Fokker E.V 153_18 (8215) EU8096 Page

The Fokker E.V to be Built

The model to be built is Fokker E.V 153/18 flown by Ltn Richard Wenzl, Jasta 6, August 1918. The profile above was created by Ronny Bar from his book German Fighters of the Great War, Volume 2, page 263 (see bibliography below).

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #1

Most of the details shown above in sub-assemblies are from Quinta Studios' 3-D Interior Decal set.

The upper left shows the seat sub-assembly which includes Quinta seat pad (not visible) and harnesses. To the right is the frame sub-assembly showing Quinta's throttle control. The two fuselage halves include Quinta's 3D wood and frame paneling. Bottom left is Qunita wood floor covering a compass dial. Lastly, is shown a gauge attached to the stem of the vertical column. This is my first use of 3D decals and I am impressed.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #2

The hodge-podge collection above shows progress on the small parts. The fuselage has been sealed, over-coated with polyurethane, and made ready for lozenge decal application. Roughly, from left-to-right above: the rudder unit is painted white and ready for the Balkenkreuz decal. The propeller is painted overall in Vallejo 914 Green Ochre and 984 Flat Brown. The wheels are painted white ready for the black striping (a Jasta 6 marker). Far right shows the buttoned-up fuselage ready for decals. Just under the wheels is the black-painted rotary engine to be painted and highlighted. At bottom is the cowling with the interior painted in aluminum. Next, the two built-up and painted Spandau machine guns. Just above and to the left of them is horizontal tail presently primed but to be painted in white and black stripes (another Jasta 6 marker).

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #3

Fuselage brass details are now added. Instead of the kit's plastic parts, I chose to duplicate them in brass rod. At the tail is the tail-skid made from a scrap piece of Strutz material with the end flattened. Next, the tail unit support struts are made from standard round brass rod. From the tail to the front large underside access panel, satiching from Quinta Studios. Next are the two handling grab-holds from hand-bent brass rod to fit. Just forward of the white band is the brass rod foot step. Next, the kit's PE control stick extension glued in place. Lastly, the access panel from Quinta Studio's accessory pack.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #4

Landing gear struts were scratch-build from brass tube and rod. Machine gun feed and shell discharge apparatus added. All brass parts primed with Vallejo acryllic surface primer.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #5a

The striking pose shows off Jasta 6 Fokker E.V markings to good effect. The kit did not include decals for any Jasta 6 Fokker E.V. Further, I tried to get suitable decals in an older Dragon kit but the cowling decal included less 'points' than the 10 actually applied. I resorted to Peddinghaus Decals of Germany for a set that included the correct colwing decal as shown above. In fact, that decal sheet includes everything you need for a Jasta 6 Fokker E.V.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #5b

All of the other Jasta 6 markings are non-standard: tail stripes were hand-painted; fuselage stripe is one wide white decal with Yellow Wings black pin stripes; the outside wheel covers were hand-painted.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #6

All of the wing struts are fabricated from brass tube and rod. The two outside struts on either side were glued to the fuselage. When dry, the top wing was attached, glued, and allowed to set. I have yet to glue the rudder because they seem to always break loose. So, it's best to add it when all is done.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #7

As you know, the camouflage finish of the parasol wing of the Fokker E.V is awash in controvery. I have spent quite a bit of time researching as many variations as are availble in print. This photo shows my decision as to the finish of the parasol wing's upper surface. I have decided that given the Fokker tendency to save on the cost of materials and labor, they simply followed the procedure as for the fabric-covered wings of the Dr.I and D.VII, namely, a streaked finish in Fokker olive green-brown. This photo shows my first pass after hours of experimentation. Some additional detail is required as will be seen in the following finished photos.

In the time being, I assembled my thoughts of the various methods and summarized them in the article I wrote available here:

Fokker E.V Wing Color Mystery

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #8

The model is finished! I would add that since the previous photo (#7), some details were completed: the aileron linkage (just visible aft of the last strut, the fin/rudder glued in place, all tail flying surface wires and horns were installed, wing aileron wires and horns were installed, and the windscreen attached.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #9

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CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #12

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #13

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO #14

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Bar, Ronny. Ronny Bar Profiles, German Fighters of the Great War, Volume 2 (Fokker E.V pages 263-270). Horncastle, UK: Tempest an imprint of Morton's Books. ISBN: 9781911704096.

Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War, scale drawings by George Haddow. London: Putnam & Company Limited, 1962.

Grosz, P. M. Fokker D.VIII - Windsock Datafile No.25. Berkhamsted, UK: Albatros Productions Ltd, 2001 (third edition).

Herris, Jack and Jorn Leckscheid. Fokker Aircraft of WWI, Volume 5: 1918 Designs (Fokker D.VII and vairants and E.V/D.VIII). The Internet:Aeronaut Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781953201614.

Lamberton, W. M., Compiler, and E. F. Cheesman, Editor. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Los Angeles, CA: Aero Publishers, 1962.