes were uncomplicated.
DeleteNicely looking planes, Jonathan. Are you going to use them in games, or just for the soul?
ReplyDeleteThe planes will be used in gaming. We play Canvas Eagles in 1/72.
Deletehttp://www.maxeagles.com/
Very cool planes. Looking good. 😀
ReplyDeleteGlad you like ‘me, Stew!
DeleteLovely models Jonathan, especially the Triplane which really catches the eye. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike! The triplane is a favorite of mine too.
DeleteThese look great! Nice change of pace!
ReplyDeleteI played a game of Canvas Eagles at a convention a decade (and a bit) ago and loved the game - ran out and got the rules and a couple dozen 1/72 kits -assembled and painted one (a Spad, I think?) ... and then Wings of War got popular... Ah, well... it'll be one of those retirement projects... maybe...
Thanks, Tim! We all need a retirement project or two. Canvas Eagles plays really well with each plane having its own distinct qualities. Good fun!
DeleteNice looking planes. There is just something like the planes of this era, isn't there?
ReplyDeleteThanks! WWI aerial combat carries a bit of romanticism. The games play quickly and build a compelling narrative. A good game that I ought to get out to enjoy more often.
DeleteCool stuff. The Red Baron seems like a necessary addition to any collection. Have you considered doing a dog house w/ beagle pilot? It might help rope in a grandchild or two down the road.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think we ought to introduce your son and Scott's son to Canvas Eagles.
DeleteGreat looking WW1 aircraft Jonathan
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keith!
Delete