1:32 Albatros D.V & D.Va - Laser-cut Decal

The real subject

The Albatros D.V and D.Va fighter aircraft closed a range that was among the mainstays of German aviation in the second half of the First World War. Their most conspicuous feature is the oval fuselage glued from strips of plywood, that is a shell that did not have to be braced with wires and that gave the aircraft a smooth surface. The engine is an inline six-cylinder Mercedes, cooled by water and with the radiator built into the upper wing. The narrow lower wing with a single spar gave the pilot a better view downward, but at the same time it was the weak point of the structure in a steep dive. The D.Va version differs from the D.V in details of structure and in the routing of the aileron control cables.

What the sheet contains

The sheet brings laser-cut decals in 1:32 scale for models of the Albatros D.V and D.Va. Laser cutting means that every element is already outlined on the sheet in its final shape and that trimming by hand with scissors falls away. What motifs the sheet carries and exactly where they belong are given in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Before you begin, spray the places intended for the printing with a gloss varnish. A gloss undercoat prevents bubbles of air from being held beneath the decal and the edges from whitening once dry. Take the elements with tweezers, dip them in lukewarm water and wait until they release from the backing. Settle them in one attempt and move them with a wet brush, because a shape cut out in advance will not allow the edges to be trimmed afterward. Over convex and intricate shapes a softener will help, and once dry coat the surface with a semimatte varnish.

Who it is for

For modelers who build the Albatros D.V or D.Va in 1:32 scale and want the printing without the glossy edges of carrier film. It is an accessory to a model of the aircraft. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.