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Found 8 results

  1. Martin B-10 Export WC/WAN (FR0043) 1:72 Azur FR.ROM The B-10 started life as the Martin Model 123 which was privately developed by the martin Company. It was to have a drew of four and feature an internal bomb bay and retractable undercarriage, something new in 1932 when the aircraft first flew under the designation XB-907 before being returned to Martin. This then become the XB-10 when it was returned to the US Army. The XB-10 featured a number of changes to the original design. The crew complement was reduced from 4 to 3, and all crew positions were now covered including the nose turret something completely new at the time. The new aircraft would have a longer wingspan. The original Townend rings on the engines were changed to NACA cowlings which reduced drag. The US Army ordered 48 of the new aircraft in 1933 with production models differing very slightly from the XB-10., and another 103 in 1935. The twin 600 hp Wright SR-1820-E Cyclone engines provided the aircraft with a similar if not better performance than the Army's pursuit aircraft of the day. Although the rapid pace of aviation in the 1930s would soon leave the aircraft design behind. It had really been eclipsed by the time the US entered WWII In combat over China and Asia the aircraft was found to lack the speed of modern fighters and not have the same hitting power as other medium bombers. As well as service with the US the aircraft was used by The Argentine Army & Navy, The Chinese Nationalists, The Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force, The Philippine Army, The Royal Thai Air Force, and Turkey. The Kit This is a new tool kit from Azur Ffrom in collaboration with Special Hobby. The mouldings are typical of the higher end of the short run market. The fuselage is very well moulded with the corrugations of the skin very good indeed. There is a small amount of flash on some of the other components. The fuselage is moulded in a top/bottom split instead of left/right to avoid having a seem in the corrugated area which is good. There is one main sprue containing the wings, and a second for the fuselage and rear control surfaces. There are a further 2 sprues with all the other parts, and a large clear sprue. The front turret had become detached for the clear spure, but was not damaged. The last item in the box is a small PE fret. Construction starts with the fitting out of the upper fuselage, some small parts go in and at the cockpit area the instrument panels are added. At the rear supports go in for the rear position. We then move to the lower fuselage where the main parts for the three crew positions go in. These include the pilots position, rear gunner and front gun position. At first many smaller parts are added in to all three areas. In the rear the bulkheads go in for the observer/rear gunners area and the seating position is attached to the fuselage. A central support for the wings is also added in at this point. The pilots position has a front and rear bulkhead which supports the floor. The seat and flight controls are added to the floor and PE belts go on the seat. At the front the floor area for the gunner goes in as well as the support ring for the turret. Once all these parts are in two fuselage halves can be joined. Following this the extreme aft tail assembly including the tail wheel is made up and added to the fuselage. The fin/rudder and tail control surfaces can then be added. Next step in the construction is the wing. These are of conventional left/right with uppers and lowers. Into each lower wing the wells for the landing gear must be added in the bottom of the engine nacelles. The front firewalls can go in and the main gear legs are also show as being fitted at this stage, though I suspect modellers will leave these until later on. The wing halves can then go together. The engines can then go on the front of the nacelles. The wings can then be attached to the main fuselage. Lift devices are then added between the engines and the main fuselage. The exhausts then match up with their engines. The rear gun is added along with all the exterior glazing. At the front don't forget to add the gun to the turret before putting it in place. To finish off the main wheels are assembled and added, then the props can go on as well. Lastly various aerials and the pitot tube go on. Decals This boxing of the kit gives two choices of markings, decals by Special Hobby; Model 139 WC, 1403 14th Volunteer Sqn / 14th Chungfui, Chinese Nationalist Air Force, Hankow 1938 Model 139 WAA, 2-B-3, Escuadrilla de Bombardo, Escuadra Aerea No.2 Argentinian Navy Conclusion This is another left of field release from FFROM of an lesser well known but good looking aircraft from the earlier years of aviation. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  2. Martin B-10B In US Service (FR0044) 1:72 Azur FR.ROM The B-10 started life as the Martin Model 123 which was privately developed by the martin Company. It was to have a drew of four and feature an internal bomb bay and retractable undercarriage, something new in 1932 when the aircraft first flew under the designation XB-907 before being returned to Martin. This then become the XB-10 when it was returned to the US Army. The XB-10 featured a number of changes to the original design. The crew complement was reduced from 4 to 3, and all crew positions were now covered including the nose turret something completely new at the time. The new aircraft would have a longer wingspan. The original Townend rings on the engines were changed to NACA cowlings which reduced drag. The US Army ordered 48 of the new aircraft in 1933 with production models differing very slightly from the XB-10., and another 103 in 1935. The twin 600 hp Wright SR-1820-E Cyclone engines provided the aircraft with a similar if not better performance than the Army's pursuit aircraft of the day. Although the rapid pace of aviation in the 1930s would soon leave the aircraft design behind. It had really been eclipsed by the time the US entered WWII In combat over China and Asia the aircraft was found to lack the speed of modern fighters and not have the same hitting power as other medium bombers. The B-10B which was the most numerous variant form the US features the 675 hp Wright Cyclone R-1820-19 engines. As well as service with the US the aircraft was used by The Argentine Army & Navy, The Chinese Nationalists, The Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force, The Philippine Army, The Royal Thai Air Force, and Turkey. The Kit This is a new tool kit from Azur Ffrom in collaboration with Special Hobby. This kit unlike the other boxings contains different wings, nacelles and engine covers for the different engines. The mouldings are typical of the higher end of the short run market. The fuselage is very well moulded with the corrugations of the skin very good indeed. There is a small amount of flash on some of the other components. The fuselage is moulded in a top/bottom split instead of left/right to avoid having a seem in the corrugated area which is good. There is one main sprue containing the wings, and a second for the fuselage and rear control surfaces. There are a further 3 sprues with all the other parts, and a large clear sprue. The front turret had become detached for the clear spure, but was not damaged. The last item in the box is a small PE fret. Construction starts with the fitting out of the upper fuselage, some small parts go in and at the cockpit area the instrument panels are added. At the rear supports go in for the rear position. We then move to the lower fuselage where the main parts for the three crew positions go in. These include the pilots position, rear gunner and front gun position. At first many smaller parts are added in to all three areas. In the rear the bulkheads go in for the observer/rear gunners area and the seating position is attached to the fuselage. A central support for the wings is also added in at this point. The pilots position has a front and rear bulkhead which supports the floor. The seat and flight controls are added to the floor and PE belts go on the seat. At the front the floor area for the gunner goes in as well as the support ring for the turret. Once all these parts are in two fuselage halves can be joined. Following this the extreme aft tail assembly including the tail wheel is made up and added to the fuselage. The fin/rudder and tail control surfaces can then be added. Next step in the construction is the wing. These are of conventional left/right with uppers and lowers. Into each lower wing the wells for the landing gear must be added in the bottom of the engine nacelles. The front firewalls can go in and the main gear legs are also show as being fitted at this stage, though I suspect modellers will leave these until later on. The wing halves can then go together. Onto the top section then goes the other half of the engine nacelle. The engines can then go on the front of the nacelles and the cowlings are attached. The wings can then be attached to the main fuselage. Lift devices are then added between the engines and the main fuselage. The exhausts then match up with their engines. The rear gun is added along with all the exterior glazing. At the front don't forget to add the gun to the turret before putting it in place. To finish off the main wheels are assembled and added, then the props can go on as well. Lastly various aerials and the pitot tube go on. Decals This boxing of the kit gives two choices of markings in the colorful yellow wings scheme. 35-238 Code 59, 28th Bombardment Sqn, Clark Field Philippines 1938. Since the instructions were printed it has been found out this aircraft was not passed to the Philippine Army. The aircraft was struck off in 1941. Code 138, Sqn Hack for the 17th Pursuit Sqn, 1st Pursuit Group, Selfridge MI, USA. Sqn badge on the nose. Conclusion This is another left of field release from FFROM of an lesser well known but good looking aircraft from the earlier years of aviation. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  3. Martin B-10 Export WH-2/WAA (FR0042) 1:72 Azur FR.ROM The B-10 started life as the Martin Model 123 which was privately developed by the martin Company. It was to have a drew of four and feature an internal bomb bay and retractable undercarriage, something new in 1932 when the aircraft first flew under the designation XB-907 before being returned to Martin. This then become the XB-10 when it was returned to the US Army. The XB-10 featured a number of changes to the original design. The crew complement was reduced from 4 to 3, and all crew positions were now covered including the nose turret something completely new at the time. The new aircraft would have a longer wingspan. The original Townend rings on the engines were changed to NACA cowlings which reduced drag. The US Army ordered 48 of the new aircraft in 1933 with production models differing very slightly from the XB-10., and another 103 in 1935. The twin 600 hp Wright SR-1820-E Cyclone engines provided the aircraft with a similar if not better performance than the Army's pursuit aircraft of the day. Although the rapid pace of aviation in the 1930s would soon leave the aircraft design behind. It had really been eclipsed by the time the US entered WWII In combat over China and Asia the aircraft was found to lack the speed of modern fighters and not have the same hitting power as other medium bombers. As well as service with the US the aircraft was used by The Argentine Army & Navy, The Chinese Nationalists, The Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force, The Philippine Army, The Royal Thai Air Force, and Turkey. The Kit This is a new tool kit from Azur Ffrom in collaboration with Special Hobby. The mouldings are typical of the higher end of the short run market. The fuselage is very well moulded with the corrugations of the skin very good indeed. There is a small amount of flash on some of the other components. The fuselage is moulded in a top/bottom split instead of left/right to avoid having a seem in the corrugated area which is good. There is one main sprue containing the wings, and a second for the fuselage and rear control surfaces. There are a further 2 sprues with all the other parts, and a large clear sprue. The front turret had become detached for the clear spure, but was not damaged. The last item in the box is a small PE fret. This boxing allows aircraft with the Wright Cyclone R-1820-G3 engines to be built. It also has extra clear parts for an aircraft with a rebuilt nose following an accident. Construction starts with the fitting out of the upper fuselage, some small parts go in and at the cockpit area the instrument panels are added. At the rear supports go in for the rear position. We then move to the lower fuselage where the main parts for the three crew positions go in. These include the pilots position, rear gunner and front gun position. At first many smaller parts are added in to all three areas. In the rear the bulkheads go in for the observer/rear gunners area and the seating position is attached to the fuselage. A central support for the wings is also added in at this point. The pilots position has a front and rear bulkhead which supports the floor. The seat and flight controls are added to the floor and PE belts go on the seat. At the front the floor area for the gunner goes in as well as the support ring for the turret, or the parts for the replacement clear nose can be installed if building that version. Once all these parts are in two fuselage halves can be joined. Following this the extreme aft tail assembly including the tail wheel is made up and added to the fuselage. The fin/rudder and tail control surfaces can then be added. Next step in the construction is the wing. These are of conventional left/right with uppers and lowers. Into each lower wing the wells for the landing gear must be added in the bottom of the engine nacelles. The front firewalls can go in and the main gear legs are also show as being fitted at this stage, though I suspect modellers will leave these until later on. The wing halves can then go together. The engines can then go on the front of the nacelles. The wings can then be attached to the main fuselage. Lift devices are then added between the engines and the main fuselage. The exhausts then match up with their engines. The rear gun is added along with all the exterior glazing. At the front don't forget to add the gun to the turret before putting it in place. To finish off the main wheels are assembled and added, then the props can go on as well. Lastly various aerials and the pitot tube go on. Decals This boxing of the kit gives three choices of markings, decals by Special Hobby; Model 139 WH-2 M515, 2 VIG III Of the Netherlands East India Force. This aircraft was sent to Singapore and flew combat missions alongside the RAF, Two different types of Triangles are supplied as it was felt the originals had too thin a border. Model 139 WAA, B-504, Regimiento 3 de Ataque, BAM El Plimerilo, Argentina 1949 Model 139 WAA, B-511, Regimiento 1 de Bombardeo, BAM El Plimerilo, Argentina 1946-47 (Aircraft with a rebuilt nose following an accident) Conclusion This is another left of field release from FFROM of an lesser well known but good looking aircraft from the earlier years of aviation. Very Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  4. SMB-2 Super Mystère B2 Early & Late 1:72 Azur FR.ROM The Dassault Super Mystère holds the distinction of being the first production Supersonic aircraft in Western Europe. Dassault developed the design from the Ouragan through the Mystère models to the Super Mystère. While earlier models could go supersonic on a dive this aircraft could achieve it in level flight. The new aircraft with its thinner wing and greater sweep angle entered production in 1957 and left French service in 1977. Supersonic performance was also helped by the introduction of an afterburning engine. A Mystère B4 was looked at to replace it, but this lost out to the Mirage III. As well as the French Air Force, the aircraft would serve with the Israeli Air Force and see combat in the 1967 and 73 wars. The only other user was the Honduran Air Force. These again saw combat in the numerous border conflicts they had. The Kit The kit is a new tool from the Special Hobby / FF.ROM collaboration of design & manufacture. The kit arrives on 6 sprues plus a clear one. The detail and quality is what we have come to expect from these companies of late and does not disappoint. Construction starts with the intake. This is full length down to an engine front at its rear. How much will actually be seen is another matter? The top of the front wheel well then fixes to the intake trunking. The rear of the fuselage also gets the same treatment with a full length exhaust finished off with a nozzle. Next up the cockpit is made up. There is the base, to which the instrument panel, sides and rear bulkhead is fitted, the control column is also fitted at this time. Next up the intake trunking, jet pipe and cockpit can all be installed into the main fuselage halves along with the main gear wells. The fuselage can then be closed up. Following this we move onto the wings. These are of a conventional form of left & right wings with an upper and lower half to each. Separate clear wing tip lights are provided which is a nice touch. Once the wings are done, these along with the single part tail, and the two tail planes can be added to the main fuselage. The nose ring is also added at this stage. The main and front landing gear is then built up and added along with the undercarriage doors, To finish up the ejection seat is built up and added tot he cockpit along with the instrument coaming. Lastly the canopy and windscreen are added. The canopy can be modelled in the open position. If underwing stores are required then a pair of fuel tanks, and a pair of short range AAMs are provided. Decals (Early) This boxing of the kit gives three choices of markings all in NMF; 10-SB from EC 01/10 which took part in SEATO cruise to Bangkok March 1961 (Light Blue Trim) 12-ZH from EC 02/12 "Cornouaille", Cambrai 1968 to 1970 (Green Trim) 5-NJ from EC01/05 "Vendee", Orange-Caritat 1961 to 1964 (Red Trim) Decals (Late) This boxing of the kit gives three choices of marking all in Vietnam style Camo; 12-YF from EC01/12 "Cambresis", Camnrai 1971 10-SK from EC 01/10 "Valois", Creil, 1969 to 1973 12-ZT from EC 02/12 "Comouaille", Pferdsfeld, Germany, 1974 All the decals are printed by cartograf so there should be no issues wtih them at all/ Conclusion This is another good looking French Aircraft which has been crying out for a new kit. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  5. Northrop Delta 1:72 Azur FR.ROM The Delta was designed by Jack Northrop alongside the the Gamma in 1932 when the Northrop Corporation was set up with as a joint venture with The Douglas Aircraft Company. The Gamma was to be a mail plane where the Delta was to be a passenger transporter. It was a low wing monoplane with a fixed undercarriage. The wings were common to both aircraft with the Delta having a wider fuselage for the passengers with the pilot being seated upfront behind the engine fighter plane style. Space behind was for 8 passengers. The Delta flew in 1933 but suffered from a change in the regulations in the USA which prohibited single engined aircraft from carrying passengers at night, or over rough terrain. Only three aircraft were made before this regulation came into place with the first being used by TWA, the second by Pan-Am's Mexican subsidiary and the third to AB Aerotransport of Sweden. A single example was built for the US Coastguard and 7 more were built as executive transports. Of these three were purchased by the Spanish Republicans for use in the civil war there. Two of these were captured by the Republicans and used by them. The third was later used by the Republican Airline LAPE until the end of the war when it was also handed over to the Air Force. In addition to the US Built examples the Delta was built under license by Canadian Vickers where it was used as a photographic survey aircraft by the RCAF. The first example was supplied to Vickers by Northrop part assembled, and 19 examples were then built by them. This would be the first all metal stressed skin aircraft to be built in Canada. These aircraft were capable of being used with wheels, skis and floats although the latter was not a success due to corrosion issues. Delta were used for anti-submarine patrols in early WWII, but were withdrawn to training roles by 1941. The Kit The kit has 4 main sprues of injected plastic , and a clear sprue. The plastic is more limited run than main stream, the parts are well moulded with restrained panel lines, however there are a lot of ejector pins to clean up, all though on unseen surfaces. Construction starts without any surprises with the cockpit. The single cockpit for the pilot sits in the middle of the fuselage slightly higher than the main cabin floor. The rudder pedals are moulded to the cockpit floor, the side consoles are added along with the pilots seat. The instrument panel is then added along with the control column. Next up the 8 passenger seats are added to the main cabin floor. The cockpit and main cabin floor can then be added into the main fuselage along with the rear cabin bulkhead. Lastly before closing up the main fuselage the cabin windows need to be added. One correction here is that if you are building C/N7 then this aircraft had an enlarged door with one of the cabin windows removed to make way for it. Ffrom provide details for filling the window and door panel lines, along with a template to scribe a new door in. Once the main fuselage is together the engine is added to the front of the fuselage. The wings can now be added. These have a main full span lower wing with left & right uppers. Once the main wing is on the tail planes can also be added. The Spats and enclosed wheels are then built up and added to the main wing. To finish up the exhausts, tail wheel, aerial, pitot tube and propeller are added. Decals - Civilian Version This boxing of the kit gives three choices of markings, all in BMF. C/N 7, SE-ADI "Halland" used by AB Aerotransport Sweden, 1934-37 C/N 3, X12292, TWA 1933, LA to Kanas City C/N 4, X-ABED, Aerovias Centrales (Pan-AM) 1933-34. LA to Mexico City. Decals - Delta Over Spain This boxing of the kit gives three choices of markings, all in BMF. C/N 7, ED-AGC LAPE airline, Spanish, ex AB Aerotransport Sweden. 1937-1938 C/N 7, ED-AGC LAPE airline, Spanish, ex AB Aerotransport Sweden. 1938-1939 C/N7, now 43-18 Spanish Air Force 1939-45 All decals are by Aviprint, look to have good colour density and be in register. Conclusion This is another left of field release from FFROM of an lesser well known but good looking aircraft from the earlier years of civil aviation. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  6. Northrop Gamma 2E "Bomber in China" 1:72 Azur FR.ROM The Delta was designed by Jack Northrop in 1932 when the Northrop Corporation was set up with as a joint venture with The Douglas Aircraft Company. This was developed alongside the Delt, the Gamma was to be a mail plane. It was a low wing monoplane with a fixed undercarriage. The wings were common to both aircraft. The Gamma 2C was a proposed attack version to compete with the Curtiss A-12, with the 2E being a development of this but with a 1600lb bomb load. These were used by the Republic of China Air Force with some being built in China from kits supplied by Northrop. One aircraft K5053 was supplied to the UK and was tested by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at RAF Martlesham Heath. Two aircraft were also supplied to the Japanese for testing. The aircraft was eventually developed by Northrop into the A-17. The Kit The kit has four sprues of plastic and a clear sprure. The detail and moulding quality are as good as ever. There is also one small photo-etch fret. Construction starts off unsurprisingly with the cockpit. The pilot seat, front & rear bulkheads are added to the main cockpit floor. The centre console and control column are also added. PE seatbelts are provided for the pilots seat. For the rear gunners area there is the rear gun with its mounting/seat to make up and add. Ammunition stowage is also added into the fuselage half. The instrument panel and a few other items are added to the fuselage half's and then they can be closed up around the cockpit area. The engine is fitted to the exhaust ring and fitted into it's cowling and once complete this can be added to the main fuselage. The tail planes are made up and fitted, along with the main wing. The single part canopy can then be added after adding in the PE gunsight. To finish off the wheel spats are made up and added to the wheels. The completed assemblies then being added to the underside of the main wing. The bomb racks are added which sit under the fuselage between the spats. The lower observation window is also made up and added at this time. Lastly the propeller is added. Decals This boxing of the kit gives four choices of markings; White 901, Chinese Air Force, 9th Chungtui, 2nd Tutui, transferred to 14th Volunteer Sqn, Hanklow 1937-38. K5053, British Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, 1937-38. Black 14, unknown Chinese Unit 1937-38. Black 1412, transfered from unknown Chinese Unit to 14th Volunteer Sqn, Hanklow Jan 1938. Conclusion This is another left of field release from FFROM of an lesser well known but good looking aircraft from the earlier years of aviation. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of
  7. IAR 39 1:72 Azur FRROM During the 1930s, the IAR society (Industria Aeronautica Romania) built planes from Poland and France under licence. These included the PZL P.11, later P.24, Potez 25. In 1936 the IAR-Brasov project team designed a reconnaissance and light bomber plane (IAR 37), this was basically an improved Potez 25. A first batch of 50 aircraft was built in 1937. Following the experience of flying the IAR 37 and, the IAR 38 (built with imported BMW engines) this led to slight modifications. The resulting aircraft was designated the IAR 39, this was test flown for the first time on the 13th of March, 1940. The production was then switched to the IAR 39 variant. At beginning of 1942, the IAR plant in Brasov, heavily engaged in the assembly of urgently needed IAR 80 and Savoias 79, transferred the IAR 39 production to the SET society in Bucharest. A /S was added to the serial number of the SET built planes, so that they were easily distinguished from the IAR built ones. During WWII, the IAR 39s were used by the Rumanian Army against The Soviet Union, and following the August 1944 coup, against the Axis forces.(Information from Azur FFROM) The Kit The kit arrives in Azur FFROMs standard open ended box. The parts consist of two sprues of injected plastic, one sheet of photo etched parts, one bag of resin parts, one clear sprue, one vac form canopy (in addition to the injected one) and an acetate film for the instrument panel. Construction starts with the cockpit. There are a lot of parts for this, and given the large canopy this should look very good if time is taken to do a good job. The inside consists of a frame into which the Pilot, observer and rear gunner sit; very much like the Swordfish. The instrument panel is provided in resin if you should just wish to paint this. If you want to use the PE & acetate film then you will need to sand the detail from the resin part. There is an under fuselage provided, however the modeller will have to make a cut in the fuselage for this as there is not one provided. Once all the cockpit parts are in the fuselage can be closed up. The glazing panels in the side of the aircraft are then added along with the tail planes. The PE struts for these will need slight trimming according to the instructions. Following this its on to the addition of the wings. This is not straight forward. The lower wings just join to the fuselage with a butt joint. I really think this will need to be pinned to get a good strong fit. The upper wing is one wing split into two parts. There are 8 struts holding the top wing up and these are all individual, this will be tricky. Once the wings are attached the engine can be made. This consists of a resin engine to fit inside the cowl. Looking at the kit there is no reason the engine can not be left off until after painting, even more so if doing the aircraft with a yellow cowl as this will relieve the need to mask it off. The canopy can then be added. Its very good that they have provided both an injection canopy for those of us who loathe vac form ones; and also a vac form canopy for those who prefer them. It will be a complicated masking job which ever is chosen. Finally the landing gear and bomb racks can be attached. 24 separate resin bombs in what look to be the 20lb range are provided, 12 for each side, these will be a painting challenge! Lastly the prop is added. Decals Decals are provided for 3 examples in Rumanian service. All are painted RLM71 over RLM65 with Yellow underside wing tips. Standard markings, yellow fuselage stripe, yellow wing tips (underside) Standard markings, yellow fuselage stripe, yellow engine cowl,yellow wing tips (underside)[/ This version is post the 1944 coup and features white underside wing tips, a white fuselage stripe and roundels in place of the pre coup crosses. No unit information, or in fact any information is provided for the markings. Conclusion This is a nice kit of an aircraft type I certainly have never heard of. The kit is quite complex with its mulitmedia parts, intricate cockpit and bi-plane configuration. It is certainly not for the beginner. Azur are to be complemented on giving us both a vac form canopy and an injection one. However again we have no rigging diagram supplied. The box art gives a good impression of what looks like complicated rigging, but it would be nice to have a diagram provided. Overall I would recommend this kit to those with some experience of short run kits and bi-planes. Review sample courtesy of
  8. Fleet 10G 1:72 Azur FRROM Fleet was a Consolidated subsidiary which built models of their trainers which were widely used in United States by the US Army (PT-1, PT-3, PT11), the US Navy (NY-1, NY-2, NY-3, N4Y), AND the National Guard (O-17. For the export market they were sold to Canada, where they where known as Fleet Fawn and Finch, to Portugal, and too Rumania. China did use some planes, probably US models. Three main Rumanian aircraft manufactures, I.A.R., S.E.T. and I.C.A.R built more than 330 of these aircraft under license. In 1931, Rumania impressed into service 20 Fleet F-10G The Fleet F-10G was used for initial training; liaison and mail transportation. Some of these planes were allocated to the headquarters of infantry divisions or other main Rumanian Army units. The civilian training Fleet F10G were impressed in the ARR during WWII. (Information from Azur FFROM) The Kit On opening what seems to be Azur FFROMs standard open end box you are presented with a model which can only be described as one of few parts. There are two small sprues of shorter run injection plastic, one small bag of resin parts and one sheet of clear acetate with the canopies on. The parts feature some nice if restrained detail, appear to be well moulded with no problems. Construction starts with the cockpit. This is a simple affair with the rudder pedals moulded into the floor, two seats and two very fine resin control columns. In what seems a strange way to dot he kit, the canopies, or should that be windscreens are attached to an upper fuselage plug which has the holes in it, which is then attached to a larger hold in the upper fuselage. This just seem to create extra seams to deal with? It should be said at this point that the vac form windscreens are very indistinct on the acetate and I for one with my eyes cant actually see where to cut them out. This is an early kit from them (no.72002) and I am thankful in later kits they provide both injection and vac forum canopies. Following the joining together of the fuselage halfs and insertion of the previously mentioned insert its time to attach the lower wing. This is one piece and mounts to a slot cut in the fuselage, thus providing a very positive and stable join. The Engine, tail planes and rudder are now attached. The tailplanes are a straight butt join so you might want to pin these. There are only one pair of wing struts to mount the upper (one piece) wing, with another pair on the top of the fuselage in front of the cockpit. Following mounting of the upper wing the landing gear is assembled and installed. The modeller with have to fabricate their own tail skid. As with all Azur FFROM kits no rigging diagram save the box art seems to be provided. Decals Decals are provided for 3 examples in Rumanian service. All are painted RLM71 over RLM65 with Yellow underside wing tips. Fleet F-10G Of Aeronautica Regina Romania (AAR)- IAR built 1943/1944 Fleet F-10G Interstingly an aircraft with belonged to the Romanian Railways Sports Association pressed into military service. - ICAR built. Fleet F-10G of AAR used as a trainer 1943 Conclusion This is a well made kit of a little known aircraft. If you fancy building something a bit different or Rumanian aircraft appeal to you then get this kit. It would also I suspect be a good first bi-plane for someone due to its low part count and what seems easier assembly (Aside from the clear parts). Review sample courtesy of
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