Pfalz Pfactory

[Mitch]

Not much got done on the Albatros this week... I started on the next project from my Guillows plans...

Although the guillow plans are for the DIII, I decided to make the DIIIa, there are only 2 visual differences that I know of.

1. The MG's are mounted on top of the fuselage, not inside as the DIII
2. The lower wing had the tips changed to a rounded style, to ruduce wing "flutter"

I believe this plane has a better chance for a successful flyer than my Albatros as it has more ws and should be lighter.

Since the trailing edge of the wing is not scalloped I decided to use sq. stock for trailing edge rather than the standard E pieces.

Here are the progress pics...

I made sure I made this curved wing edge long enough to blend into the LE. My Albatros was not good and I had to add a patch.


Here the top wing is getting built up


and here is the bottom wing... with modified wing tips.


Here is a pic of one sanded and the other before sanding


I make copies of the fuselage ribs x 2 and A parts, then lay them out on 1/16 stock


Then I cut them out roughly, then trim them down more and then use my dremel sander.


Then they look like this, I still need to cut out notches. I do not use the side keel. All 1/16 stringers will be used...

From what I have read, the Pfalz was doped with a SilverGrey finish from the factory. This provided a smooth and water resistent finish and was a good sky "camoflage" color. The crosses did not have a white outline.

I plan to have my Pfalz look someting like this...


Okay... that's a picture of a DIII not the DIIIa, but I like the simplicity of the colors!

Mitch

[Mitch]

Hey Guys... Back from the High Seas... Winter Weather... Not alot done this week

Here is the Fuselage



I brought home the skeletons of the Albatros and Pfalz and plan to skin them and final assembly when I get off the ship... more latter...

Mitch

[Bill Gaylord]

Good to see someone still cutting formers by hand. I'm sure you could attest to how it is easy to actually cut more accurate parts by hand, than the parts included with the die-cut kits. I love hand cut parts, where you can cut the stringer notches for a nice press fit for each stringer. Sheeting should look really nice. I've always wanted to build a natural wood Albatross, which is a lot of work, since the wood work and gluing has to be top notch. I built two planes that way, but they did not have the complex shape of the Albatross.

[Mitch]

Back Home for a day!

Thanks Bill... Yes cutting out frames is not too hard. I am not worried about being exact as it all gets sanded down and that removes all those imperfections. Cutting the wing ribs with 1/32 is even easier.

I am now making all the curved sections with laminated 4 or 3 ply 1/32 stock that I slice with my balsa stripper.

This plane will be covered in paper... but I am wondering about my Albatros... maybe cover the first one with brown paper? Until I try the sheeting on an easier project?

NO work done on models this week...

I am starting to pack up my Aircraft Factory... ONE MORE TRIP TO GO

I was working on my Cainmalle project this week... I plan to go full speed ahead with the pLanes when I get off the ship...

I will have 1 month before the Flying Aces Event!

Mitch