PH Model 1/72
Fokker C.VE

Background

One of Anthony Fokker's most successful designs after World War I was the Fokker C.V. This aircraft was a huge success for the company and production of the type exceeded 1000 aircraft. The aircraft underwent a series of incremental improvements with upgrades in engine power and changes in wing area. The Fokker C.VE had a wing area of 423 square feet and featured a new 'universal' engine mount that would accommodate the Bristol Jupiter, Pratt & Whitney Wasp, P&W Hornet, Armstrong Jaguar, and more.

By the time war erupted in Europe in 1939, the Fokker C.V was in service with a number of air forces, some of which were confiscated and pressed into service by the Luftwaffe.

The Kit

PH Model has released the Fokker C.VE in 1/72 scale. The castings are nice and crisp and some nice attention has been paid to keeping the casting block away from the parts to minimize any clean-up after separation.

The kit features a basic cockpit interior with floorboard, pilot and gunner seats, an instrument panel, and a gun ring complete with a Lewis machine gun. You'll have to supply your own styrene strips if you want to replicate the interior structure and details in the cockpit.

The horizontal stabilizer mounts to slots in the rear fuselage, and while these aren't cast into the fuselage halves, there are markings present to show you where to cut these slots.

The instructions are clearly laid out to show you where everything goes, and there are no unusual construction steps required to assemble the model. Nevertheless, some experience working with all-resin models is needed to make this a pleasurable build.

Markings are provided an example confiscated and pressed into service by the Germans on the Russian Front. The aircraft is Fokker C.VE 3W+OD wearing an interesting camouflage pattern of RLM 71 Green and RLM 02 Grey over RLM 33 Black.

Conclusion

This is a nice little kit that will go together quickly in experienced hands. By the way, did you notice the retail price (from Hobbyshop.cz)? Recommended!

My sincere thanks to Hobbyshop.cz for this review sample!