Albatros D.Va
1/48

By: Otis Goodin

Here are several images of my completed Albatros, a DVa flown by Flgmt Gerhard Hubrich. The plane is finished as marked while in service with Marine Feld Jasta IV in late 1918.

The Marine Feld Jastas were first formed in February 1917 to target the RNAS bombers and fighters operating along the North Sea coast. These units were preceded by Seefrontstaffel I, which was established at the beginning of the war to operate German seaplanes in the area. Later, Seefrontstaffel II was formed in October 1917 to protect these seaplanes from RNAS attacks. While serving with Seefrontstaffel II, Hubrich scored 4 victories. In September 1918, Seefrosta II was disbanded and the personnel and aircraft were used to create Marine Feld Jastas IV and V. Hubrich ended up in MFJ IV, and added 8 victories to bring his total for the war to 12.

Apparently all MFJ units used chrome yellow as the unit identification color. Hubrich's aircraft is supplemented with his personal insignia, a yellow chicken breaking through a white egg on a blue background. Apparently this was a reference to his nickname of "kuchen," which means "chicken" in German. With his service record, it is doubtful that it is a reference to his courage under fire, but I was unable to find any information on the origin of the nickname.

Many thanks to Dale Beamish and Mike Franklin for their work in creating the decals for the fuselage, tailfin, rudder and, of course, the chicken emblem. Without them, I would have had a much more difficult time finishing this model. The wing crosses are from Aeromaster.

Colors used on this aircraft include:

• Wings: Grun RLM 62 and Napoleonic Violet (upper), and RLM 64 Lt. Blue (lower)
• Struts: Lichtblau RLM 76
• Mottling: Olivgrun RLM 80
• Yellow: Gelb RLM 04

All paints are Testor's Model Master Acrylics except for RLM 64 Lt. Blue which is Polly Scale.