Revell 1/72 Junkers F-13

REVELL 1:72 JUNKERS F-13
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: Carlos Giani (carlos_giani2002@yahoo.de)

Aircraft: The Junkers F-13, based on the J-10 (CL.1) from WW1, was the first commercial all-metal monoplane to enter service worldwide. In its original form as it flew on June 25th 1919, the crew of two was accommodated in a forward open cockpit, while the four passengers were carried in an all-enclosed cabin. Later, the pilots also received an enclosed cockpit. The first F-13 had a Mercedes D.IIIa 160HP engine, which was substituted for a BMW IIIa delivering 185HP in the first series units.

It was produced continuously until 1932, and most of the planes built (some 320) were propelled by a Junkers L-r 210HP engine. Some 40 to 50 units served with the Deutsche Lufthansa, while the rest flew and were distributed all around the globe, even for military purposes. On September 13th 1919 one F-13 set a new altitude record with 6750m.

Parts: I'm not sure about the origins of this Kit, since in the early 90´s Revell was rummaging all over Eastern Europe in search of usable moulds (including some immortal Frog ones; they seem to really die much harder than John McLean alias Bruce Willis does!!). In my unbuilt stock I owe a Junkers G24 from the former DDR producer Plasticard, and parts breakdown is very similar. On the other hand, inside the lower one-piece wing half a Revell-Logo with „© 1992“ is moulded in. Maybe some reader will write an addendum?

Inside a sturdy top-opening box you get a plastic bag containing two sprues of silver-grey styrene comprising 48 pieces and one sprue with 11 very clean transparencies. The instructions and the decals float loosely in the box. There's absolutely no flash and no ejector pin marks on visible areas, with only some little mould seams to be cleaned. The detail level is very acceptable, and the corrugated surfaces are superbly represented.

You get a complete interior, which will tempt the super detailer, with engine, exhaust pipe, floor, seats, bulkheads, pedals, control columns and instruments panel, the later becoming a decal for the dials. The fuselage is split into two halves-sidewalls and a roof-engine upper cowling part, due to the square section of the body (similar to the Heller-Smer 30´s French bombers). Before assembling the fuselage together, the windows must be glued from the inside. The cooler / engine front cover receives a pin from the inside to attach the propeller. Finally, the lower engine cover completes the body.

The wing consists of an upper and lower half, and is extremely long compared to the plane's length (this was necessary for high altitude flight, over the Alps). The fuselage is glued onto the wing, so that achieving the correct angle should be no problem. The stabilizer and the vertical fin are one-piece each. The fixed landing gear consists of two „V“-struts and one traverse. Finally, a plethora of handles and the antenna guarantee for beautiful external detail.

Instructions: A longish sheet of paper folded twice to a „reduced“ A4. Page one presents the usual general guide / symbols explanation / Revell painting codes (no mixtures!) in 7 languages. Pages two to four show the construction in 14 very clear steps, with detail painting callouts given throughout. Pages five and six present 4-view colouring / decaling guides for 2 different versions.

Versions:

D-582 in upper and side surfaces aluminium, lower surface / engine cowling anthracite;
D-366 in same colours.

Decals: Printed by Revell-Germany, they look good in register and quality. Some stencils included.

Detail: Very acceptable

Options: There are no options.

Impressions: Looks very good on the sprues, inviting you to start construction immediately.

Recommendations: An important plane in the history of civil transport, and maybe the only game in town. Recommended to everybody.

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