Review by: Les Venus
Something to get you reaching for your mouse, cc or a WW kit box!
Background
You can see my Here Now Review’s on the Wingnut‘s LVG VI and the RE-8 elsewhere in your SMN, so you’ll know that I am a big fan. I have at last started building one now, the RE8, and my admiration has grown still further.
My purchase of this particular kit came as a direct result of buying the Pheon Models decal sheet which I will expand on shortly. Suffice to say, together I am really looking for a superlative model.
Packaging on Wingnuts kits is the best in its class, including super box art on a box that’s helpful in maintaining the kits integrity – given it’s travelled 14,000 miles to get to the door. This journey took less than a week – how impressive is that?!
Instructions
Click on Image to Enlarge/go back.
My eyes always pop out when looking at Wingnut instructions booklets. I seriously doubt that much more reference material is needed to build your chosen model. It’s clear the Wingnut guys love modelling – it shows in all they do.
The Kit
This kit’s been around a while now and I bought the Hispano Suiza powered variant (Hisso), as opposed to the Viper powered version which is also available from Wingnuts. I needed the Hisso version for my chosen model so here it is.
Mouldings are superb and the option of two fuselages – one with sagging fabric and one without – is excellent as an idea at least. That said, I am not entirely convinced by the sagging plastic in this scale as it looks like a moulding to me and not natural, so I won’t be taking up this option.
One also gets two propeller options; 2 and 4-blade and I used this sprue as a demo on wood grain effect at my last club night so you get a bit of ‘Build Now’ in this review – more excellent value from SMN!
Decals
There are 5 well-known options on the decal sheet, all Tamiya PC-10 over Buff and all are excellent. Also excellent are the decals themselves, if again a little thick to me – thought I might just be being a bit picky.
Colour density looks good, as does the accuracy, thought I do again have a slight puzzled frown about cockade colours.
I bought this kit on the back of buying the Pheon Models decal sheet for an SE.5a, a night-fighter from 61 HD Squadron in 1918. It’s a stunning looking machine, with check finish and unusual fin flash. I was instantly drawn to this, as well as the quality of the decals and the incredibly detailed instructions.
It’s clear to me that Rowan Broadbent – who produces these decals – loves the subject and, coupled with the kit instructions, Rowan’s decals and his incredibly detailed instructions should ensure a superlative result. Watch your SMN and find out as I am so very excited by this model.
[Editor’s Note: We also have a cracking variety of new sheets from Rowan, which will all feature in ‘Here Now’, as well as some exciting Build Now projects in the pipeline, such as the Albatros D.V.]
Summary
This is a review of two wonderful products from manufacturers that really care for their subject. The cost of these products is not an issue as its all value and high-value at that. I can’t wait to finish my RE8 and get stuck into this model and the Pheon decals. I can’t recommend either highly enough.
Les V.
N.B. You can contact Pheon Models at www.pheon.models@hotmail.com.
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