Hi Guys,
I'm considering giving WW1 another go.
My kit of choice is to be Rodens 1/48th F2b Bristol fighter.
Any comments,hints,tips experiences to help me decide if I have the skills to make this one without seeing if it really can fly, into a wall.(frustation)

Thanks Guys & Gals

Chris

I'll build it (propably ) for the campaign

Cheers Nick

Yes, I'm doing my best to finish it right now. I'm working with the Falcon-engine version. Generally the fit is quite accurate with one exeption: engine cowling and fuselage. I choose to fit the upper surfaces together as much as possilble and remove the step on the "belly-side" just like instruction says. Maybe gluing fuselage and cowling halves before and then gluing left and right sides together would be better...don't know. I also had to work a bit with the fitting of the radiator. There were no other problems with fitting. All struts have a proper length. With the experience I have today I would only change the attachments of the struts to the wings by removing the tiny tips and putting something longer and more stiff (eg. steel wire). The same with the tail wings.

I hope this will help you somehow... drop me a line if you need more information.

I've done this one. I'll see if I can find some photos.
The Wing Fuselage joint is VERY difficult. Use some sort of jig.
Other than that and the fact that the decals are not the easiest to use, Its a gem of a kit.

Cheers,

Hugh

Did anyone who built this have any problems with the wing struts? I heard that they can be a real pain in your butt.

Cheers,

Hugh

Which ones? The interplane struts or the cabane struts?

Neither presented a problem for me, although, as previously stated, the Fuselage to Lower Wing join was a pain.

Cheers,

Hugh

Good Luck.

It was THE most difficult kit I ever made. It got it together and it sits now in the back of my glass cabinet in the dim light, bad decals and all. Roden kits aren't well known for easy assembly by average modelers.

The assembly aside, be prepared for an awful lot of delicate rigging.

If you want to try a WW1 kit, buy an Eduard, say the Hanriot (if you can still get it) - it goes togeteher beautifully.

I like the the F2B but it may be easier done in 1/32 scale form WingNuts.

Great model MerlinV

Cheers Nick

Here is a bit of fun on the subject of Roden's 1/48 Bristol.

Click here.