*(141-100) BREGUET 14
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AURORA KIT NO.141-100-BREGUET 14
RELEASED in 1963, Aurora's kit of the French Breguet 14 came as a pleasant surprise and an imaginative choice of subject. Moulded in dark bottle green with the customary black runner of accessories, it built into an impressive looking model. Over the years we have acquired a number of these classics-all are in good condition and all are complete having been carefully checked for content. Surface details of the Breguet kit-we'll call it an A-2 despite the blanked-out fuselage windows-was much improved over many other Aurora kits although embossed decal positions persisted. The only real bugbear is the treatment of wing ribs that were moulded incorrectly at right angles to the leading edges requiring some deft surgery to represent their true positions. If memory serves, the Breguet was not a difficult model to build and if the familiar French camouflage is carefully applied, only requires refinement of smaller items to create a worthy replica. In 1972 it was re-issued by Aurora and now incorporated B.2 Michelin bomb racks, moulded in tan and deep brown with all-new decals of superior quality..
**CONTAINS EXTRA PARTS & DECALS!
AURORA's penultimate WWI aircraft kit, the French Breguet 14 two-seater, was first released during 1963-1964 and contained 36 dark green and black parts. It was a bold move to produce a large scale kit of a type not generally known in modelling circles back then apart from a relatively small number of diehard WWI enthusiasts. Aurora's pattern-makers did pretty well as the kit bears generally accurate outlines, convincing nose panel louvres and treatment of fuselage longitudinal stringers. Wing rib stations were present on wing and tail under-surfaces but doubly unfortunate this time being moulded at right angles to the the leading edges where they should be parallel to the line of flight. Etched markings' positions persisted and the four co-joined interplane struts with tie-bars for deep slots under the main-plane could be difficult to conceal effectively. Aurora's Breguet has much to commend and has considerable conversion potential being relatively easy to produce either A2 or B2 variants as well as a number of civilian post- war variants. Lower wing did not feature the distinctive Michelin bomb carrier fairings of the B2, subsequently addressed in the 1972 reissue when the kit (now 1141-200) had these incorporated at some expense and effort, flipping the moulds to accommodate them. Etched markings were removed but there was no bomb load...
Once the kit's defects can be resolved, the clunky machine guns replaced with modern versions and extra details added, Aurora's Breguet builds into an impressive model of this rugged French stalwart. Our example is mint and that includes the box bearing Jo Kotula's artwork. There will never be another reissue for the moulds were damaged beyond repair in 1977 when Monogram Models purchased most of the Aurora tools-a train derailment whilst transporting them to their new owners resulted in irreparable damage to several precious moulds-one of them was 141...
EXTRAS! Bonus spare parts include: ground base; undercarriage unit and wheels; tail-plane; three sets of interplane struts; three cockpit parts; exhaust; guns; airscrew and radiator front. Plus selected decals from the 1972 K& B reissue.
Breguet bibliography: Aside from 1966's excellent Profile Publication No.157 written by Jean Noel and Jack Bruce, little of value has appeared in print to provide authentic reference for the Breguet 14-until 2003. Alan D Toelle's masterly WINDSOCK DATAFILE Special on the Breguet contains masses of rare photos, facts, figures and totally authentic 1:48 scale colour profiles of more than 30 variants plus many scrap views; camouflage planforms and insignia. Quite the finest study of the type ever published and currently available in store along with the Profile-please see the links below...
