forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Product Reviews => New and Old Kits - Add Ons => Topic started by: Dave W on January 13, 2021, 08:58:34 PM
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Roden WW1 B Type Bus Pigeon Loft
(https://i.postimg.cc/662Y4JRk/1.jpg)
REVIEWED BY David Wilson
Scale: 1/72nd
Item #: Ro #737
Price: $A22.99 in Australia. £16.19 in Britain,
Stockist: Available through quality hobby retailers worldwide.
Contents: Injection plastic parts on 6 frames ; 2 decal options.
Background:
This is one of the most unusual, if not unique, WW1 model kits to be released in recent years.
Britain used over 100.000 pigeons during World War 1 and despite modern perceptions of how radio and aircraft transformed battlefield communications, the humble carrier pigeon was an integral part of the Allied communications network.
Type B London buses were modified to become mobile pigeon lofts and offered a somewhat bizarre sight around the Western Front.
(https://i.postimg.cc/vmZvQpbS/b8463f65a4ef5fc38b05256199c58d94.jpg)
Roden’s model
Roden’s latest WW1 release is, I believe, the first mainstream injection moulded 1/72 kit of the Type B bus pigeon loft, and it’s a remarkably detailed and complete little model.
Following the unexpected closure of Wingnut Wings in 2020, Roden’s line of WW1 aircraft kits are being re-started, but the company has across recent years maintained a steady and impressive output of WW1 land- based vehicles, in 1/72 and 1/35 scale.
The pigeon loft Type B bus kit is somewhat of a surprise in 1/72 scale and from the detail and number of parts, would lend itself easily to a 1/35 upgrade, especially given its diorama possibilities.
The parts are moulded in grey plastic and moulding quality looks good with no visible flash. The kit is a development of previous Roden 1/72 scale Type B bus kits, the civilian version and the “Old Bill” Western Front vehicle.
(https://i.postimg.cc/mkCYX4yh/1244785-19637-86-1080.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/LXrk35fr/1126538-13151-77-1080.png)
While the kit does lend itself to diorama use, it does not come with figures, although these could be sourced separately. More significantly perhaps, it does have a flock of 1/72 scale pigeons to inhabit the loft! A nice touch ( even if they play an uncredited role in the instructions.)
(https://i.postimg.cc/85v6yhLT/20210106-123033.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/v8JXWqtc/2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/15DBMGvM/20210106-123033.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/QdsbzFPD/4.jpg)
The plastic parts are accompanied by a mesh screen for the loft and clear acetate sheet for windows.
Instructions:
These are in an A5 size visual style as per Roden’s practice and the 12 page instructions clearly depict the building steps.
(https://i.postimg.cc/HsqFRHGH/Image-9.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FH0wQqmS/Image-10.jpg)
Markings:
The pigeon loft kit features two marking options, both for Western Front use:
1. Vehicle 2229 Western Front 1916
2. Vehicle 2257 Western Front 1918
(https://i.postimg.cc/C1ZH8kZG/81w4b-FYgq1-L-AC-SL1500.jpg)
Verdict:
Quirky, distinctive, Just the sort of kit to release when the hobby world is gripped by pandemics and a need for challenging new kit subjects.
Highly Recommended.
(Review sample kindly supplied by Roden. Please support the businesses that support this Forum.)