1:48 SMER SOPWITH TRIPLANE/ALBATROS D.III (0904) 1998
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MIXED DOGFIGHT
Here is a 'dogfight double' in 1:48 from SMER which contains 'strange bed fellows' combining an old Aurora/Merit Albatros of yore with the much more recent Eduard Sopwith Triplane*. It's a mismatch in several ways of course but it it does come with new decals and the 'Tripehound' is a welcome inclusion as the original kit is now somewhat scarce. The decals feature a well-known Jasta 5 D.III with the Bavarian diamonds emblazoned on the fin and rudder, whilst the Triplane selected is N6290 of Naval 8 in 1917. It provides the wing and fuselage bands and a stab at the fuselage Dixie II legend which has been misinterpreted as Dixie Lee...The sheet is well-printed however with detailed colour views and Humbrol paint codes under the box. Contents are in mint condition.
*Reviewed in WINDSOCK International Vol.14, No.4,July/August 1998
AN unusual double kit from SMER in 1998 was this pairing of the original Eduard Sopwith Triplane kit with the Merit Albatros D.III of blessed memory. As regards the latter, the mouldings are unchanged other than being moulded in pale grey and feature some of the latter-day tweaks to improve wing and fuselage details. Eduard's 'Tripehound' is of more recent vintage and basically sound although the PE sheet of the original kit is not included. Beneath the box may be found full colour guides for the two decal options that provide Humbrol paint call-outs.
The decals themselves are pretty accurate and provide the markings of N6290, a Sopwith Triplane from Naval 8 RNAS with wing and fuselage striping and the name 'Dixie Lee' (sic) on the fuselage. The Jasta 5 decor for the Albatros includes the Bavarian blue/white diamonds for fin and rudder and are perfectly suited for the kit's undersized surfaces.All items are well printed however and a few caveats notwithstanding are fit for purpose. The box is a little creased in places but it's the content that really matters and everything is complete and in mint condition.
