Airfix 1/72 Roland C.II & RAF RE.8

AIRFIX 1:72 ROLAND C.II & RAF RE.8 (dogfight double)

Reviewer: Matt Chambers (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 28 April 2003

Kit Details:

AIRFIX DOG FIGHT DOUBLE ROLAND CII AND RAF R.E.8. TYPE 4 1972

History:

C I I - Designed by L.F.G. Roland’s Chief designer Dipl.Ing.Tantze the C.II had modern features in abundance including, wide chord section wing struts, a top wing incorporated into the fuselage and clean lines, which all helped reduce drag considerably. First flown in October 1915 the aircraft soon began service with a six cylinder 160 HP Mercedes engine giving 103 mph / 165 Kmh top speed to aid its reconnaissance / escort duties. 2 Guns atop the aircraft had good visibility due to its low top wing. Became known as the ‘ Whale ’ as the markings added to this aircraft represent.

R.E.8. - The Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 was an unequal span Bi-plane first flown in late 1916 and with some changes first saw service in early 1917. Some 4,077 were built using a 150 HP V12 with 102 mph / 164 Km/h top speed for its spotter / bomber role during WW I. Armourment included a Vickers 7.7mm machine and a Lewis gun along with some 100 Kg bomb load ability. Named ‘Harry Tate’ by the aircrews who flew them, after a comedian of the time in the popular Cockney rhyming slang.

The Kit:

One of Airfix’s classic Dog Fight Doubles with special boxart, two full kits and a unique double stand. Both aircraft were series one (together became series two !) giving some idea of their simplicity and level of detail. Generally these days most of these older ‘doubles’ would wisely not see any glue and paint, being prized items amongst collectors. But what of those not meeting the high standards most collectors seek? well read on - this one arrived with a prop-less D.R.1Triplane in place of the R.E.8., no instructions and no stand!, its owner soon found a replacement British combatant and I gladly offered to cobble it all together. Buying these from reputable dealers or getting a good look in the box is recommended as they are often found in a similar state to this one. Some pairs have recently been re-issued giving access to the double stands should you want to build two individuals in a ‘ replica ‘ dogfight for those not yet re-released.

Construction:

ROLAND- Molded in a pale blue plastic I decided after some unsuccessful colour seeking to build it un-painted save for the detailing to the two somewhat oversize figures, engine and fuselage interior. Some good reference here came from Ospreys basic modeling book which covers the kit in great detail. The kit first issued in 1968 comes in 31parts which includes 4 clear windows, one pilot seat and two machine-guns to enhance the otherwise lacking internal detail. On the plus side I found the kit is delightfully finished with raised rib lines and panels and sharp engraved control surfaces. There is also a subtle fabric effect to both sides of each wing with only a minor ejector pin mark marring this nice finish. Being the genuine kit from around 1972 flash was not seen on any parts but some edges needed a clean with a scalpel.

Assembly started with sub-assembling the fuselage halves with windows seat and the prop before joining them together with the aid of 3 locating points providing a good, if not quite perfect alignment. Lower wing fits next with a square lug locating it in place. Struts were pre fitted to the upper wing with care to get them at 90 degrees and this assembly once dry fitted to the fuselage and lower wing – nice and easy for a bi-plane. The struts are not contoured to match the wings correctly but a firm fit can be obtained at least. Rear gunner and his weapon don’t sit very comfortably together so this kit would benefit from a ground pose without the figures to be honest. For the flying pose re-thinking these areas would be best if your skills are good. Tail fits nicely as do the remaining undercarriage and other parts.

DECALS - To yellowed to use so trimmed out the iron crosses and applied to painted panels and Matt varnished to seal them in.

ACCURACY – Span 10.3m @ 1:72 - 143mm (142mm) Length 7.7m @ 1:72 – 107mm (105mm) (kit measurement in brackets) (See Osprey book for tail inadequacies)

-----------

R.E.8. - A later ‘ type 10 ’ kit from 1987 was used in place of the missing original as the grey and less sharp parts in the box indicated. Colour scheme was easier to define with the R.E.8 using the attractive khaki top surfaces and buff undersides colours similar to that on the ‘dfd’ box top, a Web site also provided a look at this scheme as did a colour reference photo. I mixed my own khaki shade using Airfix M30 and various darkening colours, buff was straight from the pot. Most parts were pre-painted before assembly which began with the fuselage halves, prop and gun support needing to be in place as per instructions. Wing assembly was a lot trickier than the CII with some 10 supporting struts to be located between the pair, the lower wing fits easily enough and was giving time to dry firm to set up the longer top wing. Some filling under the lower wing recess was also required. The 2 figures with this one are also badly scaled, this time being to small and also looking distinctly alien and under-fed (poor chaps). Detail is adequate but lends itself to further work.

DECALS. - Good usable decals which were located as instructions onto an overall varnish gloss coat and sealed in with a final overall Matt topcoat. Roundels were a touch bigger than the width of the upper and lower wing and needed a slight trim fore and aft.

ACCURACY- R.E.8 - span 12.98m @ 1:72 180.2mm (184mm) - Length 8.5m @ 1:72 –118mm (122mm) (kit measurement in brackets)

Conclusion:

I’ve been back modeling (WW II and early jets) regularly for about four years so the two Bi-planes were a great change. A lot of modeling is serious stuff these days and that gives someone like me a standard to aim for, this build was lighthearted and nostalgic – a lot of fun. And apologies for my poor attempt at photography!

Build Review by Matt Chambers – ref : Airfix 02142-9 / 01076 Osprey – Basic Aviation Modeling

web hosting • domain names
web design • online games