I recently got their 1/32 Cessna O-1 Bird Dog and O-2 Skymaster (yes, after WWI aviation continued!
) and if I may offer some constructive input based on these 2017 and 2018 kits.
-a few years ago Roden decals were pretty decent, but these are badly off-register to the point I had to get aftermarket decals
-even if they were usable, those for the O-2 are all modern warbirds, though they are labelled as Vietnam era aircraft. (and one is a different version that should have spinners that are not in the kit)
-if clear parts are included,
please put them in a separate bag (I know some WWI kits have acetate sheets, but some, like the SPAD VII have injected parts). On both kits the clear sprues were put in the large parts bags and had parts coming off and badly scratched.
-especially the O-2 has quite a bit of flash, in fact, I think the O-1, though a slightly older tool, looks better, quality-wise. Though the proof will be in the building!
-though I haven't seen it so far in a Roden kit and will probably make them more expensive, some PE for antenna's and seat belts would be nice -no belts at all are included, like the WWI kits.
Otherwise they look like nice little kits, nice panel lines, engine, typical well-done tiny Roden parts (they are IMHO really good that that!) etc -though I wonder how long the undercarriage will hold... Nice touches include metal wires for the antenna's, and the fact that the original O-1 kit did not have an instrument panel decal, but the later O-2 and the also later "Asian service" boxing of the O-1 I have also has one now.
On the other hand, I got both for about 30€ each, so there is a bit of budget left to dress them up with AOA decals and some PE seatbelts
Jeroen
