Hat in the Ring's First - Part II

I finally got around to completing the Nieuport 28s needed for my Hat in the Ring's First scenario by taking care of the rudder colors. The planes are not really 100% complete, as I do need squadron insignias but no one is making squadron markings for the 94th Aero in 1/144 scale. While I am overall pleased with the effort, I am noticing a few places in need of touchup, and I believe, knowing full well that I have the historical information for this, that I have the rudder colors incorrect - should be blue/white/red, fore to aft. Also, there is some question as to whether or not the red jagged cowling edges were there at the time of this action. I opted to go without, mostly because of my lack of skills when it comes to painting such details.

I still need to finish up the Albatros D.Va and Pfalz D.IIIa needed for this scenario. Thanks to my buddy Matt, I do have a lozenge pattern decal on the upper wing of the Albatros (the Pfalz did not sport a lozenge pattern), but still need to add balkan crosses. My buddy The G Dog let me look through his stash of German decals, but I could not find the correct thickness and size needed. I have seen crosses that are long and thin, others that have too much of a white border, but not the correct size. I might just go with eisen since I have so many of those already, and it would match the Pfalz. Both planes came from Jasta 64w, and as the scenario takes place in April, planes bearing the eisen cross, particularly in a jasta that was not one with a commendable reputation, it is not that much of a stretch to think the planes could still be sporting the older style cross.

Hat in the Ring's First

A couple of pictures from this small project aimed at recreating the first encounter of the 94th Aero. Obviously there is more work to be completed, like some small paint details and the addition of decals, but I am fairly happy how the planes are turning out. The Nieuport 28s will receive French roundels as they bore on that day in April 1918 in which two Americans from the 94th shot down two Germans (a Pfalz D.IIIa and an Albatros D.Va, both from Jasta 64) over the American airfield. 

The planes are Table Top Flights, the stands and altitude rings are from Rival Sky Games, and I have added blue transparent tape to some of the altitude pegs to help delineate height.

A lot of work still to come, but the lozenge is on the Albatros D.Va.

Mat - GripMats