The variety of old, plastic 1/72nd WWI aircraft kits available via eBay surprises me. Many kits are from the 1960s and 1970s and arrive still sealed in shrinkwrap.
One recent purchase was this mid-70s kit from Meikraft Models of a German Pfalz DIIIa. Meikraft Models is a company unfamiliar to me from my youth. At that time, Revell was about the only manufacturer I recall ever seeing in stores.
This Meikraft kit, states that it was a short-run from the mid-70s and "Made for the serious modeler - Experience required." That warning is appropriate since the kit comes out of the box in rough shape. Flash, heavy flash, rough cuts, poor molding, and poor fit are all in abundance.
The best surprises in the kit are the two decal sheets. From these two decal sheets, a number of Pfalz DIII's can be adorned. A really terrific variety of aircraft possibilities with these. Getting these old decal sheets, alone, might provide justification for buying this kit.
Even though the kit was a bit rough requiring extra work, the construction was straightforward. After painting, application of decals, and some dirtying up, I think this kit will be a good addition to my growing German Jagdstaffel. A neat kit and terrific decal sheets.
Hey that looks nice Jon. I sold my collection of 1/72nd biplanes a few years ago and your model brought back happy memories of lots of games played at the Devon Club using a hex map of the trenches and the Blue Max board game rules where we pulled chits out of a bag to assess damage.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Meikraft, it was all Revell and Airfix here back in the day, but we have a club member who is big into Wings of Glory so I am hoping to scratch the itch sometime this year.
Happy new year
JJ
Happy New Year, Jonathan!
DeleteWe use a direct descendant of GDW's Blue Max for our WWI aerial gaming. That is, Canvas Eagles that is available online for free.
The games are great fun especially when a handful of pilots are attempting to outwit each other.
Looking fantastic Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteAirplanes from this period have a lot of charm;)
You are quite right about the charm of WWI aeroplanes!
DeleteThank you, Michal!
Nice work. Glad to see you had a kit that did fit, albeit with the effort, your result is very nice. Godd gaming with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks! To get it to fit required some work but the result is better than I first thought possible when opening the box.
DeleteVery nice.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished an Albatross D.Va, myself, so my Jasta is currently at two aeroplanes. In my case it was another repaint of a prepainted Wings of Glory model. I don't think I'll ever be revisiting plastic kit building, as it would only open too many opportunities and drive me crazy with wanted to buy more and more.
Thanks, Roy!
DeleteYou ought to post photos of your Alb. DVa. Does Wings of Glory use 1/72 aircraft or smaller?
Wings of Glory WW1 is 1/144th.
DeleteIts all tied up with that Analogue Hobbies event, so I can't post the photos on my blog till 24-hours have passed from the original posting. Its all advertising for the weekend job, so I'm not going to complain.
Love the WW1 planes, and this one is just superb Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteYou are very kind, Phil!
DeleteReally like the plane Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks!
DeleteNice plane, Jon. If you think of the lead pile that most gamers have, and translate that into model building, I think that might explain the ready availability of old model kits on Ebay! :-)
ReplyDeletePeter, that is an astute observation! My Lead Pile is a testament to that. Looking at mine the other day, I realized that pile of unpainted lead will outlast me. Time for reflection on that...
DeleteSpeaking of stacks of models, Scott MacPhee's unbuilt model collection is staggering in size and a complete joy to browse.
Wow, Jon! What a great looking plane! It's hard to believe that kit gave you any trouble.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Scott! You are too kind. There was a lot of clean up needed but the result was better than expected. If I ever see inexpensive one, I will pick it up for you.
DeleteGreat looking model Jon, the weathering looks very good.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much , Jake!
DeleteFantastic. Makes me feel nostalgic for the ones I painted as a kid.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Makes me nostalgic for these aeroplanes and my youth too.
DeleteAh Jonathan, she's a real beaut. Love the color scheme.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Rod! I like the monochromatic color scheme too.
DeleteNicely done model 😀
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLovely work on this kit. Great colour scheme too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lawrence!
DeleteSuperbly done, Jonathan. I may have to take a look for an Albatross. I had one as a kid and still like the look.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, Dean! Good luck in your hunt for an Alb. eBay is loaded with them.
DeleteLovely model Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark!
DeleteReally nice work on your albatross, my favourite ww1 german fighter.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
For me, hard to pick a favorite. I like them all!
DeleteVery nice aircraft and the color scheme is incredible! I love it.
ReplyDeleteStefan, glad you like it!
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