Motor History,

In 1913 the French aviation engine company "LeRône" manufactured a 9cyl rotary engine that was initially rated at 110hp. A license to build these was sold to the German Co. Motorfabrik Oberursel, a recent new comer to aviation (1908) from rail road locomotive manufacturing. Oberursel had several licenses for building motors of French origin.

the kit,

Roden has detailed one of their standard motors found in several WWI aviation kits. The result is a fine scale display of the details often hidden under a cowling in most buils. With basic modeler's skill you can display this as either a LeRhône 9J (Seen in many Nieuport, Sopwith, Hanriot types) or an Oberursel Ur.II (seen in many Fokker D. types).

In the box you get;
33 Plastic parts.
18 PE parts.

The Instructions are 4 pages with history, parts map and 5 steps of instruction. The shaded portions are parts not to use for the Oberursel build. Though if you wanted to do the French build these would be helpful. Recently on Aeroscale (2008) we did a Group Build on the Early Aviation forum. Several experienced modelers did infact build this Roden plastic in the 1:32 Fokker F.I, Dr.I and D.VI. We will mark their attempts and take notes on their builds to help us here.

It should be noted that the real test blocks for these motors was very substantial wood block and metal tie down strapping with bolts. The framing supplied in the kit represent maintenance supports to work on the motor during overhauls. The motor would never be run up with it in these types of cradles / frames.

While I applaud Roden for their attempt at providing PE, I wish it were more extensive. But that is a personal view.

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