First World War Aircraft in Scale: Scratchbuilding in 1/144 Scale

Avid scale modelers gain practical, detailed guidance for crafting tiny WWI aircraft with precision.

Featuring beautifully illustrated chapters on specific aircraft such as the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b, Airco DH.2 and Pfalz D.III, First World War Aircraft in Scale: Scratchbuilding in 1/144 Scale takes the reader from the initial inspiration and planning stages, all the way to cockpit detailing and the fine-tuning of engines and armaments. William Adair brings his skills as a jewelry maker and gold and silversmith to the art of scale modeling at the extreme scale of 1/144, presenting easy-to-follow solutions for creating components such as struts, rigging, and assembly jigs, as well as specialized finishing techniques developed for small scales. Further tips are given on painting, weathering, creating custom markings, national insignia, and much more, as well as recommendations on tools, references and materials.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Specialty Tools; Pfalz D.III & D.IIIa: Jagdstaffel 10 & Jagdstaffel 30, Imperial German Air Service; Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2b: No. 22 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps; Airco DeHavilland DH.2: No. 32 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps; Nieuport 17: Escadrille N.3, Armee de l'Air & No. 60 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps; Endpiece; Bibliography.

William Adair has had a passion for aviation and miniaturism all his life. An early interest in model building as a craft led to his first job after graduation as a commercial model maker for architecture and industry. William worked in this role for over a decade before retraining in gold and silversmithing, and has since worked as a jeweller for more than twenty-five years. He retained an interest in model building and returned to the hobby in 2014. He now combines his love of early aviation and history with a delight in precision and fine-scale craftsmanship.