1:48 MERIT FOKKER D-7 (4715)
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THE GREEN FOKKER!
The 1957 Merit Fokker D-7 was a knock off copy of Aurora's Kit 106 also released during that same year. It's pretty much identical, but Merit instruction leaflets were generally superior with more informed histories, better colour notes where necessary and useful rigging sketches where appropriate. Although closer to 1:46 than the 1:48, the kit is a reasonably good effort although the overscale struts and suspect wing sections wil demand attention. All 34 original parts are in VGC,complete with loose items individually bagged within the original flimsy cellophane and paper wrap that came with the kit. The printed identification label at the end of the box has been specially recreated, the original strip having been ripped off long ago. Retailing for just slightly more than their Aurora equivalents at the time-about five shillings and eleven pence-the D-7 and others in the range remained popular despite their unimaginative boxes...
IN 1957, J & L Randall Ltd., of Cranbourne Road, Potters Bar, the same Middlesex location that Revell GB operated from, introduced the Merit line of 1:48 scale vintage aircraft kits. Six of these were virtual copies of Aurora's Series B mouldings but 'sprue' distribution was different, there were no black parts; no ground figures and no base-plates. Various subtle differences were also evident between the kits which normally came enshrouded in paper-backed cellophane bags within sturdy boxes. This German Fokker D- 7 (Merit Kit 4715) adopts the same over-etched markings of its Aurora counterpart and our example is in dark green plastic although I purchased several of of these Fokkers in the early sixties which were a sickly pea green. Merit appear to have moulded their kits in whatever colour plastic was available,or whatever suited them, during production pressings and often varied from kit to kit. One feature peculiar to their range was a unique box design. In order to reduce printing costs, these were standardised throughout the series bearing multiple images on their lids and sides with only a gummed paper label to distinguish between them. Merit's D-7 transfer sheet was also a clone of Aurora's-how could it be otherwise when heavily-etched positional guides dictated the choice of markings? In this case, it was restricted to narrow-bordered balkenkreuze and werkenummer 5125/18 for Goring's white D.VIIF which were helpfully printed-in white... Despite their age, these modest items look to be in reasonable condition but will likely split on first contact with water: pre-spraying in clear acrylic may help negate this.
Original style wrapping of parts is preserved but the customary capsule of polystyrene cement usually included has long since vanished. Overall, the kit remains in VGC as does its re-labelled box although the original printed colours have dulled over time.
*Footnote: As well as the six duplicates, Merit released several kits of their own making: an Avro 504K; DH2; Tiger Moth (not a patch on Aurora's); WWII Supermarine Walrus and Fairy Swordfish floatplane along with a truly terrible Bristol Bulldog. Planned, but never released by the company, were a Gloster Gladiator and Hawker Fury-the latter eventually appearing some 20 years later in substantially re-worked form by Airfix.
