The Little World

Specifically, Wilhelm Schwartz – in 1918 at Mesniles.

That’s the plate that I have based my Fokker triplane upon. The kits that come out of this iconic aircraft all seem to assign it to Manfred v. Richthofen and mould it in red plastic. An understandable choice, as he was possibly the most famous ace of the war – but a bit boring and predictable for a scale model collection. I already have an Albatros fighter in his colours, so I cast about for a different one.

In particular I wanted to avoid an aircraft that featured the characteristic German lozenge fabric. I have made a plane using this before and it was a difficult thing to get the decal representing the pattern to cover the surfaces properly. Fortunately the side view of Schwartz’s plane shows solid colour.

The kit I chose was the older Revell offering – It has proved to be a delight, despite missing a seat. I was able to scratch-build one from Plasticard and the interior is obscured enough to get away with it.

The paint job was dead simple – though I painted the flying surfaces and fuselage before joining them. Even the two-part struts went on straight.

Note to future moulders of tiny aircraft: do not get all desperate to make the propellers turn – it is far better to have a solid engine and shaft than try to build a working feature.

The very old Revell decals were thrown in the bin – the markings are from the new Vintage Classic Airfix kit and bedded down perfectly.