‘Prez’ Deppe

We replenished the club treasury to the tune of $649.00 at last month’s auction. Many thanks to those of you who engaged in some spirited bouts of bidding. Special notes of appreciation go out to Cliff Davis for his auctioneering talents and to Alan Wolcott who gamely stepped in to give Cliff’s “silver tongue” a well-deserved break. Also, I don’t want to forget to mention our trusty secretary, Terry Tuytschaevers, for his efforts in tallying up the money. Finally, I’d like to thank Colpar Hobbies for donating their items to our cause.

For those of you who have been itching for a contest of sorts, gather up your ideas and bring them to May’s meeting. We briefly touched on the idea of holding a club contest during April’s ‘new business’ and this month we will discuss it in detail.

Speaking of contests, don’t forget that the May meeting will be “judgement day” for our “Tow Tractor” contest. I do look forward to seeing the masterpieces, demented and otherwise, that have been created for this event.

Lest I forget, John Holcomb has the ALPs printer up and running, so bring him your custom decal projects and let’s see how this machine finally performs.

--Tom

MINUTES FOR APRIL 2, 2003

Our President, Tom Deppe, called the April 2, 2003 meeting to order at 7:08 PM at Burt Chevrolet with a whole bunch of members and guest present.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Cliff Davis reported that he had received info on an IPMS contest in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 30^th and 31^st.

TREASURY:

No report

OLD BUSINESS:

John Holcomb reported that the ALPS printer is up and working and he needs some projects to perfect the printing.

NEW BUSINESS:

Mark Persichetti reported that he had received a notice from Don Kehrer that nominations for Region 10 chapter of the year are open and he was looking for some nominations. Jack Lassiter suggested that we hold an in-house model contest in November or December commemorating the Centennial of Flight. The issue was tabled until next month because of the upcoming club auction. Cliff Davis and Mark Persichetti mentioned that we should have a $150.00 security deposit from anybody interested in using the club’s Iwata airbrush. The deposit will also include use of the air compressor if needed. It was at first thought that we would just hold the deposit until the airbrush is returned, but Cal Hawkins suggested that we deposit the check into our funds and issue a check when the item is returned. His argument was that it is just too easy to stop payment on checks. Cal also mentioned that we should have alternative signature authorizations on our checking account in case of emergency. The second signature issue was voted on and approved. The issue of possibly charging late fees on the airbrush was also mentioned in case the unit is not returned in a timely manner.

SHOW & TELL:

Al Gonzales had a completed 1/24 CART car and a 1/35 DML figure. Derek Brown brought in his incredible 1/35 scale diorama that he would be taking to Tamiya-Con later this year. Cliff Davis had a completed Provence Moulage 1/43 Lister Storm. Terry Tuytschaevers showed us completed: a Tamiya 1/35 Pink Panther Land Rover painted in more normal green colors, a Tamiya 1/35 Sdf.Fz 223 armored car, a Hasegawa 1/48 Myrt, two Revell 1/25 Tony Nancy 22jr dragsters, an AMT 1/25 Wild Willie Borscht altered drag car, an AMT 1/25 Kenworth COE semi tractor, and an AMTech 1/48 Curtiss P-40E Warhawk. Doug DeCounter had a Tamiya 1/35 T-55 and a Tamiya 1/35 M-4 Sherman. Jason Gawell brought in a 1/48 Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet. Mike Gawell showed us a Heller 1/72 Hawker Typhoon and a Gloster Gladiator. Mark Litrell brought in a beautiful Monogram 1/48 McDonnell F-101B Voodoo. John Trueblood had a highly detailed and corrected Hasegawa 1/32 Messerschmitt Bf-109 that was under construction with the use of a lot of after market parts. Michael Mitchell talked about the VFW museum on Bannock Street in downtown Denver. Felix Jablonski had the new Revell Of Germany 1/72 Blohm and Voss BV-222 kit. Robert Fedd, in his return to our meetings after a long absence, had a completed M-113 complete with external crane. Allen Espenlaub showed us a completed Tamiya 1/24 Morris Mini and a completed Tamiya 1/24 Fiat 600. Dale Summers had an Eduard 1/48 Bf-108 under construction, a Tamiya 1/48 Me-262 bomber, an AMTech 1/48 Ta-183, and a Testors 1/48 Lockheed SR-71 that was converted to an A-11.

PROGRAM:

The program for the evening was our annual kit auction. A multitude of great models showed up on the front tables. Thanks to all who donated, and especially to Colpar Hobbies, who donated quite a few of the items to be auctioned off. Cliff Davis did his usual great job, aided by Alan Wolcott. We also had quite a productive night in cash flow. Total income to the club coffers from the auction was $649.00. Great Job!!!

What’s New In Town

By Terry Tuytschaevers

ACCURATE MINIATURES

1/48 North American B-25B Dolittle Raider "Ruptured Duck"

ACADEMY

1/48 M60A1 Main Battle Tank With 2-Channel Cable Remote

AFV CLUB

1/35 US Marine/R.O.C LVT5A1 Landing Vehicle Tracked

1/35 M3A3 Stuart Light Tank

1/350 U-Boat German WWII Type XXI Submarine

AML

1/72 Curtiss P-40B / Tomahawk Mk.IIA

1/72 Curtiss P-40C / Tomahawk Mk.IIB

AMT

1/25 1950 Chevy Stock Pickup Truck

1/25 1970 Chevrolet Impala 396 Buyers Choice

1/25 1969 Dodge Charger 500 426 Hemi Buyers Choice

ATTACK HOBBY

1/72 Phanomen Granit 25H Ambulance

CLASSIC AIRFRAMES

1/48 Hawker Hurricane Mk I (Early) RAF

1/48 Hawker Hurricane Mk I (Early) Foreign

1/48 SM.79 Torpedo-Bomber

DRAGON/DML

1/48 Master Series Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-8

1/48 Master Series Junkers Ju-88C-6 Zerstorer

1/35 German Eastern Front Figures1944 "Cross Of Iron"

1/35 German 6th Army Figures Stalingrad 1942/43

1/35 GSG-9

1/24 BMW M3

1/35 Bishop

1/35 Stug III Ausf A

1/35 German 3.7cm Pak35/36 Field Gun And Crew

1/35 Panzer Riders (Lorraine 1944) 4-Infantry Figures

1/35 2nd Fallschirmjager Division (Kirovograd. Winter 1942/3)

1/35 Panzergrenadiers, Lah Division (Kursk 1943) 4-Figures

1/35 German 352nd Volksgrenadier Division Ardennes 1944

1/35 German 3rd Vfallschirmjager Division Ardennes 1944 Part 2

1/700 USS Peleliu LHA-5 Assault Helicopter Carrier

EDUARD

1/48 Lysander Mk III Profipack

1/72 DH.2

1/72 Achilles IIC (Extra-Tech)

HASEGAWA

1/32 GD F-16C Fighting Falcon 86 TFW, Ramstein AB

1/48 North American P-51D Mustang

1/48 Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb RCAF 401 Sq, RAF

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109F-2 JG51 Welner Molders

1/48 Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa Oscar 25th Flight Regiment

1/48 Messerschmitt Bf-109G-10 Defense Of The Reich

1/48 Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 Squadron Leader

1/48 IDF F-15A/C Eagle With 3-Inch X 4-Inch Photo-Etched Sheet

1/48 Hellcat Mk.II 'Royal Navy'

1/48 Spitfire Mk. IX 'Continental Spitfire'

1/48 Grumman F-14A Tomcat

1/48 GD F-16C Fighting Falcon 526th TFS 86th TFW

1/48 Nakajima Ki-84 Type 4 Hayate "Frank" 29th Flight Regiment

1/72 Grumman F6F-3/5 Hellcat McCampbell/Vraciu

1/72 Mitsubishi G3M2/G3M3 Type 96

1/72 Grumman A-6E Intruder VA-35 "Black Panthers"

1/72 Focke-Wulf Fw-190A-5 "J. Priller" With Belly Tank

1/72 Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa Oscar 54th Flight

1/72 Spitfire Mk.IXc No. 316 Squadron

1/72 GD F-16C Fighting Falcon 115th FW 50-Years Madison Wisconsin Special Decal

1/72 S-3A Viking

1/72 Nakajima Ki-44-II Shoki (Tojo)

1/24 1996 Honda Civic VTI/ETI

IMEX

1/25 1952 Ford Fire Truck Pre-Decorated Die-Cast

ITALERI

1/35 M 1 A2 Abrams

1/72 Battlefield Accessories

1/72 Sd.Kfz. 251/1

1/72 Dodge WC-51

KP

1/72 Aero L-39 ZO Albatros

MPM

1/72 Bell NACA X-4 Bantam Research Plane Edwards AFB

1/72 Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. 1

1/72 Fokker D.XXI Suomi II Sarjan Fighter

PAVLA

1/72 Airspeed Oxford Mk I/Mk. II Trainer/Liaison Aircraft

1/72 Stearman PT-13/17 Kaydet WWII Bi-Plane Trainer

PLANET HOBBIES RESIN KITS

1/72 Ford GPA DUK Type Jeep

RVHP RESIN

1/72 North American FJ-3M Fury VF-51

SPECIAL HOBBY

1/48 Spanish Civil War Polikarpov I-15 Chato

1/72 Fairey Firefly Mk. IV/V Sharkmouth Kon Marine

1/72 Heinkel He 59D Twin-Engine Float Bi-Plane

TAMIYA

1/12 Repsol Honda RC211V Race Motorcycle #46

1/24 Ford Focus RS WRC 02 Performance Blue Car #23

1/32 MDD F-15E Strike Eagle Bunker Buster

1/48 Dornier Do-335B-2 Pfeil

1/35 M113 Armored Personnel Carrier

1/35 Horch Personelwagon Type 1A

1/35 SdKfz 250/9 Halftrack

1/35 WWII European Road Sign Set

1/35 Sd.Kfz.250/9 Halftrack With Light Cannon & Machine Gun

VERLINDEN

1/35 Farmer With Shovel & Wife, Europe WWII

1/35 DUKW Canvas Cover For Italeri Kit

1/16 11 Inch Dahlgren Naval Gun With Deck Piece & Carriage

1/5 Light Horse Lancers Trumpeter

1/32 Raining Arrows Medieval Diorama

1/35 Bloody Tarawa Diorama; Includes Sherman Tank 1/2 In Water, 10 Marines, Palms, Palm Tree Bunker And Revetments, Awesome

1/35 DUKW Detail & Update Set For Italeri Kit

1/35 Comrades, German Tank Cruise Posing For Photo

1/35 US GIs WWII Chow, Two Soldiers Sitting & Eating

1/35 German Infantry WWII, Move It (2-Figures)

AEROFAX BOOKS

Vickers Valiant Heavy V Bomber

CONCORD PRESS

Special Ops Vol. 23:Strong Resolve. Polish Ct, Spanish UEBC, Italian 9th Par, IDF MP Force 100.

HALL PARK BOOKS

Supermarine Walrus

JAPO BOOKS

Messerschmitt Bf-109K Camouflage & Markings

German WWI Albatros D.II & D.III Oeffag

German WWI Aviatik D.I & D.II Bi-Plane Fighters

Luftwaffe Over Czech Territory 1945

OSPREY BOOKS

The Blue Devils, USN & USMC Aces Of World War II

Centurion Universal Tank

SCHIFFER PUB, BOOKS FROM USA

Uniforms of the Alamo

Stuka-Pilot Hans Ulrich Rudel

The Eight Ballers

SPECIALTY PRESS

Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack Swing-Wing B-1 Look-alike

SQUADRON SIGNAL PUBLICATIONS

P-38 Lightning Walk Around

TANKOGRAD PUBLISHING

Militar Fahrzeug #2 2003

Pfalz D.III 4184/17

‘A Bird in the Hand’

By: Steve Lawson

The shark-like profile of the Pfalz D.III appeared on the Western Front in late summer early autumn 1917. Manufactured by the Pfalz Werke in Bavaria it was saddled with the obsolete Mercedes D.III 170hp inline six. The Albatros Werke fighters had been using the Merc. D.IIIa 170hp motor since the beginning of 1917 and were now having their D.Va types installed with a D.IIIa 180hp. Several concerns arose as the Pfalz D.III began its service life. First the guns could not be accessed in-flight to clear jambs as they were buried beneath the forward turtle deck ahead of the cockpit and the access panels were impractical to remove in-flight. Second the control column was evidently rigged opposite of the usual manner of contemporary fighters. Third, the tail surface was minimal in area for operational use. Finally as mentioned previously the type was underpowered with its Mercedes D IIIa 170hp.

	Aurora/K&B	Tom’s Model Works	Blue Max	Eduard #8005	Eduard #8044	Eduard #8045	Eduard #8046
Plastic	23/24 pcs	0 pcs	23 pcs	50 pcs	52	58 pcs	52 pcs
Resin	0 pcs	15 pcs	0 pcs	0pcs	0	0 pcs	0 pcs
Metal	0 pcs	44 pcs	22 pcs	36 pcs	0	42 pcs	0 pcs
Decals	Hecht	Various Serials Possible	Berthold and ex-Jasta37	Lenz	Berthold - Marwitz	Holtzem, Berthold, Pollinger, Kaus	Berthold, Degelow
Instructions	K&B: 6 exploded views	2 pages text & plan views	3 pages text & plan views	6 pages text w/6 exploded views	6 pages text w/6 exploded views	6 pages text w/6 exploded views	6 pages text w/6 exploded views
Character Type	Aurora: D.III K&B: D.IIIa Early*	Both D.III & D.IIIa Early & Late*	D.IIIa Late* Kit #599 of 1500	D.III Late*	D.IIIa	D.IIIa Early & Late*	Early D.IIIa

*Note The defining visual difference between early and late versions for the purpose of this review is that the early Pfalz D.IIIa types had angled lower wing tips. The late Pfalz D.IIIa versions had rounded lower wing tips. While there were actually other differences some of the model companies did not represent these in their molds and expected the modeler to modify their own efforts accordingly.

As early as 2000 you couldn't open a model magazine without reading about someone building up this 'Bird of Prey'. I like to do 'unique' builds that grab the viewer's attention. This is the review/ conversion will use the 'Eduard' 1/48 kit #8005 with their aftermarket metal fret #48217. This build will describe how to reveal its secrets.

Step 1.) For the sake of making it easy on yourself begin this project by familiarizing the areas for the internal structure of the Fuselage Halves (PP 1 & 25) and pre-drilling all rigging holes. I glued evergreen plastic strips to the Left Fuselage Half (PP 25) interior only, to simulate the bulkheads and stations and thin down the interior of the upper forward deck in both Fuselage Halves. Doing this will give you enough room to a Spandau Jackets to the kit breaches later. Paint both Fuselage Halves (PP1 &25) interiors with a base color of Polly S Dirty White, Antique White, French Beige or Dope Linen. This gives you a nice base for the plywood effect that you need to duplicate. After these are both thoroughly dry, spray the painted surfaces with a clear flat. Allow it to dry, then begin with a wash of Testors (#1166) flat (orange) brown enamel always going from nose to tail. The resultant streaks will simulate the wood grain. When dry Check your references again and mark the locations of the bulkheads and stations on the outer surface of the Right Fuselage Half (PP 1) and begin removing the unwanted 'skin' between these reference points. Begin at the tail surface and work forward. You will not want to remove all paneling so be sure what you do want to remove before starting. Thank goodness we have 'Motortools.' Adding the interior parts will be somewhat easier but you will have to proceed deliberately to get this right. There will be some touch up needed to the simulated 'wood' areas but it is made easier by following this method.

I usually begin every 'Eduard' 1/48 Pfalz D.III in the #80XX series with a purchase of a 'Tom's Modelworks' brass-etch set #202. In this case we'll be comparing the Eduard aftermarket fret #48217. All plastic parts will be from the basic kit #8005. The use of the photo-etched metal will be noted, by either 'Tom's', 'kit 05' or ' kit 217.' Next, I added a scratchbuilt Reserve /Main Fuel Tank assembly from six individual pieces. This goes on the bottom of the fuselage and due to the exposure that we're planning, you'll only be building a facade (top, front, rear and pilot's right side.) The front of the Cockpit Flooring (PP 28) lies in a step notch of the Fuel Tank. This part will need to be thinned on its underside especially where you will insert the Control Column Base (PP 11) See your references.

For the Right Fuselage Half (PP 1) I used the kit Fuel /Air Control Panel (PE 2) and mounted it to the Fuselage Right Half (PP 1) per kit instructions. The wiring Control Harness (kit 217 PE 19) is fragile but handling this item carefully will pay of greatly in the end. The tube for the Fuel Tank Pressure, hand pump (PP 23) and the tube for the Water Pump Greaser (PP 17) needs to be drilled out to accept the handles (PE 10 x 2.) Attach the Harness and the Pumps set the starboard Fuselage half aside for joining to the port side later in step 2.

For the Left Fuselage Half add the Starting Magneto Switch (kit 05 PE 1 & 8, PP21) and the Spark Control Handle (kit 217 PE 5) to the pilot's left side of the Cockpit. To be absolutely correct one could add a photoetch switch to the circular area on PE 1 as there was a key that was attached by a small chain but would reach to the circular instrument. (Much like a key to the ignition of a modern car.) The Bosch Starting Magneto (PP 21) is a little thick so I cut away 1/3 of its backside thickness. There should be a bundle of ignition wires with a faded red insulation cover leading from the lower area of PE 1 along the fuselage interior toward the Forward area of the Engine Compartment Add the Rear Cockpit Screen (kit 217 PE 10) and I deleted the Rear Fuselage Floor Facade (kit 217 PE 8.) Sand off the details, on the Ammunition Box (PP 34) face and add the Rear Machine Gun Braces and Ammunition Box Facade (kit 217 PE 14.) The Tachometer (PP film 1) was laid on its side in its Housing (kit 05 PE 18) (this was for ease of reading in-flight and was a normal practice of its time.)

To the Flooring add Cables and a Control Column Lock (kit 05 PE 11) can be added to the Control Column Base (PP 11.) Install the Seat Support/Cradle (kit 217 PE 3 & 17), Control Yoke & Throttle (kit 05 PP 19), Column Support Flange (kit 217 PE 13) and the MG triggers (kit 217 PE 6) and finally the Seat Assembly (kit 217 PE 16.) Also add the Fuel Gauge (kit 05 PE 12 & PP film 2) and the Rudder Control Bar from either of the three sets of etched metal.

Step 2.) Begins by replacing the generic kit Mercedes six-cylinder inline engine with an item from Engines & Things of Canada. The upper portions of the original aircraft engine cylinder's are covered by water jackets these are the color of blued gun metal. If you are doing one of the Pfalz D.III types install an example of the Mercedes 170 hp D.IIIa. Primarily the water pump on the Mercedes D IIIa is located directly behind the Cylinders on the Tower. Check your references for routing of the external plumbing. Add fine wire painted black or white to make spark plug wires. Depending on your adherence to the exact placement of the Engine Bearer Shelf (PP 31), you can add four R&R model detail nuts & bolts from 'Grandt Line' to represent the motor mount items that would be apparent on the top face of the motor mount flanges

Concerning the twin Spandau Maxim Machine Gun Breaches (PP 3 X2), I altered the Cocking Handle Assembly (kit 05 PE 15) by removing the spade shaped grip/handle and replace it with a simple lever with a rounded knob protruding at a 90 degree angle to the right. It is confirmed by known photographic evidence that none of the D.III or D.IIIa types had this 1918 spade shaped Cocking Handle. The Pfalz fighters used 'T' shaped handles (like kit 217 PE 25 but there should be two of these.) in the cockpit leading from the Cocking Levers on the right side of the gun breeches and worked via a linkage system. Add gun barrel tubes that protrude from Gun Jacket Ends (PE10). I also added the Empty Belt Chutes using bent solder/flux. On the Left side of the left gun breach add the auxiliary Throttle Push lever (kit 217 PE 25.) These items came as 'Ring' or 'T' handles. Now glue the fuselage halves together and allow to dry.

Step3.) Careful sanding helps the Horizontal Tail Unit (PP2) fit properly. I used gap filling super glue (semi gelatin) to fill joint seams between all plastic parts joined to the fuselage. I added Strut Fittings (kit 217 PE 12, 30 & 31 X 2) to the fuselage at this point. It should be noted that most circular engine access panels need to be sanded flush to the surface but not completely erased. Now add the Tail Skid (PP 4.)

Step 4.) For the Top Wing you can simply use the existing engraved details or erase them and add the Underside of the Gravity Tank and Radiator Facade (kit 217 PE 11, 35, 36 & 38) after you have painted the underside surface of the Top Wing. I generally paint the undersurface of the Top Wing and the upper surface of the Lower Wing at this point before assembly and rigging. The Uppersurface Gravity Tank and Radiator Facade (kit 217 PE 32, 34 & 37) can be used or an alternate is available in Tom’s fret. It depends on which one is applicable to the machine you are building. Otherwise all other photoetch kit 217 parts I add as per instructions.

Scratchbuilding the wing ribs is relatively easy and just requires patience. I used the kit wing rib profile and repeated as many cuts as were needed. I used brass-rod faced with evergreen strip for the boxed spar shape through holes drilled in the new ribs. The Trailing Edge Wire is .006 brass wire. The use of the brass wire throughout gives the weight back to the 'stripped half' of the wings. My finished model sits normally without pinning it down. For the weight and balance consideration I used painted monofilament for the 'covered half' and I use blackened brass wire .006 thou. for the 'stripped half'.

Step 5.) The weakest part of a 'Veestrut Landing Gear' assembly in plastic is the side to side twist. This causes the plastic gear legs to dislocate or break. I replace the "Landing Gear Legs" (PP 2 &13) and the "Exposed Axle Ends" (PP 30) with the appropriate diameter brass rod. I use upholstery thread to wrap around the lower legs of the landing gear with the axle in place to simulate the bungee shock chords. This looks like the original and actually secures the axle in place.

The kit "Rigging Control Horns"(PE 4 X2 &13 X6) are used per the instructions. Finish any rigging now. I personally like scratch- building my kit propellers from light and dark woods. I have also learned to paint the laminations with convincing effect. Most of the Pfalz Fighters were equipped with the light and dark laminated propellers. Carefully check the aircraft profile your modeling to choose the right propeller. Don't limit your choices to the Eduard instructions. The D.III used three types of propellers. Eduard offers only one with this kit. The company determined the paddle profile of the propeller (it was their trademark) while the engine application determined its pitch and length. So all three profiles could be seen on the D.III, but with the same pitch because of the factory's installation of the Mercedes D IIIa 170hp motor.

After final clear coating of your model attach your windscreen.

Markings:

This aircraft represents Pfalz D.III 4184/17 flown by Unteroffizier (Corporal) Hegeler of Jasta 15, when he was brought down by Lt. A.Cowper of 24 sqdn RFC on 26 Feb. 1918. Given the British Capture number G.141. It was displayed with other captured aircraft in the "Agriculture Hall" in Islington. All of which had half of their coverings removed to display internal structures to the public for the price of 1 penny. Proceeds went to the RAF Hospital Fund.

Listed References:

Colors by Greg Van Wyngarden, Over the Front Journal Vol 2 #4,Pp.371-5, 1987.

German Army Air Service in WWI by R. Rimell, Osprey Vintage Warbirds #2, 1985.

German Fighter Units June 1917-1918 by A. Imrie, Osprey, Airwar #17,1978.

Lafayette Foundation Archive, Denver CO. USA

Pfalz by P. Grosz & E. Kroger, WWI Aero Pub. inc. 1964.

Pfalz D.III by R. Rimell, Datafile WWI a/c Part 1, Windsock, Albatros Pub. Ltd. Pp.20-31, 1990.

Pfalz D.III by P. Gray, Profile Pub. #43, 1965.

Pfalz D.III Technical evaluation by 'Flight' Cross & Cockade USA Vol.1 #4, Pp. 29-53,1960.

Pfalz D.III 1370/17 evaluation by 'Flight' Cross & Cockade USA Vol. 2 #3 1961.

Pfalz D.IIIa by P. Grosz, Windsock Datafile #21, Albatros Pub. Ltd. 1989.

Pictorial History of the German Army Air Service by A. Imrie, Ian Allen Pub. 1971.

Scale Model Aircraft in Plastic Card by H.Woodman, Model & Allied Pub., 1975.

Scratchbuilding Techniques by Alan Clark, Scale Models Int. Pp174-5, 1990.

Spandau Machine Gun by David Watts, WWI Aero,1998.

World War One in Plastic by Brad Hansen, Great Auk Pub. 1979.