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WWI Scale Model Anthology Series
Fokker F.I/DR.I Volume 1

Albatros Productions

S u m m a r y
Publisher and Title:

Fokker F.I/DR.I Volume 1
by Ray Rimell with Richard Alexander
Albatros WWI Scale Model Anthology Series
Albatros Productions ltd. 2021

ISBN Not Quoted
Media: Soft-cover format; 76 pages
Price: £28.00 plus postage. Available online from Windsock Datafiles web store and selected specialist book and hobby shops worldwide.
Review Type: First Read
Advantages: Excellent image reproduction and quality text. Terrific build information and photos that will help builders of any kit of the iconic DR.1 series, even in 1/72.
Disadvantages: None noted.
Conclusion:

This is great resource for the large scale kit builder and comes very highly recommended, especially as it appears that there will be more to follow!

Reviewed by Graham Carter

FirstRead

 

Ray Rimell needs no introduction to any WWI modeller as he has been a stalwart of the genre for as far back as I can remember, particularly with the larger scale replicas, while Richard Alexander was the former General Manager of WingNut Wings (WNW) before its unfortunate demise.

 

 

The roles of both of these gentlemen in bringing to fruition the wonderful 1/32 kits of the iconic Fokker triplanes in 2020 and 2021 under the Meng label is explained and acknowledged in this 76-page bookazine printed in full colour on glossy pages with a slightly thicker gloss card cover. The production is associated with Windsock Datafile, from whom it is available, along with any other sources.

 

 

An enormous amount of information in both text and images is contained in this volume, with more promised to follow. Focussing on only large-scale kits, the book begins with a five page survey of what is available from WNW/Meng, Andreas Miniatures, Encore, Roden, and Merit International/Trumpeter, with an assessment of each. 
There follows sections on:-

  1. the ‘Streaking’ finish applied to many Triplanes  by Richard Alexander,

  2. the pre-production triplanes,

  3. a very detailed Meng build of Fokker F.I 103/17 by Ray Rimell,

  4. a description of the design process behind the design of the WNW/Meng kit by Richard Alexander,

  5. a photo essay and description of Mikael Carlson’s replica Dreidecker, including stripped images and interior details,

  6. a brief account and description of the very early F.1s which suffered from top wing separation,

  7. Ray Rimell builds the Roden kit as 204/17, and

  8. the Meng red one,

  9. a folio of photos, most unpublished , of various Dr.1s with excellent annotation to point out important features, and finally

  10. three appendices covering production changes in the airframes, recommended reading, and a list of after-market products and sources.

Interspersed throughout are some excellent colour renditions by Ronny Bar and Australia’s own Juanita Franzi.

 

  • Fokker F.I / DR.I Albatros WWI Scale Model Anthology Series Book Review by Graham Carter: Image
  • Fokker F.I / DR.I Albatros WWI Scale Model Anthology Series Book Review by Graham Carter: Image
  • Fokker F.I / DR.I Albatros WWI Scale Model Anthology Series Book Review by Graham Carter: Image
  • Fokker F.I / DR.I Albatros WWI Scale Model Anthology Series Book Review by Graham Carter: Image
  • Fokker F.I / DR.I Albatros WWI Scale Model Anthology Series Book Review by Graham Carter: Image
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There are also additional tables and incidental facts such as a model paint summary table of colours to help in building the kits.

I was intrigued to see that RFC/RNAS/RAF airmen claimed 375 Dreideckers destroyed, crashed, flamed or out of control in the last years of the war - out of a total production run of 320!

 

 

Conclusion

 

This is great resource for the large scale kit builder and comes very highly recommended, especially as it appears that there will be more to follow!

Thanks to Albatros Productions for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2022 by Graham Carter
This Page Created on 7 February, 2022
Last updated 7 February, 2022

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