Fokker E.V

by Stephen Monroe

images by Robert Oehler

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This is the DML/Dragon Fokker E.V (or D.VIII) in 1/48 scale. I built this model a few years ago, but it has not been published anywhere so I thought I would share it.

This was my first experience with a Dragon aircraft kit, so I approached it with some caution. I have always heard that the engineering of their kits left a lot to be desired. It was not the beast that I thought that it would be.

Any parasol wing fighter will be somewhat difficult to assemble, it is the nature of any wing supported by struts. Dragon attempted to overcome the weakness of the struts by supplying them in photo etch stainless steel. While it does create a stronger structure, the flat nature of photo etched metal does not look right for a subject that has three dimensions in real life. That resulted in the major task of completing this model: creating a correct cross section for the struts. I did this by putting down several layers of Zap-A-Gap super glue, then sanding them to an airfoil shape.

A final coat of primer and fine sanding brought them to the assembly stage. I am happy with the result, but it takes awhile to get there.

The only other additions that I made were details - some cockpit wires and the stacking nubs on the wing leading edge. I also filled and sanded all of the panel lines on the wing surfaces.

The markings (including the lozenge pattern) are from the Koster vac-form D.VIII kit.


 

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Model and Text Copyright © 2003 by Stephen Munroe
Images Copyright © 2003 by Robert Oehler
Page Created 10 February, 2003
Last Updated 17 March, 2004

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