Revell 1/144 Germany Lockheed L.1049G Super Constellation

Kit: 04252
Scale: 1/144
Manufacturer: Revell Germany, 49-05-223-965-0
Price: n/a
Comments: Injection-molded, 96 parts, decals
Pros: Subject; detail; accurate shape
Cons: Cabin windows, not decals

Revell Germany's new kit of the graceful Connie comprises 96 well-detailed parts and a beautifully printed decal sheet. The decals provide livery for Lufthansa (with blue trim) and the famous TWA scheme for both long-and short-nose variations. Separate snouts account for the different nose lengths, with the short nose molded in clear to facilitate presentation of the landing lights present in this version.

The parts have nicely engraved panel lines, although the finesse is more apparent on the wings. Window openings are molded in for all but the tiny portholes. I prefer window decals in this scale, but Revell Germany has provided windows that fit beautifully. After checking the fit, I left them out to avoid the pain of masking and replaced them with Micro Kristal Klear after all was finished.

Remember to add the 15 grams of nose weight called for in the instructions or your Connie will be resting on its pretty tail - speaking of which, all three pieces can stand a little thinning on the trailing edges. The longer radar nose was a little undersized and required filler. I was mildly surprised to need filler to blend the wing to the fuselage, as well as the nacelles molded to the wing. Even more surprising, I had to fill space between the underside of the wing and the tip with short strips of .020" styrene. None of these issues caused any problems, but they were unexpected in a newly tooled kit (I guess Revell Germany has spoiled me lately).

The nacelles and intakes fit together perfectly, and they fit the wing so well I left them and the props off until after painting and decaling. The tip tanks are separate moldings, allowing you to build a tankless Connie. The tanks fit well but need extra care as there are no positive alignment aids.

The beautiful landing gear and rather thick gear doors attached without complaint. The correct gear angle is easily achieved for both nose and mains, allowing your Connie to sit pretty on her gear without hiking a wheel.

Although I tried to talk myself into the very beautiful Lufthansa scheme, there is just something so natural about a Super Connie in TWA markings that I couldn't resist. Two shades of Alclad and Testors gloss white replicated the scheme. Revell Germany's decal sheets have dramatically improved in recent years, and this sheet is no exception. All markings are beautifully printed - even the tiny blade numbers and fuel filler markings are legible under magnification. The decals went on with no problem and probably didn't even need the setting solution I applied - except the one-piece tip-tank decals. While they fit well, they required numerous doses of Micro Sol to finally lie down. Study the decal instructions carefully - I caught a few numbering errors, and you have to make assumptions about what serial number matches which aircraft name for the TWA scheme.

About the only drawbacks I saw were the thick tail moldings and gear doors, and the poorly fitting nose - all easy to correct. According to my reference (Airliner Tech Series Vol. 1 - Lockheed Constellation and Super Constellation, by Scott E. Germain), the model measures a hair over in span and height. But it sure looks every inch the curvaceous Connie. An experienced modeler can invest about 20 hours (mostly masking and painting) and have a great addition to his or her 1/144 scale ramp. Now bring on those other airline decals!

- Chuck Davis