Artur 1/48 Resin Albatros D.II

VAMP Price: $14.80 USD

By Bob Pearson

History

The most abundant fighters of the German air service were not the Fokkers of popular imagination, rather the products of the Johannisthal factory of the Albatros company and its OAW subsidiary were to form the backbone of the Jagdstaffeln from October 1916 until the ascendancy of the Fokker D.VII in the summer of 1918. Designed by Robert Thelan, the Albatros D.I and D.II were to set the standard of First World War fighters in carrying a powerful armament (for the time) of two machine guns. Combined with a 160hp inline Mercedes engine and a streamlined wooden fuselage the Albatros D.I/II were perhaps not as maneuverable as the lighter Allied fighters with their rotary engines, however they were fast and strong, and in these aircraft the Jastas gained aerial supremacy in late 1916.

The D.II featured a lower top wing than the D.I. This was to improve upward visibility. The difference is readily apparent in that the D.I has its cabane struts joining into an inverted Vee when seen from the front, while the D.II has the cabane struts splayed out as in later Albatros fighter. Other changes incorporated in the D.II design was the replacement of the fuselage mounted Windhoff 'ear' radiators with the Teeves und Braun upperwing aerofoil shaped one. This was to prevent the water from draining away if the radiator was damaged or leaked. 275 D.IIs were built for the Germans, and an additional 16 were constructed by the Austrian firm of OEFFAG for the Austro-Hungarian Air Service as the Albatros D.II (OEF) 52.01-16. These differed from German built D.II in having Schwarzlose machine guns and 185hp Austro-Daimler engine. In both services the Albatros D.II was replaced by the sesquiplane D.III.

The Kit

The Artur Albatros D.II kit is molded in a light yellow resin and consists of 40 pieces in four wafers (and individual parts). All are packaged in a plastic envelope with separate compartments for each piece.

The fuselage in my sample is warped and will require a corrective hot water bath. The fuselage walls are 1/8" thick and can stand some thinning down if an interior is desired - interior parts in the kit include: Seat, joystick, floor and control panel. The control panel has no detail molded on it and the Eduard Instrument set will be of help here.

The other item to be placed in the fuselage is the engine. Artur supply both the German 160hp Mercedes, and the Austrian Austro-Daimler 185hp engines allowing either variant to be built. Both appear to be a decent starting point for the AMS afflicted to detail to their heart's content, or use as is with minor cleanup.

The upperwing is in three parts to allow for the differing radiators to be used. The centre section is molded separately and is in two options. One is plain, the other contains the Teeves und Braun radiator. The seams between the three sections overlap in interlocking L shapes. These will require filling to achieve a smooth joint. Fortunately the upperwing is flat so no dihedral is required. The wings have thick trailing edges that will require thinning.

The tail surfaces are in three pieces and all taper to nice thin edges.

The remaining wafers contain all the struts, wheels, exhaust, etc. to complete the model. The machine guns are best replaced with either a Roseparts resin, or Tom's Modelworks PE example as the detail on them is very hard to discern.

No instructions are provided, although three xeroxed pages of old drawings are included. These include a three view of a D.I/D.II with spurious colour notes that are best left ignored; a b/w top and side profile of D.II 438/16 and a photo of the first Austrian Albatros D.II(OEF) 53.01.

No decals are provided, however various companies provide crosses that may be used. As for fancy markings, one option from Jasta 9 is shown in the photo heading this review. However most D.IIs were out of service by the time the Jastas began to paint their aircraft up in colourful hues, therefore this kit will not require anything beyond a personal marking on the fuselage side - examples of which can be found in the Albatros D.II Datafile.

Summary

The Albatros D.II is an oft-overlooked aircraft of the First World War and with a little work, the Artur kit will add to anyone's collection of WW1 aircraft.

Thanks to Lubos Vinar of VAMP MAIL ORDER for the review sample.