First Looks For the Months of May and June 2004
We're a little thin on content this month, given that Saul Jacobs (the usual author of the column) has been out of commission recently. We hope to have the usual volume of kit reviews when Saul returns to his editorial post in the next month or two.
Henschel Hs 126 |
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Description: | German WWII two-seat reconnaissance and Army cooperation aircraft |
| Kit: | Kancho Iliev models (2004) | |
| Scale: | 1:48 | |
| Designer: | Kancho Iliev | |
| Format: | Five downloaded PDF files totalling 3.1 megabytes, yielding 5 printed pages: a cover page with aircraft background and specs, a page of construction diagrams and wing formers, and three pages of parts | |
| Parts: | Approximately 80 | |
| Difficulty: | Advanced beginner | |
Kit: Kancho Iliev's releases seem to be coming at the rate of about one per month this year. That's a welcome sign, since his recent designs have focused on unusual aircraft not frequently found in other media. The Henschel Hs 126 released in March 2004 is a good example. It was a gawky plane that would find it very hard to place in a beauty contest, but it had the military qualities that allowed it to play an operational role from the time of the Spanish Civil War until the European conflict ended in 1945. The model is finished in black-green-tan splotch camouflage with mild weathering. Detail is subtle and very softly outlined, rather than the sharp lines and color boundaries that are found on many electronically delivered models. There is a moderately detailed cockpit that must be completed, given that the gunner/observer's position is open to view. You can substitute transparent glazing for the printed cockpit enclosure if you wish (almost a necessity in this case). A built-up engine consisting of nine rolled cylinders is also required.
Construction: Construction is based on Kancho's normal practice of designing models that achieve structural support through how they fold and attach rather than through the use of formers. The fuselage sections are joined by tabs that protrude from one end of each section. Since this yields a layered appearance when completed, I would probably remove the tabs and use thin gluing strips as a replacement in order to achieve a flush joint. I would also suggest built-up (or laminated) wheels for the main gear rather than the twin-disk-plus-tire-tread method provided in the kit. This depends on how much extra detail and realism you want to squeeze out of an already detailed kit. Finally, the Henschel wing is extremely narrow at the center, and I would suggest reinforcing the two spars with a small strip of basswood (or a toothpick) at the center.
First Impressions: This is a well-done kit that should build up into a very attractive model of an interesting subject. It would be a good choice for a novice builder who already has a few aircraft kits completed, or for more advanced builders who would like an opportunity for extra detailing in a manageable scale. I would not recommend it for the absolute beginner, but it would certainly work for someone with a little experience and a desire to try something interesting and new.
Bill Geoghegan
Yakovlev Yak-23 "Flora" |
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Description: | Soviet post-war (1948) single-seat jet fighter |
| Kit: | Kancho Iliev models (2004) | |
| Scale: | 1:48 | |
| Designer: | Kancho Iliev | |
| Format: | Six downloaded PDF files totalling 3.3 megabytes, yielding 6 printed pages: a cover page with aircraft background and specs, a page of construction diagrams, two pages of parts for printing the model on plain cardstock, and two pages of parts to use if you decide to print on silver cardstock | |
| Parts: | Approximately 48 | |
| Difficulty: | Beginner | |
Kit: This is Kancho Iliev's third release for 2004, and it continues his concentration on somewhat unusual aircraft from World War II and the immediate post-war era. The Yak-23 was introduced at about the same time as the better-known, and far more successful, MiG-15. The Yak-23 was built principally for export, and was license-built within the Eastern Bloc countries. This particular model represents a Yak-23 of the Bulgarian Air Force, finished in a grey splotch over aluminum camouflage scheme. Surface detail is subtle and softly outlined. A simple cockpit interior (instrument panel, seat, and harness)is provided if you choose to build the model with a transparent canopy. Kancho has very thoughtfully provided two complete sets of parts. One set is intended to be used with normal white cardstock and simulates the exposed aluminum finish with a light grey color. The other is intended to be used with silver (metallic) cardstock and includes only the surface detail and darker grey splotch camouflage.
Construction: Construction is based on Kancho's normal practice of designing models that achieve structural support through how they fold and attach rather than through the use of formers. The fuselage sections are joined by tabs that protrude from one end of each section. Since this yields a layered appearance when completed, I would suggest removing the tabs and using thin gluing strips in order to insure a flush joint. I would also suggest built-up (or laminated) wheels for the main gear rather than the twin-disk-plus-tire-tread method provided in the kit. Otherwise, model construction is very straightforward.
First Impressions: This is a well-done, relatively simple kit that should yield an attractive, and very unusual model. Given the clean lines and relatively low parts count, it could be a good choice for someone just starting on 1:48 or 1:50 scale card model aircraft.
Bill Geoghegan
This column does not cover all the new card models that have been released this month. It contains only those models that have been sent in by dealers and designers for review or that the author has purchased for review. Due to space restrictions, some models sent in for review may be held over until the following month.
Thanks to the following for providing kits for inspection and review:
