Manufacturer: Eduard Model Accessories, Obrnice 170, 43521 Obrnice, Czech Republic. Also available from Skygrid, 34 Ervin St., Kitchener, ON N2H 1K8, Canada, fax 519-579-4130.
Kit: No. 8040
Scale: 1/48
Price: $24.99
Comments: Injection molded, 87 parts, vinyl masks, decals.
Pros: Excellent moldings, good fit, self-stick masks for windows, wheels, tail, and sharkmouth.
Cons: No instruments or seat harness, decals stick on contact.
While the Roland C.II isn't as familiar as a Fokker or an Albatros, the German armed forces found it to be a useful type during 1916-17. It was as fast as its principal fighter opponents, the Nieuport 11 and the Sopwith Pup, and, in mid-1916, was called by British ace Albert Ball "the best German machine now." It was remarkably streamlined for its time and was unique in having the upper wing attached to the top of the fuselage, thereby eliminating the need for cabane struts. This gave excellent upper hemisphere visibility, but landings were a problem. The Roland was unusual in having two windows on each side of the fuselage (often adorned with white tie-back curtains!). The Roland appeared in a number of interesting color and marking schemes, including one with fish scales painted on the entire fuselage, living up to its nickname, the Walfisch.
Eduard's new Roland comes in two forms: this all-plastic kit, and a Profipack (No. 8041, $29.99) which adds photoetched details and different markings. Both kits contain the same sprues of high-quality, crisply molded plastic parts. I especially liked the cockpit interior. Most small parts have locating pins. The excellent instructions clearly indicate where subassemblies go, and they also call out colors and provide a list of available modeling paints to match.
The fit of my sample kit was good, but I had to fill and sand where the lower wing meets the fuselage and where the top of the gunner's compartment rests. The cockpit areas are exceptionally well detailed but seat belts and instrument panel decals are not supplied with this standard kit, so I added these from my own supply. Decals are provided for the white tie-back curtains on the inside of the windows.
I followed the assembly steps, but waited until after painting and decaling to add the upper wing and horizontal stabilizers. I used Polly Scale acrylics throughout. The supplied masks are a handy item and worked well, but as with any masking material, you must burnish down the edges to get a good seal.
The decals are excellent but they stick right away and are nearly impossible to move. I've heard that putting a little saliva on the surface allows the decals to slide, so next time I'll try that. I used monofilament for the rigging, installed through holes I drilled in the fuselage and wings. The forward Spandau and rear Parabellum guns are nicely represented in plastic and can be washed and dry-brushed to enhance their detail.
The model measures correct to scale and looks accurate in outline and contour. I spent about 30 hours on the model, most of that in interior detailing and rigging. I strongly recommend the regular kit to all World War One fans who have some modeling experience. Experts may prefer the Profipack kit. Either one is a quality kit.
Dr. Bill Funcke