Le Rhone 9C (80 hp) Engine

Small Stuff, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Mark Davies

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The Company

Small Stuff is a new company to me; I have one kit and several conversion and detail sets from them to review, this rotary engine being the first. I have been immediately impressed by the superb quality and detail of all these products, the engine being reviewed here is by far the simplest of them. I would encourage readers to check out their website and support this company, as I would already rank them amongst the best resin producers whose products I have seen. 

Background

Le Rhone’s rotary engines revolutionized early aviation due to their high power to weight ratio and reliability. They would power many significant warplanes of WW1, as well as being copied and produced under licence. Despite their simplicity, rotary engines have some subtle and delicate details that are often missed in kits due to the compromises dictated by injection moulding; which is a pity given that the engines are usually partially, and sometimes fully, exposed. A Highly detailed resin replacement is therefore a welcome accessory to have available.      

The Engine

The parts and instructions come in small a re-sealable bag attached to card header, with the parts further divided between tow inner bags.

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The instructions provide a parts map and clear diagrams covering assembly. There is also a list of aircraft that used the Le Rhone 9c, these being the:

• Bristol Scout;

• Caudron G.III;

• Morane-Saulnier G, H, L, N and P;

• Nieuport 10, 11 and 21;

• R.A.F. F.E.8;

• Sopwith Pup; and

• Thomas-Morse S-4.

The parts are beautifully cast on easily removed pour stubs. They are amongst the best resin casting that I can recall seeing, and include some very small and incredibly fine pieces. A nice touch is that all parts are clearly numbered on their pour stubs, akin to mainstream injected kit sprue numbering. The parts consist of a crankcase, separate cylinders, inlet manifold pipes, and exhaust valve pushrods and rockers; and would you believe separate spark plugs as well?! I have used Small Stuff’s website images, as my photography cannot better them.

The only things missing are a colour guide and an illustration of the ignition wiring, but suitable references are easily found, so these are of little consequence.

Small Stuff also offer the similar Le Rhone 9J/Oberursel Ur.II (110 hp) Engine (Small Stuff 72003) which powered numerous WW1 aircraft types.

This is stunningly good resin representation of Le Rhone’s 9c rotary engine. It has superb detail, incredibly fine small parts, excellent scale finesse, and is produced to the highest standards. It is just the thing to add a real lift to quite a number of WW1 subjects.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Small Stuff Models for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Mark Davies
Page Created 13 June, 2013
Last updated 13 June, 2013

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