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Fokker DR.1 Weekend Edition - 1:72 Eduard


Paul A H

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Fokker DR.1 Weekend Edition

1:72 Eduard

 

dr1_01.jpg

 

One of the best known and most recognisable aircraft of the First World War, the Fokker Dr.I was developed in response to the appearance of the Sopwith Triplane over the skies of the Western Front in early 1917. Although it couldn’t match other fighters for speed, either in a straight line or in a dive, its initial rate of climb was good and it was supremely manoeuvrable. The Fokker was used by a number of aces, most notably Manfred von Richthofen who scored his final 20 victories in the type until he was shot down and killed on 21 April 1918. This kit is the latest in Eduard's revamped 'Weekend Edition' series, which enables you to build a model as nature intended, unfettered by tiny bits of photo etched brass and a bewildering choice of decal options. Inside this particular box is a single runner containing just 35 plastic parts and a small sheet of decals. The plastic parts first saw the light of day seventeen years ago, and have been released umpteen times since then, including once by the mercurial Smer. The parts are nicely moulded, with no traces of flash but a respectable amount of moulded detail.

 

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The cockpit comprises six parts, including a floor, seat, control column and instrument panel. As this is a profipack, there are no photo etched parts, but a set of seat harnesses is provided on the decal sheet. Once the fuselage halves have been joined, he lower and middle wings can be added, along with the brace of forward-firing machine guns. The wedge shaped horizontal tail is moulded as a single, solid part, as is the vertical tail/rudder. The upper wing is the last major part of the airframe to be added, along with the outer struts, which slide through the middle wing to join both lower and upper wings together. A fairly basic engine is included, but Eduard to produce a resin replacement if you wish to add detail here. Once the engine and cowling have been fitted, all that remains to do to finish the model is to add the propeller, landing gear and tail skid. One advantage of the DR.1 is the minimal amount of rigging required to complete the model. 

Two marking options are included:

  • 479/17, flown by Lt August Raben, Jasta 18, Montingen, France, October 1918; and
  • 195/17, flown by Lt Hermann Vallendor, Jasta 2, Halluin, France, April 1918.

The decal sheet is small, but nicely printed.

 

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Conclusion

 

This is an appealing kit, largely because of its simplicity. In contrast to some of their more modern kits, Eduard made it no more complex than it needed to be, and as a result, it majors on modelling pleasure and buildability. What better way than to start a collection of WWI subjects? Recommended. 

 

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Review sample courtesy of logo.gif

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I saw a replica of the 1:1 version and even that one is fairly tiny compared to Spitfires etc. in 72nd scale it must be almost microscopic. Great looking plane though with an awesome reputation.

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Hello Dears,

I'm building 2 of them but at 1/48 and I'm embarrassed by my big fingers for these ones.

Will not dare to make the 1/72, to me it mean, working with pincers only.

Otherwise, these are very nice kits, one has just to be carefull about the very fragile undercarriage.

Just like the real thing in fact.

Thank for the review.

Sincerely.

Corsaircorp

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