Albatros Productions | Building the Wingnut Wings Fokker D.VII

Reviewed by Kevin Williams

The "Building the Wingnut Wings"" series of modeling specials from Albatros Productions, offer up a unique look into the world of the subject WWI aircraft, with a look at the aircraft during the wartime years, as well as in the case of this particular volume, some very nice detail shots from various museum type restorations/rebuilds/new builds. Adding up to roughly 64 pages, this would seem to be a sort of "one stop shop" for all fans of the Fokker D.VII, from a modeling perspective. Naturally enough, as the title implies, there is also a great selection of the WNW kits during various stages of their construction, with hints and tips interspersed throughout.

Several main sections make up this volume, and they are:

(Most of the sections listed above seem pretty much self-explanatory, so I will elaborate no further.)

This particular publication, is roughly a 50/50 split between modeling articles (splendid) and archive type/museum type photos and details, as well as a whole gob of excellent (as usual) Ronny Bar illustrations, generally consisting of profiles, but with a few plan and inverse plan renderings as well; real good stuff.

A small portion of the publication, interspersed in certain areas, has data on various WWI aviation sites, publications, and materials, and is most welcome, as they, as often as not, point out material that I had otherwise been unaware of.

Yet another plus to recommend this volume, are the numerous excellent color profiles (11, by my count) offered up by well know aviation artist Ronny Bar; really good stuff, as I have come to expect by now from this particular artist.

Anyone with even a passing interest in WWI aviation, is usually familiar with the extensive line of publications offered, and the overall high quality that is typical from Albatros. This volume is certainly no exception, offering forth a glimpse into an era long since passed, but hopefully, never forgotten. Like many, I quite anxiously await the similar (two volume set) on the Fokker Dr.I, which promises to be extraordinarily interesting.

Typical Photo Quality/Illustrations

The text and model photos, are augmented with a very nice selection of period and/or museum restoration photos, giving the reader lots in the way of "eye candy", in addition to the wonderful Ronny Bar illustrations.

All in all, I'd recommend this book without any reservation at all. At a decent 64 pages, and all on very nice quality paper (a big plus from my point of view), this volume makes for a nice addition to the library, and may well prove invaluable for those that eventually model their own kits.

If you have but even a passing interest in WWI aviation, or the beautiful and iconic D.VII, this series of books (as well as indeed all of the other Datafiles), may just convert you into a life-long fan.

Rear Cover

Review copy compliments of Ray Rimell at Albatros Productions.

© Kevin Williams 2020

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This review was published on Saturday, November 14 2020; Last modified on Sunday, November 15 2020