Group Members:

Well I have done some talking and asking for advice and you guys and gals have been great. This is my first model after 5 yrs and it feels good to work with my hands. I must say......I'm not good and I'm sure there are many younger group members who I know will show me a thing or two. I'm 47, retired U.S. Navy and work way to much to have an OK life. My wife said I needed a real hobby to relax besides workingout, hiking and reading. I need to work my mind and spend plenty of time reading. I'm by no way are great modler, but would like to be. I must say I did find it relaxing and kept my mind going. Well as you will see......my painting is not good at all. It was all done by hand. I don't have an airbrush but someday hope to get one. I don't know how to use it, but I'm sure my CAN DO, spirit will find out.
It took a bit of time to get my hands steady and starting feeling a bit more confident near the end of the build. I have a small workbench that my wife helped me put together and should be fine for future model projects. I hope someday to be as good as some in this group and maybe even enter a contest. For now I will build to put them in my bookcase next to my history books.
Give it to me upfront, what you think. I'm a firm believer of constructive feedback, good or bad. My Navy life was based on that.
The model is a 1/48 of a WW1 Albatross DIII.

Thank you.
Sam (Old Retired Navy Guy)

WOW a Albatros D.III for your first build after five years ! Would love to see some pic's if you have any ? Nice to see another String bagger on the site . Best way to learn is ask questions for a better understanding of how others do things . Before I join this site my skills where okay , I did the brush painting as well before I got an airbrush . In that Year I have learned many new tips and methods helping me improving my skills not to mention the great aid from other members and site staff when ever I have a question or need help with ref's . Made some friends a long the way as well .

If you are happy with the results you have with the end project , that;s all that matters in the end . So welcome to site , enjoy and don't be shy !

I added photos to the post. Should come up on top were it says photos. Let me know and thank you for your advice

I'm not an airplane builder but it looks like a clean build in these photos.
Your paint will improve after a few more projects.
Welcome back to the hobby!

Thank you for the comments. I still don't know how to rig WW1 aircraft. I will read up on it.

Sam

Not bad at all Sam , better then what my first one turned out . I like it !

Thank you. I'm trying to find some info on rigging. My next one I would like to try it. Any advice?

Sam

The rigging is rather easy to do and there is mant methods on which you can do . Since you are just getting back into the hobby and never have done this before . I would start with this method until you get the hang of it . Drill a small hole under the top wing right next to the the holes where the struts go but don't drill all the way through . Do the same on the lower wing drill all the holes through . You can use clear thread for the rigging which works the best . Won't sage over time like streght sprure does . You can even use smoke invisible thread as well . On the top wing dip one end of the thread in super glue ( gel type ) and place in hole let try , then pass the other end through the hole in the lower wing pull tight but not to tight and place a small drop of super glue . Just repeat with the other holes . once the glue is dry on the lower wing trim off excess fill hole and lightly sand .

This is it in a nut shell play with it for a while and see how you do . If it's questions on WW1 modeling It would be easier if you post your questions under early aviaiton the thread . Lots of WW1 modelers there .

Thank you and I'm pretty sure my next one will be another WW1 model, so I will try it.

Thank you so much.

Sam