Forum in depth critique of Meng Fokker Dr.1

[Dave W]

Our Forum is today the first modelling website to feature an in depth critique of the new Meng/ once was Wingnuts Fokker Dr.1 Triplane kit.

Head over to the kit reviews board for Erik Whipple's detailed analysis of the kit . Here's the link:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=11456.0

Our sincere thanks to Erik for his excellent and well illustrated, detailed evaluation.

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[eclarson]

Excellent review!  I received my kit from Sprue Brothers a few days ago and have only given it a brief examination, just enough to make sure the middle wing wasn't broken (it wasn't) and to peruse the instructions.  I'll now have to check to see if the wings are warped.

I also have the Encore edition of the Roden 1/32 Dr.1, complete with all the aftermarket bells & whistles from the likes of HGW, Vector, and Aviattic, and intend on building it as Voss' F.1.  My Meng kit will therefore be done as a later Dr.1 and I'll wait to see what aftermarket decals become available before deciding on a scheme.  As famous as it is, I find the Baron's all-red scheme boring and the other kit options don't do much for me either.   

Cheers,
Eric

[Pup7309]

Awse! Great stuff. It will be interesting see build reviews about the wing curvature issue and how it fits together- I imagine the wing attachment points for struts will be better than the Roden. (?) Still waiting on mine...

Not the definitive Dr1 WNW would have made and we were hoping for but I’m still looking forward to attacking it with the nippers and having a go!

[Europapete]

Thank you Eric and Dave, a very informative and welcome review. Regards, Pete in RI

[Dave J]

As per my reservations its clearly been rushed to market and the ball has been dropped on Art work/Decals etc... Shame, as there is plenty of information around if they looked. But the Voss decal issue is amateur, Meng should of done better. Yes it would of been refined more if WNW was still around, but it is the biggest modelling save in 2020...

But hasn't stopped me ordering a couple...

[Vickers]

Thanks for accepting my observations regarding this kit as simply that. Observations. Of the two examples currently in my possession. Some of the modelers on other websites and social media have gone sort of ballistic on me, but I think they'll get over it. One person said that the one he received is perfect in every way, but made no specific mention of the Voss face decal and posted no images of the plastic.

I haven't had a chance to go back and perform a detailed comparison between the Meng and Roden kits. As I stated early in the text, the kit does indeed appear to be a significant advancement over prior releases and I reckon most of the credit for that resides with the WNW crew involved in the design.

I don't pull any punches in my reviews anymore, though. I learned that lesson with the PCM 1/32nd Hurricane series. I'd glossed over a couple of issues with that short run kit since my initial appraisal focused on overall shapes and dimensions rather than every gizmo in the cockpit and wheel well. However, as it was my first offense, I "got away with crucifixion". It never ceases to amaze me that sometimes a reviewer will get torched for missing something as tiny as a 1/48th misspelled stencil and then get torched again later for pointing out something so big and obvious that you can plainly see it before you even hold the parts up to some trustworthy plans.

Still, I had much the same reaction upon surveying the Meng kit as I might've had if I'd brought Scarlett Johansson home from a nightclub at 2AM only to discover that below the belt she had something rather significant in common with Hugh Jackman. 

[macsporran]

To compare things equitably, surely your guest from the nightclub would have interchangeable parts for the young Miss Johansson, the more mature Scarlett and the prodigiously undercarriaged Mr Jackman?
Sandy

[Pup7309]

Eish! Very droll Vickers, that image is hard to erase! I’m a glass half full kinda guy but I guess that’s a deal breaker. I see what you’re saying though. WNW is the Scar-Jo of kits, so we understand your disappointment. After a bit of plastic surgery hopefully we’ll get acceptable results    

[osterkamp]

gentlemen,just a 2 pence information... the strange small  part on the clear sprue is probally a reflector gunsight...  one was fitted  on the Leutnant Alfred Greven's jasta 12 triplane (source Alex imrie triplane book page 85 phot 124)
forgive my bad english,
regards
Fred

[Vickers]

gentlemen,just a 2 pence information... the strange small  part on the clear sprue is probally a reflector gunsight...  one was fitted in on the Leutnant Alfred Greven's jasta 12 triplane (source Alex imrie triplane book page 85 phot 124)
forgive my bad english,
regards
Fred

I thought so, based on its shape and location in the instructions, but as I mentioned in the review I don't recall ever seeing one of them in my books. Wouldn't you know, Imrie's book is one I don't have. Thanks for the clarification.

[Vickers]

Eish! Very droll Vickers, that image is hard to erase! I’m a glass half full kinda guy but I guess that’s a deal breaker. I see what you’re saying though. WNW is the Scar-Jo of kits, so we understand your disappointment. After a bit of plastic surgery hopefully we’ll get acceptable results   

Given the kit's origin, I don't think it would be unreasonable to expect straight wings and well-rendered decals. I certainly hadn't anticipated that I'd have to use my pasta pot during the build- perhaps I could hire Gordon Ramsay to shout obscenities at me while I'm dipping the wings. 

[petrov27]

I mean fair enough, the wings are bent. Yep it took me maybe ten minutes pressing them against the edge of my worktable till they looked straight to my mark-1 eyeball. Might even be easier with hot water as some have proposed. Yes wings without the warp would have been preferred, but for a kit that can be had for $39 USD I am super happy with what I got so far.

[Monty]

Some good comments on a well done review, but I think we need a test build or dry fit first. Do you remember the hoo-ha over the LVG lower wing? It was curved upwards - just a little and this was deliberately done to overcome the inevitable droop and resulted in perfect alignment! Those Triplane wings are thick, dense mouldings though, prone to warping on mould extraction, and could possibly be steamed if they are warped, can't be worse than the Zvezda Tiger I! (I can just hear Mr Ramsay screaming: " How many times have  told you not to baste it in Tomato Sauce??! Shredded Spinach leaves, Marc!"). Just be aware the Roden wings are all a bit too long, 2mm for each side, IIRC, but is so evenly done it's not noticeable if you don't correct it. Can't wait for mine... Regards, Marc.

[Jeff K]

Vickers, people go nuts on the internet and get offended by... whatever. it ain't about you. if you keep doing even-handed, detailed reviews, you'll attract the right kind of people as regular readers. the drama queens will get bored and move on, but there'll always be new ones. it's about them, not you. let them stew in their juices and feel free to keep dropping worthwhile, honest content.

[bobs_buckles]

Vickers, people go nuts on the internet and get offended by... whatever. it ain't about you. if you keep doing even-handed, detailed reviews, you'll attract the right kind of people as regular readers. the drama queens will get bored and move on, but there'll always be new ones. it's about them, not you. let them stew in their juices and feel free to keep dropping worthwhile, honest content.

+1 

vB