1/32 Albatros Fuel Selector Valve

A detail omitted from most 1:32 scale kits of WWI German airplanes, including Wingnut Wings Albatros D.V & D.Va and Roden’s D.I & D.III. This valve was the heart of a complex fuel delivery system, which allowed the pilot to select fuel source (main or reserve) as well as the source of air pressure to pressurize the system (engine-driven air pump or manual “bicycle pump”) among other functions. The valve complex was typically located behind a wooden panel in the cockpit, and operated directly via levers.

 This part has been specifically designed to fit the WNW Albatros D.V and D.Va kits in 1:32 scale. It may also be appropriate for other kits depicting inline-engine powered German aircraft, such as the Fokker D.VII (Alb) — check your references. There are small starting holes for the various fuel lines that sprout from this valve; we suggest you model these with copper wire.