BLUE MAX BARGAINS!

FIRST GERMAN BIPLANE FIGHTER!

ANOTHER great addition to the 1:48 scale WWI Blue Max series, the Halberstadt D.II was issued in 2005 and contained both injection-moulded and metal pewter parts*. Accurate in outline, the kit is well detailed with a complete engine and some delicate cockpit fittings. Decal sheets provide a choice of 1916 camouflaged examples in the red-brown/green pattern. The kit is in near mint condition with all parts re-bagged and decals reinforced with card backing and protected by waxed tissue-then bagged. 

*Reviewed in WINDSOCK International Volume 21, No.4, 2005

'KLINKERRUMPF'!

ONE of the most attractive of WWI German fighter designs to enter service, although its pleasing appearance was not matched with a good performance despite the Bz.IIIa powerplant. This example of BM 117 which was released in July 2003, is in near-mint condition with all parts checked and secured within separate polythene zip-loc bags to ensure safe transit. The plastic and metal parts are of the usual top quality and bear realistic surface detail with the planked fuselage being particularly well represented.

*Reviewed in WINDSOCK International, Volume 19, No.5, 2003.

FIRST IN FRONT-LINE SQUADRONS! 

THIS excellent Blue Max kit from 2004 builds into an authentic model of the Vickers FB.5 in 1:48 scale using a clever combination of injection-moulded plastic and white metal*. Overall surface detail present on nacelle halves and wing/tail components is restrained and convincing, whilst the many Pewter detail parts add gravitas to the proceedings. With carefully-packed silk-screened decals offering a choice of two RFC examples from 1915, the content is completed by four stiff wire booms to hold everything together. The kit has detailed colour notes on its instruction leaflet, as well as an exploded assembly diagrams and model photos.

*Reviewed in WINDSOCK International, Volume 20,No.6,2004  

BRISTOL FASHION!

ONE of the best WWI fighters Western Front RFC units never had thanks to official War Office bias against monoplanes. Yet the Bristol M.1C was an excellent machine and would have made a great impact on the air war if it had ever made it to France. The Blue Max kit is one of their best with a clever mix of metal and plastic parts to create an accurate 1:48 scale model of this classic Frank Barnwell design*. The box, that showcases the talents of artist Paul Monteagle, and its contents are in mint order as is the sharply-printed decal sheet that offers a choice of markings.

*Reviewed in WINDSOCK International, Volume 18, No.1, 2002