|
Gal mainpage Ad below main pic
|
I couldn't resist
sending these images to ARC, given the look of the "face" of this little
"monster".
I acquired this one from my usual kit provider, the trusty NKR models from Down
Under.
This is an incredibly well produced and
detailed model from a (at least for me) new manufacturer. Given that the kit
number is 001, we could safely assume that this is their first in this field.
But boy, what a model! Extremely crisp moldings, good level of detail, good fit.
What a treat.
The
T 28 was a fighter prototype produced around 1915 with the main purpose of
obtaining more speed, apparently by means of reducing everything around the
engine. Due to a series of considerations, and in spite of being successful in
achieving its goal, it was never launched into production.
I could not find but a few references, and just one photo on the internet. The
plane had a wingspan of 6,5 meters and a fuselage length of 4,5 meters (sorry
non-metric guys, but it’s time for you to join the rest of the world!) so
imagine how little the model is in 1/72.
With the injected
plastic parts comes along a very good photo etched fret that includes, among
other items, seat belts, instrument panel (with the photo film backing), fuel
pump, ruder bar and throttle lever. A good set of decals is there too, as well
as detailed, nicely printed instructions.
They are generally clear, but the fit of just a couple of pieces inside the
fuselage was for me a little vague. You get a separate set of (four) ailerons,
elevators (two styles) and ruder (separate from the fuselage). Panel lines are
recessed, as well as a few screws. Some raised detail is there in the form of
ventilation gills, steps, fuel tanks and radiator (on the wing surfaces). The
fit was very good in all the pieces but the cockpit floor, which needed a
vigorous session with the Dremmel tool to comply. The two-piece (metal-film)
instrument panel also needed a tad of trim to get there.
Being
e limited edition/short run kit I would say this is, by far, the best one I got
regarding that method of production. I just opened up the front ventilation
holes that are located on the “face” of the plane and added a bush/shaft
arrangement to allow the propeller to turn (the kit option is just to stick the
propeller to the nose). The (four) wings have pins to help with their location
on the fuselage; where correspondent recesses are present (I also opened them
up, to have a more comfortable fit). Same for the landing gear legs. Recessed
lines are also provided as a guide for the horizontal tail, and tiny holes are
also there on the wings to help with strut placement. The rigging of this one is
not a big problem, as it is fairly simple. During building, the model fell twice
to the floor (arghh, no carpet!); but “landed” very well sustaining only
some minor damages, probably due to its small mass (or sheer luck).
I made a couple of boo-boos, mainly gluing parts -it is so tiny!-; and one of
the struts jumped from the tweezers –yet another time!-, to be found, believe
it or not, one floor bellow (from a mezzanine where I work to the first floor).
But once finished, this minute cute weird thing looks really good.
Gabriel
|
Gal mainpage Ad above main pic
|
|
|
