Fokker D.VII (Fok)

Wingnut Wings, 1/32 scale

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Wingnut Wings created a sensation when their first kits debuted three years ago, and they continue to generate a buzz with every new release.
 
Wingnut Wings has garnered widespread admiration thanks to their impeccable research, high level of detail, excellent moulding, almost flawless fit, clever engineering, class-leading instructions and luxurious packaging. The fact that the company is owned by Sir Peter Jackson can only add to the mystique of the brand.
 
I always suspected that the Fokker D.VII might be the perfect crossover subject for non-WWI modellers. The two main elements of WWI aircraft models that might discourage a first-timer are struts and rigging. These factors are significantly lessened in the case of the Fokker D.VII as the strut arrangement is very simple and, apart from the undercarriage, there is almost no rigging at all.
 
Furthermore, the Fokker D.VII earned a well-deserved reputation as an elite fighter, was flown by some of Germany’s best-known aces and carried a wide variety of colourful markings.
 
With the launch of these kits, many modellers who might have been admiring Wingnut Wings from afar may finally feel confident enough to try their own hand at a WWI biplane.
 
Indeed, judging by the reactions that we have seen on HyperScale’s Forums, the release of the 1/32 scale Fokker D.VII might have tipped Wingnut Wings into a broader market.
 
I have rarely seen such unbridled public excitement about receiving an order confirmation, let alone fondling the actual contents of the kit. Again and again over the past few weeks we have seen the gleeful postings on the Plane Talking Forum – “my Fokker is on the way”, “my Fokker is clearing Customs”.
 
Well, my Fokker has just arrived. Let’s see what is in the box.

Never a company to do things by half measures, this time Wingnut Wings has excelled itself by simultaneously releasing not one, but three Fokker D.VII kits. In summary, these are the main Mercedes-powered Fokker D.VIIs variants from the Fokker, Albatros and OAW factories.
 
The details of the three kits are as follows:

Kit No. 32011 - 1/32 Fokker D.VII (Fok). US$79.00

• 210 injection moulded plastic parts and 8 photo-etched parts.

• includes 19 exclusive parts to build aircraft made by the Fokker factory in Schwerin.

• 6 Cartograf decal sheets with markings for 5 aircraft;

  1. Fokker D.VII 234/18, Fredrich ‘Fritz’ Fredrichs, Jasta 10, March-April 1918 (21 victories)

  2. Fokker D.VII 286/18, Willi Gabriel, Jasta 11, June 1918 (11 Victories)

  3. Fokker D.VII 368/18, Hans Schultz, Jasta 18, June 1918 (1 victory)

  4. Fokker D.VII 4301/18, Fritz Oppenhorst, Jasta 71, August-November 1918  (2 victories)

  5. Fokker D.VII, Gotthard Sachsenberg, MFJGr 1, October 1918 (31 Victories)  
     

Kit No. 32027 - 1/32 Fokker D.VII (Alb). US$79.00

• 212 injection moulded plastic parts and 8 photo-etched parts.

• includes 21 exclusive parts to build aircraft made by the Albatros factory in Johannisthal.

• 6 Cartograf decal sheets with markings for 5 aircraft;

  1. Fokker D.VII (Alb) 611/18, Uffz. Harbers, Jasta 73, mid 1918 (1 victory)

  2. Fokker D.VII (Alb) 817/18 “Nickchen IV”, Fritz Blumenthal, Jasta 53, August 1918

  3. Fokker D.VII (Alb) “RK”, Richard Kraut, Jasta 63, October-November 1918 (1 victory)

  4. Fokker D.VII (Alb) “Bowke!”, Hermann Pritsch, Jasta 17, mid 1918 (1 victory)

  5. Fokker D.VII (Alb), Carl Degelow, Jasta 40, July-August 1918 (30 Victories)
     

Kit No. 32030 - 1/32 Fokker D.VII (OAW). US$79.00

• 213 injection moulded plastic parts and 8 photo-etched parts.

• includes 22 exclusive parts to build aircraft made by the Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke in Schneidemühl.

• 5 Cartograf decal sheets with markings for 5 aircraft;

  1. Fokker D.VII (OAW) 4198/18, Karl Ritscherle, Jasta 60, mid to late 1918 (8 victories

  2. Fokker D.VII (OAW) 4523/18, Rudolf Stark, Jasta 35b, late 1918 (11 Victories)

  3. Fokker D.VII (OAW), Franz Büchner, Jasta 13, October-November 1918 (40 victories)

  4. Fokker D.VII (OAW), Willhelm Leusch, Jasta 19, October 1918 (5 victories)

  5. Fokker D.VII (OAW), Ulrich Neckel, Jasta 6, September-November 1918 (30 Victories) 
     

In the Box

Tonight I am reviewing Wingnut Wings’ Kit No. 32011, Fokker D.VII (Fok).
 
In common with their earlier releases, Wingnut Wings' Fokker D.VII features beautiful surface texture including subtly stretched/wrinkled fabric, fine strips and stitching, crisply recessed panel lines and raised details where appropriate.

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Thumbnail panels:

Kit engineering is conventional and designed to make construction as painless as possible while not compromising on detail. The thick upper wing is moulded in two pieces and features separate ailerons. The elevators and rudder are separate parts too. The lower wing has a bottom full span (don't cut the halves off the moulded spars in between!) with separate top sections for the left and right sides.

 
The main three-legged cabane struts are moulded in once piece each, ensuring correct alignment. The tops of the cabane struts have nice big locating tabs that should result in a solid bond with the upper wing.

The two interplane struts are each presented as single "N" shapes and are moulded with good-sized locating pins that fit into corresponding holes in the wings. The wings do not require any rigging, which should appeal to first-time WWI modellers.
 
The fuselage interior is supplemented with a thoroughly detailed cockpit complete with framework, bulkheads, ammunition bins and fuel tank. The instrument panel is adorned with individual authentic decal instruments. I particularly like the faded "back side" lozenge decals, printed complete with linen texture, for the cockpit interior.

 
The Mercedes D.III engine is common to several earlier Wingnut Wings releases, and it is a lovely model in its own right. The characteristic engine mounts, two styles of radiator and optional late-production oil tank are all included.
 
Two styles of cockpit coaming and windscreens are offered, as well as three variations of engine cowl panels. Low and high exhausts are provided too.
 
Four styles of propeller are supplied – Heine, Axial, Neindorf and Wolff - but only the first three are applicable for this release.
 
The Spandau machine guns are provided with the option of photo-etched cooling jackets. The photo-etched fret also offers harness straps and gun sights.

 
Other options include an anemometer, a telescopic Oigee sight, alternative engine fittings and three styles of Spandau mount.
 
Where optional parts are offered, the instructions direct the applicable marking options. Painting options for interior and exterior elements are quite comprehensive too.
 
The 32 page instruction booklet is presented in the same format as its predecessors, with 3D construction views supplemented by generous reference photos of wartime machines and some colour cockpit detail shots from The Memorial Flight Association Fokker D.VIIF; and colour photos of restored and unrestored Daimler-Mercedes D.IIIa and D.IIIau engines.

Markings

The six big glossy Cartograf decal sheets include two with unique markings, one with Fokker streaked camouflage for the fuselage and tail planes, one sheet with pre-sized four-colour lozenge for the fuselage and tail planes, and two sheets with four and five colour lozenge for the wings, including contrasting rib tape printed in place.

 
The pre-sized and pre-taped lozenge decals will result in a significantly faster and, for most modellers, more accurate depiction of the fabric pattern.

Printing and register are perfect on my samples.

Its triple the fun!
 
Once again, Wingnut Wings has wowed modellers with these newest releases. Each of their 1/32 scale Fokker D.VII kits represents an outstanding package – well-detailed, superbly moulded and with ample photographic reference for the project.
 
The straightforward struts and rigging-free wings will appeal to first-time WWI modellers, and the pre-sized and integrated lozenge and rib tape decals are time saving and precise too.
 
If you can’t find any markings or colour schemes that you like in the kit options, Wingnut Wings has concurrently released three separate decal sheets – one for each sub-variant – to offer even more choice.
 
Now you have no more excuses to avoid WWI subjects!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Wingnut Wings for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2012 by Brett Green
Page Created 11 December, 2012
Last updated 1 January, 2013

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