Eduard 1/48 Airco DH-2
Lovely kit, built straight from the box, apart from some tensioners and anchors which I made from .05 copper wire. I managed to destroy the starboard boom, when trying to iron out a very slight bend, using a hairdryer. I had to take it apart, and scratch build the boom section. Still not happy with the way the upper and lower wings align. I've got a couple of figures - pilot and ground crew - from Model Cellar - to go with it. I keep putting off painting them because they look too good to ruin !
Robert, the rigging alone would have driven me to drink. It looks really good, used but not abused. Those early aircraft are not easy in the first place, and your scratching a replacement boom added to the difficulty.
Nothing to be unhappy about, my congratulations in completing it, and doing so well.
I suspect the original wasn't perfect, either.
Thanks for your very generous comments, Bernard. It did take a long time to get the weathering looking acceptable, but I was really pleased with the overall outcome. I know the pictures aren't particularly good, but it's the first thing I've posted on here (apart from comments), so I'm hoping to improve my photographic skills !
Funnily enough the rigging, although it does take a long time, is nowhere near as difficult as it first appears. It probably took me a week or so to finish it (I work really slowly) all done with E-Z line and cyanoacrylic gel, and it just requires patience and some fine, long-nosed tweezers.
It's GREAT !
awesome piece of work
The rigging is why I usually avoid WWI subjects, especially since I only build 1/72 and EZ line is a bit large for scale.
I would say the painting skill displayed on the aircraft will probably stand you in good stead for the crew! All I can say is I'd love to see more pictures - great job!
That turned out really nice...not my forte (too many "fiddly bits"). And I know whatcha mean about painting figures - mine usually suck! That's why I've got a whole box of 'em - unpainted, of course. π
I think I like it. I'd have more of a positive view if I could see more of it. Maybe a few other angles and a close-up or two under better lighting.
That said, these 1/48 Eduard kits are the jumping-off point before 1/32 Roden and of course Wingnut Wings offerings.
The finishes here look subtle, and although you mentioned some reservations about adding the figures, they add another dimension to the model's presentation and personally I'd try to include the Model Cellar items in a vignette - nothing too overblown, just to give the model human scale and a greater sense of reality.
Nice to see a First World War submission, and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
I like it. That rigging looks a real challenge. Nice.
Looks great Robert, though I'd echo Rob's comments about more/lighter photos. I've built this kit myself so can appreciate the challenges you overcame, and I really like the weathering.
Looks great to me. I especially like the way you faded the paint to give the DH-2 a well worn look. Just one thing that I am curious about, shouldn't the Lewis gun sit down flush with the slot in the nose?
Hi Seamus - you may well be correct - I was under the impression that the gun sat on a rising mount, so that it wasn't permanently forward-firing. As the aircraft is one of my favourite airframes (no idea why !) I think it's only fair to find out for sure. Thanks for your reply.
Rob
Robert,
Like Bernie said, this would have driven me to drink. It did... But not so much that I can not truly say that you have done a magnificent job on this. The rigging and the weathering is superb. For some reason I have always liked this rickety old airplane and you have brought it to life.
Excellent build, the rigging is awesome.
Nice!
Wicked good, add a few more pictures and it's a contender!
Nice work all the rigging etc.
Lovely faded paint job too.
Well done mate.
Robert, looks really nice, looks like it jumped right out of a book. Just one suggestion, I'd like to see more pictures.
Very nice! Love the whole lot of it. Detail and rigging is superb π
Thanks to one and all for all the comments and support - really very much appreciated, I can promise you.
I have posted a few more pictures, but even though I've got a pretty decent camera, I'm useless with it. I will attempt to improve my photography skills !
Incidentally, for any of you with a particular interest in WWI aviation, I recently read 'Marked for Death', by James Hamilton-Paterson. (The title is not overly melodramatic - it's from a quote from Anthony Fokker - "Every man who went aloft was marked for death, sooner or later, once his wheels had left the ground"). It's the best book on the subject I've ever read - not only superbly researched, but brilliantly and beautifully written. If anyone does get to read it, I would love to know what you thought.
Best wishes to all
Rob Cookson
π ... Greetings ... π :
I look at this model and it screams ... NOSTALGIC , very nice work on all the phases, it really looks the age. The rigging is a very great touch and detail. Very nice work Robert.