A guide for Vacuform Kits
Expanded and corrected version (June 2001).

By Diego Fernetti (dfernet0@rosario.gov.ar)

As a WW1 modeler, I've always been intrigued by vacuform kits, since this process of manufacturing a scale model is specially suited to portray the early aeroplanes. During the 80s, there was a boom in vacuform manufacturing and WW1modelling was greatly benefited.
Here are  a compilation of known kits offered, besides some notes on the known manufacturers of vac kits, wich are the best and wich I have to avoid, since quality and engineering of the models, even in the same brand, varies greatly.
Some of the kits were just announced but nothing else was heard of them later, so I'd ask to the readers to drop me a note if you know that some of these were never released. Several of the entries include notes and comments on the particular kit, and there are some links to other sites wich I considered relevant or to show how the completed model looks like, but you may need to scroll down those pages to view the model noted in the title.
Good Hunting!

DISCLAIMER
I don't sell models nor advertise any particular manufacturer,
so please don't ask me for purchasing kits or items from this list.
Thanks!

List of Manufacturers  (browse or click on each name)

Aeroclub | Airframe | Akita | Black Knight | Bluprint Models | Blue Rider | C. A. Atkins | Classic Plane | Contrail | Cramer | D & M Dane Plane | Eastern Star | Eagles Talon | Esoteric | Expo Model | Falcon | Formaplane | ID Models | J &L | Joystick | Koster Aero Enterprises | Libramodels | Lone Star Models | Marco's Miniatures | Phoenix | Rareplanes | Roseplane | Rudel | Sanger | Scaleplanes | Sierra Scale | Skuld | Tom's Modelworks | Vac WingsVeeday | Velocette | Veterans 72 | V.L.E. Models | Warbirds | W.K  | Wings 48 | Wings 72 | Xtravac |


Aeroclub:
Excellent quality. Only a couple of OT vacs issued so far, quality reasonable for a first attempt. No decals, but their white metal is the best.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Martynside S-1 Scout 1/72 305 No decals. Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
R.A.F.SE2a 1/72 79 Good choice for a novice in vacs.
No decals
Sopwith Pup 1/48   Model built by Karen Rychlewski
Felixstowe F2A 1/72 308 Decals for several aircraft. Build article by Richard Eaton.

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Airframe:
It's not known if Airframe line is still on production (would you drop me a line to confirm if it does?). The kits are made of thin plastic over male molds, so there's usually soft surface detail, but the basic shapes are there. No decals. The wings are typically molded in upper and lower surfaces with thick rib lines wich aren't accurate at all. If you don't mind a lot of scratchbuilding, they can still be a source of modeling enjoyment.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Ansaldo SVA5 1/72    
Bristol M.1c 1/72 426 The fuselage has very soft surface detail. Hard to work as an accurate model, but easy to assemble as a first vac, since it's a monoplane.
Etrich Taube 1/72 420 The lower wing surfaces go only on a portion of the chord, as in the real plane. The undercarriage must be completely scratchbuilt and the references provided are vague.
Fokker D.VIII 1/72    
Friedrichschafen FF.43 1/72    
Halberstadt D.II 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg W.20 1/72   Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Junkers D.I 1/72 393  
Morane Saulnier L  1/72  63 and 356 It appears that it was released 2 times. See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Phonix D.I 1/72    
R.A.F. F.E.8 1/72 258 Undernourished nacelle, however placing a shim between the nacelle halves may save the day. The model seems based on the old Harleyford book drawings.
Sablatnig SF.V 1/72    
Short 184 1/72 249  
Siemens Schuckert D.III/D.IV  1/72 483  
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter  1/72 484  
Sopwith Baby 1/72 485  
Sopwith  Dove/Swallow 1/72 264  
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 1/72    
Sopwith Schneider 1/72 270  
Sopwith Tabloid 1/72    
Pfalz A.I  1/72   Conversion or repackaging of the previous MoS kit
Vickers F.B.5 1/72 72 Basic but accurate shapes of the GunBus.
Zeppelin-Lindau Cs.I 1/72    

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Akita:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Nieuport 27 1/72   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Nieuport 29 1/72   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages

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Black Knight:
Related to Contrail Models. White metal detail parts and decals included

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Albatros D.V 1/24   Model review in Windsock magazine Vol. 8 nş1
Nieuport 17 1/24   Model built by David Calhoun.

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Bluprint Models:
Mike Ridlon's company, recently has reissued the out of production line of Marco's Miniatures kits. you can contact him through e-mail or snail mail at: Bluprint Models Box 332 Pelham N.H. 03076, U.S.A.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Albatros D.III 1/24   Scheduled release on 2001!
Albatros D.V 1/24   Ex Marco's Miniatures
Fokker D.VII 1/24    
Fokker D.VIII 1/24   Ex Marco's Miniatures
Fokker E.III 1/24    
LFG Roland D.VIb 1/24   Scheduled release on 2001!
Nieuport 28 1/24   Ex Marco's Miniatures
Pfalz D.III 1/24   Ex Marco's Miniatures

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Blue Rider:
Decent quality. However, the "older", full kits seem nice..

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Bleriot XI-2 1/72 151 Good. Brass details. Build article by Richard Eaton
Farman MF II 1/72 187 Good. Brass details. Build article by Richard Eaton. Model built by Gene Becker
Albatros D.III Oeffag 1/72   Not a complete aircraft kit! Just a fuselage conversion designed for the Revell/Eldon/Esci injected plastic kit that takes some work to fit.
Vickers F.B.5 1/72 283 For the experienced modeller. Brass details. Model built by Gene Becker
Vickers F.B.9 1/72 284 For the experienced modeller. Brass details
Siemens Schuckert R.XI/15 1/144   Very complex kit. Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Sopwith Camel (Comic) 1/72 410 For the experienced modeller. Brass details

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C. A. Atkins:
Middling to good quality. Very nice kits with PE and WM bits. 

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Fokker Dr1 1/72    
Pfalz D.III 1/72    
Camel Comic 1/72    
Sopwith Snipe 1/72    

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Classic Plane:
Very accurate, but the older ones are pretty crude. No decals, some of the later ones have resin parts. Only marginally inferior to Roseplane and Sierra Scale. Well priced, lately they're converting the former vacuform line to resin models, so get yours ASAP. The Floh and the Albatros D1 were both very good. However his Berg D1, the DH1a and 1-1/2 Strutter aren't the same. They have a website.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
AEG G.IV 1/72    
Airco D.H.4 1/72    
Airco D.H.9 1/72 136 Model built by Len Smith.
Airco D.H.9A 1/72 137  
Albatros D.I/D.II 1/72 381 Very good.
Austin Ball AFB.1 1/72 145  
Aviatik C.I 1/72    
Aviatik/Berg D.I 1/72 364  
Blackburn Triplane 1/72 150 Model built by Len Smith
Breguet 5 1/72 154  
Breguet 14A2/B2 1/72 155 See Matt Bittner's french modelling pages
Curtiss JN-4C/D 1/72 170  
Deperdussin '13Monocoque 1/72 173 Model built by Neil Crawford
DFW B.I 1/72    
DFW C.V 1/72 493 &361  
DFW T.28 Floh 1/72    
Fokker D.I 1/72 38  
Fokker D.II 1/72 37  
Fokker D.VI 1/72    
Fokker D.VIII 1/72    
Fokker K.I 1/72 492  
Fokker M.7 1/72    
Hanriot HD1/HD2 1/72 194 Model built by Len Smith. See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Hansa Brandenburg C.I 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg CC 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg D.I 1/72 391  
Junkers Cl.I 1/72   Lousy surface corrugations.
Junkers D.I 1/72    
Lloyd C.II 1/72    
LVG C.VI 1/72   Model built by Andrei Koribanics
Martinsyde G100/102 1/72 203 Model built by Bill Arnold.
Martinsyde S.1 1/72    
Morane Saulnier A.1 1/72    
Nieuport 10 1/72    
Nieuport 11 1/72 222 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Packard LePere Lusac 11 1/72    
Pfalz D.XII 1/72 402  
Ponnier M1 1/72 238  
Siemens Scchuckert D.III 1/72    
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 1/72 265  
Sopwith Tabloid 1/72 275  
Voisin LA III 1/72 287  

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Contrail:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Blackburn G.P.Seaplane 1/72 148  
Blackburn Kangaroo 1/72 149  
Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI/L 1/72    

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Cramer
On the lower end of quality. Too bad they have released a lot of interesting subjects!

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
AEG G.IV 1/72    
Airco D.H.5 1/72    
Albatros C.V/17 1/72    
B.A.T. Bantam 1/72    
Breguet 14 1/72    
Bristol Scout D 1/72    
Caudron R.II 1/72    
Curtiss JN-4D 1/72    
Dornier D.I 1/72    
Fokker D.I 1/72    
Fokker D.III 1/72    
Fokker D.IV 1/72    
Fokker D.V 1/72    
Fokker D.VI 1/72    
Friedrichschafen G.III 1/72    
Gotha Gl.VII 1/72    
Halberstadt Cl.II 1/72    
Hanriot H.D.1 1/72    
Junfers Cl.I 1/72    
Junkers D.II 1/72    
LFG Roland D.VI 1/72    
Morane Saulnier Type AI 1/72   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Packard LePere Lusac 11 1/72    
Pfalz A.II 1/72    
Pfalz D.XII 1/72    
Pfalz Dr.I 1/72    
RAF F.E.2b 1/72    
RAF S.E.2a 1/72    
Rumpler D.I 1/72    
Salmson 2A.2 1/72    
Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin 1/72    
Vickers F.B.5 1/72    
Vickers F.B.12c 1/72    
Vickers F.B.19 1/72    
Voisin V 1/72    

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D & M Dane Plane:
Just the one issued, unusual danish type. 

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Nielsen & Winther Aa 1/72 217 Quite well done. Model built by Dennis Ugulano.

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Eagles Talon:
They don't bring decals or resin/metal detail parts. Nice references though.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Hansa Brandenburg C.I 1/72 427 Seems buildable
Hansa Brand. C.I (Oeffag) 1/72 428  

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Eastern Star:
Very nice vac with metal detail bits.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Airco D.H. 10 1/72 139  
Morane Saulnier Type BB 1/72 207 Good. See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages

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Esoteric:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Curtiss Flying Boat 1/72 169  
Curtiss N-9H Naval Jenny 1/72 171  

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Expo Model:
Just one kit of a bizarre experimental fighter.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
A.D. Scout 1/72 133 Model built by Dennis Ugulano. Model built by Karen Rychlewski.

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Falcon:
A mixed bag, since some releases are better than others. Big scale models. 

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
B.E.2c 1/48   Worst of their vacs, very early. *Lots* of work to get something only moderately acceptable. Model built by Karen Rychlewski..
Fokker DVIII 1/32   Very good. However, the lozenge may cause problems. 

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Formaplane:
Some excellent and some really poor, as the master builders were different. Quality amongst different examples of the same kits is uneven, but you can be sure that those signed with a small "JC" (standing for Joe Chubbock) in it are excellent. No decals nor separate detail parts, but some extruded material for struts are supplied.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
AEG C.IV 1/72    
AGO C.II 1/72    
Albatros B.II 1/72 459  
Albatros D.IX 1/72    
Ansaldo A.1 Balilla 1/72    
Armstrong Whitworth FK10 1/72 366  
Aviatik B.II 1/72 490  
Bleriot XI Militaire 1/72 152  
Caudron G4 1/72 167 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
DFW B.I 1/72    
Dorand AR1-A2 1/72 176  
FBA Leveque 1/72    
Friedrichschafen G.III 1/72    
Friedrichschafen FF.33L 1/72    
Halberstadt Cl.II 1/72   Nice, mastered by Joe Chubbock. Strange round section sprue for struts (you may replace them with more adequate material)
Hanriot HD.1 1/72 192 Build article by Alberto Casirati. See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Hansa Brandenburg CC 1/72 390  
Hansa Brandenburg D.I 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg KDW 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg W12 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg W29 1/72    
LFG Roland D.VIb 1/72    
Lloyd C.II 1/72 479  
Lohner C.I 1/72 429  
Lohner L 1/72    
Morane Saulnier A.1 1/72 206 Model built by Len Smith. See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Nieuport 12 1/72   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Pfalz E.I 1/72    
Pfalz Dr.I 1/72    
Phonix Scout (D.I) 1/72    
R.A.F. B.E.2/12 1/72 247  
R.A.F. B.E.2c 1/72 244 Nice, mastered by Joe Chubbock. Plenty of struttage supplied. Model built by Bill Arnold.
R.A.F. F.E.2b 1/72 248 One of the best.
Rumpler 6.B.I 1/72 465 Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Salmson 2A2 1/72 256  
Savoia Pomillio Type 3 1/72 257  

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J &L:
Moderate quality, no decals but they included rubber tyres.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Ansaldo SVA5 1/72   Basic shapes, the fuselage is split in 4 different parts. The wings have exaggerated trailing edge scalloping. No strut material was included. However the kit is workable. It was later reissued under the MHW label without rubber tyres.
Phonix D.I 1/72    

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ID Models:
They are basic and not very accurate.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Albatros D.V 1/32   Out of production. Imagine if you will a grown Aurora Albatros.

Up 

Joystick:
Extensive line of subjects that can
be worked up to good models. Some kits will make you spend a lot of work on, since the detail is very soft, and a couple of them are littered with "pip" marks (however these are easy to clean up) and these have the best surface detail since the "pips" are intended to improve female molding. Usually they bring decals.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
AEG C.IV 1/72 4  
Albatros C.I 1/72   Straightforward no nuts vac
Albatros C.III 1/72   As above.
AGO C.II 1/72 363 Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Albatros C.I 1/72 13  
Albatros C.III 1/72 14  
Albatros C.XII 1/72 15  
Albatros J.I 1/72 7 Model built by Steve Hustad
Ansaldo A.1 Balilla 1/72 17 Good. White metal detail parts and decals included. Easy to work with. See model review by Alberto Casirati.
Ansaldo Baby 1/72 18 Model built by Len Smith.
Aviatik B.II 1/72 21  
Aviatik-Berg C.I 1/72 22  
Avro Bison 1/72 24  
Beardmore WB.III 1/72 26  
Dorand AR.1  1/72 35  
Dorand AR1-A2 1/72 177 see Matt Bittner's french modelling pages
Halberstadt CL.II 1/72 49 Good, however it provides innacurate round strut material wich should be replaced.
Halberstadt CL.IV 1/72 50 Model built by Steve Hustad
Lloyd C.II 1/72 60  
Morane Saulnier P 1/72 62 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Nieuport 24 1/72 70 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Phonix A 1/72    
Phonix D.III 1/72 76  
Rumpler C.I 1/72 83 Very clean mouldings
Rumpler C.IV 1/72 481  
S.A.M.L. S.2 1/72 85 Model built by Len Smith.
Sopwith 807 Folder 1/72 99  
Sopwith Batboat 1/72 100 Model built by Karen Rychlewski
Sopwith Tabloid 1/72    

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Koster Aero Enterprises:
Great kits that usually consist of vacuform, resin, white metal, photo-etch and provides nice decals too. If Aeroclub is the Rolls-Royce of vacs, and Falcon is the Bentley, KAE is the restored Duesenberg-J of vacuforms, at least for the stuff from the last 10 years. GreatModels Webstore carries this stuff.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Fokker E.V/D.VIII 1/48 07 Model built by Paul Howard. Good choice to start on vacs.
Hannover Cl.IIIa 1/48 17 Excellent. Good choice to start on vacs.
Siemens Schuckert D.III 1/48 11  
Siemens Schuckert D.IV 1/48 22 Model built by David Burke.
Sopwith Triplane 1/48 08 Average.

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Libramodels:
Superb, sharply formed little vacs on quite thick sheet and accurately mastered. All included metal (Aeroclub) details, strut materials and decals. 

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Airco D.H.5 1/72 002 Good surface detail.  The fuselage sides aft the cowling has wrong shapes that may be corrected. 
Bat Bantam 1/72    
Blackburn Monoplane 1912 1/72    
Bristol Scout D     Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Bristol F.2B 1/72   Has alternative engine cowlings, and may have been a civilian option too.
D.F.W. B.I 1/72 475  
FBA Leveque 1/72    
Macchi M.7      
Nieuport 24/27 1/72   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Nieuport 29 1/72   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Pfalz E.III/IV/VI 1/72    
Pomilio PE 1/72   Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Sopwith Cuckoo 1/72    

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Lone Star Models:
Vacuform and resin components. These range from "improvement needed" to "acceptable". His stuff is worth checking out and some of these kits are very comprehensive.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Airco D.H.5 1/48    
Curtiss N-9H 1/48    
Curtiss N-9H 1/72    
Donnet Leveque 1/48   Model built by Peter Fedders.
Felixstowe F2A 1/48   Model built by Peter Fedders.
Fokker E.IV 1/48   Good first vac candidate.
Hansa Brandenburg CC 1/48    
Hansa Brandenburg W.20 1/48   Model built by Peter Fedders.
Lohner L 1/48   Model built by Peter Fedders.
Lohner L 1/72    
Macchi M.5 1/48    
Morane Saulnier Type N 1/48   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
RAF F.E.8 1/48    
Pfalz E.I 1/48    
Sablatnig SF.2/5 1/48    
Sopwith Baby 1/48    
Sopwith Snipe 1/48    
Vickers FB12c 1/48    

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Marco's Miniatures:
These large scale kits  were marketed by 4 Star Collectibles in the past and now are reissued by Bluprint Models. They had resin details, large decal sheets, photoetched bits, veneer for making one's own prop should one choose not to use the resin one provided. They can provide hundreds of hours of nerve-wrecking fun and they also had add-on resin kits of 1/24 figures: pilots, ground crew and even a german sheperd dog! 

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Albatros DVa 1/24    
Fokker D.VIII 1/24    
LFG Roland DVIa 1/24    
Nieuport 28c.1 1/24    
Pfalz D.III 1/24   The rear fuselage section being a little too short

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Phoenix:
Minor "pips" that cleaned up easily, decent decals and reasonable surface detail. Issued twice, once without and once with metal parts.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Airco D.H.1/1A 1/72 134  
Airco D.H.6 1/72 135 Excellent. Easy to do, is a good subject for begginers.
Caudron G4 1/72 168 Model built by Mârten Tyllstrom. See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Halberstadt Cl.IV 1/72   Model built by Paul Thompson
Junkers J2 1/72 56  
Otto 1913 Doppeldekker 1/72   Model built by Matt Bittner
Port Victoria PV 2bis 1/72 239 Build article by Richard Eaton
R.A.F. B.E.2a 1/72 243 Nice kit, white metal engine, wheels & tail skid

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Rareplanes:
Reasonable quality, their Gotha is very good. Now out of production.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Gotha G.IV 1/72 46 Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Gotha G.V 1/72 362  
Junkers D.I 1/72   Easy, because it has only one wing and no rigging.
Pfalz D.III 1/72    
Sopwith Snipe 1/72    
Thomas Morse S-4C Scout 1/72 103  

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Roseplane:
Very good quality. They supply a lot of the smaller parts in resin. Those still on production can be bought from Barry Stettler at Rosemont Hobby Shop.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Armstrong Whitworth FK.8 1/72 143 Model built by Bill Arnold.
Caudron G.3 1/72 166 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Model built
by Dennis Ugulano.
Farman F.40bis 1/72 183 Build article by Dennis Ugulano. 
Model built
by Dennis Ugulano.

Model built
by Michael Kendix.
Hanriot HD.3 1/72 195 Build article by Matt Bittner. 
See also Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
LFG Roland D.II 1/72 395  
Martinsyde G100Elephant 1/72 204  
Nieuport 12 1/72 367 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Oeffag C.II Series 52.5 1/72 208 Kit review and Build article by Dennis Ugulano. Model built by Michael Kendix.
Packard LePere Lusac 11 1/72 196  
R.A.F. R.E.5 1/72 252  
Spad A.2 1/72 277  
Spad A.2 / A.4 1/72 351  
Spad S.XI 1/72 279 Mastered after Harleyford drawings, not too
accurate to start with.  The wing comes out quite short and the fuselage is too short from the pilot's cockpit forward.  Other than that it's a decent kit.

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Rudel:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Breguet 14 1/72    
Hanriot H.D.1 1/72    

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Sanger (ex Contrail):
Not too good, as a rule. Need a lot of building, they have double surface wings and tailplanes but  the tops don't match the bottoms.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Albatros D.V 1/24    Poor.
SE5a 1/24   Poor.
Nieuport 17c.1 1/24   Good.

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Scaleplanes:
These kits to vary from extremely difficult to nearly impossible. Re-issued ex Libramodels Bantam, Bristol Scout and DH.5.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Austin Ball A.F.B.1 1/72    
Airco D.H.5 1/72 3 and 130 Released 2 times?
BAT Bantam 1/72 25  
Blackburn 1912 Monoplane 1/72 27 Good. No decals (doesn't need them).
Breguet 14A2/B2 1/72 156  
Bristol F2B 1/72 159  
Bristol Scout D 1/72 161  
Burguess Dunne 1/72   Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Dufaux Fighter 1/72 178  
F.B.A. Leveque 1/72 190  
Handley Page '12Monoplane 1/72 191 Model built by Karen Rychlewski.
Loening M-8 1/72 199  
Macchi M.7 1/72 201  
Morane Saulnier L 1/72 213 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Nieuport 12 1/72 227 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Nieuport '12Monoplane 1/72 218 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Pfalz E.IV 1/72 75  
Pomilio PE 1/72 236  
Port Victoria PV7 1/72 240 Fuselage split laterally.
Model built by Steve Cox.
Model built
by Karen Rychlewski.
Port Victoria PV8 1/72 242 Model built by Karen Rychlewski.
R.A.F. F.E.8 1/72 251  
R.A.F. S.E.5 1/72 253  
Sopwith Cuckoo 1/72 98 Modified model built by Len Smith.
Vickers F.B.19 1/72 105 Model built by Steve Cox.
Vickers F.B.26 1/72 285  

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Sierra Scale:
Good quality. The surface detail on Sierra vacs is well executed. Construction shouldn't be hard because the plastic they're made from is pretty thick, therefore good as a starting point for a vac-builder. Sierra's vac parts include bulkheads and formers, the struts are also on the vac sheet. The Aeroclub white metal detail bits are nice, but the Sierra injected bits look crude. It seems that the semi opaque plastic makes the pieces look bad, but they're OK. They have their own website

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
AEG C.IV 1/48 36 Build article by Candice Uhlir
AEG G.IV 1/72 14  
AEG G.IV 1/48 05 Model built by Karen Rychlewski. 
Model built
by Dennis Ugulano.
Albatros C.III 1/72 -  
Albatros D.III (OEF) 1/48 01  
Albatros C.V 1/48 41  
Albatros C.V 1/72 16  
Albatros C.VII 1/72 383  
Anatra 1/48 38  
Ansaldo A.1 1/48 35  
Aviatik- Berg C.I 1/48 16  
Aviatik-Berg D.I 1/48   Model Built by David Calhoun
Bristol Scout 1/48 32  
Caudron R.II 1/72 32 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
D.F.W. C.V 1/48 40  
D.F.W. C.V 1/72 34 Model built by Peter Fedders.
D.F.W. Floh 1/48 30  
Fokker D.II 1/48 33  
Fokker D.VII 1/48 15 Pre-dates the DML injection molded kit. Very accurate, the only weak point is thecowl louvres which lack sharpness.
Friedrichshafen FF.33E 1/72 44  
Friedrichshafen FF.49C 1/72 476  
Friedrichshafen G.3 1/72 45  
Gotha GL.VII 1/72 47  
Gotha WD.7 1/72 48 Model built by Richard Eaton.
Grigorovitch M.5 1/48 39  
Hansa Brandenburg C.I 1/48 22  
Hansa Brandenburg C.I 1/72 24  
Hansa Brandenburg W12 1/48 09  
Hansa Brandenburg W12/18 1/72 32 Model built by Todd Henry.
Hansa Brandenburg W29 1/48 12  
L.V.G. C.V 1/72 14  
L.V.G. C.VI 1/72 04  
Lloyd C.V 1/48 37  
Lloyd C.V 1/72 18  
Morane Saulnier Type L 1/48 20 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Morane Saulnier Type N 1/48 11 See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Nieuport 11 1/48 13  
Phonix C.I 1/48 18  
Phonix C.I 1/72 08  
Phonix D.I 1/48 19 Model built by Jesee Thorn
Phonix D.I 1/72 17  
Phonix D.II 1/48 28 Model built by Sandy Adam.
Phonix D.II 1/72 19  
R.A.F. S.E.5a 1/48 16  
Roland C.II Walfisch 1/48 06  
Roland D.II Hailfisch 1/48 08 Model built by Sandy Adam.
Roland D.VI 1/48 29  
Rumpler C.I 1/48 26  
Rumpler C.I 1/72 -  
Sablatnig SF5 1/72 23  
Short Bomber 1/72 21  
Spad A.2/4 1/48 24 Model built by David Calhoun
UFAG C.I 1/48 21  
UFAG C.I 1/72 20  

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Skuld:
Kits from France, somewhat basic female moldings, provides some metal details but no decals.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Bleriot XI 1/72   Just wings, side panels and tail surfaces. It's not the 1909 Channel crossing model, but a later "militaire" model. The fuselage parts look too wide. Wheels (2) and prop are metal. No struts nor strips to make the fuselage.
Nieuport 27 1/72   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages

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Tom's Modelworks:
 The earlier releases were quite good, but it seems that they have declined. Some of their former vac kits have been converted to resin kits. Known for its excellent photoetched detail bits, they have their own website.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Halberstadt Cl.II 1/48   Model Built by David Calhoun
Nieuport 10 1/48   See Matt Bittner's French modelling pages
Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter 1/48   Model Built by Sandy Adam. It comes with two fuselages - one single seater and one two -seater.

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Vac Wings:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Hansa Brandenburg C.I 1/72 478  
Lohner L 1/72 464  

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Veeday:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Pfalz D.III 1/72 438  

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Velocette:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Bristol M.1C 1/48    

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Veterans 72:
Issued several vacforms before going on to resin. Mostly French a/c and fairly basic, their metal bits are bad. 

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Ader Eole 1/72 132  
Breguet 5   153  
Breguet 14 A.2 1/72    
Farman HF 20/23 1/72 185  
Letord 4 1/72 197  

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V.L.E. Models:
High quality vacs with metal parts, but not recommended for beginners to vacforms, very complex subjects. They have only two early aircraft kits to date, and one more if you can consider the Farman bomber into the realms of WW1.
They have their own website

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
D.F.W. Mars 1/72 472 Kit review by Michael Kendix
1912 Fokker 'Spinne' III 1/72   Kit review by Michael Kendix
Farman Goliath 1/144   Postwar airliner version

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Warbirds:
Another out of production, of reasonable quality. These kits are surprisingly nice considering when they were released.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Junkers D.I 1/72   The corrugations on the Junkers D.1are as good as those on injected plastic versions.
Pfalz D.III 1/72   Good.
Sopwith Snipe 1/72 274 Good.
Thomas Morse S.4 1/72   Good.

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W.K. Models:
No further data available.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Lohner L 1/72    

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Wings 48:
Very good quality. No kit list available to date, they possibly have similar subjects that the WIngs 72 series.

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Wings 72:
Very soft detail that will take some work, but they have nice intruction sheets and plans.

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.10 1/72    
Breguet 14 A.2 1/72 346 Soft louvre detail, strange plastic strut material. See Matt Bittner's french modelling pages.
DFW T.28 Floh 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg C.I 1/72    
Hansa Brandenburg W.12/III 1/72   A good starter to vac building.
Model Built by Dennis Ugulano.
Hansa Brandenburg W.12/V 1/72    
Lohner L 1/72 430 Model built by Dennis Ugulano.
Salmson 2A2 1/72 431 See Matt Bittner's french modelling pages.
UFAG C.I 1/72    

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Xtravac:
Very nice quality. Excellent detail with separate resin bits (resin bits are now available through Paragon)

Description

Scale Kit number Notes
Albatros C.IX 1/72 8  
Albatros C.XV 1/72 9  
Albatros D.III 1/72 382  
Albatros J.II 1/72 10  

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Aknowledgements:

I've compiled these comments of vac kits from the knowledgeable WW1 Modelling Mail List members posts, some modeller's websites and from some modelling magazines. Without their collaboration I wouldn't have learned so much about this particular form of producing a scale kit, wich adapts so well to the characteristics of the early flying machines. All the mistakes or errors that can be found on this article should be atributed to me.
I also want to thank the help given by Steve Schofield, Andrei Koribanics and Wanda Dueñas, who helped me to type all these boring lists.


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