Special Hobby 1/72 Aero A-12 “The First Record Breakers”Reviewed by Brad Cancian
Item: SH72466
scale: 1/72
Price: 21.90 Euros, direct from Special HobbyReview kit kindly provided by Special Hobby at
https://www.specialhobby.eu/aero-a-12-the-first-record-breakersThe Aero A-12In early 1923, the Aero company started working on a two seat observation and reconnaissance biplane which could also operate as two seater fighter plane. The Czechoslovak Ministry of Defence received Aero's proposition and placed a number of orders for a total of 129 aircraft. The type was designated Aero A-12 and was of mixed construction, the fuselage was made of welded thin-walled tubes covered with wood and fabric. The all-wood wings also had fabric covering. The plane was powered with a German Maybach Mb IVa engine, originally built to be used on airships. This powerplant was required by the Ministry as they had large stocks from war reparations.
Though built later, the Aero A-11 was derived from the A-12, powered by the Walter W-IV engine. The Ministry ordered serial production which at first gave a batch of the standard A-11 airframes, later followed by an improved Aero Ab-11 version equipped with a Perun II engine, a different style of the nose radiator and also a larger centre-wing section fuel tank. The development line based on the A-11 also gave the much improved Aero 32 and 211 series with radial engines.
Though the A-12 was overshadowed in service by the A-11, it still served with reliably in the air force and aeroclubs. It was in the later civilian role that the aircraft was used in competition flying.
The KitThis release follows the release of their Aero 11 kit (SH72471), previously reviewed on our website here:
https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13805.0The kit consists of three sprues of medium grey plastic (one of which is common with the Aero 11 release), a clear sprue, and some 3D printed radiators. No etch is provided.
Sprue A contains the fuselages halves, propeller, and an optional cockpit cover for one of the marking schemes. The parts are crisply moulded, with just the slightest hint of flash. There is lovely louvre detail to the nose, and subtle fabric detail to the fuselage. The interior has some nice sidewall details, with the mould release pins tucked away in relatively hard to find spots.
Sprue B is common to the A-11 kit. It contains the flying surfaces, and all other details (though many of the detail parts aren’t required for this version). Again, moulding is very crisp. The fabric surfaces have fine representations of ribs and rib tapes. This representation is crisp and consistent, and extremely well done. Elevators are moulded separately, whereas ailerons and rudder are moulded with their respective flying surfaces (though it would not take much to cut and reposition them if desired).Strut holes are suitably deep, and the wings contain small holes to receive the rigging lines. The modeller may, however, choose to fill the holes under the lower wings for the bomb carriers, which were not used on the depicted versions.
Cockpit details are very nicely done, and include seats, control sticks, instrument panels, radios, and various other details, which will make the cockpit look suitably busy in this small scale. The instrument panel and fine details are exquisitely done, testament to Special Hobby’s improved moulding techniques of recent years.
Sprue C contains the details specific to the A-12. Here we get additional centre sections, wheels, struts, and other details (and skiis, hinting at some future versions). Again, a number of parts aren’t used, suggesting more versions on the horizon. Struts are commendably fine and to scale, but care will be needed to remove and clean up these parts without damaging them. Bungees are moulded onto the landing gear legs, which is a nice touch.
The clear sprue contains the necessary windscreen, and a window for the camera port under the fuselage.
The 3D printed parts are for the cheek radiators – these look exquisitely done, which is fitting for these prominent features.
InstructionsSpecial Hobby’s Instructions are provided in their modern, high-quality booklet. Presented in 16 glossy pages, construction occurs over 19 steps. The instructions are comprehensive, with a parts layout, clear instruction and paint call outs (in Gunze / Mr Colour paints), and full colour four angle painting profiles. Thankfully, a rigging diagram is also provided.
[Imgur]http://(
https://i.imgur.com/0ubyoZw.jpg)
Five schemes are catered for, noting they are all camouflaged ex-military machines, and that they all participated in the 2nd Air Speed Race for the Trophy of the President of the Czechoslovak Republic, 7 September, 1924. The machines are:
• Aero A-12.36, Race Number 22, flown by Bohumil Kaspar, who won the category A (250kg payload) and held the world record of 189.765 km/hr in this category on a 200km track.
• Aero A-12.24, Race Number 20, flown by Josef Kalla, who participated in the same category as above, and took out the world speed record on a100km track, despite an engine failure after the 100km mark.
• Aero A-12, Race Number 11, flown by Frantisek Lehky, who won the category C (500kg payload) and also broke the world record in this category on a 200km track with a spped of 202.988 km/hr.
• Aero A-12.36, Race Number 21, piloted by Nikolaj Saposnikov, taking out second place in Category C with an average speed of 196.099km/hr. Note the decals have the underwing “21” in mirrored fashion. Suggest the modeller do some research if choosing this option.
• A-12.43, Race Number 17, flown by Rudolf Horacek, who took out third place in Category C with an average speed of 183.568km/hr.
DecalsThe decals, like all recent Special Hobby releases, are crisply printed with solid colour and excellent register. Interestingly, though not marked as such, these appear to have been printed by Eduard in their recent style, which allows the modeler to peel off the backing film after application. Some people will love these, others may not. Colour density, fine detail and register is excellent, so I envision no problems with these decals whatsoever.
Accuracy and Buildability:Not having any detailed publications on this aircraft, and not being a particular expert as to this aircraft, I can’t comment conclusively about accuracy. It certainly looks like an A-12! It appears that Special Hobby used the A-12 at the Prague Aviation Museum, Kbely, as the main reference. Accordingly, I can only imagine that this should scale nicely and be accurate in terms of detail.
Though the construction looks to be generally straight forward, I would recommend the modeller proceed with some care. There are no jigs for the angled struts, so it’s recommended that some kind of supports or home-made jigs be used during this crucial step in construction. The usual adage of being careful whilst removing and cleaning up parts, and test fitting before reaching for the glue, applies here. Online builds show the kit to build up nicely, the only things that may need watching for is the fit of the upper cockpit decking, the chin panel, and maintaining the proper neutral dihedral of the lower wing. Deepening the interplane strut holes or trimming the struts slightly may help here.
ConclusionsThe A-11 and A-12 releases are clearly a subject close to Special Hobby’s heart, and accordingly, one cannot but help feel that a lot of love and care has gone into this package. This is a rare but important inter-war piece of aviation history. As with many of their releases, Special Hobby are to be commended for tackling such a subject, and presenting a package that is of solid quality that should build up very nicely out of the box. There will be some things to watch out for in construction, but again, nothing that can’t be handled by someone with a little bit of experience. This one will certainly be an interesting and different addition to the display cabinet or competition table.
Highly recommended!
Our very sincere thanks to Special Hobby for the review sample!
