Flashback 1/48
Aviatik D.I Series 138

By Bob Pearson

History

The Aviatik D.I was the first fighter designed and built in Austria-Hungary. Eventually six different manufacturers would build the type in 20 different variants which would account for 43% of the fighter strength of the Austro-Hungarian air service. First flown in January 1917, the D.I (nicknamed the 'Berg' after its designer, Julius Berg) entered frontline service in May 1917.

Each Austrian manufacturer was designated by a different number – Aviatik being 3. Each aircraft type built by that company was then added after the company number. A decimal then followed and the sequencial number of the airframe was then added. Each new variant of this design was given as a prefix to the company. Other manufacturers building the aircraft under license all had their own unique set of numbers. The first release of this kit was as a series 115 aircraft which translates to the 2nd variant, Lohner, 5th type manufactured aka Aviatik D.I(lo). This time around it is a series 138 aircraft, which points to the following: 1 = second variant of the basic design, 3 = company (Aviatik), 8 = design No.8 (Aviatik D.I).

The first variant of the Aviatik D.I was the series 38 which had a 185 hp Daimler engine. After 72 were delivered, the series 138, equipped with the 200hp Daimler entered production, this was followed by the series 238 and the 338, all of which point to the effectiveness of the basic design.

The Aviatik was liked by the pilots who flew it, however they did tend to think it was weakly constructed in comparison to the Albatros D.III(OEF) and the Phönix D.I/III, the wing especially was prone to failure. From July 1918 a redesigned, stronger wing was produced, but many were completed with the older wing.

The Kit

This second release of the Flashback Aviatik D.I features the exact same parts as that in the first issue of the series 115 - which makes sense as they were both powered by the same engine and were from the same time frame. Therefore Tom Cleaver's comments on that release still apply to this one.

The parts are cleanly molded, with some heavy details. The wings have exaggerated rib detail which will need to be thinned down. The tailplane has the distintive curvature found in the 'Berg', but ribs are once again on the heavy side.

Cockpit detail consists of the frame molded on the fuselage halves adn a PE fret of parts included bulkheads, rudder bar and seatbelts. Also included are PE spoked wheels . . and solid ones for those not inclined to attempt the PE ones.

A resin Daimler and exhausts are a nice touch, and are well detailed.

Other pars include glass inserts for the clear view panels in teh cockpit, rubber tyres and a film strip for the instrument panel

Markings are provided for two D.Is in distinctive camouflage schemes. One is a closely stippled finish, while the other is similar, but applied in larger patches. A colour profile of both options is included on a separate sheet, and illustrated in four-view b/w drawings. A nice touch is the addition of extra number from 0-9 to allow other aircraft to be depicted. The kit intructions are nicely llustrated and include full rigging plans

Conclusion

The Flashback Aviatik D.I Series 138 appears to be a simple kit to build OOB, and has scope for further detailing with a little extra effort and some aftermarket sets. With luck Flashback will rework the kit to allow for later variants with the overwing radiator and redesigned front decking with raised Schwarzlose machine guns to be modeled. And then there is the late-war ones with the strengthened wings as well. I for one hope they will do so.

Thanks to Lubos Vinar of Vamp Mail Order for this review sample.