Pro Resin

1/72 Folland Gnat F.1 / FR.1 resin model kit    

Fighter / Photo Reconnaissance Aircraft

product # R72-040

Review by Steve Bamford on July 7 2008

--------------------

 

This resin model kit is the Folland Gnat F.1 / FR.1 British jet.  This jet dates from the late '50's to the early '70's time period.

This new resin kit from Olimp Models is part of their new Pro Resin line of resin kits.  This little 1/72 kit comes packed in a VERY sturdy little box.  Upon opening the box, I was pleasantly greeted by a large number of delicate little resin parts brimming with very fine delicate detail, 2 clear vac-u-formed canopies and a decal sheet featuring 2 Finnish Air Force jets from the early '70's.  I was very impressed by the level of fine detail especially when I saw the instrument panel and the ejection seat and cockpit sidewall detail.  The seat has molded on seatbelts and the tiny instrument panel with it's fine detail.  For 1/72, the detail in this kit is a beautiful little kit.....the flying surfaces have recessed rivet detail. 

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Now....this is a resin kit, so it will require the use of CA glue (Crazy Glue) to assemble it and the parts are going to need a tiny bit of cleaning up, but this is very minimal and will not in any way detract from the joy of building this kit.  If you've ever done any work with resin parts before you will have no problem tackling this kit......go slow....be patient and enjoy the build.  I did a test fit of the fuselage halves and they lined up very well but you will need to clean up the mating surfaces before assembly.....this kit should go together well if the rest of the kit has the same very good level of fit.  

As you can see from the sample of photos of the resin parts below, the fuselage detail with recessed panel lines on the sides of the fuselage is well done.  The wings have excellently done panel lines and rivet detail and will look quite convincing on the finished kit.  The seat is amazing....and once you paint it up....it will look very good....but it is tiny so painting will require a steady hand....this is 1/72.

The attachment points for the resin parts is wonderfully thin making the removal of the parts from the resin casting blocks a quick and easy job....but go slow....resin is brittle.  Detail is very crisp on most parts and the finished products will be a treat to behold. 

I really do get a kick out of seeing the latest kit from Pro Resin as they produce kits of an interesting variety of aircraft, especially this latest round of British aircraft.  

The kit parts are pretty straight forward and the 6 pages of instructions cover the assembly process in a clear and easy to follow way.  The instructions include paint codes in Humbrol, Model Master and Revell colours.

There are one decal option of a Folland Gnat F.1 GN-101 of HavLv 11, Finnish Air Force in 1970 in grey/green camo and a Folland Gnat FR.1 GN-113 of HavLv 11, Finnish Air Force in 1970 in grey/green camo.  The kit includes 2 canopies to permit you to cut up the canopies and pose them open to show off the fantastic cockpit detail.  

The decals are very clearly printed....not too thick...not too thin and of good colour coverage.  

In 1/72 you are dealing with tiny, tiny model kits but this kit goes to great lengths to provide cockpit and exterior detail that will impress any modeller.

This is a great  looking little aircraft kit and is sure to be of interest to modellers with a  passion for British aircraft.  If you build British designed aircraft or have a passion for British aircraft in foreign markings, then this kit is a must have for you.  Once built it will be an attractive addition to any display case.  You can buy this Pro Resin kit directly from Olimp Models.

Steve

I would like to thank Olimp Models for sending me this review sample.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford