49. LFG ROLAND C.II
WALFISCH!
With its streamlined ply-wrapped fuselage, that saw some of the earliest examples of sharkmouth nose markings, the German Roland C.II of 1916 was a quantum leap forward in WWI aircraft design. Among many of its unique features were the fuselage escape windows enabling the crew to quickly abandon the belly of the whale in event of a somersault landing. In a touch of whimsy, a number of Fl.Abt crews painted curtains on them... Over 2000 'walfisch' were built in two versions, although their futuristic appearance was not matched by any appreciable performance improvement. This excellent monograph includes over 95 rare photos, detailed scale drawings and colour profiles with a protective sleeve slipped over the card covers preserving its mint condition.
THIS revolutionary 1916 design was well ahead of its time with advanced aerodynamic and structural design that dispensed with the standard drag-producing strut arrangement and featured a sleek, streamlined fuselage in stark contrast to its contemporaries. In this 49th Datafile, author Peter M Grosz presents the fascinating development and service history of the LVG Roland C.II which was dubbed 'walfisch' by its Fl. Abt. crews-the whale...There are over 95 rare period photos from Peter's impressive photo collection that provide unrivalled reference for a German two-seater that has always proven popular with modellers due mainly to its simple configuration and overall aesthetic. Detailed general arrangement drawings to 1:48 and 1:72 scales are a collaborative presentation from Ian Stair and Colin Owers and which also embrace the later C.IIa variant with enlarged empennage. Featuring a good number of close-up detail images, including interiors, and a cockpit layout sketch, this early Datafile is one of the very best studies of these gracile aircraft ever committed to print. Detailed colours and markings notes are presented by series editor and publisher Ray Rimell who also contributes the three rear cover profiles and model kit listing.Our last copy is in near-mint order protected by a sturdy clear sleeve preserving the laminated card covers.