I picked up on this a couple of weeks ago and immediately fancied a Haifisch in 1/32 scale, having enjoyed the old Sierra Scale vacform in 1/48. So off to the website for a closer look.
The price of 95euros seemed pretty reasonable and a flat rate of 5euros for European postage was more than generous, so the credit card was hit yet again.
A week later the parcel was in my garage when I arrived back. Curiously there was a customs sticker for VAT and handling charge (16GBP+) although the parcel was left without payment - which I would have challenged. I think they hadn't realised that Bulgaria just joined the EU money zone last month.
Anyway opening the box showed a clever arrangement for protecting the small pieces - enclosed in a 3D printed 'crate'. Initial impressions of good detail and well-thought out distribution, although the sheer volume of support trees was quite daunting.
Instructions are available online and masks are supplied for markings with a little decal for serial numbers. Wire is supplied to insert in channels in wings to strengthen and prevent warping.
I was excited by the prospect so decided to release the parts to have a better look.
Phew. Quite a job with the forest of trees and extreme brittleness of the material. Fuselage cleaned up OK with a couple of minor blemishes (caused by me).
The 'crate' however is pretty daunting. I decided to cut off the surrounding walls to get at the bits.
This is a bit of a nightmare. Once you have access to the base board it is almost impossible to get at one piece without striking the adjacent parts. Xuron and Godhand snips were used as well as two different saws, but even so, a lot of bits were broken. You can see the very delicate engine covers engulfed in trees here. (A friend at the club suggested perhaps careful application of his old Historex pyrogravure might be a way of releasing connectors!)
I have now seperated all the parts but am a bit shell-shocked by the process. Many need cleaning up and many need repair or replacement - eg the u/c legs - flattened brass tube here, I think.
So, all in all, I'm pleased to have the making of Roland D.II but I'd suggest MD should spread the components over several boards rather than all crammed together on one.
Good value for money, looks good with fine detail - but not for the faint hearted!
Don't expect a build log on this for a while yet - I'll need to stock up with a few more bottles of malt before I can face getting started for real!
Sandy
