Albatros D.Va D.7435_17 of Seefrosta

ALBATROS D.Va 3-VIEW

The history of the Albatros sesquiplane of the "D" class (D.III, D.V, and D.Va) is frought with accidents and apprehension because the single-spar lower wing would collapse under stress thus inhibiting a pilot's choice of manuever in a dogfight. The problem was the single-spar that would rotate and break under great stress especially when pulling out from a high-speed dive. The problem was never fully addressed though reinforcing struts did help. The alternative aircraft at the time was the Pfalz D.III and D.IIIa viewed as an undesirable second choice. Pilots who flew the sesquiplane Albatros fighter learned what they could not do and avoided the type of aerial manuever that could lead to disaster. This 3-view drawing taken from Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War compiled by O. G. Thetford and E. J. Riding, Harleyford Publications, 1954.

THE MODEL TO BE BUILT

Albatros D.Va D.7435/17 of Ltn z S Reinhold Poss, Seefrosta (Seefrontstaffel), Flanders, 1918. Of note for German Marine fighter aircraft are the yellow markings and the fine speckled overspray on the fuselage. Poss was an eleven-victory ace but was shot down and captured on 30 July 1918. Profile by Ronny Bar from German Fighters of the Great War, Volume II. Horncastle, UK: Tempest an imprint of Morton's Books, page 34.

PHOTO OF AIRCRAFT AND PILOT TO BE BUILT

Photo from Seefrosta: Seefrontstaffel Flanders October 1917 - August 1918. Aeronaut Books, 2020, page 95.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No.1

Starting on the Seefrosta Albatros D.Va. The inside of the fuselage is painted in Vallejo 824 Orange Ochre. A bit of white is added to highlight the the raised support structure. The seat proved to be a bit of a problem because the smooth plastic surface makes super glue adhesion difficult and timely (one strap has already disappeared!). The front cockpit former has the ammunition can attached along with a few other parts. Next, the rear former will support the seat. The engine is partially painted and needs much more detail. The exhaust piping is shown only because I drilled out the exhaust for 'realism'.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No.2

Most of the cockpit interior detail is installed. As with early Eduard kits, many of the small parts are presented on a brass PE sheet which makes for some difficult work. The two ammo cans are painted in aluminum. The control column is light grey-green. Instruments are largely from Eduard's dials and gages PE sheet.

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No.3

The Albatros D.Va fuselage halves are glued together and held in place with rubber bands. I happen to be working on two Nieuport 11 models - one French (Lufbery Escadrille N.124) and one Russian (Gilsher 7th Fighter Detachment).

CONSTRUCTION PHOTO No.4

Here's a close-up of the banded Albatros D.Va.

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Bar, Ronny. German Fighters of the Great War, Volume II. Horncastle, UK: Tempest an imprint of Morton's Books.

Franks, Norman and Frank Bailey & Russell Guest. Above the Lines - A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces of the German Air Service, Naval air Service, and Flanders Marine Corps 1914-1918. London, UK: Grub Street, 1993. (see pages 181-182 for Poss)

Gray, Peter and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. London: Putnam & Company Limited, 1960.

Greer, Don. Albatros Fighters in Action. Carrollton, Texas. Squadron/Signal Publications, 1981.

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

Rimell, Ray. Albatros Fighters, Windsock Datafile Special. Berkhampstead, UK: Albatros Productions, 1998 (3rd Edition).

Schmeelke, Michael. Translated by Catherine Lawler. Seefrosta: Seefrontstaffel Flanders October 1917 - August 1918. Aeronaut Books, 2020.

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