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The long road to convert this kit into a somewhat decent model was nevertheless fun to walk. The step-by-step build is here in Britmodeller: In the world of vacuum-formed kits -as in any other-, there are good things and no so good things. This kit tends to belong to the latter category. But hey, it is a kit of a civil plane! not much of those abound! However, I appreciated the opportunity to flex the modeling muscle provided by the gift of fellow modeler Luis Santos, to whom I once again express my gratitude. You can see all about the making of model using the link provided above. Arctic Decals made the necessary items to finish this model (this kit has no decals). This was a plane that was adapted as an experimental machine, carrying instruments and external probes; and it can be seen in photos with two or four main wheels, and slight variations of the rigs it wore about it. Thanks to Peter in the Netherlands from Britmodeller who provided the color clue as dark blue. I am really surprised that no good kits of the Fokker F.II and F.III do exist, while there are hundreds of arch-known iterations of the same-old-same-old. F.II and F.III were very significant transports used by many countries and airlines, and could be released in almost infinite variations changing just noses and window arrangements. They are simple enough and just by doing an Internet search you could fill volumes. The liveries are invariably attractive, from elegant to showy. What else could you ask for? Any adventurous manufacturer out there?

The mysterious but fascinating realm of vacuum-formed kits (abbreviatedly called "vacuformed" or "vacs") provides us, off the beaten path modelers, with subjects that tend not to be favored by their injected or resin geographical neighbors. I am fond of them, and through the years I have built a somewhat large number. As with other media, quality varies, and you have samples of all levels in the trade. The subject that today occupies our attention is from Classic Plane, somewhat down in the quality spectrum (examples of good quality are, to mention just two, the late Gordon Stevens' Rare Planes range and Khee-Kha Art Products from Alaska). Here are some of the vacs I have built: This kit is a rendition of a much beloved plane that had a very important role in aviation history, providing early passenger transport and starting a family of well-known designs, the Fokker F.II. To call this kit simple would be an understatement. There are no resin or metal parts that many times accompany the molded styrene sheet, nor decals and somewhat succinct instructions. The detail parts, provided in the sheet, are better discarded, since their worth is highly questionable to say the least. This nice Fokker was gifted to me by fellow modeler Luis Santos, the friend that long ago also gifted his vac kit rendition of an Argentinian plane, the Bombi (that in spite its name ended up as a cropduster). Thanks to Luis for his kindness. Work begins patching things up a bit, since this kit has seen some years of handling, and some areas were a bit squashed and had cracked. Nothing that a piece of styrene won't cure. Next, replacement accessories need to be found, not a problem for a scratchbuilder or a modeller of some vintage: props, wheels, cockpit items, engine and struts are needed. I have gathered -and many friends contributed to (thanks Armando Gil and Jim Schubert) a now sadly diminishing stock of aftermarket items, mainly from the -now apparently in stasis- Aercoclub range. I can -and I many times do- carve my own laminated wood props, though. The cabin interior (not provided with this kit) is easy to scratch, and the decals...well, depending on the complexity of your chosen marks, you may somehow scrounge them or cobble together from defunct kits, print them yourself, or commission them. The struts will be coming from Strutz airfolied brass stock (thanks, Andrew Nickeas!). Why, ask somke of my friends, I launch myself into fixing a somewhat not very enticing kit prospect instead of scratchbuilding the desired subject? well, firstly, to honor the gift, and secondly to redeem an object that otherwise will slowly drift into oblivion. And thirdly, needless to say, because of the challenge. You get two half wheels. With like you could glue them together and get one whole wheel: Small bits better left for the erosion of eons.... The detail is there...somewhat: Kit had surely went thorough some stressful situations: Parts come easily off (not a science): Cracked areas are reinforced internally: All major parts out, the rest better leave it where it is: