*(142-98) ALBATROSS
-2326-p.jpg?v=82AA48C9-7141-41AA-A30F-36B0494CDE74)
-2326-p.jpg?v=974CE71E-3AE3-438C-AB42-06DA6DAD6B64)
-2326-p.jpg?v=F2A74A36-DD88-4BD3-9722-F31898579D7A)
AURORA KIT NO.142-98-ALBATROSS
AN excellent example of Aurora's final 1:48 WWI aircraft release, the eponymous 'Albatross' represents the 1916 C.III. Fittingly, it was also one of their best WWI subjects being mostly accurate in outline with good surface detail; plus refined struttage-only the embossed markings remained to spoil the party! Over 32 parts in white-other kits were pale grey-and black the kit is straightforward to build thanks to linked tie-bars for main-plane struts that eased wing cellule assembly. The large ground base supported a pair of figures; one carries a camera,the other other leans from the cockpit to receive it and both are far superior to the usual Aurora personnel. No serials on the decal sheet just eight eiserne kreuze on white-now somewhat yellowed-square fields. We cannot guarantee trouble-free use of these due to age but a coat of clear acrylic may prevent disintegration. The 1972 Collector's Series revamp included superior decals featuring serial C.155/16, a genuine number from an OAW-built batch C.III 100-199/16. En route to Monogram by rail in 1977 the locomotive left the tracks and a number of Aurora's moulds were damaged beyond saving. This catastrophic derailment brought down the metaphorical final curtain on Aurora's once dominant hold over the WWI plastic aircraft kit market- forever revered by generations of modellers...
THIS was the very last of Aurora's 20 1:48 scale WWI aircraft kits and arguably one of their best-what might have followed if the company had continued manufacturing past 1977? We will never know...Despite the enigmatic box label this is the 1916-designed Albatros C.III two seat reconnaissance aircraft and contains 27 white parts and another 16 in black over four runners. There's also a tiny transparent windscreen! The wings feature rib detail on both surfaces and all major parts conform closely to Ian Stair's 1:48 scale drawings in the now scarce DATAFILE 13. Deviations are few and relatively minor. Wing tips need squaring off and lower wings need enlarged root cut-outs but apart from removal of the inevitable engraved decal positions, little else is required. Fuselage halves are 5mm too long at the kingpost but tail-plane parts match scale drawings with only mild reshaping of the rudder and under fin demanding attention. Struts are surprisingly thin and a full Mercedes engine is included on the black runner together with manifold and 'Rhino horn' exhaust. Aurora left their best to last and all our examples are in VGC with those parts fallen off their runners sealed within polybags.
Overall this is a first class production and includes a larger than usual ground base for the two figures. Unsurprisingly our kits' decals have yellowed over time and their viability is not guaranteed. The box is in good order with a few minor creases but otherwise remains as fresh as when originally shrink-wrapped at the factory in 1964. Eight years later the kit was reissued as kit No. 1142-also sold under the K & B logo-in a bright new box. Revisions were superficial:only the fuselage eiserne kreuze being excised and the plastic was now a deep buff with the accessory parts in mid brown.Vastly improved decals were provided with authentic serial C.155/16 on the sheet. Footnote:The 'Albatross' tools were damaged beyond repair as a result of a train derailment in 1977 en route to new owners Monogram and our kits are of the original first issues- now consigned to history...
Albatros Archiv: WINDSOCK DATAFILE 13 by Peter Grosz was first published in 1989 and spawned at least two revised reprints-all now out of print. The 36 page monograph included many photos,1:48 scale plans and a trio of rear cover colour profiles. Extremely limited copies of the final edition are currently available in store-please see the link below...
