Hi all,
As the build of the Fokker E.IV 'Eindecker' is coming to a close, I've started the next build.
This build will be of Halberstadt Cl.II ‘Anni’ of Schlachtstaffel ‘Schlasta’ 27b (Battle Squadron), based at Villers-au-Tertre Aerodrome from late 1917.
Flown by Uffz. Fridoin Redenbach and the CO of the unit, Oblt. Sigmund Kreitmair.

Schutzstaffel ‘Schusta’ 27b (Protection Squadron) was formed in February 1917 and operated primarily as escorts to bombing or reconnaissance aircraft.
On April the 16th 1918, the unit was renamed Schlachtstaffel ‘Schlasta’ 27b (Battle Squadron) and was then engaged in ground attack missions.

Three colour profiles were created in 2012 by R.N.Pearson and were based on data from Duiven/Dan-San-Abbot and the ‘Schlachtflieger’ publication.
The first profile depicts the aircraft, which I believe was written off as non-repairable after crashing.





For the second and third colour profiles, there appears to be some conjecture as to the lozenge covering used and the colour of the 'devil cat' marking.
However 'Wingnut Wings' have a photograph of the crashed 'ANNI', which I assume is the subject of the second colour profile.



If so, then the third profile is the last iteration of this aircraft.
The third colour profile indicates this aircraft was an 'early' Halberstadt Cl.II, with the pilots machine gun mounted on the port (left) side of the cockpit coaming.
I chose the third and final colour profile for this model build, although I'll need to create decals or paint masks for the fuselage markings,

Mike

Hi all,
The subject of this model has been changed, as there is no photographic or other evidence for this aircraft, apart from textual notes taken at the time and passed down through generations.

Mike.

Dare I say this new subject looks very much more interesting than the previous one!
Looking forward to the build.

It's gonna be a beauty Mike!

Hope we get to see one of these fly in WOFF before long.

Jb

Hi all,
The fuselage is close to being closed up now.
The engine is complete apart from some weathering and controls that will be fitted.
The fuselage still needs the pilots machine gun to be fitted.

Mike

Hi all,
The fuselage is now closed up.
The instructions call for the front cabane struts and wing radiator pipe to be fitted before the fuselage panels.
However, this leaves them exposed and likely to be broken or damaged during the subsequent build.
Therefore I decide these could be fitted after the panels and later in the build.

Both the pilots 'Spandau' and observers 'Parabellum' machine guns were modified to have 'Master' Brass barrels and cooling jackets.

Somehow I managed to lose both of the landing gear bracing tubes.
So I replaced them with brass tube, which will probably give the gear more strength anyway,





Mike

Hi all,
The fuselage is ready for applying the 'Aviattic' stipple five colour lozenge effect decals (ATT32209).
I also needed to create the 'Devils Cat' and 'ANNI' decals.
These were copied from the colour profile into Paint Shop Pro 2019 software on my PC.
The edges of each were cleaned and they were then test printed on paper and resized as necessary to match the model size.
The markings were printed on my Canon IP7250 inkjet printer and on ‘MDP’ (Mr Decal Paper) Clear water slide decal paper.
I printed extras as the clear decal paper is translucent and may show the underlying decal.
If so I can double the decals to increase the colour density.
The printed decals were given two light sealing coats of ‘Krylon’ Acryli-Quik sealer to seal in the ink and prevent bleeding of the colours when the decals are applied.

Mike

That is a fantastic approach to creating custom decals!
Great tip!!

Hi all,
I now have a photograph of the right side of this particular aircraft.
It indicates that the black 'Devil Cat' was applied only on the fuselage left side.
The right side had a Imp figure and a devil face.
The quality of the photograph is not good so I've created decals as close as I can.
The Imp was traced from the photograph and the devil face was the closest I could find (online clip art).

Mike

Hi all,
The fuselage decals have now been applied.
Just a few small tweaks then it's on to the weathering,

Mike

Cracking good stuff!

Hi all,
The wings and tail unit have got their lozenge decals.
‘Aviattic’ Halberstadt Cl.II 5 colour lozenge upper surfaces (ATT32196),
‘Aviattic’ Halberstadt Cl.II 5 colour lozenge lower surfaces (ATT32199),
‘Aviattic’ Halberstadt Cl.II 5 colour lozenge tail surfaces (ATT32205),
‘Aviattic’ Halberstadt Cl.II 5 colour fuselage stipple surfaces (ATT32209).
Applied on a white gloss base coat then coated with 'Alclad' Flat (ALC314).
Weathered with 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt fine clay wash.
Finally coated with 'Alclad' Light Sheen (ALC311).

Now onto pre-rigging before assembly,

Mike

Hi all,
Finished preparing the various parts of the model.
The ‘Grantenwerfer’ bomb rack is from another model kit, although I've added the back board so it can be attached to the side of the fuselage.
The flare ammunition rack is also from that kit, but I made the flare cartridges from painted 0.5 mm diameter styrene rod.
The tyres and inner wheel covers for this model are the new 3D printed resin wheels ('Continental' 76x100) from 'Proper Plane'.
The outer wheel covers will be the kit supplied parts.

Now it's onto pre-rigging before assembly,

Mike

Hi all,
The underside if the upper with has been pre-rigged with the flying, landing, incidence, drag and cabane bracing wires.
For rigidity the landing gear has been final rigged with its bracing wires.
Mono-filament of 0.08 and 0.12 mm diameter used with 0.4 and 0.5 mm diameter blackened Brass tube.
The turnbuckles on the landing gear are 'Gaspatch' 1:48th metal Type C for strength.

Now it's onto fitting the upper wing,

Mike

Hi all,
Upper wing now fitted including the two radiator coolant pipes.
Just needs a bit of weathering then it's final rigging,

Mike

Mike,
Superb work and detail. Another masterpiece.

Hi all,
Apart for some areas of weathering needed, the aircraft model is finished.
The last parts have been added:
Wheels ('Proper Plane' 760x100 'Continental')
Propeller ('Proper Plane' 'Garuda')
Windscreen
Aileron controls
Observers Parabellum machine gun,
Flare ammunition rack,
Grenades rack,
Flare pistol.
All structural and flight control rigging completed.
This was 0.08mm and 0.12mm diameter mono-filament and 0.4mm and 0.5mm diameter tube.
Also 'Gaspatch' metal and 'Proper Plane' resin turnbuckles.

Below are a few shots.

Now it's onto the figures,

Mike

Your'e level of detail never ceases to amaze!

Hi all,
Pilot and observer/gunner completed
They are the ‘Model Cellar’ WW1 German two seater crew (MC32016).
The finished model shots will be posted soon,

Mike

Hi all,
Here's the completed shots of the Halberstadt Cl.II ‘Anni’ of Schlachtstaffel ‘Schlasta’ 27b (Battle Squadron), based at Villers-au-Tertre Aerodrome from late 1917. The pilot was Uffz. Fridoin Redenbach and the observer/gunner Oblt. R. Sigmund Kreitmair (Commanding Officer of the unit).

Thanks for your comments and support for this build.

As usual a fully detailed build log in Adobe PDF format is available to download from the 'Logs' page on my web site (linked from signature block below).

Now to continue with the Hannover Cl.II build,

Mike