Photos by the author
Just a word before I start the review: I live in Germany and bought this model via international ebay from USA. Shipping was prompt from the seller. But when the model arrived, I was more than disappointed after opening the envelope. Beside 3 instruction pages there was just 1 sheet included, the same size as a postcard, 17,5 cm x 11,5 cm. I had paid $25.00 US for this little card. I put it aside, angry and disappointed.
Next day I took a second look and discovered that all parts were laser cut. The parts in the sheet looked like photo etched parts but were actually card stock. Interesting, then a third look: Incredible, how many parts on this little sheet. I counted 180 parts. What can I tell you? Before I had a 4th look I started cutting out the first part.
The pictures will show and tell you much better than I can in my German English. But here are some facts I would like to mention:
1. The instructions are perfect, a lot of pictures to show you step by step, how to build the model.
2. All parts fit perfectly.
3. Tools you need: An x-acto or similar knife, very sharp, tweezers, toothpicks, white glue, a small paint brush for the glue. That's all you need and each of us probably already have most of these.
4. The model is designed as framework. So modeling must be done very careful because as you will see later on, every mistake you make, for example too much glue, will show when the model is finished
My pics show step by step:
1. The sheet. Some parts are already cut out.
2. Gluing the bulkheads on the left side of the fuselage
3. The cockpit, this is made up of 5 parts
4. The cockpit and left side of the fuselage with all bulkheads glued
5. This shows the right side of the fuselage still without stringers, but the cockpit is already installed.
6. This shows the left side of the fuselage. Stringers on this side are completely glued.
7. The fuselage is finished, here is the right side
8. The fuselage is finished, here is the left side.
9. and 9a. The upper and the lower wings are glued to the fuselage
10. The 9 cylinder Engine alone, believe it or not, exists of 77 parts. Next to the engine on the left is shown the cowl, above the cowl are the wheels and the axle.. Sorry for the bad quality of this picture - the parts are simply too small for the resolution of my camera.
11. through 18. shows the finished model from different views.
To build this model was a fascinating experience: 180 pieces for a card model in scale 1:72 with a length of not even 7,5 cm and a wingspan of the upper wing of 10 cm. It is the first framework model, I've ever build. I don't even know if there are any more models such as this.
I really can recommend this model to every card modeler, who has a little bit of experience. Here is the address, where you can order this model
http://www.monroeperdu.com/nport.htm or Email directly to the designer John Mauvezin - HL-10@webtv.net - and say "Hello, from Frank-Michael".
