Roden 1/72 Albatros W.4 (Late Version)

RODEN 1:72 ALBATROS W.4 (LATE)
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Carlos Giani (carlos_giani2002@yahoo.de)

Kit: Roden 1/72^nd scale Albatros W.4 (late) (Kit N° 034 ). Produced in Ukraine

Aircraft: In the middle of 1916 the Military Command of Germany placed order with several companies for building special fighters with floats. An aircraft of this type was needed to protect naval bases along the coast of Flanders.

The „Albatros Flugzeugwerke“, which at that moment started production of the Albatros D.I fighter, very quickly re-developed some of them to meet the naval requirements. The fuselage construction remained the same, however, the wing area, as well as the gap between the wings, increased. The configuration of the tail plane also changed. The first prototype was delivered for test flights in August 1916, but soon it was returned to the factory because the floats were too short.

To overcome this and other apparent shortcomings, many of which were directly related to the „wet“ environment, starting on July 1917 all W.4s were equipped with four ailerons and wing-mounted radiator, the struts between fuselage and floats being slightly shortened. Manoeuvrability improved, speed and climbing rate were good but, despite of all these advantages, the W.4s did not continue in military service, after it was found out that two-seat naval fighters were the better solution.

Parts: In a stable end-opening box you get two plastic bags, one containing five sprues in very light grey (59 parts, not all being used), the other containing the instructions and a decal sheet. The sprues identified as „A“ (wings, cowling, propeller) and „H“ (fuselage) are typical mid-level short-run, with some heavy flash evident, not well defined (engraved) panel lines and an overall rather uneven surface. Sprues „L“ (floaters), „M“ (struts, cockpit detail) and „Z“ (engine) are, although still short run, a much better quality, crisp molded and with beautiful defined details. I presume that, since the whole Roden-series of Albatros is based on combinations of sprues, these are from different charges (also different mold running times, the W.4 being based on the D.I), the molds themselves being produced with different machining technologies. There are many heavy ejector pin extrusions to be eliminated.

The fuselage halves have some framing in the cockpit area, and the instructions tell us to eliminate some external surface detail for this version. The cockpit is detailed with seat, pedals and control column (which becomes a separate handle), no floor being present (I don't know if there should be one in the Albatros). Trapped between the fuselage halves there is a beautiful two-part engine, which will delight detailers, and which allows the propeller shaft to be (carefully) positioned unglued. The upper front fuselage is a separate part, which receives one machine gun. A cowling ring completes the front fuselage and, combined with the propeller's hub, gives the bird its unique aerodynamic profile.

The lower wing is separate into right and left halves, some thin locating pins being scheduled, while the upper wing is broken down into right, middle and left sections but-jointed, all of which will guarantee for a fiddling patience challenge. The horizontal stabilizer is one piece, and you get a separate rudder.

Finally, the floaters consist of one upper half (that means, with connecting rods molded on) and two lower halves; this kind of breakdown will surely ease things. The assembly to the fuselage is given by four individual struts.

Instructions: This consists of a well-printed 8-paged booklet of some sub-A5 format. Page one brings an extensive history / technical data review in Russian, English and German. Page two shows the sprues layout (there are also numbers molded on them) with the non-used parts indicated, and the upper half of page three brings some general recommendations, symbols explanation and painting guide with Humbrol numbers and names. From the lower half of page three through page seven construction is explained in some 12 steps, clear enough and with complete detail painting information. Steps eleven and twelve covers the rigging. Finally, page eight contains the painting / decaling guide in two and half views, which also can be seen (colored) on the boxes bottom.

Versions: Just one, stated „Albatros W.4 (late), unknown marine unit, late 1917“.

Decals: One sheet, apparently printed by Roden, containing crosses, code numbers, a few stencils and a whole set of lozenge patterns, which undoubtedly will need some skilled trimming, mainly around the stabilizer zone. I can't imagine how to place the floater's decals correct without nearly immerge them in softer.

Detail: Detail level is very good, provided that a throughout clean-up / trimming / sanding of some parts is done.

Options: The propeller can rotate, and the rudder can be glued angled.

Impressions: Well, it sure won't be easy to build this model, due to the variable quality of some parts and the complicated breakdown of the wings. On the other hand, with some patience it should work out into a pleasant unusual subject.

Recommendations: Recommended for every well-assorted WW1 collection. Not a subject for beginners.

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