Roden

Roden 1/32 Fokker F.1

Kit Number: 605

Reviewed by  Jack Kennedy, IPMS# 12511

MSRP: $40.00 It has been a long time since I built anything larger than 1/72 scale and I really was looking forward to reviewing this kit. I wasn't familiar with Roden kits so it was a complete surprise opening the box for the first time. The kit is molded in light gray plastic with 103 parts on several sprues. The instructions are of the "blow-up" variety and were very easy to understand. (Do real men read directions?) I followed the steps in order, but this is not really necessary as the cockpit, wings, engine and landing gear could be assembled in any order. The detail on this model is amazing. I was really impressed with the fit and the overall ease of construction. I built the engine first, then the cockpit. This was pretty straightforward; however I painted the parts prior to assembly since it would be difficult to paint them when installed. The landing gear came next and then the wings. The fit on everything was perfect, and very little filler was needed. I airbrushed the parts overall medium gray and then painted the olive on the tops of the wings and fuselage. The guns supplied with the kit are nicely detailed and include the cooling jackets. There was an additional set of guns included without the cooling jackets so I assume that either Roden or some after market manufacturer will make photo etched parts for this. I chose to model the aircraft in which Werner Voss met his end. After the assembly of all the major components, I brush-streaked gray paint over the olive green base. The cowl was painted dark green, and the rudder was airbrushed with white. I followed the instructions as to the proper pattern to do this streaking. I used Testor's Model Master Acrylic paints for all the colors. When the assembly was completed, I airbrushed Future floor wax over the whole aircraft and then applied the decals. I found the decals a little difficult to use since I wasn't used to them coming off the backing paper so quickly. I used Micro Set when applying them and still found that they stuck too quickly to move into proper position. By really soaking them, I was able to move them into the right place. Another spray of Future over the dry decals set them in place. I then over sprayed Testors Dullcote to give the aircraft a semi-matte finish and make the decals look painted on. The last thing I added were the control wires and rigging. I stretched some sprue, and using dividers measured each piece to the proper length and glued them with Elmer's white glue. When the glue dried I gave the wires a wash of flat black. By way of background, Fokker only built three F.1 aircraft. Of these, only two went into combat with both Werner Voss and Kurt Wolff being shot down and meeting their demise. This was the prototype for the famous Fokker DR.1 and the loss of the two pilots doesn't diminish the importance of this fine aircraft. Overall I was very pleased with this kit. I believe the retail price is about $40 and I think it is worth every cent. I found the assembly and fit perfect and the detail very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy other kits from Roden if they are all this good. I wish to thank IPMS/USA and Roden (www.rodenplant.com) for supplying this kit for review.

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