Olimp Models

1/72 Curtiss Jenny JN-4HG model kit

Product # P72-004

Product Article by Steve Bamford in 2004

 

 

 

Olimp Models is a company based in the Ukraine.  This is their latest model kit and it's of the WW1 American Curtiss Jenny JN-4HG (gunnery).  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.....both are U.S. JN-4HG Jenny Gunnery trainers.....one from 1919 and one from 1921.

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 other Jenny's available in their product line.

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cockpit side wall detail engine radiator and cylinder bank cockpit floor and engine base

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 later 150 hp engine.  The engine was capable of giving the 2145 pound Jenny a top speed of 93 miles an hour.

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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.  

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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.

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seat lower engine cowlings Decals

There are 2 decal options.  One is for a U.S. JN-4HG Jenny, Gunnery Trainer 1919 and the other is a U.S. JN-4HG Jenny, Gunnery Trainer 1921.  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

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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.

You can order this kit 

I highly recommend this kit for anyone wanting to add a 1/72 Jenny to their display case.

Steve 

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford