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Albatross D-V


ghodges

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This is the Eduard weekend edition Albatross D-V kit built OOTB with the kit markings. I did this one so I could knock the "mauve scheme" off of my bucket list! I did paint the red trim on the tail instead of trying to use the kit decals there. Ceramic Wonder Wire was used for the rigging.

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The Eduard Albatross is typical of most all their WWI kits; well detailed as kitted and true to fidelity to scale. Where they fall down in comparison to the "older" biplane kits we grew up with (that were not so nice) is that they're harder to build. The "scale pins" on the cabanes and V struts make it difficult to get positive fit and alignment. They're engineered towards accuracy, not towards being builder friendly, especially to the biplane novice. That said, it makes for an attractive model to put on your shelf when done!

Critiques, comments, and questions welcome, as always!

 

GIL

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The ceramic wire cuts relatively easily with a #11 blade, but you do need to wear eye protection when doing so. I think it was sold in a couple of gauges, but the 6mil seems to work well for 1/72 and 1/48. The biggest problem now is I believe the couple (home business) that sold it retired, so I'm not sure where else it can be bought. I like it because it can be cut just a little bit long, flexed into place (it will not kink), and then add a drop of glue into each hole. When cut to the right length it's perfectly straight, doesn't sag despite heat/humidity/cold, doesn't need to be heated to make it "taught", and usually doesn't even need painting (smoke colored as it comes).

 

GIL :smiley16:

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Hi Gil,

I just Googled ceramic wire and all that comes up are spools of it.  Is the wire you use straight or curled?  Could have used some of that not too long ago!

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Wish I could find a "spool" of that 6mil stuff!

The Wonder Wire  I bought comes "curled" in a plastic baggie. It naturally straightens out perfectly on its own as you take it out of the bag. It's quite flexible up to trying to make a 90deg bend. It will snap in two at that point. The flexibility allows you to cut it slightly over sized and then flex it into the holes. As long as the length is right and/or the holes are deep enough, it goes back perfectly straight with no need for heating. It's also rigid enough to simply be set between two points without using any holes too.

 

GIL :cool:

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