Albatros D.XI first prototype (Karaya 1/48)

[draken35]

This is a kit I've begun some times ago. I was waiting before to show my build, because there are some problems with the kit and I'm not sure it's really a buildable one. But well, it's said; we will seen; and go for the show... 

The artbox is splendid. To be noted that on the actual airplane, the wings were 5 colours lozenge fabric covered and not doped linen.

At first regard, the kit himself looks to be a great one; but when you try dry fitting there are some problems, the most important being the base of the rudder... Lot of work in perspective...

[No.1]

Never seen any Karaya kits before, this look to be nice build

[draken35]

Well mate, we will seen if there are really buildable or not... But at first regard indeed there are very nice looking!

The pieces are sanded, and separated between the "must have to be painted quickly" and "to be painted later"...

The propeller and the engine look great but they are asking for putty (Tamiya putty for the propeller; Vallejo putty for the engine).

The seatbelts are glued; and then, white primer on the elements

[No.1]

Hope you will be able to synchronize several builds on your work bench

[draken35]

Well, this one is not a "priority"; I have all my time 
I'm working on it on "lost moments", or, as for today, when I'm too nervious to work on little PE parts on the Hellcat 

The reason why I've begun to build that kit is to test a new variant technique for plywood rendering.

As base I've used Vallejo Yellow.

To complete the engine with some missing rivets, I've used 3D paint for tissue...

And as base for the propeller, Tamiya XF-59

[draken35]

Some days later I've applied burnt sienna (oil paint) on the propeller. I'm not 100% happy with the result, and I'm wondering if I will keep it as is, or to restart the work...

For the cockpit interior I applied burnt sienna with... sponge; then progressively removed the oil paint with another piece of sponge. I really like the result!!!

And one week later, I've painted the second face of the propeller with the oil paint

[draken35]

Last week I've applied the 5 colours lozenge decals on the lower parts. Like for the Fokker D.VII I'm using the lozenge made by Doug Baumann, and printed on clear decal sheet paper. I must say that next time I will try to print my lozenge decals on WHITE laser decal paper; the white paper being more opaque than the clear one. Using the clear one obligates to use a white primer.

...And today I've painted the seat: Vallejo marron brown for the seat; Vallejo red Leather for the couffin; Mister Kit German Dope for the seatbelts.

As said, I will continue that kit in the lost moments; other kits have priority.
And I really don't know actually if the kit is buildable. But it's a good trial platform for some techniques I never used before 

[Sall]

Great job so far! I like it!

[draken35]

Thank you mate!

[No.1]

Excellent!

[javier_planells]

Way to go, Draken, it's looking great!

[ta152c]

I have this in 1:72, Merlin Models. Old but nice, although the cowling is very poor

Good build subject, I must do my Hansa-Brandenburg W.20 at some point!

[draken35]

Thank you all!!!

[pkrasna]

Interior looks very vivid and nicely weatherd. The lozenge ar on the spot and as I see settled nicely. So far excellent!!!

Primož

[draken35]

Thank you Primoz!

Today I was unable to use the compressor for the airbrush, for the Hellcat. So I've worked on the D.XI again, setting the upper lozenges...

Not visible on the photo  but some little corrections will be needed. Nothing important...