Military Model Scene

Kit reference 7039 is a new release from Eduard in their Profipack series of kits.  Perhaps one of the best known and instantly recognisable German aircraft of WW1, the Fokker Triplane was very manoeuvrable but was not as fast as other new types coming into service in 1918, so it was largely replaced by the Fokker D.VII, though it was still favoured by some pilots through to the end of the war.  Best know of course for being used by the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.

The plastic kit parts are on two sprues, neatly moulded.  Being a Profipack kit you also get masks, in this case for painting the wheels and a fret of etch metal fittings which include pre-coloured parts for the cockpit instruments and seat belts.  Even the wiring harness to add detail to the rotary engine is included.  The interior of the cockpit is included, and beautifully done even if the aircraft is small.  Etch parts are also used for the fuselage framework where seen inside the cockpit as well as the control column and rudder pedals.  The other use for the etch parts that I particularly like are the perforated sleeves of the two machine guns.  With the cockpit and engine done, the rest of the build is quite straightforward and as far as WW1 aircraft models are concerned, there are no bracing wires needed for the main wings, only at the top of the fuselage and on the undercarriage, so it makes for an easier build than many others.

There are 5 options for colours and markings which are all attractive and will make choosing your favourite quite a challenge (or buy more than one kit!).  The five are -

​

A. 450/17, flown by Lt. J. Jacobs of Jasta 7 at Rumbeke, Belgium in March 1918,  An overall black machine though with a white rudder and thick white outlines to the national markings and adorned with colourful artwork on both sides of the fuselage, showing the Devil spitting fire.

B. 545/17, flown by Lt. H. Weiss of Jasta 11 flying from Cappy, in France in April 1918.  More of a variety with this colour scheme as it has red engine cowling, wheel discs and struts, a white top wing,  rudder and rear half of the fuselage, pale blue undersurfaces and the front half of the fuselage and upper surfaces of the lower and middle winds in a streaked Olive finish.

C. 425/17, flown by Rittm. Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen of JG1 at Lechelle, France in March 1918.  In his signature all-red machine, this is perhaps the classic Dr.I that we all know.

D. 404/17, flown by Hptm. A. Ritter von Tutschek of JG2 at Toulis, Frence in February 1918.  This one has the faded Olive forward fuselage and upper wing surface, while the underside of the wings and forward fuselage are light blue.  The engine cowling is white, while the rear half of the fuselage and the tail surfaces are all black.

E. 454/17, flown by Lt. Lothar Freiherr von Richtohofen with Jasta 11 at Avesnes-le-Sec, France during March 1918.  Manfred's younger brother, and not quite as cool and calculating, Lothar was still a successful fighter pilot with 40 victories to his name.  The forward fuselage and upper surfaces of the middle and lower wings were in the standard faded olive colour, while the rear half of the fuselage and tail surfaces plus the top wing were bright yellow.  The underside of the forward fuselage and all three of the main wings were pale blue.  The cowling and wheels discs are bright red.  If you go for two of this kit, then the aircraft of the two Richhofen brothers would make a nice pairing.

​

Thanks to Eduard for this example.

​

Robin