Fokker E.1 Early - 1:32 Wingnut Wings

[Viking]

Fokker E.1 Early

1:32 Wingnut Wings

If you have ever been to the aeronautical gallery in the Science Museum in London, you may have missed seeing a priceless and very significant aircraft. With no fabric covering and exhibited in skeletal form is it easy to miss the worlds only genuine Fokker Eindekker hanging high in the roof. It is the E.III 2010/16, captured on 8th April 1916, and a remarkable survivor. The fact that it looks today like a very conventional aeroplane, is perhaps a tribute to getting so many aspects of the design right. The monoplane wing with rear mounted tail and rudder, the lightweight steel tube fuselage, the fixed gun firing forwards and excellent all round view, laid down some of the key standards used for many years. It wasn't until the 1930's that the monoplane fighter really made a comeback, when more powerful engines made the biplane wing arrangement unnecessary. The Eindekker still relied on wing warping instead of hinged ailerons, being one of the last aircraft to do so, and reminding us that whilst showing some advanced developments, it retained some aspects of traditional design.

The Kit.

There have been few kits of various marks of Eindekkers over the years, up until now Eduards 1/48th series have probably been the best, but Wingnut Wings are now working their way through the E.1, E.III, and E.IV versions in 1/32. The Fokker E.1 'Early' has been received for review, and as usual it comes with very attractive artwork in the familiar silver lined box. Inside we have seven sprues of parts, one etched brass fret, and a sheet of decals for all five of the colour schemes offered. The instructions are in the form of a twenty eight page booklet printed in full colour on high quality glossy paper.

Nobody does better instructions than Wingnuts. They start with a write up on the subject, move on to a paint chart and parts map, and then to crystal clear exploded drawings showing assembly sequences. These are backed up with drawings of completed sub assemblies (in colour) to show how each section should look, and photographic close ups of the area under assembly.

The second half of the booklet covers the five finishing options with Ronny Bar's side and plan views, again mostly backed up with whole page photographs of the actual machines. As always, the instructions are very professionally produced, in all my years of modelling I have never seen any others that come close.

Assembly starts with some 20+ pieces to build the cockpit interior. There is a choice of two different seat arrangements, and also ammo boxes depending upon whether you build a Parabellum or Spandau armed version. Etched brass provides the rudder pedal heel boards and seat straps.

A decision will be needed early on about which version you are going to make. One of them (Option B. Kurt Wintgens 5/15) has the wing mounted high on the fuselage side, whilst the others have it mid way up. The fuselage mouldings have the slot moulded in for the mid wing position, with plugs provided to fill them in and slots to be opened up for the high wing position. The cockpit side frames have matching notches to line up so that the tongues on the wings can slide in later. Like the Fokker D.VII kits, the fuselage underside has a separate strip of stitching to fitted in after the two halves are joined. Further variations are dealt with by the way of three different cockpit coamings and gun mounts, all clearly illustrated and backed up by close up photographs the real thing.

Sprue G. Cockpit Coaming. (For option A)

Sprue C. Windscreen options.

Sprue A. Mainly cockpit parts.

Sprue B. Fuselage and wings.

A lovely little Oberursel is provided for the front end. The cooling fins are very finely moulded but unfortunately in injection moulded plastic the only way to do them is as two 'front and back' sections, which results in a seam through the sides of each cylinder. However I have found that if you glue the two halves together by holding them in place and lightly applying liquid cement to the tops of the cylinders and crankcase with a brush, you can achieve a virtually invisible seam.

Sprue E. Engine Parts.

At the end of the build you have the choice of Behrend, Garuda, or Integral propellers. All have beautiful miniature manufacturers logo decals to apply, which are perfectly readable under a magnifying glass.

The complex undercarriage is cleverly moulded in only three parts, and the two part wheels have a choice of two different spoke covers.
Sprue D. Guns and Wheels.

On to the wings and more variations are catered for, all keyed to the finishing options provided. There are two variations on notches to be cut into the port wing root to clear the cowling fairing, all starboard wings need a small trim to, and there are two possible sets of etched reinforcement plates to go over the wing spars at the root. The wings themselves are the correct short span early version appropriate to the E.1, and thus different to those in the E.III and E.IV kits. Wingnuts have certainly done their research here and covered all the variations in a logical and easy to follow manner.

With the tailplane and wings on the final stage will be to fit all the rigging. There are three possible 'A' frames in front of the cockpit according to which version you have chosen, Wingnuts attention to detail and accuracy in evidence again! The rigging shouldn't be too difficult, I'd anticipate it being easier than a biplane as the four main wing wires can each be done in a loop all the way around.

Colour Schemes.

Option A. E.1 1/15, Otto Parschau, June-July 1915.


Option B. E.1 5/15, Kurt Wintgens, FFA 6b, July 1915.


Option C. E.1 8/15, Uffz.Kneiste,FFA 62, August 1915.


Option D. E.1 13/15, Max Immelmann & Oswald Boelcke,FFA 62, August 1915.


Option E. E.1 14/15, Eduard Bohme, FFA 9b, August 1915.


Decal sheet.
Printed by Cartograf, it is fairly small by Wingnuts standards but covers all the necessary items. Stencils, instruments and logos are all provided in fine detail.




Conclusion.

This new Fokker E.1 (early) is everything we have come to expect from Wingnut Wings. Beautiful mouldings, exceptional instructions, top quality decals, interesting finishing options, and a touch of that elusive magic that just says 'wow!'The E.1 is a very important aircraft to have in any collection of model fighters, and essential in a WW.1 theme. It looks like it should be an uncomplicated build and the lack of struts puts it at the 'easier' end of skill levels required, and although there is some rigging to do, it shouldn't be too taxing. 1/32 is the perfect scale for these WW.1 fighters as the detail is easy to work with, but the finished model is still a shelf and cabinet-friendly size.

Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of