Siemens-Schuckert D.IV

by Bill Powers

TOKO's 1/72 scale Siemens-Schuckert D.III is available online from Squadron.com

Here is TOKO's 1/72 scale Siemens D.IV of Jasta 12.

I built this TOKO model with the assistance of Harry Woodman's article in an old Scale Models issue and Wylam's drawings for the plane and the engine. Some have questioned the accuracy of the kit's shape, but it matches Woodman's drawings perfectly!

The only changes to the kit were to super detail the fuselage. The fuselage halves were thinned and framework added plus a complete interior. The cowling was thinned and a new engine scratchbuilt. There are about 70 pieces in the engine. The propeller is laminated walnut and teak shaped to match the plans. The propeller was reshaped several times until I was satisfied! The Spandaus are Rosemont resin guns plus Eduard photoetch. Rigging is 8/0 fly tying thread. The cabane struts were modified to match the planes, which required a slight trimming of the interplane struts.

The paint scheme is from a photo in Osprey's German Fighter Units June 1917-1918 of Jasta 12 at Giraumont Aerodrome September 1918.

I used Aeromaster four color lozenge because Woodman's photos and article indicate this is the pattern used. The pattern on the upper wing is at a diagonal and the lower wing was applied span wise. There are 140 rib tapes! I used a jig to hold the wing and serve as a reference for each rib tape's location. The model won third in class at the 1999 IPMS Nationals and the Mike Fritz Award.

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