Pfalz D.XII

Wingnut Wings, 1/32 scale

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Wingnut Wings caused a deal of excitement when they announced a surprise release for the 2011 Scale Models Expo and IPMS New Zealand Nationals. By chance, I had already arranged to make the short hop across the ditch, so I was as able to witness this exclusive launch first hand.

When I arrived shortly after the show opened at 10 a.m., I was delighted to glimpse through the swarm of modellers flocking to the Wingnut Wings stand that the new kit was a 1/32 scale Pfalz D.XII.

However, this was a genuine advance release limited to quantities in the dozens, so if you were not lucky enough to be one of those attending the 2011 Scale Models Expo and IPMS New Zealand Nationals, you'll have to wait for the general release in late September or early October.

Wingnut Wings’ 1/32 scale Pfalz D.XII comprises 154 parts in grey injection moulded plastic, four parts in clear, seven parts on a single photo-etched fret and markings for five colourfully camouflaged aircraft.

In common with their earlier releases, Wingnut Wings' Pfalz D.III features beautiful surface texture including subtly stretched fabric, fine strips and stitching, crisply recessed panel lines and raised details where appropriate.

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Kit engineering is conventional and designed to make construction as painless as possible while not compromising on detail. The upper and lower wings are each moulded as a single piece. The upper wing features separate ailerons. The elevators and rudder are separate parts too.

The four interplane struts are each presented as single "N" shaped mouldings and are fitted with good-sized locating tabs that fit into corresponding holes in the wings. Locating positions are marked for rigging, which should be drilled out with a 0.5mm drill to a depth of at least 1mm.

The fuselage interior is supplemented with a thoroughly detailed cockpit, complete with framework, bulkheads, ammunition bins and fuel tank. The instrument panel is adorned with individual authentic decal instruments.

The Mercedes D.III engine is common to several earlier Wingnut Wings releases, and it is a real masterpiece - a model in its own right. The various fuselage stations are all present in the engine compartment too, along with the oil tank.

Three styles of side cowlings are included, plus instructions to modify one to Jasta 49 standards; plus the options for the early squared off vertical tailplanes or the more common later rounded version. Early and late exhausts are offered too.

Four styles of propeller are included – Heine, Axial, Neindorf and Wolff - but only the first three options are applicable for this release. More goodies for the spares box! Other options include various engine fitting alternatives, rear view mirror and three styles of windscreen.

The clear parts are thin and free from distortion.

Where optional parts are provided, the instructions direct the applicable marking options. Painting options for interior and exterior elements are quite comprehensive too.

The Spandau machine guns are provided with the option of photo-etched cooling jackets. The photo-etched fret also offers harness straps and gun sights.

The wheels feature detail on this inside of the hub.

The 28 page instruction booklet is presented in the same format as its predecessors, with 3D construction views supplemented by generous reference photos of wartime machines and some colour detail shots of a Museum example from Australia.

Marking Options

Five marking options are provided. One is for the early version with the squared-off rudder, while the other four are for the late version.

The two large decal sheets are printed by Cartograf. They are in perfect register and feature thin surrounds. Stencil markings along with the aforementioned instruments accompany the unique aircraft decals.

The one big change to this package is the inclusion of fitted five-colour lozenge decals for the upper and lower wings. These are specifically sized for this kit and feature fabric strips and borders printed in place. Small cutouts are designed into the curved wing tip decal sections to help them conform to these compound shapes.

This will result in a significantly faster and, for most modellers, more accurate depiction of the lozenge fabric pattern.

As always, Wingnut Wings extracts the best possible results from plastic moulding technology thanks to their exemplary research, brilliant digital modelling and eagle-eyed supervision of the mould cutting, toolmaking and production process.

The result is a series of kits that has inspired many modellers who might not have previously considered building either a WWI subject or a 1/32 scale model to try something different.

With its full-span upper and lower wings and relatively modest parts count, the Pfalz D.XII should be a pretty straightforward project.

In my opinion, the inclusion of fitted lozenge decals is a major step forward too.

If you were not in attendance at the show, keep an eye out for news of this kit's general release in late September or early October.

Oh Wingut Wings, you've done it again!

Thanks to Wingnut Wings for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2011 by Brett Green
Page Created 23 August, 2011
Last updated 24 August, 2011

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