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 offers. The scale goes well with ship modelers' 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 1/72 had by that time taken a stranglehold on the hobby. Subject availability is not very high, though 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


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 still available today issued by Dahlmann Modellspielwaren.

Faller's Kit

This Fieseler Fi 156 Storch is a rare kit few are even aware of. A niche kit, obviously it was produces decades ago. The twenty-two parts are thick, carry varying amounts of flash, marred with seam lines and molding marks. No surface detail, though the control surfaces on the wings are not molded solid to the wing, as are the elevators. The model was made to have an optional mini-motor installed to spin the grotesquely molded propeller.

The highlight of the kit is the decal sheet. For such a small model, a nice selection are offered, well printed and not yellowed after forty years!

Conclusion

Somewhat of a novelty, modelers of the 1/100 scale range will enjoy this kit. It will no doubt be an eye catcher.

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