Airframes
Benevolens Magister
"Inpact" Gloster Gladiator, 1/48th scale 'Classic Fighters Series' - In-box kit review.
Note - due to the number of photos, this review will be divided between two posts
"Inpact" were a small independent company, based in London, UK, and only operated from 1967 until around 1970.
They produced a small number of kits in the then very limited 1/48th scale, which were divided between the 'Classic Fighter Series' (four aircraft type from the 1930's) and six types from the early days of aviation, the latter probably inspired by the (then) recent movie "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines".
The 1930's 'Classic' range included the Gladiator, along with a Bristol Bulldog, Hawker Fury, and a Fairey Flycatcher, all of which were ahead of their time as far as detail and quality were concerned, compared to the average kits of the day, the overwhelming majority of which, at this period, were in 1/72nd scale, with a smattering of 1/48th scale from the likes of Monogram.
With the demise of "Inpact", the moulds, were acquired by Lindbergh, who have released the Gladiator a number of times over the years, both in the original Mk1 version (two-blade , Watts propellor), and as a Mk.II, with 3-blade prop., and the Mk1 has also been re-boxed under the Pyro, Lifelike and Merit labels.
For 34 years, until Roden released their first Gladiator kit in this scale, a Mk1, in 2002, these were the only available injection-moulded kits of this classic biplane fighter.
Bearing in mind that the Gladiator reviewed here was released in 1968, the surface detail, and smaller detail parts, were quite advanced for the time, with fine texture, not over-stated, representing the fabric surfaces, and a mixture of raised and engraved surface detail., with some basic, but very good for the time, internal detail parts.
Although some areas were simplified, there were also some nicely done details, the 'two prong' pitot of the Gladiator being an example, and although the cockpit lacked side wall detail, a separate seat, floor, control column, instrument panel and rear 'shelf', along with a four-part pilot figure, provided internal detail that, at the time, was rarely, if ever, matched to this standard, on any model kit in any scale.
Clear parts, although fairly thick by today's standards, were well moulded and very clear, despite their thickness, with the Gladiator kit providing a separate windscreen, and two canopies, one open, one closed, and the series even included a 'bobbin' of 'Invisible' thread for the rigging, along with a rigging diagram and instructions ( The 'Bulldog' in my stash has a reel of fine wire, in place of the thread).
The decal sheet was simple, providing the roundels and fin flashes, colour Squadron 'flashes' and serial numbers, but was nicely printed and in register, with solid colours and, from my memory of 52 years ago, went on without problems, laying down nicely, long before the days of clear coating and decal solutions !
As was common in many kits of the period, a two-part, clear plastic display stand was also included, with a suitable decal identifying the aircraft type.
In order to save space, I haven't bothered illustrating such things as the stand or the instruction sheet, but suffice to say that the latter, printed on two sides of a single, glossy, A4 sheet, were clear and comprehensive, with a single 'exploded' drawing of the kit parts, all numbered, a further diagram for the rigging, and printed instructions for the assembly stages, rigging, painting and decals, the latter referred to as 'transfers' in those days !
Below, and in the following post, are some photos showing the box art, the main parts, some general sprue shots, and a few detail shots, with notable details being the pitot head, separate tyres and wheel hubs, the engine and cowl parts, the latter having the correct 'grooves' for the fuselage MG's, along with the individual exhausts moulded internally, the canopy choices and other areas of interest. Not shown individually are parts such as the boarding step (nicely moulded), under-wing MG gondolas, and the rudder actuating horn.
Although internal detail is basic, extra detail and / or corrections can be added easily, especially to the side walls, and external detail can easily be enhanced as desired, even without the use of aftermarket parts, although, even 'OOB', the kit provides enough for a very nice model, with test-fitting indicating that fit of parts is good and positive. overall.
NOTE :- having problems with pic uploads, the remaining pics will be posted tomorrow, if the problem is rectified !
Note - due to the number of photos, this review will be divided between two posts
"Inpact" were a small independent company, based in London, UK, and only operated from 1967 until around 1970.
They produced a small number of kits in the then very limited 1/48th scale, which were divided between the 'Classic Fighter Series' (four aircraft type from the 1930's) and six types from the early days of aviation, the latter probably inspired by the (then) recent movie "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines".
The 1930's 'Classic' range included the Gladiator, along with a Bristol Bulldog, Hawker Fury, and a Fairey Flycatcher, all of which were ahead of their time as far as detail and quality were concerned, compared to the average kits of the day, the overwhelming majority of which, at this period, were in 1/72nd scale, with a smattering of 1/48th scale from the likes of Monogram.
With the demise of "Inpact", the moulds, were acquired by Lindbergh, who have released the Gladiator a number of times over the years, both in the original Mk1 version (two-blade , Watts propellor), and as a Mk.II, with 3-blade prop., and the Mk1 has also been re-boxed under the Pyro, Lifelike and Merit labels.
For 34 years, until Roden released their first Gladiator kit in this scale, a Mk1, in 2002, these were the only available injection-moulded kits of this classic biplane fighter.
Bearing in mind that the Gladiator reviewed here was released in 1968, the surface detail, and smaller detail parts, were quite advanced for the time, with fine texture, not over-stated, representing the fabric surfaces, and a mixture of raised and engraved surface detail., with some basic, but very good for the time, internal detail parts.
Although some areas were simplified, there were also some nicely done details, the 'two prong' pitot of the Gladiator being an example, and although the cockpit lacked side wall detail, a separate seat, floor, control column, instrument panel and rear 'shelf', along with a four-part pilot figure, provided internal detail that, at the time, was rarely, if ever, matched to this standard, on any model kit in any scale.
Clear parts, although fairly thick by today's standards, were well moulded and very clear, despite their thickness, with the Gladiator kit providing a separate windscreen, and two canopies, one open, one closed, and the series even included a 'bobbin' of 'Invisible' thread for the rigging, along with a rigging diagram and instructions ( The 'Bulldog' in my stash has a reel of fine wire, in place of the thread).
The decal sheet was simple, providing the roundels and fin flashes, colour Squadron 'flashes' and serial numbers, but was nicely printed and in register, with solid colours and, from my memory of 52 years ago, went on without problems, laying down nicely, long before the days of clear coating and decal solutions !
As was common in many kits of the period, a two-part, clear plastic display stand was also included, with a suitable decal identifying the aircraft type.
In order to save space, I haven't bothered illustrating such things as the stand or the instruction sheet, but suffice to say that the latter, printed on two sides of a single, glossy, A4 sheet, were clear and comprehensive, with a single 'exploded' drawing of the kit parts, all numbered, a further diagram for the rigging, and printed instructions for the assembly stages, rigging, painting and decals, the latter referred to as 'transfers' in those days !
Below, and in the following post, are some photos showing the box art, the main parts, some general sprue shots, and a few detail shots, with notable details being the pitot head, separate tyres and wheel hubs, the engine and cowl parts, the latter having the correct 'grooves' for the fuselage MG's, along with the individual exhausts moulded internally, the canopy choices and other areas of interest. Not shown individually are parts such as the boarding step (nicely moulded), under-wing MG gondolas, and the rudder actuating horn.
Although internal detail is basic, extra detail and / or corrections can be added easily, especially to the side walls, and external detail can easily be enhanced as desired, even without the use of aftermarket parts, although, even 'OOB', the kit provides enough for a very nice model, with test-fitting indicating that fit of parts is good and positive. overall.
NOTE :- having problems with pic uploads, the remaining pics will be posted tomorrow, if the problem is rectified !
