Background

Railroad model mogul Faller originated this scale for model aircraft back in the 1950's. The scale is about 30% smaller than 1/72, compact yet generally able to retain as much detail as 1/72 then could offer. The scale goes well with ship modeling 1/96 and railroading TT (1/100 through 1/120) scales. It converts easily in both metric and Imperial system. But this scale never really took off to the extent that it was envisaged, probably more due to the fact that Western model companies like Airfix, FROG, Hawk, Heller, Lindberg, Monogram, etc., were dominating the model market with 1/72 kits. Subject availability is not very high, although Accurate Miniatures, Revell, Takara, Tamiya, et al., have some excellent 1/100 kits.

Faller did release an impressive stable of kits:

TM-61 US-Matador
Caravelle
Convair 440
Dornier Do 27
F-84-F NATO-Jagdbomber
F-104 Starfighter
F-4F Phantom
Fiesler Fi 156 Storch
Fokker Dr 1
Heinkel He-111
Heinkel He-162A
HKS-3 sailplane
Junkers Ju-52
Ju-87 Stuka
Ju-88
Kl-107 Sportmodell
Me 109
Me-262 “Düsenjäger”
Noratlas 2501
Piper Cub
S-34 Sikorsky
S-58 Sikorsky
SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS
V-1/V-2 Raketenpioniere
VERTOL VT 107
Vickers Viscount 814
Wright Flyer 1903 WR-03

So why spend time and bandwidth on ancient century-scale niche models? First of all, because they are fun. Second, because they are fun!

Moving along, some, like the Fokker Dr 1, are considered gems. Some, like the Me-262 “Düsenjäger” are considered...er, um...well...it is understandable why the molds were scrapped. Several were purchased by a Mr. Dahlmann and are still available today from Dahlmann Modellspielwaren. The V2 has been reissued by him.

Aside from the Faller history, below, I will not present the history of the V1 or V2 weapons as they are so well known. My only interest is to present these venerable models to you, good modeler, to acquaint you with what you can expect should you purchase them in any of their releases.

History

While the V-l was a purely wartime development for ground-to-ground use, work on a rocket known as A-1 was begun as early as 1932. After years marked by steady advance
despite many discouraging reverses, the first successful launching of an A-4 occurred on
Oct. 3, 1942, when a flight of .120 miles was achieved. The speed was 4985.6 ft. per sec. The
range was subsequently pushed up to 250 miles. The weight in flight was 14 tons, 70 percent
of which was fuel and one ton of explosive.

While effective defense was available against V-1, this was impassible against V-2, which
was launched vertically to a great height, then went into an inclined glide and finally
descended vertically upon the target. The amazing thing about the V-2 was the simplicity
of the launching and guiding system.

Both V-1 and V-2 have been developed extensively by both the Western Powers and the
Soviet Bloc, V-1 having given rise to the American Martin-Matador and V-2 to the various
rockets now achieving such fantastic flights.

in the box

These Vergeltungswaffen are rare kits few modelers are even aware of. A niche kit, obviously it was produces decades ago. The 78 parts are thick, carry varying amounts of flash, and marred with seam lines and molding marks. Yet Faller tooled a respectable Meillerwagen trailer; although they did not make a dolly for the V1 Faller did include a clear plastic stand to display the majestic "doodlebug" in flight.

Four models are in this set;

1. A4/V2 (Vergeltungswaffe 2 {V2’s technical name is “A4”}) missile
2. an Abschussplattform (Firing Table)
3. Meillerwagen transporter
4. V1 Fi 103 "Buzz Bomb"
4.1. Buzz bomb stand

Be prepared to restrain yourself - the models are molded in glorious color: V1 in red; V2 in white, transporter in that era's beloved/despised "dog's breakfast" swirl of whatever leftover styrene colors were swept up and tossed in the melting pot. Oh, and black wheels.

V1
Only 10 pieces build the Fi 103. Oddly, Faller made the elevators and rudder with extra surfaces trailing them, similar to large balance tabs.

V2
Also a simple model, the A4 is built with only 8 parts.

Meillerwagen and Abschussplattform
At least 57 parts build these items. You can see by the scans of the instructions just how much detail was created for them. The cluster of oxygen canisters are molded in two pieces. The missile support cradle can be raised and lowered. The telescoping elevating struts move but the securing clamps that hold the A4 in place do not open, the sway braces and grounding pads are not movable, and the work platforms do not work.

instructions and decals

Printed in German and English, there is a basic history of the V1 and V2, and basic assembly and painting advice. The sheet is well illustrated with halftone line art. Red numbers and arrows help guide assembly.

There are no decals in the box and no mention of them in the instructions. I do suspect there was a sheet as the V1 is illustrated with the Balkenkruz and the raised Faller Made in Germany, molded on the stand base, often had a decal to cover it.

Painting guidance is mainly from the box art. Third Reich A4 Raketen wore a variety of test and operational paint schemes but I am not familiar with red on Peenemünde V2s. And while there was an all-red Ta 152 (flown by JG 301 Obslt Fritz Auffhammer) and the all-red Me 163 of JG 400, I have not found any reference to an overall red Fi 103. Therefore, I suspect Faller intended these to be post-war test vehicles, the Republic/Ford JB-2 Loon; judging from the mountains of the box art, these look like test "Vee's" at White Sands range in New Mexico. While I will neither confirm nor deny having been to Peenemünde, I have been to Alamogordo, which the box art favors.

While the suspected decals are missing, still in this box is the inspection sheet. I wonder if Inspektor D 707.3 ever built one of these sets?

conclusion

This is a niche kit due to the scale. In terms of quality, obviously it was produces decades ago. The 75 parts are thick, carry varying amounts of flash, marred with seam lines and molding marks. The weapons have basic detail and the V1 has those weird balance tabs. What overshadows those drawbacks is the amazing trailer.

Somewhat of a novelty, modelers of V1, V2, and 1/100 scale range will enjoy this set.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.
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Interesting

http://www.v2rocket.com/start/others/usafm-v2.html