Battle Axe's 1/32 scale
Albatros D.III

by Jay Laverty

Battle Axe's 1/32 scale Albatros D.III is available online from Squadron.com

Early Promise, Hard Work

When this kit arrived, it was a case of the “if this ever appears in 1/32 scale I’ll have to build one” category, so I was very pleased to see it.

I have to confess to being slightly intimidated by the fact that it was from BattleAxe, as I had heard that these kits are very difficult to build.

While things weren't all that bad in the construction department, it definitely wasn't an easy build. Some of the assembly is very complicated and will take a great deal of experience to execute properly. I struggled on a few points of the model, but nothing that couldn’t be overcome.

I would recommend this model very highly to modellers of the upper end of intermediate to advanced skills only as there is quite a bit of experience required to make this kit enjoyable. I would place my skills at intermediate and I found the going tough at times. The model itself is very nicely done.

The injection moulded parts are of a good quality, with some nice detail. Although it isn't up to Tamiya or Hasegawa standards for obvious reasons, it is good for a limited run effort.

The resin is the highlight of the kit, and in particular the engine as it is absolutely fantastic. The story is much the same for the photo etched, although there are a couple of points where it is quite chunky and not perfectly executed.

The model has been finished in a combination of Xtracolor enamels and Winsor and Newton’s Gryffin Alkid quick drying oil paints.

Alclad was employed on the engine cowling.

Various techniques, including staining and streaking, were used to obtain the woodgrain finish.

Very Rewarding

In the end though, it all combines to form one very nice model and as you can see it certainly looks like a D.III when finished. I took the project on as a first time W.W.I project and am very glad I did.

A change is often as good as a rest, and this was definitely a change from the normal for me. I learned a great deal form building this kit, and I would say it has a great deal to teach to any willing modeller. If you are reaching the point in your modelling where the same old Hasegawa “easy builds” are beginning to bore you then I strongly recommend this kit. The reward at the completion of this model was much better than any other model I have built for years.

I have just completed a full build article of this project for Model Airplane International and if I am not mistaken it will be appearing in issue 8 (this is obviously at the discretion of Richard Franks so don’t hold me to that one!) so keep an eye out for it if you would like to find out about rigging with Lycra thread and Eduard 1/48 scale wire stretchers, simulating wood grain the way I have, and modelling to Metallica.
 

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Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2006 by Jay Laverty
Page Created 18 January, 2006
Last Updated 24 December, 2007

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