Albatros D.Va

Eduard ProfiPACK, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Eduard's 1/48 scale Albatros D.Va is available online from Squadron.com

The Albatros D.V was a fighter aircraft used by the Luftstreitkräfte (Imperial German Air Service) during World War I.

The D.V was the final development of the Albatros D.I family, and the last Albatros fighter to see operational service.

The D.Va featured stronger wing spars, heavier wing ribs, and a reinforced fuselage. These modifications made the D.Va 23 kg (50 lb) heavier than the D.III, while failing to cure entirely the structural problems of the type. Use of the high-compression 130 kW (180 hp) Mercedes D.IIIaü engine offset the increased weight of the D.Va.

The D.Va also reverted to the D.III's aileron cable linkage, running outwards through the lower wing, then upwards to the ailerons, to provide a more positive control response. The wings of the D.III and D.Va were in fact interchangeable. The D.Va was also fitted with a small diagonal brace connecting the lower section of the forward interplane strut to the leading edge of the lower wing. This brace was retrofitted to some D.V aircraft.

Idflieg placed orders for 262 D.Va aircraft in August 1917, followed by additional orders for 250 in September and 550 in October. Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke, which had been engaged in production of the D.III, received orders for 600 D.Va aircraft in October. Deliveries of the D.Va commenced in October 1917. The structural problems of the Fokker Dr.I and the mediocre performance of the Pfalz D.III left the Luftstreitkräfte with no viable alternative to the D.Va until the Fokker D.VII entered service in the summer of 1918.

As of May 1918, 131 D.V and 928 D.Va aircraft were in service on the Western Front. This number declined as the Albatros was replaced by Fokker D.VIIs and other types during the final months of the war, but the D.Va remained in use until the Armistice

Despite its well-known shortcomings and general obsolescence, approximately 900 D.V and 1,612 D.Va aircraft were built before production halted in early 1918.

The D.Va continued in operational service until the end of the war.*

* Historical summary courtesy of Wikipedia

Eduard released their 1/48 scale Albatros D.III/V family way back in 1999, but the mouldings hold up well today and they remain one of the easiest of all WWI biplanes to build.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

This time around, the Eduard 1/48 scale Albatros D.Va is moulded in medium/dark grey plastic. I know that it makes no difference to the finished model but to me, at least, this new colour makes the sprues look more modern. Colour marketing works!

Eduard's 1/48 scale Albatros D.Va comprises just 59 grey plastic parts on two sprues plus a small colour photo-etched fret, a masking sheet and markings for four colourful schemes.

Panel line detail on the fuselage is crisp and fine.

The fabric texture comprises undulations on the wings and tail planes that still looks pretty good today.

Cockpit detail is very good thanks to the addition of colour and brass photo-etched parts.

The engine is basic but adequate considering you only see the top through the forward upper fuselage.

Interplane and cabane struts are moulded as one piece for each section, making assembly and alignment easier.

There is very little rigging on the Albatros, so this is another point in favour of ease of assembly.

Markings

The real jewel in this crown is the markings.

In addition to the four interesting schemes, Eduard also provides four decal sheets with the upper and lower lozenge patterns (already sized for the kit wings) plus blue and pink rib tapes.

Everything is in register on the Cartograf-printed sheet and colours look good.

This model is based on one of Eduard's older mouldings, but it still has its charms.

Eduard's 1/48 scale Albatros D.Va should be fast and easy to build, ideal for a modeller wishing to try his or her hand at a WWI subject.

The four supplied schemes are all interesting and colourful and at less than USD$20.00, it is an unquestionable bargain!

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2015 by Brett Green
Page Created 2 April, 2015
Last updated 2 April, 2015

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page