Sandbagger Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 (edited) Hi all, I thought you might like to see my 1:32 scale build of a Junkers D.I from 1918. This model depicts 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 Ser No: 5188/18, before being operated by either MFJG in Belgium or with Kampfgeschwader ’Sachsenburg’, operating in the Baltic during 1919. Design: 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. Subsequently, 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 armoured 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, 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. Operational background: 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, serving with 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 model is 1:32nd scale and made by ‘Wingnut Wings’ (Kit No: 32065). The list of changes/additions to the model are: Engine: Detailed with Nickel-Silver and Brass rod or tube to replace Coolant pipes, ignition lead support tubes, sump vent pipe, induction manifold pre-heat pipes, forward air pump pipes. Ignition leads at the Magneto’s and spark plugs are lead wire. Spark plugs and fuel primers are from ‘Taurus Models’. Rigging: Rigging is 0.08 mm or 0.12 mm diameter mono-filament with ‘GasPatch’ 1:48th scale turnbuckles and 0.5 mm or 0.4 mm diameter blackened Brass tube. Aftermarket: ‘GasPatch’ Spandau machine guns used to replace kit parts. Pilot figure is Wings Cockpit Figures’ LSK leaning pilot (LSK 14), Mechanic figure is ‘Copper State Models’ German ground crew (F32-012). Propeller was the Axial wood laminated version from ‘ProperPlane’. As usual I've created a downloadable build log in Adobe PDF format, for those who might want to refer to it for reference or build details. It contains full step by step descriptions of the model build, its modifications/changes and is also supported with illustrations and photographs. If viewed in Adobe Reader, each build log has book marked chapters/headings for easier navigation through the log. My model website has the gallery page, so to view any model, go to the gallery and select it. If it has a PDF build log, it will be available to download using the 'PDF' icon on that model photo page. For any photograph, just click the photo to enlarge or reduce the viewing size. http://igavh2.xara.hosting Mike Edited August 9, 2021 by Sandbagger 28 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 Even allowing for the fact it's a WNW kit that's an amazing result. The engine needs an RFI all to itself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted August 9, 2021 Share Posted August 9, 2021 That's a fine D1 Mike, looks great in that all silver finish...with a well balanced weathered look. Cheers Hans 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 The engine compartment of the Junkers looks like a big step towards WWII technology. Very well detailed Mike! Such an appealing overall presentation - you're a veritable master of WWI vignettes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_Ukraine Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Great job and very impressive result! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 (edited) Mike, Hello. Nice history and background to your build. Your minute exceptional detailing is IMPECCABLE and IMPRESSIVE. Your Junkers D.I is STUNNING. like your build subjects.{German aircrafts). Like your aircrafts builds and what choice of build is your next one Mike? Edited August 11, 2021 by HOUSTON 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Gordon Posted August 10, 2021 Share Posted August 10, 2021 Majestic work as always old fruit . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 10, 2021 Author Share Posted August 10, 2021 Hi Alex, I see you're just down the road from me - Coningsby. By the way - your profile - "home of 627 Squaron" 🤔😆 Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Superb museum class model, and the figures complement the machine perfectly. Beautiful work! Kind regards, Joachim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Gordon Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, Sandbagger said: Hi Alex, I see you're just down the road from me - Coningsby. By the way - your profile - "home of 627 Squaron" 🤔😆 Mike I'm at Woodhall,I know that the Hole In The Wall Gang got here first but someone had to show folks where to look . Edited August 11, 2021 by Alex Gordon Spelling 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 11, 2021 Author Share Posted August 11, 2021 2 hours ago, Alex Gordon said: I'm at Woodhall,I know that the Hole In The Wall Gang got here first but someone had to show folks where to look . 😅 Actually I was querying '627 Squadron' - 617 surely 🤔 Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Gordon Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 19 minutes ago, Sandbagger said: 😅 Actually I was querying '627 Squadron' - 617 surely 🤔 Mike 627 took up residence at Woodhall Spa in April 1944,their website here will give you all sorts of gen.If you haven't had a chance to look round the museum in their accommodation at Tattershall Thorpe I will highly recommend a visit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 Charming vignette and a great way to show off that engine. Cracking modelling all round. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 On 8/11/2021 at 9:10 PM, Alex Gordon said: 627 took up residence at Woodhall Spa in April 1944,their website here will give you all sorts of gen.If you haven't had a chance to look round the museum in their accommodation at Tattershall Thorpe I will highly recommend a visit. Hi Alex, Well I didn't know that !! The Thorpe site is just a mile or so away. I've passed it many times but never been in. Thanks for the gen, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Gordon Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 No worries old fruit,for a small museum it is very powerful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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