Olimp
Models is a company based in the Ukraine. This is their second model
kit and it's of the WW1 American Curtiss Jenny JN-4H/JNS-1. The Jenny was a
popular plane during WW1 with 6000 examples being produced. After the war
the surplus Jennys were purchased by barnstormers. The kit is high
pressure injection molded plastic. This kit contains over 53 plastic parts
as well as a decal sheet with markings for 2 different Jennys.....one is an U.S.
Navy JN-4H Jenny and the other is a U.S.A.A.C. JNS-1 Jenny.
The parts are contained on 7
sprues of light grey plastic. There is a tiny bit of flash on a few of the
parts, but the level of flash is well within acceptable limits and is only
noticeable on the thin edge of the propeller. Olimp models is attempting
to get more than one version of the Jenny from their molds as is to be expected,
so the parts break down in a way to permit this. They have a second Jenny
available in their product line.
The 8 page
instruction sheet begins with the assembly of the cockpit. The cockpit
consists of 9 parts for the 2 person cockpit. The inside of the cockpit is
decent for 1/72 with some ribbing detail on the inside of the fuselage halves
where they form to be the cockpit sides. The tiny instrument panels are
flat pieces of plastic with tiny decals and considering the size of the
instrument panels on this 1/72 WW1 plane....this will prove to be quite
effective.
The engine has 8
cylinders in a V8 configurations with 4 cylinders sticking through the
side of the engine cowling.....no doubt to provide better cooling for this early
90 hp engine. The engine was capable of giving the 2130 pound Jenny a top
speed of 75 miles an hour.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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lower
wing outer section with holes for the struts |
tail
horizontal control surfaces |
The Curtiss Jenny
was a cloth covered bi-plane, so there is always the critical question of the
detail for the wings and fuselage and tail flying surfaces. I found the
rubbing detail of the cloth surfaces for the wings and fuselage and tail to be
quite convincing and will look excellent when the model is complete. The
control surfaces for the upper wing are positionable, which is a great feature
to add a bit of life to a model. The tail control surfaces are fixed, but
they can be cut and repositioned if a modeller so desires.
There are many beautifully cast
items on this model. Some of these include the bowed rods on the bottom of
the wings corresponding to the outer struts. The propeller is thin and has
bolts in the hub at the center as does the real plane. The wing struts and
landing gear struts are not round in cross section, but are instead of an
aerodynamic shape.....just like the full sized Jenny.
There are 2 decal options.
One is for a JN-4H Jenny, Miami, U.S. Navy 1922 and the other is a JNS-1,
Standard U.S.A.A.C. Finish in 1927. Below you'll see images of the colour profiles.
The decals themselves are of a very nice quality, not too thick and will cover
very well
Click on
images below to see larger images
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So....you're asking....how is the
fit? The fit is pretty good.....not up to the latest fit quality of the
recent Tamiya kits, but with a tiny bit of effort this kit will build up very
well indeed. I don't see anything about the fit that would cause me the
slightest bit of concern.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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You can order this
kit
I highly recommend
this kit for anyone wanting to add a 1/72 Jenny to their display case.
Steve
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