A4/V2 Prototypes - 1:72 Special Armour

[Paul A H]

A4/V2 Prototypes

1:72 Special Armour

The Vergeltungswaffe 2, commonly known as the V-2, was the first ballistic missile to be used in combat anywhere in the world. Although relatively simple by modern standards, it laid the foundations for the space programmes of the USA and the Soviet Union in the postwar period. The V-2 was a liquid-fuelled, single-stage rocket, steered by rudders placed on the tail fins and graphite vanes at the exhaust nozzle. Guidance was provided by two gyroscopes (one for horizontal and one for vertical) and an accelerometer providing inputs to an analogue computer.

From September 1944, over 3,000 V-2 rockets were launched against targets such as London, causing an estimated 9,000 civilian and military casualties. The British Government initially sought to suppress public information about the V-2 rockets, blaming the damage caused on gas main explosions. The public were not fooled however, and the V-2s acquired the sardonic nickname of "flying gas pipes". The missiles proved almost impossible to intercept, and the most effective countermeasure proved to be the disinformation system operated by MI5, whereby double agents fed false reports about the impact points and damage caused by V-2 attacks.

Special Armour, the small scale AFV imprint from CMK of the Czech Republic, have a number of V-2 and related kits in their growing range. This kit, depicting various V-2 prototypes, follows hot on the heels of their earlier in-service V-2 boxing, as well as their Vidalvagen V-2 road transporter and SS-100 Gigant Heavy Tractor. Inside the end-opening box are two sprues of cream-coloured plastic, a small set of resin stabilisers and a small decal sheet. Even a cursory glance at the sprues indicates that this is as far from a limited run kit as it is possible to get. The mouldings are pin sharp and there is a wealth of fine detail. The overall effect is reminiscent of a modern Eduard kit, which is quite a compliment.

The kit is made up of almost fifty parts. This is pretty impressive for a rocket, but most of the parts are for the launching structure. The rocket itself is made up of two halves, split vertically, plus the four fins and the rocket exhaust. The latter part is nicely detailed but is made up of two halves and will require careful assembly in order to remove the join. The fins themselves are the same as those supplied with the original production version, so you will need to do a little sanding and filling to modify them, as well as using the resin parts provided.

The rest of the parts are used for the launch platform, which can be finished in either launch position or stowed position. The platform is made up of well over twenty parts and is superbly detailed. It features accurately represented components such as the stabilising feet and the controls. A wheeled trolley is also provided, but this isn't used if you want to build the rocket in the launch position. If you wish to add the wheeled unit to the launch platform, you will have to buy the separately available Vidalwagen or Mielerwagen transporter units, along with the SS-100 Gigant tractor unit. Should you choose to do this, you will have an interesting and impressive model on your hands.

Four painting options are provided in the instructions, with a colour reference diagram on the back of the box. The options are:

• Third prototype V-2, Peenemunde Test Stand VII. This missile was destroyed when the nose broke off 45 seconds after launch. It is finished in a black and while scheme;
• Fourth prototype V-2, Peenemunde Test Stand VII. It flew for 58 seconds and achieved an altitude of 85-90 km and a range of 190km. It is also finished in a variant of the black and white test scheme.
• Fifth prototype V-2, Peendemunde Test Stand VII. This rocket flew for 58 seconds and achieved a range of 147 km; and
• V-2, Peendemunde Test Stand X. This missile is much later than the first three, dating to 1944. In contrast to the other schemes, the main body is painted olive green.

The decal sheet is tiny, but the small images which adorned the body of the rocket between the fins look fine.

Conclusion

I was expecting this to be a relatively simple kit with few parts, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The rocket itself is superb, with fine surface details and precise engineering. The launch pad and transportation section are superbly complex, and I'll be paying close attention to the instructions when I finally get round to building mine. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Oh gawd....There's more!

Now I want a prototype too.....I'll be wanting a 1/72 Penemunde before long!