1:32 OEFFEG D.III ser. 153/ 253 exhaust

The real subject

The Albatros D.III was also built under license by the Austro-Hungarian firm Oeffag, and those aircraft differed from the German originals in a number of details. Series 153 and 253 belong to the later forms and it is precisely these that tend to be the most popular among modelers. The exhaust is a conspicuous feature on them: it lies high on the side of the fuselage, so it is visible from every angle and it shows at once whether it has the right shape and an open mouth.

The replacement part

This is a finished replacement part that takes the place of the exhaust from a kit. Kit parts in this place tend to be simplified, with a solid mouth and with marks from gluing two halves together. The replacement sharpens the shape and the mouth stays open, which shows on a model more than most changes inside a cockpit. The work is quick at the same time, so it also suits as a first step toward improving a kit. Anyone building several aircraft of this series side by side will appreciate that they all have an identically shaped exhaust and that it does not have to be laboriously reworked every time.

Building and painting

The part is not made of polystyrene and it is glued with super glue. Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the rest back carefully, so as not to round the edges of the mouth. Wash and degrease the part before painting. Exhausts quickly lose their shine, so start from a dark matte base and complement it with rusty and brownish shades; around the mouth a light application of dark soot, smeared back toward the rear, works well.

Terms of supply

The package holds a replacement part. The model of the aircraft, the paints and the glue are not included, unless stated otherwise.