Re: The best basic kit (in 1:72)

Bill Shatzer (aw177@freenet.carleton.ca)
Wed, 19 Apr 1995 04:00:23 -0400

>
>
>>Now I need a kit which should be able to be built into a "nice" replica
>>without any major surgery. I _might_ change the decals, paint job should be
>>simple. I will replace struts if necessary but detailing should be possible
>>with no more than some Aeroclub guns and a seat (or 2)
>>
>>So the question is:
>>
>>What is the "best" good basic injection moulded 1/72 aircraft kit of a ww1
>>prototype in all your humble opinions ? !!
>>
>>
>>Shane
>>
>>PS - my wife actually approves :-0
>
> My vote might be for the Airfix kit of the Roland C-II. Basic, simple
>color schemes, reasonably accurate kit (haven't compared it with the
>Datafile yet, though). Makes for a nice model of an interesting aircraft.
>Kit is affordable and reasonably available everywhere, even in Australia ?
>Don't go whacking on an expensive resin or short run while on holiday.
>
>Charles Hart
>
>hartc@spot.colorado.edu

Despite my urge to be original, I'd have to endorse Charles' recommendation
of the Roland. The kit is basically accurate, the detail is reasonable,
the fit is good and the rigging is simple. It's a great kit, especially
for the price.

Other "pretty good" WW1 1/72 kits are the Revell Fokker D.VII (overly thick
struts and surface detailing but otherwise not bad), the Revell Sopwith
Tripe (thick struts, crude guns and other detail parts, but generally OK),
the Revell Dr.I (excellent if you can ignore the assymetrical ailerons -
a struggle if you can't), the Airfix Sopwith Pup (a wonderful kit but the
rigging is a little complex and difficult - not Airfix's fault, Sopwith's!)
and the Airfix Hannover CL IIIa (basically accurate, good fit, but extensive
rigging required and the paint schemes tend to be overly complex.)

And, value your wife most highly! If she approves, she is that proverbial
'1 in 1,000'!

Cheers, Bill

--
Bill Shatzer - bshatzer@ednet1.osl.or.gov - aw177@FreeNet.Carleton.ca
 
"It's useless to fight the forms.  You've got to kill the people 
producing them."  Vladimir Kabaidze