Airmodel 1/72 VFW-614

Reviewer: Peter Noyle (peternoyle@kw.igs.net)
A full review of this kit now exists on SMAKR, see links below

*	Description	40 - 44 passenger jet feeder airliner
*	Country of Origin	Germany
*	Wingspan	70ft 6in 21,5 m
*	Length	67ft 6in 20,6 m
*	Height	25ft 8in 7,84 m
*	Engine	2 Rolls-Royce M45H-5 high by-pass ratio gas turbines of 7,280 lbs, 33,8 kN thrust
*	Max Weight	lb 18,600 kg
*	Max speed	mph 780 km/hr at 21000 ft Cruising speed km/hr
*	Range	miles 667 km
*	Seating	2 pilots 1 - 2 cabin attendants, 40 - 44 passengers
*	Model Scale	1/72
*	Kit Manufacturer	Airmodel, Germany Vacuum formed supplied by Aviation Usk

Airmodel is a manufacturer of vacuum formed model aircraft with its facility in Germany. In North America Aviation Usk act as their distributor.

Aircraft:
The VFW 614 first flew on July 14^th 1971 and had a very curious appearance. The engines sit on pylons on top of the wing rather than hanging underneath like a Boeing or Airbus. The over wing position of the engines has so many advantages. The engines are out of the way of FOD thrown up from the runway, clear of water spray from the nose wheel in rain and it provides a full width flap area for slow speed flying, having no break for a jet exhaust. Maintenance can be done by standing on the wing and the undercarriage is shorter meaning that the passenger entrance steps can easily be installed in the door. There were only two disadvantages, the engine obscured the view for the passengers and the jet exhaust impinged on the tailplane. It was tail flutter that caused the loss of the prototype. Twelve aircraft were built up to 1978 when production ended.

Kit Parts:
The kit arrived in a large plastic bag inside a robust box supplied by Aviation Usk. Inside were four sheets of vacuum formed parts in white plastic, one cockpit window and roof (this formed from one clear plastic sheet), and an instruction sheet, nothing else. Examination of the parts showed that the engines, wheels and flap actuator cowls should be discarded. The engines have rudimentary detail and the wheels were nothing short of insulting in their crudeness. The fuselage sides, wings and tailplane are quite usable but need the control surfaces and other detail enhanced with a scriber before use.

Instructions:
The instruction sheet provides a full sized 1:72 scale drawing of one of the three aircraft used by the German Luftwaffe, although the aircraft appeared in the livery of Cimber Air, Air Alsace and TAT. About three aircraft are still flying. The drawing is accurate for size as are the vacuum formed parts mentioned above. The instructions call for several internal strengthening parts to be made from plastic sheet that is not supplied.

Construction Comments:
To complete this model you will need the following – Detailed undercarriage and wheels; cockpit and passenger cabin furnishings; detailed engines; antennae of various descriptions; decals.

I started building this kit about a year ago and I’ve still not finished. Treat the construction as a long-term project and you will end up with a model that few others will have on their shelves. If you would like more information about the 614, or my model which will be in Air Alsace colors, feel free to email me at peternoyle@kw.igs.net