1/48 HiPM Arado Ar-196 |
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Gallery Article by David Erickson
on
Sept 8 2003 |
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Seen here on the
shores of Lake Havasu is an Arado Ar-196 floatplane. This twin-float monoplane
design replaced older biplane types such as the He-60 to become Germany's
primary shipboard reconnaissance aircraft of World War Two. Ar-196's operated
from the main ship units of the Kriegsmarine (This model depicts an a/c aboard
the Tirpitz during 1941), as well as from shore bases in the Mediterranean sea,
Atlantic and Indian oceans, and the rivers of Russia. This seaplane was more
potent than most; A modest bomb load and 20mm cannon gave it an additional
attack capability.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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HiPM's 1/48 Scale
Arado Ar-196 proved to be a very difficult build. The injection molding is very
crude, with thick plastic parts and lots of flash. Much cleaning and sculpting
is required, with the modeler creating the fit. On the other hand, recessed
panel lines and other details are accurate. Many photo-etched parts are
included, and the decals are good, if a little thin, with markings for two a/c.
A folded-wing option is provided. A comprehensive instruction booklet is
included. I finished this model with Model Master RLM 72 and 73 splinter (Not
much contrast) and RLM 65 undersurface.