EFL4605 Albatros D.Va 25e

This 25-size ARF biplane is a rare model indeed as there are very few Albatros kits available in the market place. It is without doubt the perfect choice for pilots interested in WW1 German fighters.

Beautifully finished, the Albatros DV 25e is a classic biplane that features superb scale details that all combine to really bring this model to life. For the full scale package this combines with docile flying characteristics enabling this seldom modeled aircraft to be flown in a truly realistic manner.

The Albatros DV 25e features an almost endless list of scale details: fully-functional shock absorbing landing gear, unique painted aluminum spinner, moulded motor and machine gun detail, printed lozenge-patterned Ultracote, fully-sheeted fuselage, pre-formed "V" inter-plane struts, varnished wood tailskid and scale wheels. Even greater scale detail is available with an optional cockpit kit (EFL460516).

For excellent performance and durability for this sized airplane the Albatros is designed around the popular 870Kv Power 25 brushless outrunner motor, E-flite 4S 14.8V 3200mAh 30C LiPo battery and E-flite 40Amp Pro Switch Mode ESC. There is also the option to fit E-flite's Power 32 motor and 60 Amp ESC for increased performance.

Normally biplanes tend to present more problems with transport than mono planes but this is not the case with the Albatros as both top and bottom wings have plug in fittings with high-quality carbon fiber wing tubes for added convenience.

E-flite's illustrated assembly guide and comprehensive hardware pack takes all of the hassle out of the assembly process and there is no need to rush off to your local model shop to buy nuts, bolts or screws as they are all included.

Finished in an accurate Jasta 18 (Jagdstaffel 18 was a "hunting squadron" or fighter squadron of the World War I German air service) colour scheme using red, white and printed lozenge patterned Ultracote the model looks great on the ground and absolutely spectacular in the air, especially on slow flybys.

The Albatros D.Va

The Imperial German Air Service fielded some 80 Jastas (Jagdstaffel, hunting or fighter squadrons) during the First World War (WW1)

Not even the vivid colourful aircraft decorations of some Second World War USAAF units could match the flamboyance and colour schemes of some of the early WW1 units.

Jasta18's aircraft sported red (crimson) noses and white fuselages making this Royal Prussian Jasta particularly striking to behold. The striking red and white livery followed the arrival of a new commander, the talented Leutnant (Second Lieutenant or Pilot Officer) August Raben (Raven). In homage to his surname each airframe received a black raven emblem painted on the fuselage.

It was more than just for show however. First established in late 1916 the unit would go on to have a short but remarkable fighting career till wars end in 1918.

This Royal Prussian Staffel faced some of the top units from England's Royal Flying Corps (R.F.C) No.56 Squadron R.F.C in particular was a frequent and dogged opponent! Despite this, Jasta 18 was given credit for the destruction of 107 enemy aircraft and five balloons while suffering eight pilots killed, eleven wounded and one taken prisoner.