AML 1/72 Arado Ar 79

AML 1:72 ARADO AR 79
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Johan De Wolf (rec.models.scale)

Scale: 1/72.
Number of parts: 23 injection moulded, 15 etched metal, 1 vacuform (canopy).
Decal options: 5.
Surface detail: engraved.
Colour call outs: FS, Humbrol, Gunze, Model Master, Agama.
Accuracy: span: spot on, length: 2mm too long.

History:
I found preciously little information about this cute little aircraft in my library. However the kit instructions provide a little history and the web came to the rescue with pictures. The Ar 79 was designed in 1937. It was a two seat dual control trainer, touring aircraft of smooth mixed construction with retractable main landing gear. It was a quite successful design that soon set a few speed and distance records, including a non stop flight of 6303km from Libya to India. About 60 airframes where produced in 4 versions of which 16 where exported to Hungary. At the outbreak of the second world war many where impressed into military service. They where used in the trainer and communications role by the Luftwaffe. After the war some of the Hungarian machines where still airworthy and they where seen flying until well into the fifties. Now there is only one airworthy example left. It is a reconstructed airframe registered as D-EMVT. One noticeable difference with the original Ar 79's is that this machine has a one piece windscreen.

The kit:
I am happy to report that AML has listened to modellers. Although the box is still of the end opening variant it is now made of sturdy carton instead of the flimsy paper we were used to. It contains one light grey sprue with all the injected parts, one fret of etched parts, a vacuform canopy (+ spare), a large decal sheet and an 8 page instruction leaflet. It is a typical short run kit, meaning no location tabs and some difficult fitting parts. The parts are very well defined though and there is no flash to be seen so even the tiny parts will be usable.

The construction instructions start with the cockpit. To avoid a lot of problems later I suggest a different order. First lightly sand the fuselage halves and glue them together. Then slightly enlarge the slit at the rear of the fuselage so the tailplane will slide in easily. Next is the most tedious job of the whole process. Start dry fitting the one piece wing under the fuselage and scrape, sand and file until it fits.

This will take quite some time but if it is done right, the rest of construction will be a breeze. You will also need to sand down the floor/seat part a bit, as it is slightly too wide. The instrument panel and engine bulkhead fit without a problem. The instrument panel consists of 3 etched parts plus a piece of film for the dials. If you don't feel confident with etched parts there is also a nice injected version with raised detail.

In all there are no less than 14 parts that go into the cockpit. Oddly enough there are no rudder pedals, even though they would be clearly visible through the canopy. The cowling is fitted next. I will add the 4 short exhaust stubs to the bottom of the cowling made from some thin plastic rod.

The propeller needs to be reshaped a bit as the blades are too wide near the spinner. The canopy shouldn't be too difficult to cut out but there is a spare one in case you foul up. The remaining parts are for the delicate landing gear and other small details on the outside of the aircraft. There are decals for no less than 5 aircraft. Two Luftwaffe machines, one in light grey RLM 63 and one in RLM 02. The other 3 options are for Hungarian machines. In contrast to the rather dull German aircraft these are quite colourful. Two are in blue and light cream, like the German pre-war machines (the instructions suggest aluminium or white-grey which seems unlikely to me), and they have the rudder in red white and green. Of these two one has a yellow fuselage band. The last example is an Hungarian machine from the fifties. It is painted in red and white but retains the tri-colour rudder. All 3 Hungarian machines have civil registration codes.

Conclusion:
If the wing fit problem is tackled with patience, this kit will result in a very nice model straight out of the box. Thanks to AML for providing yet another offbeat kit that the tamiyagawas out there will never touch. Luftwaffe fans go get one, it won't take up much space on your shelf once built.

Reference:
http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/htmd/dte/ar79.htm
http://www.ifrance.com/luftwaffe35/html/ar79.htm

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