Kit: No. 58737625457A
Scale: 1/48

Manufacturer: Frail Sloop, 799 E. Main St., Stuckeyville, PR 85564, www.gotchadinti.com
Price: n/a
Comments: Injection-molded plastic, 87 parts, molded in color, snap-fit construction
Pros: Easy to build, easy to modify, easy to disassemble
Cons: Color scheme is questionable, some parts too thick for the scale

The contribution of the Snapworth Aerosaurus to aviation history was crucial. Without it, today’s aircraft wouldn’t look as good as they do. The prototype first lifted off the ground (with a crane), at Helm’s Deep, Rohan, April 1, 1915.

In a surprise move, Frail Sloop has produced an injection-molded kit of this classic biplane. The random, visually disruptive camouflage of the original can be easily modified by swapping parts around. In fact, with the easy snap-fit construction, you can change the camouflage pattern in seconds if you don’t like your initial results!

Although easy to build and convert, some of the parts, such as those that make up the fuselage, wings, tail, landing gear, struts, and propeller, are too thick for the scale. Also, the propeller is inaccurate; it has eight blades instead of the proper nine. I’m pretty sure the Mk.IV had wheeled landing gear, but the model has the earlier spatted skids.

If you want to add this classic to your collection (and who wouldn’t?), Frail Sloop has given you the chance.

Brian Anderson