Sandbagger Posted July 18, 2021 Share Posted July 18, 2021 Hi all, I'm waiting for the display case to arrive for the previous model. As the last few resin models completed required a lot of 'scratch' building, I thought I'd build something without any struts or rigging. So this time around it'll be the ‘Wingnut Wings’ Junkers D.I (Kit No.32065). This model will depict a Junkers D.I that was involved in a flying accident, possibly during testing, on the 3rd of October 1918. It was most likely repaired and possibly given the Serial No: 5188/18. It was then operated by either MFJG in Belgium or with Kampfgeschwader ’Sachsenburg’, operating in the Baltic during 1919. The Junkers D.I was designated as a ‘battle plane’, meaning its perceived operational role was to be that of ground attack, rather than as a fighter. Only 40 aircraft were built between June 1918 and February 1919 and it seems of these, only 5 were delivered to the front. It's not certain than any of these aircraft took part in actual combat. Although there were reports from the British late in the war that there were ’encounters with German monoplanes that were covered with corrugated sheet’. These 5 aircraft were eventually abandoned on the German landing field of Hombeek in Belgium. However, the aircraft did see active service after the war, in action against the Bolshevik forces in the Baltic countries. They were operated by the ‘Kampfgeschwader Sachsenburg’ volunteer regiment, commanded by Gothard Sachsenburg, a former pilot of the German naval ’Marine Jasta’. The regiment consisted of 3 squadrons, being FA413 (reconnaissance), FA416 (fighter) and FA417 (ground attack). Both FA416 and FA417 operated the Junkers D.I as well as the Junkers CL.I (two seat version) aircraft. A few aircraft were lost in combat, including a Junkers D.I being flown by Josef Jacobs. When hostilities ceased, those aircraft remaining were found by Soviet forces, abandoned on an airfield near Riga. The lineage of this aircraft traces back to Professor Hugo Junkers, when in 1912 he patented a design for a thick, cantilever constructed initially of corrugated steel. The first Junkers J.I and J.2 monoplanes were built but proved too heavy for operational use. Therefore the Junkers J.3 was redesigned during 1916 using an aluminium alloy (Duraluminium). However it was shelved when production was switched to the Junkers J.1 biplane, which entered service in 1917. Due to the positive response for the J.I, work recommenced on an armored single seat monoplane, starting with the Junkers J.5 through to the J.9, which eventually became the operational Junkers D.1. The maiden flight took place in May 1918 and further changes to the design saw 4 aircraft of the final version dispatched to the front in October 1918. The design of this aircraft was revolutionary for its time, being a monoplane of metal construction and with only cross brace rigging on the undercarriage. The airframe was essentially of tubular construction with corrugated Duraluminium covering. Various engines were fitted during the prototype stages, but it seems the Daimler-Mercedes D.IIIa (180hp) or D.IIIaü (200hp) engines were fitted to operational aircraft. Armament consisted of twin 7.92 mm LMG 08/15 ‘Spandau’ machine guns. Mike 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted July 19, 2021 Author Share Posted July 19, 2021 Hi all, I'm starting on the engine. The right side of the engine has a coolant pipe, interconnected between each of the cylinder jackets. Due to limitations of moulding, this pipe looks unrealistic and joins the bottoms of the cylinders, which should be separated.. Therefore I've cut it away from the cylinders and replaced each pipe with 0.8 mm diameter plastic rod, chamfered at each end to merge with the cylinders at each end. Game on, Mike 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted July 20, 2021 Author Share Posted July 20, 2021 Hi all, I've added 'Taurus Models' resin fuel primers (D3219) and spark plugs (D3218). The primer levers will be fitted later in the engine build so as to avoid breaking them whilst handling, Mike 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Well, what a start! This is definitely one to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Should be worth watching, if the last one is any guide! Beer ordered! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 On 7/18/2021 at 6:58 PM, Sandbagger said: Although there were reports from the British late in the war that there were ’encounters with German monoplanes that were covered with corrugated sheet’. The J10 was also in service in limited quantities and from a distance looks very like the DI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 Definitely watching this, great start!! Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 I do love a WNW thread, so I'm in! Interesting subject too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 Hi all, I've been working on the engine. The pipework supplied in the kit is fragile and easily broken. Also the engine had pipes from the air valve at the top, front of the engine. These were attached to the crankcase and one into a valve with a 'bleed' tap, fitted to the forward left side. I decided to add the air valve pipes and the sump breather pipe and replace all of the tubes and the ignition lead support tubes with Brass rod and tubing. I've also added the extra valve with a 'Taurus Models' resin tap, Mike 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 It's funny how even a great quality kit like a WNW just dares you not to further embellish it! Nice neat pipework though, I'm guessing you're a plumber or a gas engineer by trade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 2 hours ago, clive_t said: It's funny how even a great quality kit like a WNW just dares you not to further embellish it! Nice neat pipework though, I'm guessing you're a plumber or a gas engineer by trade Noooo 😄 - just 27 years in the RAF, Mike 2 hours ago, clive_t said: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 Hi all, Just a few final details on the engine. The two carburettor fuel supply pipes from 0.375 mm diameter copper wire. These are to attached to the gravity fuel tank at the rear of the engine bay. The throttle control linkage on the top of the carburettor housing (from odd photo-etch parts) and the support tube for the cockpit operated throttle control cable. Finally the magneto spark advance cross tube (0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube) and levers. The left lower lever will be attached to the control rod from the spark advance lever in the cockpit, Mike 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted July 31, 2021 Author Share Posted July 31, 2021 Hi all, Engine done, Mike 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted July 31, 2021 Share Posted July 31, 2021 Wow, that's an exhibit in itself - stupendous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 2, 2021 Author Share Posted August 2, 2021 Hi all, The basic internal fuselage is now finished. The model will be made with both wings attached. I've added a spark advance control and both throttle cable and gun triggers cables. The engine oil tank and the two machine gun need to be fitted, but only after the fuselage is closed up. I'm replacing the kit supplied machine guns with 'GasPatch' resin weapons, Mike 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 3, 2021 Author Share Posted August 3, 2021 Hi all, I've closed up the fuselage now and added the Radiator assembly, tail plane and rudder. I've also completed the weapons fit, having replaced the kit machine guns with equivalents from 'GasPatch'. That required some heavy modifications to the gun mountings parts, Mike 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 5, 2021 Author Share Posted August 5, 2021 Hi all, I've painted the airframe now. This particular aircraft had a 'Tiger Stripe' metal panel strip finish. This appears to have been alternate Aluminium polished and non-polished panel strips. This was done by masking and airbrushing 'Alclad' Duraluminium and Steel. The rudder was just primed with white. Next is painting fuselage details before adding the landing gear etc. Mike 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 Hi all, Here's a few more bits completed for the Junkers. The propeller (ProperPlane), pilot (Wings Cockpit Figures), mechanic (Copper State Models) and the landing gear bracing, Mike 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One 48 Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 9, 2021 Author Share Posted August 9, 2021 Hi all, The completed model is now up in the 'Ready for Inspection - Aircraft' thread, Thanks for everyone's encouragement and comments - appreciated, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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