And this version, the 234 C was marked as the main production type. With the increase in power it was realised that the “C” would make an ideal mother aircraft to carry and launch other weapons which included the Arado Ar E381 manned rocket powered parasite fighter and, the subject of this kit, the V1 Flying bomb, mounted on top of the fuselage and operated by hydraulic arms. But all further work came to a halt with the ending of the war.
THE KIT
Type: Injection.
Parts: 105
Parts not used: 4
Parts for Ar 234C: 90
Parts for V1: 11
Clear Parts: 8
Etched Parts: 6
This is an unusual version of a firm favourite amongst Luftwaffe fans.
The first sprue is common to the Ar 234B Nachtigall kit reviewed earlier.
All parts are beautifully detailed with fine panel lines on the larger parts and all with minmimal clean-up required as flash is virtually non-existant. This a very comprehensive kit of a very high standard and scores accordingly. The only gripe I have after building one of these and a Revell re-box version concerns the engine nacelles and jet exhausts...they need a fair bit of jiggling and adjusting, as the fit is not as great as the rest of the kit.
In all other respects there are no fit problems. The cockpit is very well detailed especially for a 1/72nd.
Plus included in the parts are a pair of “Rauchergeraut” rocket assisted take-off boosters and a Bv 400 torpedo.
CLEAR PARTS
All clear parts are both thin and clear.
ETCHED PARTS
One small fret is provided containing antenna. The quality is superb.
DECALS
Very good and quite extensive including swastikas.
INSTRUCTIONS
Excellent and extensive. Very good illustrations throughout.
VALUE
This is a very comprehensive high quality kit, and the price represents good value.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall this kit will make up into a very nice model and should be a very attractive addition to any collection. A must for all Luftwaffe fans. Although the kit consists of many parts, with care and patience a modeller of limited experience should produce good results.
NEWS
If you’re a fan of Arado 234’s, Dragon have the Ar 234P Night fighter on their future list.
SUMMARY
The world’s first jet powered reconnaissance aircraft enjoyed a successful maiden flight in July 1943, utilising a take off dolly and landing on skids. The next development saw a widening of the fuselage to accomodate a tricycle undercarriage and the inclusion of a pressurised cockpit and armament of a pair of 20mm cannons.To gain more power and a better top speed 4 BMW003A turbojets, mounted in pairs, replaced the original pair of Jumo004B’s.
About Peter Allen (flitzer) FROM: ENGLAND - NORTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM
Greetings to all.
My real name is Peter Allen and I have recently returned to UK from working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a creative director in an advertising agency.
My home town is Wigan in the north of England.
I’m married to Emily, a Polish lass who tolerates my modelling well.
I’ve wor...
