1/32 Albatros D series Louvers

The molded-on engine compartment louvers on 1/32 WNW and Roden really just don’t cut. In the past I have made a stamping tool to press replacements out of thin sheetmetal, and while the results were pretty good, it took a lot of practice and a large pile of rejects to get a set that matched.

Enter this alternative. 3D printed with very thin walls, these little beauties really look the part. They printed on a squared-up raft so you can clamp it in a small vice and then razor saw each louver off of its sub-block.

There are 3 each of 4.5mm and 5mm lengths, enough to do one Albatros along with offerings for the carpet monster. Removing the existing kit detail, either by sanding or carving. (I suggest carving them off with a very sharp precision chisel). For maximum realism, carve or mill a narrow trench where the kit louver was, to represent the hole through the fuselage.