Roden Fokker Dr. 1 72nd Jasta 12 Fw. Ulrich Neckel

You often hear people say, if you want to do something from WW I with not much rigging, try building a Fokker Dr. 1 triplane model. You have to wonder whether those people have actually done that - because building triplanes - especially in 72nd scale - is not easy even without having to worry too much about rigging!

The Roden kit is nice enough - quite detailed including separate sets of ailerons but very fiddly with its minuscule parts, including the internal cockpit framework and all the struts as separate parts, none of which have decent locating holes. I notice that sites such as Scott's 'Modelling Madness' have only ever done an in-box review of this kit. Which is pretty useless really - its not until you get into the build that you realise that some things are awry; eg the decals which are slightly over-sized and don't fit! Not to mention disintegrate on being moved from the backing paper. Fortunately there were two sets in my box - and one appeared to have been reprinted to the right dimensions (?). 

 

Fantastic box-art by the way. And lots of choices on the large decal sheet. Mine is finished in the markings of Fw. Ulrich Neckel of Jasta 12 with typical black rear fuselage and tailplane and 'dirty' white cowl and standard streaked finish over the rest of the airframe. Neckel was born 1898 and was one of the last winners of the Pour Le Mérite, awarded in his case in November 1918 for around 29 victories. He died in 1928 from TB.

To the right is the Revell 72nd Dr 1, probably an 'easier' buld although a little short on detail options. Check out the label links below for more triplanes on this blog..

Also on this blog;

Lt Paul Bäumer's Jasta Boelcke Fokker Dr. 1 204/17 (SMER 1:44th)