1:27 SPAD XIII (H256-1980) ,1957.
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THE ORIGINAL VINTAGE MASTERPIECE!
THIS truly ground-breaking large scale kit of the French WWI SPAD XIII was first released in 1957 along with an equally impressive red Fokker Triplane, both setting incredibly high bench marks that remained unassailable for several decades. These 1:27/1:28 scale highly- detailed and generally accurate kits have enjoyed almost continual production in various forms ever since they first appeared all those years ago. The kit on offer is an original 1957 first issue with three figures, rigging material and an excellent instruction 'broadsheet' that provides detailed painting and rigging notes accompanying each stage of the build. All the long-separated parts of our kit have been carefully checked and contained in a number of polythene bags for safety. This great model comes with a copy of the SPAD Profile, drawings and modelling notes from a contemporary edition of Aero-Modeller, along with 'scans' of the 'Revell's Classic SPAD' feature from WINDSOCK International Vol.9, No.4 which is no longer in print. This two page article gives a detailed review of the 1957 release and surveys various re-issues up to 1993...
THIS remarkable large scale SPAD XIII plastic kit was released by Revell Inc. nearly 70 years' ago-just reflect on that for a minute. Together with the Fokker Triplane and later, the Sopwith Camel, these landmark productions to 1:27/1:28 scale remained the most accurate and detailed plastic kits of the famous WWI warriors until the first two were eclipsed by Dragon in the early 1990s. This is an original first issue, its box replete with Revell 'S' cement logos-a tube of which was included in all the kits, but missing from ours, although the silvered rigging cord is present. Moulded in shiny olive green, the SPAD has the rounded wing tips of early versions and boasts a highly-detailed cockpit and forward fuselage interior along with a removable Hispano-Suiza motor. The upper cowlings, radiator and airscrew were intended to remain unglued for ready to access these internal highlights. Decals offer the markings of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's 'Old No.1' and may require some clear gloss spray coats as cracking is apparent on the vintage AEF roundels. The plastic content is complete down to the seated pilot and two mechanics, but the majority of parts have been long-divorced from their runners, only small remnants of which survive. Multiple 'zip-loc'- secured polybags now corral everything to prevent loss or damage in transit. This venerable SPAD has been re-issued and updated numerous times by Revell and they will doubtless continue this admirable trend for many more years to come!
EXTRAS!
Inside the box is a copy of Profile Publications No.17, The SPAD XIII C.1 by C F Andrews; tear sheets from from Aero-Modeller April 1957-the date of publication could hardly be more apt!-with George Cox' detailed 1:48 scale drawings and comprehensive instructions to scratch-build an accurate model: a useful sketch-page is also provided.