Picked up this new release from Revell the other day & have to say it’s a pretty nice kit. I thought it might be a reissue of one of the older kits, but it is all new tooling. Very nicely molded & will be a fairly quick & easy build. Super detailers can go nuts on the exposed radial engine, but it will look good as an OOTB build. At an MSRP of $12.95 & being sold for around $10.00, it’s a real bargain. I don’t build many Civil aircraft, but I think this one deserves a place in my collection.
Rick: Thanks for the post. I noticed it in the new listings and have been on the fence deciding if I should “splurge” or not. For under $10, how can you pass on a plane of such historical significance? Your comments tilted the scales…consider it “on order”!
Thanks for the heads up! Couple questions… What’s the fron end look like? On the real bird it was that swirled aluminum. Also, does charels lindberg come with it?? If there is a figure i could use him for another civilian project…
The front end is molded smooth so you’re on your own to replicate the swirl effect. The kit comes with 2 pilot figures, one seated for the cockpit & one standing. It also has decals for the original flight & the post-flight good will tour.
Rick – I don’t want to step on your toes, but this kit actually comes with decals for the front end that replicate the swirled aluminum look. I’m not sure how the finished effect will look, but the “Spirit of St. Louis” script is included on the same decal, so it’ll be tricky to remove it.
You’re right Jonathan, I should have mentioned that in my post. Unfortunately, I dont think the decals provided will accurately portray the very polished look of the real aircraft. Not sure Revell did either as they provide decals with & without the swirl effect.
Hey Rick, I went to the LHS this Friday and I asked the guy working there if he knew about it. He said he was getting a new shipment in next week and he hadnt heard about it being a new tooling. I also checked Revell and RoG’s sites and looked under new releases, but no joy. Where are they hiding this gem?
You’re right RedMax, it slipped in under the radar with little fan fare. It is an all new tooling, however. There was an in-box review on Hyperscale a few days ago.
Thanks for the post Rick. I saw this one myself the other day and had pretty much the same thoughts on it as you. The review I read (Hyperscale I think) was very positive and decals for the machined metal parts or not you really can’t go wrong for $10 can you.
I picked up the kit today at the LHS and it is very nice. the wings and fuselage fit very (I did a dry fit) well.
Does anyone know what the process for putting the swirls in metal is called? I want to try doing this with either Bare Metal Foil or another brand of self adhesive foil that is thicker than Bare Metal Foil. I have seen this process done but cannot remember what it is called. If I remember correctly it actually serves a purpose besides being decorative. Any metal workers out there?
The process for swirl polishing or engine turning metal is called damascening. I don’t think BMF would hold up to any type of swirl polishing. You would probably be better to take a piece from an aluminum can and form it to the cowl, polish it and then glue it on.
Thanks GB. I was thinking of using the thin aluminum self adhesive tape used to wrap duct works. It is thicker than BMF but still thin enough so that the cowl does not end up exaggerated. Do you happen to know what kind of “tool” is used in the process? Anyone else have any ideas on how to replicate the swirls, in scale.
I plan to paint the aircraft with Floquil old silver lacquer. The real aircraft was sprayed with buterate (I think that is what I read somewhere) “dope” lacquer and this is easily replicated with either “old silver” or “platnum mist” (also Floquil). The airframe was covered with fabric, Irish linen I think, and doped to seal the fabric. Do not hold me to this information yet as the research is just getting started. Anyone know of any good references? If anyone is interested I’ll pass along what I find from time to time.
This is a very nice NEW kit and should be an easy fun build. The work will be in the finishing touches. I know it is not military but it is historically significant.
Adding to all the fanfare about the kit, did anyone happen to catch the historychannel special last night? “Declassified: Lindberg”. They did a nice job depicting both the exuberance and mystery beind he American Hero. My kit will be here in a few days…
I caught the HC program by chance. Some of those things I’ve heard about but not about the ‘other’ family. Much more complicated person than I previously thought.