Scale Plastic & Rail

1:32 Rumpler C.IV from Wingnut Wings

Wingnut Wings
Catalogue # 32023
Available from Wingnut Wings for $89.00, with FREE worldwide delivery

The Rumpler C.IV was a 2 seat, versatile light bomber, spotter and reconnaissance aircraft which entered service early in 1917. Derived from the successful C.III reconnaissance machine, the C.IV excelled in each role it undertook, with it being able to fly deep into enemy territory at an altitude which was far higher than contemporary aircraft of the day. The machines range and speed were two other factors which stood it in good stead with those who flew it. As with all positives, there does tend to be some negatives lurking in the background, and for the C.IV, these were heavy controls which necessitated the control column having to be replaced with a wheel. The very lightly constructed fuselage also caused structural failures meaning that the rear fuselage had to be reinforced with plywood panelling. Power for the C.VI was usually from a Daimler-Benz D.VIa, and typically the type was fitted with internal bomb-racks, radio sets and a camera, depending upon deployment.

The Rumpler C.IV was also produced by a number of aircraft works other than Rumpler, which sometimes resulted in the type being given different designations such as 'Pfalz C.1', and it was common for these machines to be powered by different engines.

It's that time of year again where modellers pay their more than daily visit to the Wingnut Wings site, in some expectation, to see what the seasonal releases are to be. This year, we have been more than blessed with FOUR new releases, just in time for Santa to have them sent direct from Wingnut HQ in New Zealand. The four releases in question are both the Early/Late versions of the FE.2b, and Early/Late versions of the Rumpler C.IV. This second review tackles the Rumpler C.IV Early. HERE is the link to my previous FE.2b Late review.

As we have now come to expect, this kit is presented in the same high quality, eye-catching box as the rest of the kit range, with an artwork showing two very early streamline-spinner machines in combat with a Spad. WNW artwork is always exceptional with beautiful detail and clarity. The artwork is lavishly edged in silver too. The box edges show five of the six available schemes.

Inside the box, TWELVE sprues of light grey plastic and ONE sprue of clear plastic are all individually bagged to prevent abrasion. In the bottom of the box is the magnificently produced instruction manual, and the TWO decal sheets, plus a single photo-etch fret containing TWELVE parts, although two aren't for use in this kit. You'll notice that we have no lozenge decal here as the schemes within this kit have more organic looking camouflage paintwork.

Typically, construction starts with the cockpit interior module, and at this point you already need to decide just which of the SIX machines you are going to model, as an option to include the Goerz bomb-sight needs to be decided upon, as well as the larger Flieger Kammer which fits side by side with the Goerz on some machines. The FK camera can also be substituted with a radio amplifier for two of the specific machines.

Construction continues with the pilot seat and two fuel tanks which sat in arrangement with this, plus an internal bomb rack, with provision to fit four bombs. You'll also have to take your choice of control columns too as the early machines used the regular yoke-type stick, whereas production switched to a wheel-based stick. Some early machines were retro-fitted with the wheel, but WNW have lovingly done their research for you, again meaning that you need to fit the option applicable to the scheme you needed to choose at the outset. As per usual, the crisply produced instrument panel is fitted furnished with decals, and the seatbelts for the pilot seat are supplied on the photo-etch fret. A colour image to show how they looked is also given in the manual. The rear observer/gunner seat can either in the form of a mounted stool, or from a photo-etch 'sling-type' affair, mounted between the fuselage side-wall longerons.

Numerous other parts comprise the interior, such as fuel tank pressure pump, wireless aerial winder, and an oil tank and generator inside the engine bay. Control rigging lines are also shown so you may add these too.

MG's have both a simple and highly detailed option. The simple version allows the use of a moulded plastic gun, while the high detail version has the cooling sleeve rolled from photo-etch metal, and slipped over an alternative MG which doesn't have this sleeve moulded in situ. An MG bracket, cooling jacket cap and a reticule (for one MG) are provided in photo etch also.

The Daimler-Mercedes D.VIa engine is moulded on its own sprue, and the detail is beautiful. This is a little project in its own right, and all that is needed is perhaps some ignition wiring and some tape wrapping around some pipework in order to simulate the asbestos insulative wrapping seen in photos of the time. Data plate decals are provided for the engine too. A choice of four very different propellers is given. Check your chosen machine reference before fitting though. Two exhaust manifold styles are supplied also.

When you close the fuselage and mount that engine, you'll find that there are two distinctly different options for the engine forward cowl. The very early type had a much more attractive, streamlined nose and spinner, while the later machines had an almost bull-nosed front, with no spinner at all. In fact, the latter type was more aerodynamic, and the type that was used on all subsequent C.IV machines. Each nose has 3 schemes each within the kit, to evenly balance things out. There are also THREE under-nose panels and TWO under-belly fuselage panels to choose from.

The lower wings simply plug into the fuselage via extended and angled tabs that should set the wing angles perfectly while creating rigidity. The wing struts and cabane struts also have very positive location plugs, while the fuselage and wings have positive socket mounts. Fitting the upper wing should be very easy. The wings look great, with excellent fabric and rib representation, plus the rib tapes look perfect.
The upper wing is a single part, with the separate ailerons, in fact ALL control surfaces on wings, stabilisers and fin, are moulded separately so you can pose these how you wish.

The undercarriage is formed from two side 'V' struts with plugs to allow them to be located perfectly to the fuselage, and a central axle upon which the wheels will sit. Three different hubs are supplied too. The wheels will also rotate due to a retainer within the wheel. Tyres are marked with 'CONTINENTAL' too. The attention to detail is amazing.

Unusually, WNW have supplied us with some diorama accessories in this release, including stepladders, stool, homing pigeon box, wheel chocks, hand held camera and even a TEDDY BEAR for mascot! That is to name but a few, including spare aircraft cameras and flare pistol! I've never seen this with a kit before, and it's impressive!

The detail across all of these sprues is second to none. The interior of the model has some of the most sublime detail I've seen on any kit in a while, while the exterior detail is very simple but authentic. Fuselage fabric stitching is beautifully rendered, and the various plates and fasteners around the cowl area look perfect. The compass set into the wing looks fabulous.

If I was to tell you that the overall moulding is every bit as good as you would expect from Wingnut Wings, and in my humble opinion, on a par with Tamiya, then you probably wouldn't be surprised. There is zero flash, and seams lines are negligible. Ejector pin marks are intelligently placed and not one large part exhibits any sinkage. The overall quality makes you want to start building immediately, and bearing in mind I still have that brand new FE.2b in front of me, then that's something I have to hold myself back from.

The single clear sprue contains only three parts, and one of these, an alternative windscreen, isn't to be used on this release. That leaves the windscreen that you do use, plus a lens for which ever camera you decide to use. Of course, if you wanted to use the other cameras on a diorama, just make a new lens from acetate. Moulding is perfect, with excellent clarity.

The single etch fret is crisply manufactured, and the cooling jackets with their slots look great. You'll need to anneal these before attempting to bend. The buckles etc. on the various 'cloth' belts are also sharp and look good.

The instruction manual is another epic WNW publication, printed over 32 pages, on quality gloss paper. The constructional sequences are beautifully drawn with all new additions to construction being shown in blue so as to distinguish them from the various assemblies. Some drawings are given in full colour, and a full rigging diagram is supplied, although no rigging material is included. This can be purchased inexpensively from Wingnut Wings directly. The manual also provides many photographs from the period, as well as a one from a preserved machine. The SIX colour schemes are provided at the back, all illustrated by Ronny Bar. Each machine has a side profile and upper/lower elevations. Decal placement is easy to follow, and colour codes are given for Tamiya, Humbrol and Misterkit paint. Paint references areincluded throughout assembly.

Decals are supplied on TWO sheets, with the larger one bearing the all of national and personal machine markings as well as stencils and cockpit instruments. The smaller sheet is simply a correction sheet for a handful of decals on the main sheet. Printing is by Cartograf, and the decals are quite thin, as well as being in solid and authentic colour. Carrier film is also minimal.

The six marking schemes supplied are:

• Rumpler C.IV, 6689/16, Alexander Decker, FA A 276, Metz-Frescaty, 1917
• Rumpler C.IV, 6758/16, Groβenhain (?), early 1917
• Rumpler C.IV, 8424/16, 'Dalila', 1917
• Rumpler C.IV, 8455/16, MFA 2, mid – late 1917
• Rumpler C.IV, 8518/16(?), FA 209, mid – late 1917
• Rumpler C.IV, MFA, Varsenaere Flanders, August 1917

 

So what do we think?
I don't think I could write a bad word about a WNW kit if I tried. Believe me, I've fondled this kit many times over the last 3 or 4 hours, and there's nothing I can criticise. Detail both internally and externally is excellent and the design is magnificent. You can tell the designers are modellers themselves as everything feels 'right'. Go add it to your WW1 collection right now!

Very highly recommended.

Our sincere thanks to Wingnut Wings for supplying the review sample used here. To purchase this directly, click THIS link. Remember, these kits have FREE worldwide shipping!

James H