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Roland D.VIb 1:32 Wingnut Wings Wingnut Wings latest release is for the Roland D.VIb, a lesser known but interesting little fighter developed in 1917. The most noticeable features are the 'clinker built' fuselage of overlapping plywood planks, with the lower wing attached via a stubby little pylon on the underside. With its stalky undercarriage the D.VI has a lean and delicate look, but it was actually a very competent fighter and an improvement over the Albatros D.V's it was intended to replace. Unfortunately for Roland, it appeared at the same time as the formidable Fokker D.VII and was largely outclassed by it in all key performance areas. Most of the early D.VI's were powered by the old Daimler-Mercedes 160hp D.III engine and classed as D.VIa's of which about 150 were built. These were followed by a further 200 with the 200hp Benz Bz.IIIa engine which were classed as D.VIb's. The later D.VIb's also introduced ailerons and elevators with increased balance areas that helped increase manoeuvrability. Wingnut Wings have already kitted the D.VIa (Kit 32022 In 'Ready For Inspection') , so it was a logical step to include a couple of new sprues to produce the D.VIb, providing the different engine and control surfaces. The kit. I'll never lose the thrill of seeing a new Wingnut Wings kit for the first time, and this one is most definitely a thriller! The box art is just gorgeous, showing a Jasta 59 D.VIb scoring a victory over a USAS Nieuport 28. Inside the weighty silver edged box are six plastic sprues, one etched fret, three A4 sized decal sheets, and the usual Wingnut Wings superb instruction /reference manual. Lovely! let's take a more detailed look. Sprue A. Unsurprisingly several of the sprues are common with the D.VIa kit, such as this one. Beautifully moulded interior parts, undercarriage legs and cabane struts are included, all with fine surface detail and free from flash. The fabric covered bulkhead behind the pilots seat even has wrinkles and stretch marks in it. Sprue B. Both wings are supplied here, along with the early tailplane, elevator and ailerons. The rib tapes are delicately and effectively done, and there is a very subtle sag effect of the fabric over the ribs themselves. It has that 'tight as a drum' effect typical of doped linen over wooden ribs. Sprue C. The smallest of the sprues, holding the two optional windscreens. Sprue D. Here we have the fuselage halves with a beautifully executed rendition of the clinker planking. Even the nail heads are present, showing the pattern of the bulkheads underneath.These are extraordinary pieces of moulding and dry fitting them together, the join along the top and bottom virtually disappears. Also included are the early (not required for this version) and late interplane struts, wheels, and LMG 08/15 Spandaus. 'Solid' Spandaus are provided if you are not confident of rolling the etched jackets to fit on the 'high detail' versions. One thing to note is the difference in inspection panels between the D.VIa and D.VIb. The instructions show where you will need to remove and replace the panels. Sprue E (Engine) and F (D.VIb parts) 'E' This holds all the parts for the Benz Bz.IIIa straight six engine, and 'F' is the 'new' sprue that holds all the parts appropriate to the 'b' version of the D.VI, and the interior bulkhead frames. The control surfaces with the larger balance surfaces are included as is a new tailplane to accommodate the reshaped elevator. Two sets of cylinders are provided, one with pushrods and ignition wiring moulded on;and another 'plain' set omitting these for if you prefer to do your own. Oddly the 'plain' option is marked as not for use on the parts map, and not referenced in the instructions. But I see no reason why you could not use them if you so wished. The 'moulded on' version is very well done, and I guess many of us will be happy to use them. If you are tempted to complete the missing wiring from the end of the carrier tubes to the magnetos, be aware that this area is pretty much hidden from view on the finished model. (Well it is on my D.VIa). Optional intake manifolds are provided for the Bz.IIIa and Bz.IIIaz 'high altitude' engines. The mouding on the crankcase is beautifully done and worth a close look; Photo etch. Essential in this scale are the jackets for the Spandau guns and their sights, which are supplied here along with the four point harness for the pilot. In addition this fret for the 'b' also has the two empty shell ejector chutes not found on the 'a' model. For the first time that I have seen on a Wingnuts photo etch sheet, the panel identifying it can be detached and used as label alongside the completed model. Decals. Richard Alexander points out in his notes for this kit that photographic evidence shows Rolands were frequently fitted with wings and tailplanes of 4 or 5 colour lozenge material. I.e the top wing might be in 4 colour, and one or both bottom wings in 5 colour, or any other combination. Thus you are supplied with an A4 sheet of each type to mix and match, or make a choice of using just one type on your model. Strips of rib tapes are also supplied in generous quantities, including a set of plain linen ones. The individual markings for each option are provided on a third sheet along with all the stencils and instruments. Some of the smaller details are exquisite, such as the propeller logos and the data plates. All three sheets are sharply printed with minimal carrier film, and in perfect register. The decals themselves appear to be very thin and the colours all look very good. Options. A) Roland D.VIb, 'Berg Wappen', mid 1918. 'B) Roland D.VIb, Jasta 59, mid to late 1918. C) Roland D.VIb, 7502/18, 'P132', McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, USA. May to June 1920. D) Roland D.VIb, 7504/18, November 1918. E) Roland D.VIb, 7535/18, 'Marie', Oskar Frieherr von Boenigk, Freikorps late 1918-1919. And a 'Bonus' is included for Roland D.VI, 2225/18, preserved in the Krakow museum in Poland. This is just the serial number, and folows closely the finish of option A, but without the shield marking on the side. Conclusion. Another beautiful kit from Wingnut Wings of an interesting and unusual aeroplane. The clinker built fuselage mouldings are exceptional and perfectly executed, the sharpness of the mouldings needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. Having built the D.VIa kit I can vouch for the fact that it all fits together with absolute precision and contains no pitfalls. I remember particularly how snugly the interior framework sat in the fuselage halves without interfering with closing them up. The choice of colour schemes offers something to modellers of all skill levels, with camouflage for those not confident with natural wood finish, to that stunning looking Jasta 59 example on the box top. I can see the post war example from McCook field holding strong appeal to modellers in the USA, with its experimental camouflage and early US roundels. Well up to the standard we have come to expect from this market leading manufacturer, and I'm sure it will be another box of pure model building pleasure. Highly Recommended Review sample courtesy of