1. Aileron control wires

In the model, the wires pass through the top of the wing and over pulleys placed on the upper surface. In the prototype, these wires passed through the inside of the wing, and it should be possible to arrange the pulleys so they carry the wires inside the wing rather than outside.

I left the wires on the outside because it is easier to rig them and adjust them after the model is built. Clearly if the wires are to be passed through the wing some thought must be given to ensuring access to the two pulleys when the wing is built up and in place.

I used an inexpensive modelling wire for the control wires but am advised that a good fishing line, which does not stretch, would be better. My thanks to Howard Somerville for this suggestion. One might also consider incorporating tension springs in the wires to maintain tension.

2. Front fuselage cover

The model has a large gap in the front fuselage cover which provided finger access for the wires as they come up from the bell crank, and also allowed some access to other fixtures such as the motor. However this would probably be improved greatly if it was covered over so that it sloped down towards the level of the curved plates around the engine block.

3. Elevators

The elevator controls are much more responsive than the aileron controls, not surprisingly, given the longer distance of travel for the joystick and the lack of pulleys to traverse. Some form of reduction gearing could be used to compensate for this. However the diagrams I have seen of the original controls show no such system.

4. Colour Schemes

The original 'works' colour scheme for the Fokker DVII was a garish array of multi-coloured lozenges, as seen in the picture on the front page of this plan. However, the German air force allowed pilots great latitude in the decoration of their machines - a useful practise for identifying other pilots in a dogfight - and so virtually any colour scheme is possible, including the canary yellow suggested by the model.

Given a suitable supply of black parts, it should be possible to recreate the black crosses on the wings and fuselage. More adventurous modellers might investigate some of the actual markings used by German aces.

I'd be very grateful to hear from any modeller who solves these or any other problems with the Fokker DVII, or who has any problems constructing the model, and will try and include the solutions and corrections, in future updates of these instructions.

London, February 2000