Several new 1/72 KP kits

[Brad Cancian]

Hi gents,

As having reviewed quite a few KP kits (and posted them here on our site under the "New and Old Kits" sub board - https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?board=10.0), I'll proffer a view on KP. I'll also say that this is my view, not swayed in any way by KP also providing us with kits to review (as do a number of other manufacturers).

Firstly, on their Sopwith Triplane - this was the first of their 'new' range of WW1 1/72 scale kits. We reviewed it here on the forum:

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=12578.0

Is it a little rough? Yep, a little. How does it compare to the Revell kit? Having built a Revell Triplane (pic below), I can also make a few observations and comparisons:



The Revell kit dates from the early 1960s, and it shows. Overdone textures, no cockpit detail, crude and incorrect representation of the fuselage stringers, bad wheels, poor engine, and an incorrect cowl. Don't get me wrong, it can be built into a nice replica, but boy it requires A LOT of work to get there...



The KP kit, by comparison, was produced in 2020. It has some rough textures also, but nowhere near the Revell kit. This is reminiscent of some of Roden’s 1/72 efforts, and is likely a result of lower pressure injection moulding used at the time.



Is this what I would have liked to have seen for a 2020 kit? Not especially, but those of us that have worked with Roden kits in the past are not daunted by this challenge either. These inconsistencies and textures will disappear under a light sanding so shouldn’t pose a problem.

Lets look at the positives - the KP kit gets lots of things right, including the forward fuselage, engine cowls, wheels, a better cockpit, a better engine, and so on. Is there still work to do...? You betcha. But having built the Revell kit, in my humble opinion, the KP kit provides a much better base kit for the work that's needed.

So, fast forward to 2023, and we see KP releasing kits like the LVG C.IV:

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13848.0

And the AGO C.IV:

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13832.0

Folks, check out the textures on these kits in comparison to their earlier triplane:






KP have made quite an effort to improve their moulding technology, and it shows.

I also have both the Clear Prop and KP DH9As. To put it simply, they cater to different audiences; the KP kit is a simpler build, but there is no shortage of nice details and good moulding quality. See the review, here -

https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=13480.0



Lastly - i'll make an observation on decals - modern KP decals are nice, crisp, and work well. They are not the decals that KP produced back in the rough old days 20 years ago. Don't make the mistake of tarring them with the brush of their earlier efforts (pull out an Eduard kit from the mid-1990s and tell me what you think of their moulding technology and decals!).

So, I implore you to objectively look at what KP is producing nowadays, and not write them off. They are a committed manufacturer producing fine quality kits. They are honestly one of the few manufacturers that continues to produce interesting small scale kits of WW1 subjects consistently.

We 1/72 WW1 modellers are a resilient bunch; we should not be put off by having to put in a little elbow grease to produce a fine looking model.

Model on!

Cheers,

BC

[enathan]

Thank you for clearing this Brad.
I think KP should be commended for continuously making decent and affordable new kits from old molds, and they have improved in time.
The Halberstadt CL.II and CL.IV, the two Nieuports and the AVRO 504 will be a great addition to their line.     

[malaula]

Thank you for that statement,  Brad,I totally agree with you.

[WD]

Brad,
        Thank you for your post and your measured response and reasonable opinion. I am glad to see they've improved. However, when a company smaller than KP, Arma Hobby, can produce a superlative WWI kit right out of the gate as one of their first efforts, I don't think I'm remiss at holding KP's feet to the fire.

I first became interested in wanting to build WWI a/c in 1/72nd 25+ years ago, and we all know what was available then: old Revell, ESCI, and . . that new guy . . . Pegasus. (I'm not counting Meikraft or Merlin in the bunch.) Eduard comes along with their Dr.I about then. Then we're all excited about Roden/Toko/Eastern Express. Those three kits sure had, and still have, their problems, and I have quite a few in the stash that I hope to get to one day. However, I and a good many others are spoiled now, and we've come to expect more.

Will I support KP by buying their Nie.11/16? Yep! Why? Until a friend of mine in France finishes his 3D kit of the Nie.11, it'll be the only game in town, and hopefully MICH better than the TOKO/EE version. I'm sure I'll be in for a few 11/16's. I have to burn up those A/G Lafayette Escadrille decals that I've had hoarded away for years. 

I'm sure I'll buy KP kits, but at the same time, I reserve the right to whine. 

Warren

[torbiorn]

The LVG C.IV is a really nice kit. As the pic above shows, one can have no complains on the details on the fuselage, wings, wheels etc . Some parts did have the ”clumsy” details of the older kits (e.g. support bands on the struts), but that goes for most makers. The Triplane was maybe not as good as other kits moulded in the 2020s. I have built both, and the LVG was a marked improvement in detail and fit. In fact I don’t recall any issues with fit at all. I would be careful with judging all KP based on the Triplane (remember Roden had these D.VII kits…) I may wait for a review on the Nieuport, but the Halberstadts I am going to buy even if they are ”Triplane class” rather than LVG class.




Yes, regarding crisp details, Clear Prop is in another league, but you also have to pay for it.

[enathan]

The LVG C.VI was in fact KP's first WWI kit and it was probably based on the old RVHP resin kit. Then came the Albatros C.III, clearly based on the CMR kit, and the Sopwith Swallow/Scooter, again based on RVHP. All are good quality kits.
The Triplane came next and it's the only one without a traceable source. I don't think it was based on the Revell kit.
Whatever the source, it may be the reason for the somewhat lesser quality of its molding.

[Thumbs up]

I thought that the LVG C1V was from the Ardpol resin kit, which is excellent! My preference as to which kit I buy comes with budget restraints. i have been following KP's progress from the 70's when they were behind the iron curtain and their kits then were dreadful, but I admired Miroslavs dedication to getting kits to model starved soviet dominated peoples. However they have been around along time and I guess I was expecting more by now. I whole heartedly wish KP all the best.

[WD]

Has anyone heard of or seen any news about the Nieuport 11's & 16"s?

Warren

[enathan]

Nothing so far on the Nieuports or Halberstadts WD.
The only recent KP releases are new versions of the Salmson 2 and LVG C.VI, and the Ansaldo SVA9 and SVA10 that are "coming soon".

[Brad Cancian]

Hi all,

Jiri over at KP has let me know that the following four versions of their new SVA9 and SVA10 will be released this weekend at the Mosonshow event this weekend (https://www.mosonshow.hu/?page_id=1506):

https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/ansaldo-s-v-a-9-italian-eagles/



https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/ansaldo-s-v-a-9-other-services/



https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/ansaldo-s-v-a-10-italian-services/



https://www.kovozavody.cz/produkt/ansaldo-s-v-a-10-other-services/



For May, KP are planning on releasing their new Moraine A.I and Nieuport Ni11 and Ni16 kits at the Zagreb model show (https://kup-zagreb.com/pages_en/index_en.html).

So far only the decals are ready, the picture is attached which should give a good idea of the marking options:



KP have advised that there will also be further decal options to follow in subsequent kits.

Lastly, there are more WW1 1/72 subjects in the works, but KP are not yet in a position to announce these subjects as yet.

More great news for the small scale folks!

Cheers,

Brad C

[enathan]

Thanks Brad.
According to Hannants the two seat SVA.9 and 10 are based on the Fly single seat SVA.5 with new fuselage parts. The Fly kits are still available. 
The Morane AI is an interesting addition, probably based on the CMR resin kit, with four versions. I'm looking forward to them.   

[WD]

Thanks Brad for the update.

I'm still holding out for the Nieuport 11/16's.

Warren