Author: Mark Wilkins
Edition: Model Aviation - 2014/10
Page Numbers: 45,46,47,48,49

10Albatros.lt1.doc
[headline: Detailing Your ARF Aircraft]
[subhead: Adding scale appeal to an Albatros D.Va]
[author: Mark Wilkins]
[Photos by the author]
[digital callout: Click here to see bonus photos.]
[Print callout: See bonus photos at www.ModelAviation.com and in the digital edition.]

Last year, I received the Hobby Express (formerly Hobby Lobby) Albatros D.Va as a Christmas present. This ARF’s all-up weight is roughly 4 pounds. Given its 52-inch wingspan, I felt it would fly well. This was important because I planned to add some scale details and a sound module, which would increase the overall weight. (Editor’s note: The Albatros D.Va is no longer available from Hobby Express.)
The airplane came nicely packaged with only a few minor dings. It also included a full rigging kit, which is a nice feature. I had plans for this ARF to take it to the next level, which included a new paint scheme, detailed guns and engine, a sound module, a shock-absorbing tail skid, and a pilot. The techniques used to detail these components can be used on any ARF or kit.
The aircraft I chose to inspire my new version of this Albie was flown by Hans Joachim von Hippel of Jasta 71. Mine wasn’t going to adhere strictly to this version because I planned an olive green turtledeck and engine cowl and different wheel covers.

Fuselage
My first step was to replace the fuselage’s side panel covering with 1/32 balsa sheet. The structure beneath the covering showed, giving the side a “waffled” appearance, so I reluctantly began peeling back the covering to expose the framework.
The process of applying the panels goes fast and only takes a day to complete, following the panel lines of the original airplane. Alternatively, you can keep the covering sides and simply move on to priming them for the faux wood grain.
After the sides have been sheathed, the panel edges are feathered to fair in with the top and bottom of the fuselage. Some lightweight spackle completed the fairing process.
I gave the sides a basecoat of light beige acrylic paint to serve as the foundation of the faux wood graining. You can experiment to achieve the desired color and appearance of your wood graining. You could make it extremely light or darker as wood becomes with age. I selected a mid-tone.

Sound Module
I chose a sound module offered by Mr. RC Sound, because of its compact nature, weight, and its impressive Mercedes engine sound. I chose to mount the speaker on the underside of the fuselage slightly forward of the lower wing’s LE.
To mount the speaker, you’ll need to make a plywood plate that accepts the speaker housing, which is then epoxied to the inside of the fuselage. The speaker slides into place, and is secured with two removable screws.
The final phase of this process was to position the sound board in the front of the cockpit in a protected and unoccupied area close to the CG. A hatch was cut into the sheathing, and a 3/16 balsa shelf was epoxied into place. Velcro was applied to the shelf to mount the sound module and allow its easy removal. I made a curved cover and fastened it in place with four button-head screws.
Before proceeding to the wood graining, I wanted to finish modifications to the fuselage’s basic structure. The apertures for the twin Spandau machine guns were next. The manufacturer mounted the guns well above the fuselage, but on the full-scale Albatros, the guns were mounted lower to allow for good pilot visibility.
I chose to copy this configuration and add some scale details to the guns. The first step was to cut openings in the turtledeck to receive the guns. Test-fit the guns as you carefully carve the new openings so that you don’t remove more material than is necessary.

Spandau Machine Guns
The guns that come with this ARF require only a few extra details to make them similar to the originals—which basically meant adding breech levers and ammunition feeds/dumps.
The breech levers were made from a ballpoint straight pin, toothpicks, scrap balsa, and aluminum. The breech feeds/dumps were made from scrap aluminum, balsa, short sections of brass tubing, and adhesive-backed aluminum foil. The guns were painted a gunmetal color, antiqued with a black wash, and epoxied into their slots.

Graining
With the significant fuselage modifications out of the way, it’s time to apply the faux wood grain to the fuselage. This is easier than it looks, and lots of fun! You want to do individual panels as were on the full-scale airplane. I did the two sides first, then the bottom. Working on every other panel is the most efficient.
The glaze was made from Liquitex Matte Medium, burnt umber acrylic paint, and water. You want a smooth brushing consistency like heavy cream. If you’ve never done this before, it’s a good idea to make up some test panels and experiment until you get the feel for it. Acrylic dries quickly, making it possible to do the entire airplane in a day or so.
Alternating the grain direction is a good way to set each panel off from its neighbor. The fuselage bottom was done in the same fashion. After the graining is completed, you can paint the turtledeck, restore it to its original red, or choose another treatment entirely. You could even panel the top!

Tail Skid
The model comes with a pre-formed wire tail skid, which is fine, but I preferred a shock-absorbing tail skid because my club’s field can be a little bumpy!
The first step is to cut out an opening to receive the skid and bungee. You’ll need to relocate the hole for the rigging support. The skid and the cleat that serves as a skid rest and tie down point for the bungee were made from a piece of cherry. This piece was let into the triangular tail skid fairing and epoxied.
I soldered a short section of brass tube to the bottom of the staple that serves as a pivot point for the bolt, securing the skid to the airplane. I made a pair of simple aluminum rigging tangs to neatly slide beneath the bolt that secures the staple to the fuselage fairing. Rubber bands serve as bungees. This method can be used on nearly every airplane with this type of skid.

Engine
The engine that comes with the ARF is a decent facsimile of the original Mercedes. The large overlaps where the halves join will need to be sanded or scraped off.
The portion of the motor rocker arms and piston heads are a focal point of this engine, so I chose to rework this highly visible area. Separate the top from the pistons/manifold assembly with a razor saw. A piece of aluminum tube serves as the basis for the new top area.
Six balsa blocks were used to make the cylinder heads and scrap 1/16 balsa was used for the rocker arms. The springs were made by coiling soft annealed wire on a tapered mandrel made from a scrap piece of 1/4-inch dowel. Each spring was fastened to the engine using the tip of a toothpick epoxied to the rocker arms and cylinder top.
The manifolds were wrapped using medical tape, and bolt heads were made from a hexagonal plastic rod. The exhaust stack was weathered to look like rusty gunmetal and reinstalled. Additional details were made from scrap balsa, brass tubing, and copper and aluminum wire.

Wings and Miscellaneous Decorations
I painted the wings in the mauve-and-olive color scheme, painting carefully around the German crosses with acrylic or Model Master paint. The bottoms of the wings were left white, but could be painted light blue. The wings were attached to the fuselage per the instructions.
The stabilizer was masked off and the black stripes characteristic of this airplane were painted using Model Master paint. The distinctive emblem—a half-moon with a pipe—was made from adhesive covering and the pipe was painted with white acrylic paint. The iron crosses on the fuselage were made from covering.

Rigging
The kit comes with some nice turnbuckles, cable, and cable crimps. Some of the connectors were replaced using tabs of sheet aluminum, which gives the rigging attachment points a cleaner look. This was accomplished by simply rough-cutting the pieces out using industrial scissors, then filing and drilling them to the final shape.

Pilot
The pilot was made from foam, Model Magic clay, carpenter’s putty, and foam tape. To begin, I scaled down a human head to get the appropriate length, width, and depth. I like to use a block of balsa for the face and foam for the rest of the head and torso.
After you’ve glued the face onto the foam head, a balsa or basswood nose can be roughed out and attached. Next begin to carve the cheekbones, eye sockets, and neck. Apply putty to form the chin, mouth, and skin around the eyes and brow.
Roll out some Model Magic to approximately 3/32-inch thickness using a dowel or rolling pin. Loosely wrap your foam torso with this to simulate a leather flying coat. The Model Magic will shrink slightly. You can add buttons, and crease it using the back of a #11 X-Acto blade. Allow it to dry for a couple of days. The pilot’s flying cap was made from lightweight spackle, but you can also use Model Magic.
After the Model Magic is dry, apply a basecoat of medium chestnut brown, which will then be glazed over with darker washes. Have some fun with this and experiment for a color combination you like.
Begin to paint the face with various flesh tones, and apply a glaze of a darker color over the lighter one. You can rub off high-wear areas to let the undercoat show through.
The goggles were made from foam tape cut to shape using an X-Acto knife then painted black. Tie a scrap of cloth hinge material around the pilot’s neck for a scarf and he is ready to install.

Test Flight and Conclusion
This airplane performs beautifully! The test flight went well with only a minor glitch—the spinner fell apart when the engine was revved to full power. I’ll make a foam spinner to replace the stock plastic one.
The model flies gently and gracefully. The Mercedes sound module helps bring the character of this aircraft to life. You need a little rudder to ease this World War I aircraft through the turns, but this model does not disappoint!
Although most ARF models will fly great right out of the box, if you’re looking for a challenge, personalizing your aircraft is great fun and satisfying. You can make a unique version of a classic design.[dingbat]
—Mark Wilkins
mcwilkins@comcast.net

SOURCES:

Hobby Express
(866) 512-1444
www.hobbyexpress.com

Mr. RC Sound
http://test.mrrcsound.com

Model Master
www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/model-master

Author: Mark Wilkins
Edition: Model Aviation - 2014/10
Page Numbers: 45,46,47,48,49

10Albatros.lt1.doc
[headline: Detailing Your ARF Aircraft]
[subhead: Adding scale appeal to an Albatros D.Va]
[author: Mark Wilkins]
[Photos by the author]
[digital callout: Click here to see bonus photos.]
[Print callout: See bonus photos at www.ModelAviation.com and in the digital edition.]

Last year, I received the Hobby Express (formerly Hobby Lobby) Albatros D.Va as a Christmas present. This ARF’s all-up weight is roughly 4 pounds. Given its 52-inch wingspan, I felt it would fly well. This was important because I planned to add some scale details and a sound module, which would increase the overall weight. (Editor’s note: The Albatros D.Va is no longer available from Hobby Express.)
The airplane came nicely packaged with only a few minor dings. It also included a full rigging kit, which is a nice feature. I had plans for this ARF to take it to the next level, which included a new paint scheme, detailed guns and engine, a sound module, a shock-absorbing tail skid, and a pilot. The techniques used to detail these components can be used on any ARF or kit.
The aircraft I chose to inspire my new version of this Albie was flown by Hans Joachim von Hippel of Jasta 71. Mine wasn’t going to adhere strictly to this version because I planned an olive green turtledeck and engine cowl and different wheel covers.

Fuselage
My first step was to replace the fuselage’s side panel covering with 1/32 balsa sheet. The structure beneath the covering showed, giving the side a “waffled” appearance, so I reluctantly began peeling back the covering to expose the framework.
The process of applying the panels goes fast and only takes a day to complete, following the panel lines of the original airplane. Alternatively, you can keep the covering sides and simply move on to priming them for the faux wood grain.
After the sides have been sheathed, the panel edges are feathered to fair in with the top and bottom of the fuselage. Some lightweight spackle completed the fairing process.
I gave the sides a basecoat of light beige acrylic paint to serve as the foundation of the faux wood graining. You can experiment to achieve the desired color and appearance of your wood graining. You could make it extremely light or darker as wood becomes with age. I selected a mid-tone.

Sound Module
I chose a sound module offered by Mr. RC Sound, because of its compact nature, weight, and its impressive Mercedes engine sound. I chose to mount the speaker on the underside of the fuselage slightly forward of the lower wing’s LE.
To mount the speaker, you’ll need to make a plywood plate that accepts the speaker housing, which is then epoxied to the inside of the fuselage. The speaker slides into place, and is secured with two removable screws.
The final phase of this process was to position the sound board in the front of the cockpit in a protected and unoccupied area close to the CG. A hatch was cut into the sheathing, and a 3/16 balsa shelf was epoxied into place. Velcro was applied to the shelf to mount the sound module and allow its easy removal. I made a curved cover and fastened it in place with four button-head screws.
Before proceeding to the wood graining, I wanted to finish modifications to the fuselage’s basic structure. The apertures for the twin Spandau machine guns were next. The manufacturer mounted the guns well above the fuselage, but on the full-scale Albatros, the guns were mounted lower to allow for good pilot visibility.
I chose to copy this configuration and add some scale details to the guns. The first step was to cut openings in the turtledeck to receive the guns. Test-fit the guns as you carefully carve the new openings so that you don’t remove more material than is necessary.

Spandau Machine Guns
The guns that come with this ARF require only a few extra details to make them similar to the originals—which basically meant adding breech levers and ammunition feeds/dumps.
The breech levers were made from a ballpoint straight pin, toothpicks, scrap balsa, and aluminum. The breech feeds/dumps were made from scrap aluminum, balsa, short sections of brass tubing, and adhesive-backed aluminum foil. The guns were painted a gunmetal color, antiqued with a black wash, and epoxied into their slots.

Graining
With the significant fuselage modifications out of the way, it’s time to apply the faux wood grain to the fuselage. This is easier than it looks, and lots of fun! You want to do individual panels as were on the full-scale airplane. I did the two sides first, then the bottom. Working on every other panel is the most efficient.
The glaze was made from Liquitex Matte Medium, burnt umber acrylic paint, and water. You want a smooth brushing consistency like heavy cream. If you’ve never done this before, it’s a good idea to make up some test panels and experiment until you get the feel for it. Acrylic dries quickly, making it possible to do the entire airplane in a day or so.
Alternating the grain direction is a good way to set each panel off from its neighbor. The fuselage bottom was done in the same fashion. After the graining is completed, you can paint the turtledeck, restore it to its original red, or choose another treatment entirely. You could even panel the top!

Tail Skid
The model comes with a pre-formed wire tail skid, which is fine, but I preferred a shock-absorbing tail skid because my club’s field can be a little bumpy!
The first step is to cut out an opening to receive the skid and bungee. You’ll need to relocate the hole for the rigging support. The skid and the cleat that serves as a skid rest and tie down point for the bungee were made from a piece of cherry. This piece was let into the triangular tail skid fairing and epoxied.
I soldered a short section of brass tube to the bottom of the staple that serves as a pivot point for the bolt, securing the skid to the airplane. I made a pair of simple aluminum rigging tangs to neatly slide beneath the bolt that secures the staple to the fuselage fairing. Rubber bands serve as bungees. This method can be used on nearly every airplane with this type of skid.

Engine
The engine that comes with the ARF is a decent facsimile of the original Mercedes. The large overlaps where the halves join will need to be sanded or scraped off.
The portion of the motor rocker arms and piston heads are a focal point of this engine, so I chose to rework this highly visible area. Separate the top from the pistons/manifold assembly with a razor saw. A piece of aluminum tube serves as the basis for the new top area.
Six balsa blocks were used to make the cylinder heads and scrap 1/16 balsa was used for the rocker arms. The springs were made by coiling soft annealed wire on a tapered mandrel made from a scrap piece of 1/4-inch dowel. Each spring was fastened to the engine using the tip of a toothpick epoxied to the rocker arms and cylinder top.
The manifolds were wrapped using medical tape, and bolt heads were made from a hexagonal plastic rod. The exhaust stack was weathered to look like rusty gunmetal and reinstalled. Additional details were made from scrap balsa, brass tubing, and copper and aluminum wire.

Wings and Miscellaneous Decorations
I painted the wings in the mauve-and-olive color scheme, painting carefully around the German crosses with acrylic or Model Master paint. The bottoms of the wings were left white, but could be painted light blue. The wings were attached to the fuselage per the instructions.
The stabilizer was masked off and the black stripes characteristic of this airplane were painted using Model Master paint. The distinctive emblem—a half-moon with a pipe—was made from adhesive covering and the pipe was painted with white acrylic paint. The iron crosses on the fuselage were made from covering.

Rigging
The kit comes with some nice turnbuckles, cable, and cable crimps. Some of the connectors were replaced using tabs of sheet aluminum, which gives the rigging attachment points a cleaner look. This was accomplished by simply rough-cutting the pieces out using industrial scissors, then filing and drilling them to the final shape.

Pilot
The pilot was made from foam, Model Magic clay, carpenter’s putty, and foam tape. To begin, I scaled down a human head to get the appropriate length, width, and depth. I like to use a block of balsa for the face and foam for the rest of the head and torso.
After you’ve glued the face onto the foam head, a balsa or basswood nose can be roughed out and attached. Next begin to carve the cheekbones, eye sockets, and neck. Apply putty to form the chin, mouth, and skin around the eyes and brow.
Roll out some Model Magic to approximately 3/32-inch thickness using a dowel or rolling pin. Loosely wrap your foam torso with this to simulate a leather flying coat. The Model Magic will shrink slightly. You can add buttons, and crease it using the back of a #11 X-Acto blade. Allow it to dry for a couple of days. The pilot’s flying cap was made from lightweight spackle, but you can also use Model Magic.
After the Model Magic is dry, apply a basecoat of medium chestnut brown, which will then be glazed over with darker washes. Have some fun with this and experiment for a color combination you like.
Begin to paint the face with various flesh tones, and apply a glaze of a darker color over the lighter one. You can rub off high-wear areas to let the undercoat show through.
The goggles were made from foam tape cut to shape using an X-Acto knife then painted black. Tie a scrap of cloth hinge material around the pilot’s neck for a scarf and he is ready to install.

Test Flight and Conclusion
This airplane performs beautifully! The test flight went well with only a minor glitch—the spinner fell apart when the engine was revved to full power. I’ll make a foam spinner to replace the stock plastic one.
The model flies gently and gracefully. The Mercedes sound module helps bring the character of this aircraft to life. You need a little rudder to ease this World War I aircraft through the turns, but this model does not disappoint!
Although most ARF models will fly great right out of the box, if you’re looking for a challenge, personalizing your aircraft is great fun and satisfying. You can make a unique version of a classic design.[dingbat]
—Mark Wilkins
mcwilkins@comcast.net

SOURCES:

Hobby Express
(866) 512-1444
www.hobbyexpress.com

Mr. RC Sound
http://test.mrrcsound.com

Model Master
www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/model-master

Author: Mark Wilkins
Edition: Model Aviation - 2014/10
Page Numbers: 45,46,47,48,49

10Albatros.lt1.doc
[headline: Detailing Your ARF Aircraft]
[subhead: Adding scale appeal to an Albatros D.Va]
[author: Mark Wilkins]
[Photos by the author]
[digital callout: Click here to see bonus photos.]
[Print callout: See bonus photos at www.ModelAviation.com and in the digital edition.]

Last year, I received the Hobby Express (formerly Hobby Lobby) Albatros D.Va as a Christmas present. This ARF’s all-up weight is roughly 4 pounds. Given its 52-inch wingspan, I felt it would fly well. This was important because I planned to add some scale details and a sound module, which would increase the overall weight. (Editor’s note: The Albatros D.Va is no longer available from Hobby Express.)
The airplane came nicely packaged with only a few minor dings. It also included a full rigging kit, which is a nice feature. I had plans for this ARF to take it to the next level, which included a new paint scheme, detailed guns and engine, a sound module, a shock-absorbing tail skid, and a pilot. The techniques used to detail these components can be used on any ARF or kit.
The aircraft I chose to inspire my new version of this Albie was flown by Hans Joachim von Hippel of Jasta 71. Mine wasn’t going to adhere strictly to this version because I planned an olive green turtledeck and engine cowl and different wheel covers.

Fuselage
My first step was to replace the fuselage’s side panel covering with 1/32 balsa sheet. The structure beneath the covering showed, giving the side a “waffled” appearance, so I reluctantly began peeling back the covering to expose the framework.
The process of applying the panels goes fast and only takes a day to complete, following the panel lines of the original airplane. Alternatively, you can keep the covering sides and simply move on to priming them for the faux wood grain.
After the sides have been sheathed, the panel edges are feathered to fair in with the top and bottom of the fuselage. Some lightweight spackle completed the fairing process.
I gave the sides a basecoat of light beige acrylic paint to serve as the foundation of the faux wood graining. You can experiment to achieve the desired color and appearance of your wood graining. You could make it extremely light or darker as wood becomes with age. I selected a mid-tone.

Sound Module
I chose a sound module offered by Mr. RC Sound, because of its compact nature, weight, and its impressive Mercedes engine sound. I chose to mount the speaker on the underside of the fuselage slightly forward of the lower wing’s LE.
To mount the speaker, you’ll need to make a plywood plate that accepts the speaker housing, which is then epoxied to the inside of the fuselage. The speaker slides into place, and is secured with two removable screws.
The final phase of this process was to position the sound board in the front of the cockpit in a protected and unoccupied area close to the CG. A hatch was cut into the sheathing, and a 3/16 balsa shelf was epoxied into place. Velcro was applied to the shelf to mount the sound module and allow its easy removal. I made a curved cover and fastened it in place with four button-head screws.
Before proceeding to the wood graining, I wanted to finish modifications to the fuselage’s basic structure. The apertures for the twin Spandau machine guns were next. The manufacturer mounted the guns well above the fuselage, but on the full-scale Albatros, the guns were mounted lower to allow for good pilot visibility.
I chose to copy this configuration and add some scale details to the guns. The first step was to cut openings in the turtledeck to receive the guns. Test-fit the guns as you carefully carve the new openings so that you don’t remove more material than is necessary.

Spandau Machine Guns
The guns that come with this ARF require only a few extra details to make them similar to the originals—which basically meant adding breech levers and ammunition feeds/dumps.
The breech levers were made from a ballpoint straight pin, toothpicks, scrap balsa, and aluminum. The breech feeds/dumps were made from scrap aluminum, balsa, short sections of brass tubing, and adhesive-backed aluminum foil. The guns were painted a gunmetal color, antiqued with a black wash, and epoxied into their slots.

Graining
With the significant fuselage modifications out of the way, it’s time to apply the faux wood grain to the fuselage. This is easier than it looks, and lots of fun! You want to do individual panels as were on the full-scale airplane. I did the two sides first, then the bottom. Working on every other panel is the most efficient.
The glaze was made from Liquitex Matte Medium, burnt umber acrylic paint, and water. You want a smooth brushing consistency like heavy cream. If you’ve never done this before, it’s a good idea to make up some test panels and experiment until you get the feel for it. Acrylic dries quickly, making it possible to do the entire airplane in a day or so.
Alternating the grain direction is a good way to set each panel off from its neighbor. The fuselage bottom was done in the same fashion. After the graining is completed, you can paint the turtledeck, restore it to its original red, or choose another treatment entirely. You could even panel the top!

Tail Skid
The model comes with a pre-formed wire tail skid, which is fine, but I preferred a shock-absorbing tail skid because my club’s field can be a little bumpy!
The first step is to cut out an opening to receive the skid and bungee. You’ll need to relocate the hole for the rigging support. The skid and the cleat that serves as a skid rest and tie down point for the bungee were made from a piece of cherry. This piece was let into the triangular tail skid fairing and epoxied.
I soldered a short section of brass tube to the bottom of the staple that serves as a pivot point for the bolt, securing the skid to the airplane. I made a pair of simple aluminum rigging tangs to neatly slide beneath the bolt that secures the staple to the fuselage fairing. Rubber bands serve as bungees. This method can be used on nearly every airplane with this type of skid.

Engine
The engine that comes with the ARF is a decent facsimile of the original Mercedes. The large overlaps where the halves join will need to be sanded or scraped off.
The portion of the motor rocker arms and piston heads are a focal point of this engine, so I chose to rework this highly visible area. Separate the top from the pistons/manifold assembly with a razor saw. A piece of aluminum tube serves as the basis for the new top area.
Six balsa blocks were used to make the cylinder heads and scrap 1/16 balsa was used for the rocker arms. The springs were made by coiling soft annealed wire on a tapered mandrel made from a scrap piece of 1/4-inch dowel. Each spring was fastened to the engine using the tip of a toothpick epoxied to the rocker arms and cylinder top.
The manifolds were wrapped using medical tape, and bolt heads were made from a hexagonal plastic rod. The exhaust stack was weathered to look like rusty gunmetal and reinstalled. Additional details were made from scrap balsa, brass tubing, and copper and aluminum wire.

Wings and Miscellaneous Decorations
I painted the wings in the mauve-and-olive color scheme, painting carefully around the German crosses with acrylic or Model Master paint. The bottoms of the wings were left white, but could be painted light blue. The wings were attached to the fuselage per the instructions.
The stabilizer was masked off and the black stripes characteristic of this airplane were painted using Model Master paint. The distinctive emblem—a half-moon with a pipe—was made from adhesive covering and the pipe was painted with white acrylic paint. The iron crosses on the fuselage were made from covering.

Rigging
The kit comes with some nice turnbuckles, cable, and cable crimps. Some of the connectors were replaced using tabs of sheet aluminum, which gives the rigging attachment points a cleaner look. This was accomplished by simply rough-cutting the pieces out using industrial scissors, then filing and drilling them to the final shape.

Pilot
The pilot was made from foam, Model Magic clay, carpenter’s putty, and foam tape. To begin, I scaled down a human head to get the appropriate length, width, and depth. I like to use a block of balsa for the face and foam for the rest of the head and torso.
After you’ve glued the face onto the foam head, a balsa or basswood nose can be roughed out and attached. Next begin to carve the cheekbones, eye sockets, and neck. Apply putty to form the chin, mouth, and skin around the eyes and brow.
Roll out some Model Magic to approximately 3/32-inch thickness using a dowel or rolling pin. Loosely wrap your foam torso with this to simulate a leather flying coat. The Model Magic will shrink slightly. You can add buttons, and crease it using the back of a #11 X-Acto blade. Allow it to dry for a couple of days. The pilot’s flying cap was made from lightweight spackle, but you can also use Model Magic.
After the Model Magic is dry, apply a basecoat of medium chestnut brown, which will then be glazed over with darker washes. Have some fun with this and experiment for a color combination you like.
Begin to paint the face with various flesh tones, and apply a glaze of a darker color over the lighter one. You can rub off high-wear areas to let the undercoat show through.
The goggles were made from foam tape cut to shape using an X-Acto knife then painted black. Tie a scrap of cloth hinge material around the pilot’s neck for a scarf and he is ready to install.

Test Flight and Conclusion
This airplane performs beautifully! The test flight went well with only a minor glitch—the spinner fell apart when the engine was revved to full power. I’ll make a foam spinner to replace the stock plastic one.
The model flies gently and gracefully. The Mercedes sound module helps bring the character of this aircraft to life. You need a little rudder to ease this World War I aircraft through the turns, but this model does not disappoint!
Although most ARF models will fly great right out of the box, if you’re looking for a challenge, personalizing your aircraft is great fun and satisfying. You can make a unique version of a classic design.[dingbat]
—Mark Wilkins
mcwilkins@comcast.net

SOURCES:

Hobby Express
(866) 512-1444
www.hobbyexpress.com

Mr. RC Sound
http://test.mrrcsound.com

Model Master
www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/model-master

Author: Mark Wilkins
Edition: Model Aviation - 2014/10
Page Numbers: 45,46,47,48,49

10Albatros.lt1.doc
[headline: Detailing Your ARF Aircraft]
[subhead: Adding scale appeal to an Albatros D.Va]
[author: Mark Wilkins]
[Photos by the author]
[digital callout: Click here to see bonus photos.]
[Print callout: See bonus photos at www.ModelAviation.com and in the digital edition.]

Last year, I received the Hobby Express (formerly Hobby Lobby) Albatros D.Va as a Christmas present. This ARF’s all-up weight is roughly 4 pounds. Given its 52-inch wingspan, I felt it would fly well. This was important because I planned to add some scale details and a sound module, which would increase the overall weight. (Editor’s note: The Albatros D.Va is no longer available from Hobby Express.)
The airplane came nicely packaged with only a few minor dings. It also included a full rigging kit, which is a nice feature. I had plans for this ARF to take it to the next level, which included a new paint scheme, detailed guns and engine, a sound module, a shock-absorbing tail skid, and a pilot. The techniques used to detail these components can be used on any ARF or kit.
The aircraft I chose to inspire my new version of this Albie was flown by Hans Joachim von Hippel of Jasta 71. Mine wasn’t going to adhere strictly to this version because I planned an olive green turtledeck and engine cowl and different wheel covers.

Fuselage
My first step was to replace the fuselage’s side panel covering with 1/32 balsa sheet. The structure beneath the covering showed, giving the side a “waffled” appearance, so I reluctantly began peeling back the covering to expose the framework.
The process of applying the panels goes fast and only takes a day to complete, following the panel lines of the original airplane. Alternatively, you can keep the covering sides and simply move on to priming them for the faux wood grain.
After the sides have been sheathed, the panel edges are feathered to fair in with the top and bottom of the fuselage. Some lightweight spackle completed the fairing process.
I gave the sides a basecoat of light beige acrylic paint to serve as the foundation of the faux wood graining. You can experiment to achieve the desired color and appearance of your wood graining. You could make it extremely light or darker as wood becomes with age. I selected a mid-tone.

Sound Module
I chose a sound module offered by Mr. RC Sound, because of its compact nature, weight, and its impressive Mercedes engine sound. I chose to mount the speaker on the underside of the fuselage slightly forward of the lower wing’s LE.
To mount the speaker, you’ll need to make a plywood plate that accepts the speaker housing, which is then epoxied to the inside of the fuselage. The speaker slides into place, and is secured with two removable screws.
The final phase of this process was to position the sound board in the front of the cockpit in a protected and unoccupied area close to the CG. A hatch was cut into the sheathing, and a 3/16 balsa shelf was epoxied into place. Velcro was applied to the shelf to mount the sound module and allow its easy removal. I made a curved cover and fastened it in place with four button-head screws.
Before proceeding to the wood graining, I wanted to finish modifications to the fuselage’s basic structure. The apertures for the twin Spandau machine guns were next. The manufacturer mounted the guns well above the fuselage, but on the full-scale Albatros, the guns were mounted lower to allow for good pilot visibility.
I chose to copy this configuration and add some scale details to the guns. The first step was to cut openings in the turtledeck to receive the guns. Test-fit the guns as you carefully carve the new openings so that you don’t remove more material than is necessary.

Spandau Machine Guns
The guns that come with this ARF require only a few extra details to make them similar to the originals—which basically meant adding breech levers and ammunition feeds/dumps.
The breech levers were made from a ballpoint straight pin, toothpicks, scrap balsa, and aluminum. The breech feeds/dumps were made from scrap aluminum, balsa, short sections of brass tubing, and adhesive-backed aluminum foil. The guns were painted a gunmetal color, antiqued with a black wash, and epoxied into their slots.

Graining
With the significant fuselage modifications out of the way, it’s time to apply the faux wood grain to the fuselage. This is easier than it looks, and lots of fun! You want to do individual panels as were on the full-scale airplane. I did the two sides first, then the bottom. Working on every other panel is the most efficient.
The glaze was made from Liquitex Matte Medium, burnt umber acrylic paint, and water. You want a smooth brushing consistency like heavy cream. If you’ve never done this before, it’s a good idea to make up some test panels and experiment until you get the feel for it. Acrylic dries quickly, making it possible to do the entire airplane in a day or so.
Alternating the grain direction is a good way to set each panel off from its neighbor. The fuselage bottom was done in the same fashion. After the graining is completed, you can paint the turtledeck, restore it to its original red, or choose another treatment entirely. You could even panel the top!

Tail Skid
The model comes with a pre-formed wire tail skid, which is fine, but I preferred a shock-absorbing tail skid because my club’s field can be a little bumpy!
The first step is to cut out an opening to receive the skid and bungee. You’ll need to relocate the hole for the rigging support. The skid and the cleat that serves as a skid rest and tie down point for the bungee were made from a piece of cherry. This piece was let into the triangular tail skid fairing and epoxied.
I soldered a short section of brass tube to the bottom of the staple that serves as a pivot point for the bolt, securing the skid to the airplane. I made a pair of simple aluminum rigging tangs to neatly slide beneath the bolt that secures the staple to the fuselage fairing. Rubber bands serve as bungees. This method can be used on nearly every airplane with this type of skid.

Engine
The engine that comes with the ARF is a decent facsimile of the original Mercedes. The large overlaps where the halves join will need to be sanded or scraped off.
The portion of the motor rocker arms and piston heads are a focal point of this engine, so I chose to rework this highly visible area. Separate the top from the pistons/manifold assembly with a razor saw. A piece of aluminum tube serves as the basis for the new top area.
Six balsa blocks were used to make the cylinder heads and scrap 1/16 balsa was used for the rocker arms. The springs were made by coiling soft annealed wire on a tapered mandrel made from a scrap piece of 1/4-inch dowel. Each spring was fastened to the engine using the tip of a toothpick epoxied to the rocker arms and cylinder top.
The manifolds were wrapped using medical tape, and bolt heads were made from a hexagonal plastic rod. The exhaust stack was weathered to look like rusty gunmetal and reinstalled. Additional details were made from scrap balsa, brass tubing, and copper and aluminum wire.

Wings and Miscellaneous Decorations
I painted the wings in the mauve-and-olive color scheme, painting carefully around the German crosses with acrylic or Model Master paint. The bottoms of the wings were left white, but could be painted light blue. The wings were attached to the fuselage per the instructions.
The stabilizer was masked off and the black stripes characteristic of this airplane were painted using Model Master paint. The distinctive emblem—a half-moon with a pipe—was made from adhesive covering and the pipe was painted with white acrylic paint. The iron crosses on the fuselage were made from covering.

Rigging
The kit comes with some nice turnbuckles, cable, and cable crimps. Some of the connectors were replaced using tabs of sheet aluminum, which gives the rigging attachment points a cleaner look. This was accomplished by simply rough-cutting the pieces out using industrial scissors, then filing and drilling them to the final shape.

Pilot
The pilot was made from foam, Model Magic clay, carpenter’s putty, and foam tape. To begin, I scaled down a human head to get the appropriate length, width, and depth. I like to use a block of balsa for the face and foam for the rest of the head and torso.
After you’ve glued the face onto the foam head, a balsa or basswood nose can be roughed out and attached. Next begin to carve the cheekbones, eye sockets, and neck. Apply putty to form the chin, mouth, and skin around the eyes and brow.
Roll out some Model Magic to approximately 3/32-inch thickness using a dowel or rolling pin. Loosely wrap your foam torso with this to simulate a leather flying coat. The Model Magic will shrink slightly. You can add buttons, and crease it using the back of a #11 X-Acto blade. Allow it to dry for a couple of days. The pilot’s flying cap was made from lightweight spackle, but you can also use Model Magic.
After the Model Magic is dry, apply a basecoat of medium chestnut brown, which will then be glazed over with darker washes. Have some fun with this and experiment for a color combination you like.
Begin to paint the face with various flesh tones, and apply a glaze of a darker color over the lighter one. You can rub off high-wear areas to let the undercoat show through.
The goggles were made from foam tape cut to shape using an X-Acto knife then painted black. Tie a scrap of cloth hinge material around the pilot’s neck for a scarf and he is ready to install.

Test Flight and Conclusion
This airplane performs beautifully! The test flight went well with only a minor glitch—the spinner fell apart when the engine was revved to full power. I’ll make a foam spinner to replace the stock plastic one.
The model flies gently and gracefully. The Mercedes sound module helps bring the character of this aircraft to life. You need a little rudder to ease this World War I aircraft through the turns, but this model does not disappoint!
Although most ARF models will fly great right out of the box, if you’re looking for a challenge, personalizing your aircraft is great fun and satisfying. You can make a unique version of a classic design.[dingbat]
—Mark Wilkins
mcwilkins@comcast.net

SOURCES:

Hobby Express
(866) 512-1444
www.hobbyexpress.com

Mr. RC Sound
http://test.mrrcsound.com

Model Master
www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/model-master

Author: Mark Wilkins
Edition: Model Aviation - 2014/10
Page Numbers: 45,46,47,48,49

10Albatros.lt1.doc
[headline: Detailing Your ARF Aircraft]
[subhead: Adding scale appeal to an Albatros D.Va]
[author: Mark Wilkins]
[Photos by the author]
[digital callout: Click here to see bonus photos.]
[Print callout: See bonus photos at www.ModelAviation.com and in the digital edition.]

Last year, I received the Hobby Express (formerly Hobby Lobby) Albatros D.Va as a Christmas present. This ARF’s all-up weight is roughly 4 pounds. Given its 52-inch wingspan, I felt it would fly well. This was important because I planned to add some scale details and a sound module, which would increase the overall weight. (Editor’s note: The Albatros D.Va is no longer available from Hobby Express.)
The airplane came nicely packaged with only a few minor dings. It also included a full rigging kit, which is a nice feature. I had plans for this ARF to take it to the next level, which included a new paint scheme, detailed guns and engine, a sound module, a shock-absorbing tail skid, and a pilot. The techniques used to detail these components can be used on any ARF or kit.
The aircraft I chose to inspire my new version of this Albie was flown by Hans Joachim von Hippel of Jasta 71. Mine wasn’t going to adhere strictly to this version because I planned an olive green turtledeck and engine cowl and different wheel covers.

Fuselage
My first step was to replace the fuselage’s side panel covering with 1/32 balsa sheet. The structure beneath the covering showed, giving the side a “waffled” appearance, so I reluctantly began peeling back the covering to expose the framework.
The process of applying the panels goes fast and only takes a day to complete, following the panel lines of the original airplane. Alternatively, you can keep the covering sides and simply move on to priming them for the faux wood grain.
After the sides have been sheathed, the panel edges are feathered to fair in with the top and bottom of the fuselage. Some lightweight spackle completed the fairing process.
I gave the sides a basecoat of light beige acrylic paint to serve as the foundation of the faux wood graining. You can experiment to achieve the desired color and appearance of your wood graining. You could make it extremely light or darker as wood becomes with age. I selected a mid-tone.

Sound Module
I chose a sound module offered by Mr. RC Sound, because of its compact nature, weight, and its impressive Mercedes engine sound. I chose to mount the speaker on the underside of the fuselage slightly forward of the lower wing’s LE.
To mount the speaker, you’ll need to make a plywood plate that accepts the speaker housing, which is then epoxied to the inside of the fuselage. The speaker slides into place, and is secured with two removable screws.
The final phase of this process was to position the sound board in the front of the cockpit in a protected and unoccupied area close to the CG. A hatch was cut into the sheathing, and a 3/16 balsa shelf was epoxied into place. Velcro was applied to the shelf to mount the sound module and allow its easy removal. I made a curved cover and fastened it in place with four button-head screws.
Before proceeding to the wood graining, I wanted to finish modifications to the fuselage’s basic structure. The apertures for the twin Spandau machine guns were next. The manufacturer mounted the guns well above the fuselage, but on the full-scale Albatros, the guns were mounted lower to allow for good pilot visibility.
I chose to copy this configuration and add some scale details to the guns. The first step was to cut openings in the turtledeck to receive the guns. Test-fit the guns as you carefully carve the new openings so that you don’t remove more material than is necessary.

Spandau Machine Guns
The guns that come with this ARF require only a few extra details to make them similar to the originals—which basically meant adding breech levers and ammunition feeds/dumps.
The breech levers were made from a ballpoint straight pin, toothpicks, scrap balsa, and aluminum. The breech feeds/dumps were made from scrap aluminum, balsa, short sections of brass tubing, and adhesive-backed aluminum foil. The guns were painted a gunmetal color, antiqued with a black wash, and epoxied into their slots.

Graining
With the significant fuselage modifications out of the way, it’s time to apply the faux wood grain to the fuselage. This is easier than it looks, and lots of fun! You want to do individual panels as were on the full-scale airplane. I did the two sides first, then the bottom. Working on every other panel is the most efficient.
The glaze was made from Liquitex Matte Medium, burnt umber acrylic paint, and water. You want a smooth brushing consistency like heavy cream. If you’ve never done this before, it’s a good idea to make up some test panels and experiment until you get the feel for it. Acrylic dries quickly, making it possible to do the entire airplane in a day or so.
Alternating the grain direction is a good way to set each panel off from its neighbor. The fuselage bottom was done in the same fashion. After the graining is completed, you can paint the turtledeck, restore it to its original red, or choose another treatment entirely. You could even panel the top!

Tail Skid
The model comes with a pre-formed wire tail skid, which is fine, but I preferred a shock-absorbing tail skid because my club’s field can be a little bumpy!
The first step is to cut out an opening to receive the skid and bungee. You’ll need to relocate the hole for the rigging support. The skid and the cleat that serves as a skid rest and tie down point for the bungee were made from a piece of cherry. This piece was let into the triangular tail skid fairing and epoxied.
I soldered a short section of brass tube to the bottom of the staple that serves as a pivot point for the bolt, securing the skid to the airplane. I made a pair of simple aluminum rigging tangs to neatly slide beneath the bolt that secures the staple to the fuselage fairing. Rubber bands serve as bungees. This method can be used on nearly every airplane with this type of skid.

Engine
The engine that comes with the ARF is a decent facsimile of the original Mercedes. The large overlaps where the halves join will need to be sanded or scraped off.
The portion of the motor rocker arms and piston heads are a focal point of this engine, so I chose to rework this highly visible area. Separate the top from the pistons/manifold assembly with a razor saw. A piece of aluminum tube serves as the basis for the new top area.
Six balsa blocks were used to make the cylinder heads and scrap 1/16 balsa was used for the rocker arms. The springs were made by coiling soft annealed wire on a tapered mandrel made from a scrap piece of 1/4-inch dowel. Each spring was fastened to the engine using the tip of a toothpick epoxied to the rocker arms and cylinder top.
The manifolds were wrapped using medical tape, and bolt heads were made from a hexagonal plastic rod. The exhaust stack was weathered to look like rusty gunmetal and reinstalled. Additional details were made from scrap balsa, brass tubing, and copper and aluminum wire.

Wings and Miscellaneous Decorations
I painted the wings in the mauve-and-olive color scheme, painting carefully around the German crosses with acrylic or Model Master paint. The bottoms of the wings were left white, but could be painted light blue. The wings were attached to the fuselage per the instructions.
The stabilizer was masked off and the black stripes characteristic of this airplane were painted using Model Master paint. The distinctive emblem—a half-moon with a pipe—was made from adhesive covering and the pipe was painted with white acrylic paint. The iron crosses on the fuselage were made from covering.

Rigging
The kit comes with some nice turnbuckles, cable, and cable crimps. Some of the connectors were replaced using tabs of sheet aluminum, which gives the rigging attachment points a cleaner look. This was accomplished by simply rough-cutting the pieces out using industrial scissors, then filing and drilling them to the final shape.

Pilot
The pilot was made from foam, Model Magic clay, carpenter’s putty, and foam tape. To begin, I scaled down a human head to get the appropriate length, width, and depth. I like to use a block of balsa for the face and foam for the rest of the head and torso.
After you’ve glued the face onto the foam head, a balsa or basswood nose can be roughed out and attached. Next begin to carve the cheekbones, eye sockets, and neck. Apply putty to form the chin, mouth, and skin around the eyes and brow.
Roll out some Model Magic to approximately 3/32-inch thickness using a dowel or rolling pin. Loosely wrap your foam torso with this to simulate a leather flying coat. The Model Magic will shrink slightly. You can add buttons, and crease it using the back of a #11 X-Acto blade. Allow it to dry for a couple of days. The pilot’s flying cap was made from lightweight spackle, but you can also use Model Magic.
After the Model Magic is dry, apply a basecoat of medium chestnut brown, which will then be glazed over with darker washes. Have some fun with this and experiment for a color combination you like.
Begin to paint the face with various flesh tones, and apply a glaze of a darker color over the lighter one. You can rub off high-wear areas to let the undercoat show through.
The goggles were made from foam tape cut to shape using an X-Acto knife then painted black. Tie a scrap of cloth hinge material around the pilot’s neck for a scarf and he is ready to install.

Test Flight and Conclusion
This airplane performs beautifully! The test flight went well with only a minor glitch—the spinner fell apart when the engine was revved to full power. I’ll make a foam spinner to replace the stock plastic one.
The model flies gently and gracefully. The Mercedes sound module helps bring the character of this aircraft to life. You need a little rudder to ease this World War I aircraft through the turns, but this model does not disappoint!
Although most ARF models will fly great right out of the box, if you’re looking for a challenge, personalizing your aircraft is great fun and satisfying. You can make a unique version of a classic design.[dingbat]
—Mark Wilkins
mcwilkins@comcast.net

SOURCES:

Hobby Express
(866) 512-1444
www.hobbyexpress.com

Mr. RC Sound
http://test.mrrcsound.com

Model Master
www.testors.com/product-catalog/testors-brands/model-master