Jamo_kiwi Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Pheon Models 1/32 decals for Roden's Siemens Schuckert D.III First Look Review by James Fahey The Roden 1/32 Siemens Schuckert DIII was warmly welcomed by the WWI modelling fraternity when it came out in late 2009. It is a pugnacious looking fighter that saw only limited service in the last year of WWI due to problems with engine cooling. By the time the recalled aircraft had been refitted with improved engines, a new rudder, balanced ailerons and a cut‑away cowling for better cooling, the war was nearly over. It is generally regarded as one of the best German fighters of WWI and its phenomenal climb rate meant many DIIIs were used by Home Defense (Kest) units as well as some front line Jastas. The kit comes with three markings options which left plenty of room for some enterprising after-market decal producer to provide modellers with a wider range of options. Pheon Models have certainly done that with this release which covers 12 aircraft (virtually all the aircraft featured in the Datafile from Albatros Productions). Markings Options The first three options are from Kest 5 which had black fuselages and personal markings in a pale colour which is not confirmed but portrayed by Pheon in golden yellow. 1) 8356/17 flown by Vzfw. Fritz Beckhardt of Kest 5 2) 1618/18 flown by Oberleutant Heinrich Dembrowski of Kest 5. The crest is from 2. Ostpreußische Grenadier-Regiment Friedrich Wilhelm I. Nummer 3 3) 8344/17 Offizieraspirant Arnold Eger of Kest 5. Pheon have correctly shown the different skull and crossbone designes for each side of the aeroplane. These three pilots and their aeroplanes came to public attention two days after the Armistice when they flew to Switzerland and were interned (see this thread from The Aerodrome http://www.theaerodr...witzerland.html ). 4) 1626/18 Vzfw Reimann of Kest 4b. Pheon’s portrayal of this aerplane is a revision from earlier depictions which had the dark red-brown stained fuselage. Their study of the photographic evidence concludes 1626 had a painted fuselage and spinner. The colour is unknown but is portrayed as blue in the colour profile. Unfortunately the black stripes are not included in the decal sheet so modellers will have to carefully mask these. 5) 3025/18 Kest 8. This aircraft with its white arrow marking was only delivered two days before hostilities ended, and was much photographed in American hands after the Armistice 6) 8346/17 of Jasta 19. This was an early version of the DIII and requires Loon Models conversion set LO32006 which has resin parts to replace the cowling, ailerons, elevator, rudder (marketed by Roll Models in the US). 7) 1628/18 flown by Ltn Paul Leim of Kest 4b 8) Flown by Ltn Ziegesar of Jasta 15. this aircraft is another early version of the DIII and requires the Loon Models conversion set 9) ‘Fritzel’ flown by Carl Dunkel of Kest 4b 10) 8349/18 of Kest 4b 11) Flown by Ltn Alfred Greven of Jasta 12 with his striking lighning flash marking over the standard Jasta 12 blue fuselage and white nose. 12) 606 ex 8356/17 (Option 1) repainted in Swiss service, Dubendorf 1920. This makes a interesting change from the German finishes. There are enough national markings to build four models (three German and one Swiss). The decal sheet also includes Wotan propeller decals Instruction Booklet The 14 page instruction booklet provides historical background including a brief description of the Kests of Kampfeinsitzer Staffeln, sections covering general colouring notes, national markings, references, decal application guide and notes on individual aeroplanes and pilots. Three full pages are devoted to the Roden kit with tips for fixing some minor shortcomings and improving the accuracy of some details. Pheon note that the Roden kit is accurate in shape and outline, and the suggested modifications will not be particularly difficult to do. Pheon decals are printed by Fantasy Printshop in the UK who have a solid reputation for quality. The review set had perfect registration and minimal carrier film. Price: £15.00 plus P&P. Payment is by Paypal Availability: only direct from Pheon Models by email pheon.models@hotmail.co.uk Conclusion Pheon have been relatively quiet for the last six months so it is pleasing to see this new release confirm their continued interest in WWI subjects. This set offers excellent value for money with a generous choice of subjects. The full colour artwork/decal guides and the instruction booklet make for a top quality set. Lots of WWI modellers will have the Roden DIII in the stash - these decals will be the stimulus to get it onto the modelling bench. The only difficulty with the set will be deciding which of the interesting and colourful markings to build! Thanks to Pheon Models for providing the decals for this review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Nice review James! Any chance I could use it for the main website? Oh, I moved it from the Vendors forum, since that's reserved for vendors themselves to advertise their wares. Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamo_kiwi Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Hi Kev Yes thats fine I wasn't sure where the proper place was for a review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Hi Kev Yes thats fine I wasn't sure where the proper place was for a review. Well, the best place is the main website! You can send any reviews to me at any time, and I'll gratefully accept and publish them. So you don't mind me re-publishing your review on the LSP website? (Just trying to make sure I understand precisely what "thats fine" refers to!) Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamo_kiwi Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 The main website would be excellent Kev, thanks very much! I am working on a review of Pheon's Pfalz DXII decals and will send it to you in a couple of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 The main website would be excellent Kev, thanks very much! I am working on a review of Pheon's Pfalz DXII decals and will send it to you in a couple of days. kevin@largescaleplanes.com Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Pretty cool schemes there, and I’ll have to keep them in mind. I have the WDF #29, SSW D.III/D.IV, and it is indeed a cool little airplane. Unfortunately, with the (older), news I became aware of yesterday of WNW currently working on 50 different projects, I suspect the odds are decent that this will be one of those aircraft eventually released, so I’ll hold off on the Roden example for now to defer to a possible WNW version. (Too many kits in the stash now to reasonably add any more anyway.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tnarg Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Pheon decals are absolutely incredible. The variety of subjects alone would compel me to buy each and every one in 1/32. If you don't like one plane, there are often 5 to 15 alternatives that you might like on the sheet. This lets us get a much wider choice, since with economy of selling that many individual decals most of those just wouldn't get done. The documentation is about the best that I have seen, even including the WNW offerings. There is more detail in the descriptions and higher quality in the profiles than any other decal out there. Just buy these guys, but save some for me. Tnarg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 I've purchased the Fokker Dr.I decals in 1:32 from Rowan, and I agree, they're very nice indeed, though it's doubtful I'll ever build all those aircraft represented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Thanks Jamo, great review. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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