Wingnut Wings

1/32 Albatross D.V 'Jasta 18' decal sheet

Product # 30011 for $19.00

Product Article by Jeff Herne on Feb 21 2011

 

One of the advantages of modeling WWI aircraft is the huge variety of paint schemes. When coupled with the wide array of aircraft types, the possibilities are almost endless. 

Wingnut Wings’ release of “Jasta 18” set provides markings for five different Albatross D.V aircraft. While most enthusiasts will recognize the red-and-white markings from the von Raben era, these aircraft carrying markings from the Rudolf Berthold era of late 1917, early 1918. When Berthold took command of JGII, he swapped the entire staff of Jasta 15 with that of Jasta 18, so he could continue to serve with his former squadmates. 

Of the five aircraft on the sheet, two will require Wingnut’s 5-color lozenge decals, #32001 5-color upper Lozenge, #32002 5-color lower lozenge, and #32005 Rib Tapes. One aircraft utilizes the earlier Mauve and Medium Gray-Green painted wing, and two have an all-blue wing. Color callouts and mixes for Tamiya, Humbrol, and Misterkit paints are included. These decals are printed in Italy by Cartograph, one of the best-known decal producers in the business.

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Lettered A through E, the front page of the instructions include a side profile of each aircraft, incorporating color callouts and decal placements. The remaining pages are divided into quarters and each is dedicated to a specific aircraft, including photos of the actual aircraft and a few paragraphs of text outlining the history of the aircraft, pilot, and potential speculations of the colors or markings of the aircraft. 

Aircraft A is a blue and red aircraft flown by Oliver Beaulieu-Marconnay, a 25-kill ace. This particular aircraft carries painted-over markings under the blue fuselage, so care should be taken when building this particular model. This aircraft features an all-blue wing, blue fuselage and red nose with light blue undersides. It uses optional kit parts C3, E39, E46, F6, and F9. 

Aircraft B is another blue and white aircraft, D.V 4594/17 flown by Paul Strähle. This aircraft carries 5-color lozenge on the upper surface of the wings, but light-blue undersides. This aircraft also has painted-over fuselage crosses, and uses optional kit parts C2, E24, F6, and F9. 

Aircraft C is another blue-and-red aircraft flown by an unknown pilot, and wears a clover and horseshoe (for good luck) on the fuselage side. This aircraft also carries painted-over fuselage crosses and an all-blue wing. Citing a slight color difference in the original photo, Wingnut included optional decals, one option with a white clover, the other with a green clover. This aircraft uses optional kit parts C1, E24, E39, E41, E45, F6, and F9. 

Aircraft D is the black sheep of the sheet, featuring an all-black aircraft flown by Kurt Monnington. This aircraft was originally attributed to Georg von Hantlemann, but research indicates this could be Monnington’s aircraft. Both Monnington and Hantlemann were involved in the March 1918 swap between Jasta 18 and 15. This aircraft features a green and mauve wing upper surface, and 5-color lozenge lower surface. It also features a 5-color lozenge rudder and overpainted fuselage crosses. This aircraft uses optional kit parts C2, E39, E41, E45, E46, F7, and F8. 

Aircraft E is another blue and red fuselage aircraft, flown by Josef Veltgens in early 1918. This aircraft carries green and mauve upper wing surfaces and light blue undersurfaces. Like the other aircraft on this sheet, this aircraft has painted-over fuselage crosses, and uses optional kit parts A35, C1, E23, E39, F6, and F9.

Like all Wingnuts products, these decal sheets are available directly from Wingnut Wings and retail for $19.00 US. 

Thanks to Wingnut Wings for the review sample.

You can purchase this and other fine products directly from Wingnut Wings.  

Jeff Herne

Photos and text © by Jeff Herne