CMK 1/72 Arado Ar68F

CMK 1:72 ARADO AR68F
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Myself (smakr@bigpond.com)

Kit: Limited run Injection mold kit - CMK kit #002 Arado Ar68F

Parts: Plastic bag containing two sprues of 20 limited run injection mold parts in light grey plastic - typical limited run quality - hardish plastic and most parts are encumbered by a bit of flash which will require cleaning
Separate plastic bag contains clear vacform part for windscreen and clear photo etched instrumentation, plus a resin part - propeller and spinner.
Boxart and instructions have diamonds and cross-squares signifying 'swastikas'.

Instructions: Two double sided A4 sheets are provided in the small box. One features sprue diagram and a one-step assembly view with camouflage markings for two aircraft on the back - RLM color call outs. Also has a small diagram of scale measurements for wings and a sketch of the cockpit interior. The other features a historical paragraph on one side in Czech and English and a three-view drawing to 1/72 scale which is useful.

Versions: Two - A/C No.10 Luftwaffe 1936 in Hellgrau RLM63 main overall finish, with a dark blue RLM24 upper sides of the fuselage, plus black and dark blue and white bands at nose and aft of the fuselage, with a red band on the fin with white circle and 'swastika' within - although these appear as cross-squares and diamonds. This is the aircraft featured on the boxart. The second is a trainer aircraft from Luftwaffe in overall RLM04 yellow. A swastika is on the tail fin as actually drawn in the instruction sheet - naughty! ;)

Decals: Produced by Propagteam - includes 8 roundels plus serial numbers, the red bands for the tailfin and small cross in boxes. Four small decals which look to be halves of swastikas (ie: join two together to make up one) are also included which are interesting.

Accuracy: I really cannot comment on this because I have very little info on this aircraft but it looks quite close to the mark on the info I do have. My only criticism would be lack of crisp detail - ie: it really shows itself as a limited run.

Detail: Not much to write home about, the rigging and lines are molded which is good, control surfaces are engraved. Cockpit (which is open air anyway with only a windscreen for the pilot) features stick, instrument panel, rear bulkhead and seat - no pilot figure.

Options: Nil. Propeller is molded onto spinner so that's a job you don't have to worry about, doesn't appear to be moveable.

Impressions: Not many parts in this kit should make for a relatively quick build for the experienced modeller. Being limited run not a great deal should be expected by it and it is certainly not one for the inexperienced. There is very little detail when it comes to the engine parts which are completely imbedded in flash on the sprue. This aircraft is a biplane, and the wing-to-wing struts are a bit crude. When tackling this part, I will no doubt employ a bit of super glue for an optimum attachment because the grooves are very small. While the sprues are not overly encumbered with flash there is still quite a bit to clean off. You will need some thread to mimic the rigging and small bits of stretched sprue for the small exhaust stacks - these are not provided in the kit. All in all only recommended for the more experienced modeller and one who is itching for this aircraft in his collection.

Other Comments: The Ar68F is an inter-war biplane developed in 1933 to replace the Heinkel He-51. The Ar68F was a single-bay biplane with open cockpit and a fixed cantilever undercarriage with all wheels being enclosed in spats. The wings were developed from plywood and were of unequal span and chord with fabric covering. The fuselage was a welded steel-tube structure covered with metal panels in the main plus fabric in other sections. The main role for the Ar68F was to be one of a fighter, but by the commencement of the second world war most were relegated to advanced trainer duties and specialist roles, including night-fighter.

Related Reviews:-

CMK 1/72 Arado AR 68 E & AR 68F

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