forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => What's New => Topic started by: rowan broadbent on December 30, 2014, 08:13:35 PM
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A company called Merit - no relation to the old Merit of years ago but it looks as if they are part of the Chinese Trumpeter/Hobby Boss set up............therefore I have concerns about the potential poor quality of their research and perhaps the "originality" of their moulded shapes (hoping not to see scanned and up-scaled parts from other company's efforts, as in the "Trumpeter" 1/32nd copy of the Tamiya Swordfish [go on, sue me Mr Trumpet!]) - we shall see.
They have announced forthcoming kits of the SE5a, SPAD XIII and (of course) the predictable Fokker Dr.I see here:
http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234973406-merit-cataloguefolder-2015-2016/
Await developments with interest and more than a little trepidation!
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Thanks Rowan for the info, it will be interesting to keep an eye on developments with these kits.
Des.
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Finally a spad thats big enough for me to successfully rig the wing bays! :)
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They have announced forthcoming kits of the SE5a, SPAD XIII and (of course) the predictable Fokker Dr.I ......
I suppose we can rule out a Felixstowe from them.
Best wishes and Happy New Year
Nigel
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Rowan,
Thanks for posting! I am semi excited about these. Like you I wonder about the research and or are they copying another companies molds. On the other hand, I like the bigger scale idea for "some" WW1 aircraft. For me it would be limited to favorite aircraft, such as the DR1! Time will tell....
RAGIII
PS: Price would also be a factor for me!
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I can only comment on their superb M19 Diamond T tank transporter kit in 1:35 scale but if it's any indication on what we'll see in these aircraft kits, they should be a treat.
Cheers,
Chris
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I can only comment on their superb M19 Diamond T tank transporter kit in 1:35 scale but if it's any indication on what we'll see in these aircraft kits, they should be a treat.
Cheers,
Chris
Yes, Chris, I agree that many of their armour/vehicle kits have been well received and well researched, sadly their aircraft kits have had, at best, "mixed" attention to accuracy. Recently Trumpeter's releases of much wanted 1/48th scale kits of British aircraft (such as the Vampire, Westland Whirlwind, Supermarine Spiteful and now the DeHavilland Hornet) have all fallen way short of providing accurate plastic. Merit's design team might be different - let's hope so. So far I think they have only released kits of some Russian missile attack boats in 1/72nd scale, which look like good kits but I cannot comment on how accurate they might be.
Keeping everything crossed!
Rowan
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Trumpy has a history of variations in kit quality. In 1/32, the Swordfish, me-262,Dauntless, Avenger, P-47, and Mig -21 stand out as better "A" team examples; the P-40, and a bunch of their jets are widely quoted as being done by the "B" team.
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I remember the build Chris did of his Diamond T truck and it was a beauty, lets just hope that Merit put the same amount of effort into designing and producing their 1:24 scale WW1 aircraft kits, they will be shot out of the sky very quickly if they don't live up to expectations.
Des.
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I would be in for a 1/24th SE5a so it could sit alongside British 1/24th scale WW2 subjects for correct scale perspective.
As for the subject choices- typical but understandable. Merit are obviously aiming at the mass market and those are the aircraft the mainstream may know or want to make. I'm surprised there's no Camel.
Quality and price will be talking points but it won't hurt Wingnuts to have some large scale competition.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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No Camel and no albatros, or Nieuport.
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I just got the a roden albatros d1. I have to say I am impressed. It knocks the DIII into a cocked hat.
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I would be in for a 1/24th SE5a so it could sit alongside British 1/24th scale WW2 subjects for correct scale perspective.
As for the subject choices- typical but understandable. Merit are obviously aiming at the mass market and those are the aircraft the mainstream may know or want to make. I'm surprised there's no Camel.
Quality and price will be talking points but it won't hurt Wingnuts to have some large scale competition.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
I agree with you on the talking points and on the Value of Competition. Perhaps WNW will release that long anticipated but never promised DR1 8) Seriously though it might just stir things up in NZ...or not! As I stated I think for me, this scale would be for favorites. After thinking about it I think the SPAD is also a "Favorite" ::)
RAGIII
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Great to see some more WW1 kits hitting the market, I hope they do really well with them but for me, I will be sticking with just one scale, 1:32.
Des.
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it says spad v.ii on the merit posting, which personally i prefer a v.ii to a x.iii. anyway we shall see. if they are 1/24 ww1 fighters even if they need correcting thats great imho. we have the know how to fix that right? are we mice or are we modellers?lol
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I'm watching with bated breath. I'd possibly go for the Fokker and probably the Spad but if an Albatros DIII was announced I'd buy it no matter.
If they are half decent Rowan, Richard, Lucasz and all the other Aftermarket guys have more market space to cover. ;)
Keith
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it says spad v.ii on the merit posting, which personally i prefer a v.ii to a x.iii. anyway we shall see. if they are 1/24 ww1 fighters even if they need correcting thats great imho. we have the know how to fix that right? are we mice or are we modellers?lol
A SPAD VII instead of a XIII! I will remain optimistic that the kits will be entirely new designs and not up-scaled Roden copies ::)
RAGIII
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A SPAD VII instead of a XIII! I will remain optimistic that the kits will be entirely new designs and not up-scaled Roden copies ::)
RAGIII
Woops, sorry about that, I blame my ageing eyes....
Sadly I have a feeling that the up-scaled Roden idea might prove to be correct with this particular selection. Still keeping fingers crossed but hope fast-fading.
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A SPAD VII instead of a XIII! I will remain optimistic that the kits will be entirely new designs and not up-scaled Roden copies ::)
RAGIII
Woops, sorry about that, I blame my ageing eyes....
Sadly I have a feeling that the up-scaled Roden idea might prove to be correct with this particular selection. Still keeping fingers crossed but hope fast-fading.
Rowan, As for me, after thinking about things, I am EXCITED about the new scale releases! The reason struck me like a Bolt of Lightning! I was sounding like certain personalities on other web sites that condemn a kit from a pre release photo as being Fatally Flawed :-X So until the proof is in the Pudding so to speak I am all in and Very grateful that our World is expanding to another scale !
RAGIII
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Works for me! Saves me ordering greater magnification lenses for my Optivisor in the very near future! ::) ::)
Cheers,
Lance
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1/24? I like the sound of that. Despite what others say, size DOES matter!
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Gotta be good news..
At least it gives a wider choice.. :D
Would be great for the superdetailers ;)
Guy
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Hurray for 1/24!!! :) I'd be also quite happy with 1/18 in WW1... would look amazing as chandelier/decoration in living room ;)
Cheerio
Lukas
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This is something that could get me back into making model kits again, they would go along nicely with my other 1/24th WW1 planes :)
Deutschmark
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I would like to publicly applaud Merit for being the only major kit manufacturer other than Wingnuts to announce a series of new WW1 kits.
Given that most companies baulk at new tool WW1 kits, I will be supporting Merit for supporting us. It will also be a boon to the aftermarket guys.
As for rumours of the kits being up-scaled clones of other models- this is pure supposition and should be treated as such for the time being.
If we, the WW1 enthusiasts, don't show support for a new WW1 kits venture, we can't then grizzle when other companies ignore our pleas for new WW1 kits.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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I would like to publicly applaud Merit for being the only major kit manufacturer other than Wingnuts to announce a series of new WW1 kits.
Given that most companies baulk at new tool WW1 kits, I will be supporting Merit for supporting us. It will also be a boon to the aftermarket guys.
As for rumours of the kits being up-scaled clones of other models- this is pure supposition and should be treated as such for the time being.
If we, the WW1 enthusiasts, don't show support for a new WW1 kits venture, we can't then grizzle when other companies ignore our pleas for new WW1 kits.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
Dave, I agree! That is why I reversed myself after my first "Thoughts"! I am looking forward to these kits and will purchase the Triplane and SPAD for sure. ( Well Providing I can afford them)
RAGIII
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Very well said Dave and I agree fully. Even though I only build 1:32 scale it doesn't mean that I won't support this new venture by Merit, I also applaud any company who ventures into the WW1 aircraft kit market, the larger scale will be a real hit for our ageing modelers and also for anyone who prefers larger models. I will buy their kits to add to my stash, maybe in years to come when I get "old" I will dig the kits out and build them.
Des.
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Just a thought
Even if we assume (which I won't) that they are upscaled copies of Roden's kits they will still be pretty good. Roden's Fokker builds quite nicely and they may well fix some of the obvious flaws in the kit as they produce the moulds.
The other plus of that is it could mean if these kitsets sell enough then Merit would release others from Roden's range, like
Albatrossen ;)
Time will tell.
Keith
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All this is interesting , 1/24 scale Pfalz D.IIIa or even a SSW D.III would grab my attention ....
Terri
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Just a question re the rumour/ suggestion the Merit kits could be upscaled from Roden or other models. What is this supposition based on?
I am aware Merit do armour kits so is there some contention they have done this with armour models?
My fear is if we say "up scaled clones" too often with zero evidence, then the rumour becomes accepted as fact, and that becomes a bad thing.
So I would like to hear some hard evidence of this allegation and if none if forthcoming would prefer to dwell on the positives- a model company is issuing a new range of 1/24th WW1 aircraft for which we should all be grateful. Finally, some 1/24th WW1 aircraft to sit alongside our Airfix and Trumpeter 1/24th superkits!
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Just a question re the rumour/ suggestion the Merit kits could be upscaled from Roden or other models. What is this supposition based on?
I am aware Merit do armour kits so is there some contention they have done this with armour models?
My fear is if we say "up scaled clones" too often with zero evidence, then the rumour becomes accepted as fact, and that becomes a bad thing.
So I would like to hear some hard evidence of this allegation and if none if forthcoming would prefer to dwell on the positives- a model company is issuing a new range of 1/24th WW1 aircraft for which we should all be grateful. Finally, some 1/24th WW1 aircraft to sit alongside our Airfix and Trumpeter 1/24th superkits!
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
Dave, As far as I know there is No "Merit" to the supposition at this time! So as you said Lets dwell on the Positive and let this go for now. That is exactly why as I stated, I reversed/recanted my previous statements. Looking forward to the New kits in an exciting scale!
RAGIII
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Thanks RAG III. I totally agree with you. Let's hope there's a great new world of `1/24th kits ahead for us all.
The Nieuport family alone would keep any manufacturer busy. I'm excited over a SE5a - my favourite WW1 aircraft- but a DR.1 and Spad are exciting too.
cheers
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Just a question re the rumour/ suggestion the Merit kits could be upscaled from Roden or other models. What is this supposition based on?
I am aware Merit do armour kits so is there some contention they have done this with armour models?
My fear is if we say "up scaled clones" too often with zero evidence, then the rumour becomes accepted as fact, and that becomes a bad thing.
So I would like to hear some hard evidence of this allegation and if none if forthcoming would prefer to dwell on the positives- a model company is issuing a new range of 1/24th WW1 aircraft for which we should all be grateful. Finally, some 1/24th WW1 aircraft to sit alongside our Airfix and Trumpeter 1/24th superkits!
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
The idea that a Chinese-based model manufacturer might produce a less than adequately researched model or use other manufacturer's products as the "basis" for their own (with or without the original manufacturer's permission) is based on a deal of previous experience. If you are at all interested in the goings on in the modelling world, then you will be able to find your own examples.
The fact that all three of these subjects have previously featured in the Roden catalogue is a possible pointer that that may be the origin of these kits and the inclusion of the SPAD VII rather than the much more popular XIII in Merit's announced line-up would add weight to this speculation. Rick can, of course, recant from this idea if he wishes but for me it seems at the very least possible, if not probable. Obviously this is deduction and supposition only but if you seek to ban all speculation, then the world's modelling forums would be very quiet places. Rumour can only become fact in the face of concrete evidence. Dwell on positives all you want but I prefer to temper my expectations in the light of past experience.
It's a fundamental human trait to extrapolate from evidence - however limited - and if Merit prove to be the second coming in WWI modelling terms, I'll be as pleased as anyone (more so as it will open another avenue for after-market products) but please Dave, don't tell me that I cannot or should not speculate.
Rowan
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Does anyone here have enough clout to request a test shot for preview when it comes available? That might help with all the speculation.
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I have already written to Merit International and requested any information or test shots of the upcoming 1:24 scale WW1 aircraft kits. Time will tell if I receive a reply but I will keep you informed of any developments.
Des.
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Hopefully the will check out your website and forum and see the membership and visitor numbers and see what a following this genre has become.
Thanks for being on the ball Des!
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Even if the quality were "only" as good as Roden's, I'd spring for one of each, just for the novelty.
Though the S.XIII might be more attractive to a wider audience, the S.VII and SE had many users, both during and postwar to make for many interesting schemes. I like cobbling together markings before the AM guys produce decal sheets, and 1/24 scale would make it easier to do serial numbers, weight tables, etc, from commercial "rub-on" transfers.
As for Des contacting Merit directly: Great Move methinks. One would think that his website would me a MAJOR channel to the market, especially those who would wait for a review before purchase.
Saving pennies and ready to put more on ebay,
Rob
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Just a question re the rumour/ suggestion the Merit kits could be upscaled from Roden or other models. What is this supposition based on?
I am aware Merit do armour kits so is there some contention they have done this with armour models?
My fear is if we say "up scaled clones" too often with zero evidence, then the rumour becomes accepted as fact, and that becomes a bad thing.
So I would like to hear some hard evidence of this allegation and if none if forthcoming would prefer to dwell on the positives- a model company is issuing a new range of 1/24th WW1 aircraft for which we should all be grateful. Finally, some 1/24th WW1 aircraft to sit alongside our Airfix and Trumpeter 1/24th superkits!
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
The idea that a Chinese-based model manufacturer might produce a less than adequately researched model or use other manufacturer's products as the "basis" for their own (with or without the original manufacturer's permission) is based on a deal of previous experience. If you are at all interested in the goings on in the modelling world, then you will be able to find your own examples.
The fact that all three of these subjects have previously featured in the Roden catalogue is a possible pointer that that may be the origin of these kits and the inclusion of the SPAD VII rather than the much more popular XIII in Merit's announced line-up would add weight to this speculation. Rick can, of course, recant from this idea if he wishes but for me it seems at the very least possible, if not probable. Obviously this is deduction and supposition only but if you seek to ban all speculation, then the world's modelling forums would be very quiet places. Rumour can only become fact in the face of concrete evidence. Dwell on positives all you want but I prefer to temper my expectations in the light of past experience.
It's a fundamental human trait to extrapolate from evidence - however limited - and if Merit prove to be the second coming in WWI modelling terms, I'll be as pleased as anyone (more so as it will open another avenue for after-market products) but please Dave, don't tell me that I cannot or should not speculate.
Rowan
Chinese companies operate to a different set of corporate rules to normal. They have been known to think nothing of copying existing designs, from cars to phones to aeroplanes. Anything that sells.
As Rowan said, it's not difficult to see stories of Chinese model manufacturers starting up from nowhere with kits that share amazing similarities to existing kits from other manufacturers. So when a manufacturer comes from nowhere with large scale WWI kits of models - all of which are in existence already, albeit in a smaller scale - it's perfectly reasonable to speculate based on some very solid previous experience of how Chinese companies operate. I'd be amazed if they were anything other than upscaled Roden kits, perhaps with a bit of adjustment & some PE chucked in.
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Rowan and Kai make very interesting points and I'll admit up front I was not that aware of the extent to which some Chinese "entrepreneurs" may freely adapt Western designs and issue them as their own products.
That said, and if we accept for the sake of debate that the forthcoming new Merit WW1 kits might be based on Roden kits- here's the moral quandary facing us all. Do we refuse to buy the kits because they may infringe copyright? Or do we buy them knowing this must impact on potential sales of Roden's 1/32 kits? ( even though the new kits are a different scale).
There is no easy or simple answer to that one given there are no 1/24th scale WW1 kits around. Mainstream model companies have largely abandoned WW1 subjects apart from token releases ( Wingnuts are not included in this statement as they are wholly WW1), so should we embrace any manufacturer even if the kit's provenance is dodgy or frown and refuse to support any form of plastic piracy?
I honestly don't know the answer to that but my preference would be for Airfix to launch a range of 100% original 1/24th scale WW1 subjects :) I would buy every one of them.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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A personal factor for me is that the initial releases are somewhat generic WWI planes. If these turn out to be simple scaled up versions of 1/32 planes, (Rodens name has been dropped) then we'll see a Pfalz, DH-2 and a Sopwith tripe, amongst others. Those ought to be interesting in 1/24th scale.
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Rowan and Kai make very interesting points and I'll admit up front I was not that aware of the extent to which some Chinese "entrepreneurs" may freely adapt Western designs and issue them as their own products.
That said, and if we accept for the sake of debate that the forthcoming new Merit WW1 kits might be based on Roden kits- here's the moral quandary facing us all. Do we refuse to buy the kits because they may infringe copyright? Or do we buy them knowing this must impact on potential sales of Roden's 1/32 kits? ( even though the new kits are a different scale).
There is no easy or simple answer to that one given there are no 1/24th scale WW1 kits around. Mainstream model companies have largely abandoned WW1 subjects apart from token releases ( Wingnuts are not included in this statement as they are wholly WW1), so should we embrace any manufacturer even if the kit's provenance is dodgy or frown and refuse to support any form of plastic piracy?
I honestly don't know the answer to that but my preference would be for Airfix to launch a range of 100% original 1/24th scale WW1 subjects :) I would buy every one of them.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
Dave, glad to see you are willing to look at the perspective Rowan put forward. The Moral quandary is indeed interesting. IF for instance I was aware of Someone selling Knockoffs of Rowans Decals, Aviattics Products, Taurus , etc. I would not only refuse to purchase but would
certainly inform the ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER! Now for a little Digression. Hobby Craft released a SPAD XIII in 1/32nd scale that is Largely based on the DML 1/48th molds. Take a close look and you will see what I mean. I can think of no one who has boycotted the Hobbycraft kit. Is it the mind set of they are "BIG BOYS", let them sort it out? Finally, If the kits prove to be "Enlarged" Roden kits I must admit I will purchase them, or at least any that are amongst my favorites. In closing I should mention something I learned while in the Hobby Business. The Korean Mold Makers popular in the 80s/early 90s had a different perspective. They felt that no matter what company commissioned the molds, the actual Maker /cutter of the molds was the OWNER. This kind of explains the Whole Hobbycraft, DML, Academy thing. JMHO,
RAGIII
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Hello Dave,
I think, as Rick so ably points out, the choice is very simple, provided that we have the facts. Unfortunately there are a great many modellers who's choice is driven solely by price and / or availability and who are perfectly content to buy a kit based on pirated intellectual property (read: laser scanned parts designed by another company and used without their consent) without the slightest qualm and certainly no moral compunction at all. The same attitude is out there with downloadable copies of pirated Windsock Datafiles from different sources, to give one particularly nasty example. We really should not stand for it.
But the important part is whether we have the facts and these can sometimes be difficult to be sure of. It will be pretty clear when these kits arrive if they are clones of the already existing Roden kits, the question then becomes one of whether the cloning was done with the agreement of Roden (in this particular case).
Having dug about a little, it seems that Merit is apparently based in California. That being so, I'd be fairly confident that they won't be party to any illegal copying. Let's see what develops but I'm quite clear that it is fair to raise this cautionary note without pre-judging the situation, given past cases.
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Anybody else pondering the irony of a company called Merit who might be copying another manufacturer's WWI model aircraft patterns?
I'm old enough to remember finding J&L Randall' s 1/48 Merit kits way back in the early 60s and wondering at their similarity to the Aurora offerings. Only later did I learn that they really were indeed rip-offs.
Wonder if the owners of the present day Merit have a sense of humour!
Sandy
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I have written to the company for the second time, I hope they are not another of those companies who don't answer emails like so many others I write to for information. I only wrote to them last night so I will give it a few days.
Des.
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Are you folks certain that the Chinese manufacturers actually had no permission to do knock offs? It would seem to me that it would be relatively easy for a large model company to block the sales of 'pirated' kits outside of China. Remember, these are not being sold through shady street corner vendors but major model distributors. If Trumpeter (a company frequently cited on the internet for this) really started by illegally copying Tamiya kits, could Tamiya not have shut them down? If major distributors were contacted and asked not to carry these items would they have defied Tamiya? It seems unlikely. Could it not have been a case of a new company trying to get off the ground simply asking Tamiya if it was okay to do copies of their kits? If Merit wants to do WWI kits, could they not have contacted the original manufacturer of the kit for permission(assuming that they are in fact scaling up someone else's kit)?
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Dont like 1/24 or 1/32 mmm maybe 1/48 give me 1/72 that's my 2 pence ;)
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The Chinese legal system - especially for business - is practically non existent. It's incredibly difficult to take legal action in China. It takes many years and it's hugely ineffective, especially for foreign companies. The Government just turns a blind eye to it, or allows businesses to make small differences and thus claim it's a different product.
Makers can't tell a business to stop selling a product because they think it impinges their copyrights. They need to prove it & to do so in each separate country. The costs are just massive and there are not many modelling companies with that kind of money & resources to be able to do so, especially if they are not actually losing any sales as a result.
Look at Apple. Massive, massive amounts of money- £110,000,000,000 in cash - & growing every day, the best lawyers money can buy and yet they are helpless as counterfeit Apple products get sold all over the world. There are even fake Apple stores in China, selling fake Apple products - but set up to look legitimate!
If Apple can't do it, Roden certainly don't stand a Scoobies.
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Hello there,
well, I would just wait for the products because assuming that they are knock offs isn't too fair since we only got to see some pictures of 3D models. But looking at Merit website and their other kits (Dauntless in 1/18 and some aircraft carriers and more) I believe that these guys are more legitimate than it looks like and that they know some "basics" arounds plastic models :) Just my point of view. And as Rowan pointed out, facts are very important and as far I'm aware we don't really have any :)
Copyrights isn't a word that translates too well in mandarine :)
Cheerio
Lukas
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Just wondering if: A. Anyone has heard any further info on these kits?... and B. Des, did you get any response from your E Mails?
RAGIII
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Just saw on web page for Luchtvaart Hobby Shop from The Netherlands new kit 1/24 scale of Sopwith Camel. Mfg by Musthave? All Resin with two decal options. Anyone know anything about this kit? Never heard of Musthave.
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if it's the kit I remember, we had it on LSP and it was to be polite, rough. Since all I've ever built is 1/32 1/24th/ 1/28th kits, I was pretty happy to see any new release. gave it a pass though.
my opinion.
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Mike, think I'll wait for WNW Camel.
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I second Mike's opinion about the Musthave 1/24 Camel. Crude ribs, ship rope stitching and so on. The engine is nice, but you should better wait for WNW's. Or even get an old Revell 1/28.
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Yeuch!
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its the old contact resin camel in a new box, they released it aound 2008 or 2009 and concencus at the old aerodrome was not good, to the point where a couple guys started to make fun of it and the owner of contact resine began posting in defense, it got messy. i am sure one can find the post by googleing "1/24 contact resine camel" and find the aerodrome thread
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That's not too cool. Much better to point out issues/concerns and let each discuss them, rather than just dog-piling on. In the end, we each decide; I chose not to buy, but I figure another might buy one, and make it a nice build.
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The 1/24 Fokker is listed as an upcoming release on Merits facebook page No price info though
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No response to my emails Rick but I fully expected this, it is such a common occurrence these days for kits manufacturing companies not to answer emails, even the 'big' boys don't bother to send me a reply.
Des.
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The 1/24 Fokker is listed as an upcoming release on Merits facebook page No price info though
Thanks for the info. I can only hope that the kits will appear!
RAGIII
No response to my emails Rick but I fully expected this, it is such a common occurrence these days for kits manufacturing companies not to answer emails, even the 'big' boys don't bother to send me a reply.
Des.
Thanks Des,
It is a shame that Manufacturers don't pay more attention to this site. Personally I think this forum represents the WW1 Aircraft Market far more than any of the Facebook or other sites. JMHO,
RAGIII
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Personally I think this forum represents the WW1 Aircraft Market far more than any of the Facebook or other sites. JMHO,
RAGIII
You are not alone in that opinion, Rick. We are leagues ahead of any other site by virtue of the incredible cross section of modelling talent and the size of our Membership, not to mention the atmosphere of mutual respect and support of one another's efforts that prevails. MHO as well! :)
Cheers,
Lance
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Merit 1/24 SE5A and DrI spotted at the All Japan Hobby Show
http://tinyurl.com/oyk6bcv
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Thanks for posting the link! From what I can see of the mold it looks awesome! Not an enlarged Roden kit for sure. Note the DR1 in the background. It looks basic but nice!
RAGIII
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Looks like photo-etched flat wires for the SE
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the first thing i noticed is that the se5a has a plugish thing where the cylinder heads would exit. seems as though there will be no "engine" included. probably similar to the roden 1/48 se5a only just the top of the engine cyl banks. only what can be seen.
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the first thing i noticed is that the se5a has a plugish thing where the cylinder heads would exit. seems as though there will be no "engine" included. probably similar to the roden 1/48 se5a only just the top of the engine cyl banks. only what can be seen.
Yes, I noticed that also. Sort of odd in this large scale but then again I will most likely close it up anyway ::) I am really looking forward to All 3 announced releases now that I can see they are not Roden based. When you think about it not including an engine should reduce costs and will give an opening for aftermarket folks like Aviattic and Taurus an opportunity ;D
RAGIII
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hmmmm isn't the window over the instrument panel ... supposed to be a window?
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hmmmm isn't the window over the instrument panel ... supposed to be a window?
Yes it is. What I assume to be the inner wheel halves also look a little funky and I noticed some kind of regular looking seat. So MAY need some work. I will wait to see the final production sprues before judgment so as not to get too much like one of those other forums that declare a kit a complete piece of junk from Cad drawings or test shots :-X
RAGIII
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The main thing will see if the general dimensions are correct.if so then all the details can be added or corrected.just like any model pretty much.it may not be a roden clone but may require similar extra work to make it a real show stopper.I'm only interested in the Fokker triplane
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Rrp 9800 yen, 54 quid.
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Rrp 9800 yen, 54 quid.
About 82 US$...
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Well they look strange, but at least we have something new, while someone was skeptical without having seen even a 3D model of them.
Plenty of parts for conversions at least for those who do not like the triple one true scale.
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New Details: http://earlyaero.com/merit-international-to-release-124-fokker-dr-1-in-november/