Albatross C1

Mike Watters · 13-03-2006

Hi all,

While looking through some old models in the photo album, I came across a few pictures of a 1/6th Scale Albatros C1 which my father made for Dave Boddington to be used in a TV series back in 1978/9 called ' Wings '
My father also built a 1/6th scale BE2C.

Both models took 6 weeks each to complete from sratch. They were powered by Webra 61 2 strokes, controlled with Futaba M series radio, covered with nylon.
The Albatross was fitted with a 5th servo to move the rear gunner on low flyby's when filming.

There were a few models made for filming,

Two Albatros C1
Four BE2
Two Fokker Eindecker
Two Avro 504

Later the Albatros C1 was kitted by DB Sport & Scale.

After fliming was complete, the models made an appearance on the TV series ' Blue Peter '. For a number of years the models were on display at ' Cornwall Aero Park ' other wise known as ' Flambards Village '. Around 10 - 15 years ago they were then sold on.
If anyone reading this, knows the were abouts of the models today, I'd be happy to here.

Mike.

**wonwinglo** · 13-03-2006

Mike as you know I have one of your fathers Albatross C.1 models in my collection,it was purchased in a damaged state at Old Warden many years ago after the filming had been completed,I remember that day well,we had come across country from Hull to attend the Scale day at Old Warden,we had been touring and the scale day was our last port of call,imagine the car loaded to the hilt and I still had to find some room to get the Albatross in ! anyway after a repair to the lower wing I fitted a Webra 61,the model had quite a complex assembly in that she had to be fitted together with all of the struts resting into the pins and the rigging wires pulled taught,the top wing has a steel joiner plate with the aileron control rod joined with a connector,I only made one beautiful long flight with her,she was so majestic in flight and needed a lot of combined aileron and rudder to bank,the landing was a breeze,you just throttled back and she settled into the longest glide of any biplane that I have flown.Why did I not fly her again ? well I just did not want to risk this film star,she was dismantled and laid up the idea being to display her one day perhaps in a museum,as happened she withstood my shop to house move and has been stored ever since.
These models must have moved around a bit,I only wish now that I had purchased the B.E.2C as well but being at the end of my holiday cash was short,and there again the space problem in the car ! I saw both types at the Avon Cosmetics model day held near Northampton,I dont think they flew due to high winds but somewhere I have a negative of them on the ground,there was also an article done on them in the RCM & E magazine,how incredible that you have found yourself here with one of the models present owners ?
We now know that the wing damage was done after she had been passed from one transmitter to another over a few fields after take off,unfortunately one transmitter had still been left on,consequently she crashed,the sturdy construction must have saved her bar the wing.

**Bunkerbarge** · 13-03-2006

What stunning models, what an amazing story and how unbelievable that Barry should end up being one of the owners. Firstly Mike thank you very much for sharing the pictures with us and a very warm welcome to the forum. Not bad for a first post!

I can understand your reluctance to want to fly it Barry but what a shame never to see it in the air again.

I sometimes think that we have to take those risks, in the knowledge that it is a risk, to see such things grace the skies again. If we didn't take such risks we would never have the absolute joy of seeing the "Battle of Britain Memorial Flight" go past and experience the reverberation of all those Merlins running in harmony.

All we can do is put all the required checks, maintenance and tests in place to ensure that the risks are at an absolute minimum.

tigertc · 14-03-2006

Stunning models! and i wholeheartedly agree, what a great piece of history. Welcome to the forum.

15-03-2006

We have 2 of these models in our club (Alloa) - one is really old and has been recently resurrected and is due to fly soon.
The other I built from a DB kit which had been lying in a friends loft for years. It is electric powered and has had 4 flights to date.
The model flies like a big trainer and is very docile.

**Bunkerbarge** · 15-03-2006

Hi R101,

A very warm welcome to the scale models forum and very many thanks for starting off with such a superb pictutre of your model.

We have a very diverse and very friendly membership and I hope that you enjoy reading the postings and getting something out of it.

If you have more such pictures as your last one we would be more than happy to see them.

Two amazing first postings in one thread, must be something worth celebrating!

**wonwinglo** · 15-03-2006

R101,Thank you for sending in this photograph which sheds a bit more light on the 'Wings' models,now looking at the photograph the only difference in the kit and original models is the wing shape at the tips,I do know that DB Models kitted this design and this probably explains the difference for kitting purposes,now you mention that you have two older models of the Albatross C.1 ? I am wondering if one of these could possibly be an original model that has somehow migrated ? if there is any chance of a further few pictures of these other models this would be appreciated,what I am trying to determine is which ones they are to help complete this complex puzzle ?

15-03-2006

The other model was built by the same chap who had the kit in his loft (he liked it so much he bought another!)

This is the only old photo I have of that model at the moment.

The big deviation from scale with the kit/plan is the lack of washout on the ailerons and also the slight but noticeable washout on the lower wings.

I'm hoping for a formation photo which should be possible later this year.

Lew Weaver

duncan · 15-03-2006

Hello Lew, welcome. How about a few shots of your all white Red Cross Luftwaffe WWII bipe/seaplane/twin. Was a Henschel ? Duncan ( Loch Insh `n aw that!)

**wonwinglo** · 15-03-2006

Lew,thanks for this it clears up that these are indeed kit built Albatross C.1 machines which were based on the film replicas and made by D.B Models,we do know that the Flambards museum at Helston had one which possibly came from the Fleet Air Arm museum and the one in my possesion makes up the total.
The formation sounds good and is something to look forward to.