My first (completed) scratch build

**Niclas** · 01-03-2012 11:17

So, here's my first scratch build - all gussied up as Bongartz plane.

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Here presented between a couple of random official little Fokkers, for comparison:

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Actually, this is a failed prototype.
The plan was to figure out a method of building several Fokkers, at least a flight, from scratch more or less assembly-line style.
Unfortunately, when the prototype was finished and painted with a base coat, I found that the end result wasn't quite up to par.
So, for my planned flight, I put this prototype aside to try something else. I'm now looking at casting most parts in resin - though there's a bit of a learning curve there (at the moment stuck in a trial & error phase with the molds).

I decided to paint it anyway, when I was in a painting mood the other day but didn't quite have the energy to build something new - so I thought, what the h-, might as well do this one, warts and all.

**rote Flügel** · 01-03-2012 11:41

WOW... really like that.. you've done an outstanding job of it.. and that paint job is first class..

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 01-03-2012 12:23

Looks pretty well up to scratch to me Niclas. Well done old chap. Keep em coming.
Rob.

**Nightbomber** · 01-03-2012 12:27

The passion and work you put into this model making counts. I like it, although it's not perfect (who's model is pefrect? - definitely not mine). But if it's your 1st paint job I tell you - it's really, really good

You have a new, personalized plane and this is great. These are only minis for gaming purposes; if one wants to have a very good looking model, he/she should turn to 1:72 scale

.
Andrzej.

**Zakopious** · 01-03-2012 12:30

Good Job !

It looks as good as the Nexus planes so it is good enough.

Those of us who build our models tend to be critical of our own work because we can hold them in our hands and examine the imperfections closely.

However, when they are on the gaming table and seen from a distance of a few feet, they look as good as the commercial models.

Ken

**The Cowman** · 01-03-2012 12:31

Quite excellent! Bravo!

**Guntruck** · 01-03-2012 12:34

For a scratch-build that is excellent.

**Baldrick62** · 01-03-2012 12:35

Niclas,
If you consider that a failure, I look forward in awe to what you'll consider a success!
BofB

**Ravenlord** · 01-03-2012 12:58

Outstanding work!

Here´s a picture of the original plane, when Ltn. Bongartz visited Jasta 32, March 18./19. 1918.

The men in front of the machine are Ltn. Koch and Ltn. v. Hunoltstein from Jasta 32.

Matthias

**Nightbomber** · 01-03-2012 13:06

Nice picture, Matthias, thanks for adding.

**Marechallannes** · 01-03-2012 13:31

Well done Niclas.

**Bruce** · 01-03-2012 13:34

Excellent job as it is.
Do you want to play with them or put them in a display cabinet? I think it's good enough for both.
I have now constructed over 80 scratch built minis (I'm a player/gamer not a displayer) and have made only a few as good as your first attempt.
To quote some of our U.K. members ... Well done that man!

**bsmith13** · 01-03-2012 13:47

nicely done!

**J53_Badger** · 01-03-2012 16:57

Nice Job mate!

**CappyTom** · 01-03-2012 17:17

That looks fantastic. Well done. I think your a little hard on yourself.

Tom

**Dwarflord22** · 01-03-2012 17:31

Amazing job!

**gully_raker** · 01-03-2012 18:26

Great work Niclas.
What medium did you use for the model, Metal? Resin?.

One thing though I would like to see more "green" added to the streaking but please do not think I am being critical.

**flyingryno** · 01-03-2012 18:40

Well done Niclas. a nice addition to any collection

**jbmacek** · 01-03-2012 18:48

It looks great. You'd never know it was a scratch-build.

**Madboyo** · 01-03-2012 20:22

Even if not perfect its well above par on the wargames table. Nice job! I wish my above par was as good as your below!

**Jure** · 01-03-2012 21:36

Excellent, Niclas, most excellent! Do tell us, what did you make it from... it looks very clean and neat. What did you make the wheels from (me thinks I is getting a tad obsessed with them wheels...

)?

Jure

**Oberst Hajj** · 01-04-2012 04:12

I don't think I could have told it was a scratch build piece! Very well done on the build and the paint job. I've got a DR.I in the Fokker Paint Works shop right now as well. I think my striking is to subtle though... needs more dark streaks.

**StuKa** · 01-04-2012 07:13

One of the best scratch builds I´ve seen so far! And the painting sheme looks really great! Good job!

**Niclas** · 01-04-2012 11:10

Wow, thanks for all the kind words!
I'm quite overwhelmed by the response I've got on this one!

I think I'd better stress though, that this was not my first attempt, since some of you seems to have gotten that impression. It's my first completed attempt - a lot of tiny airplane parts, in a variety of materials, have ended up being thrown into a wall in frustration before this first finished plane saw the light of day.

What I used for this one is mainly styrene profiles from Evergreen, which I find a joy to work with.
For some padding and a couple of details, like Bongartz himself, I used Green Stuff. Extra detailing, like ridges on wings and padding round cockpit, I simply painted on before putting the base coat on.
The trickiest part I thought was the wing struts, since they have to hold the thing together well enough for gaming. I ended with making a tool (a piece of wire, folded once and set in a simple handle), which I heated to melt slots through the mid wing and partway into the others. *
The part I was most proud of, was the cowling. This is a piece of pipe, with a thin lid - made it easy to shape and looks great (I think).

The wheels were made by sawing thin segments of pipe (couldn't cut without loss of shape), filing the edges a bit to make them look like tyres - then filling in the wheel with Green Stuff.

The streaky paint is a bit tricky. It could probably be improved if one put on a layer of thinner, whetter paint before the darker, sharper streaks that I put on. It's the sort of thing that has to be improved by trial and error, I think.

Great pic Matthias - Thanks for sharing!

/Niclas

**Nightbomber** · 01-04-2012 11:21

Now we know the whole story. Hats off, Hats off gentlemen! Few of us probably ever considered building a tripe from scratch like this one was built. Hats off.