1:48 GERMAN ALBATROS (4705)
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LE DIABLE ROUGE!
MERIT's 1956 copy of an Aurora Series B original, the 'Albatros D.III Scout' comprised 29 parts and our example is vivid red although others could be found moulded in dark green. This 1:46/1:48 scale kit has a number of issues including an over-corpulent fuselage that more closely resembles D.V/D.Va variants and too deep even for them. Parts are actually crisper than Aurora's and fuselage detail is more refined. Originally, our kit was missing the miniscule gunsight, pilot and intake manifold. These have all been reinstated from other kits, which explains the black and grey parts shown. Scale outlines of most other parts are OK but the fin/rudder are undersize and to represent later types will need replacing along with the tailskid. Decals are basic and probably unusable so a more recent Smer sheet is provided with Werner Voss' well-known markings. Our kit contains missing parts slip and a fascinating mini catalogue of Merit's kit ranges which included a diversity of cars and marine subjects as well as aircraft.
ANOTHER pirated copy of an Aurora original, Merit's 'German Albatros' perpetuates all of the anomalies inherent with the American product. It's not a precise copy as major components are slightly larger than Aurora's, whilst fuselage panel lines were represented by finely-raised lines rather than the original's deep trenches. Conversely, aileron divisions are moulded as raised lines where they should be engraved: all embossed markings remain. Somewhat over-scale in places, the fuselage with its D.III style rudder more closely resembles that of the later D.V/D.Va variants with a decidedly piscine form. Adopting a deeper cross-section than true 1:48 scale, the fuselage is actually 2mm short at the kingpost where the one-piece plain tailplane goes-unglued... Wings bear reasonable rib detail on their uppersurfaces only with the mainplane incorporating the extra radiator-or is it meant to be a gravity tank?- the original pattern-makers seemed unsure.
On the plus side, the generally presentable five-piece Mercedes motor was a welcome innovation at the time and nestles quite comfortably within the generous nose section. Basic cockpit detail consists of a floor panel; control column; seat for the pilot figure and a dashboard ahead. Moulded overall in a strong Vermilion, our example of kit 4705 originally contained three parts short of the usual complement. Missing items: pilot figure; engine manifold and that tiny gun-sight, have all been restored with Aurora/Smer equivalents making up the shortfall. An aged transfer sheet completes the content with the usual outlined eiserne kreuze and white fin serial D.1941/17. Merit's exemplary instruction leaflet provides a potted history of the D.III and includes three useful rigging diagrams although there are no specific painting instructions for what is intended to be essentially an all-red aeroplane. Refinement of necessary areas; a new rudder; removal of the dreaded etched markings and superfluous wing fittings sanded away can result in a reasonably authentic model of von Richthofen's D.V D.1177/17. Decals are virtually identical to Aurora's (was there ever a choice?) and have not aged well. As an alternative, a more recent Smer sheet for Werner Voss' famous D.III is provided and removal of etched markings will become essential to make good use of them. But despite the kits' flaws, readily obvious even to an avid schoolboy modeller back in the day, I liked the Aurora/Merit Albatros. It was big; it was sturdy; it was easy to build and looked great in unpainted red-or green-plastic! Our kit includes all of the original paper/cellophane packaging plus a fold-out mini-catalogue of other Merit kits from the period: 1:24 scale racing cars; vintage vehicles and sailing ships plus the much-sought-after Donald Campbell record -breaking Bluebird speedboat which was moulded in blue of course!
*NB: As a small bonus, we have included a ground base and mechanic from an Aurora Albatross..
