All,
Just completed this kit yesterday evening.
A fair bit of added (basic) detaining comprising of:
Knocking up rudder bar;
Cocking lever for Vickers gun;
Seat cushion and headrest made from Milliput;
Seat belt/harness;
Rigging cockpit;
Opening up all inspection windows, vents, wheel/tyre valve opening, Lewis gun muzzle and Vickers air cooling jacket;
Correcting Lewis gun drum magazine;
Adding aileron control horns;
Adding radiator cap and pitot tube on starboard interplane strut and dummy engine underside.
Rigging is supplied in the kit in the form of PE set - but only used the rudder control horns and wires. A nice idea but I could not see how you could apply these to the model without bending or distorting them as they are very thin. I therefore rigged with 4 lb fishing line instead which has given model a bit of structural strength. The model when complete is pretty heavy - I managed to break both wheel axles whilst handling and rigging. I therefore repaired these using some metal wire which has made the wheel nice and solid now.
I know this kit has been heavily criticised for incorrect detail - but all and all a very, very nice kit that fits together extremely well and you end up with a lovely large scale model. Basically, Merit have simplified the kit to make (I presume) for an easier build. This kit would be a great project for those of you that enjoy super detailing work. I highly recommend this particular kit.
To give you an idea of size, one picture taken with WNW's version of this aircraft for comparison.
I know this kit has shortcomings in terms of detail, so politely request feedback on quality of build only please.
Regards
Dave
