WWI Era Engines

Small Stuff Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Michael Drover

Eduard's 1/48 AIM-4D Missile Set is available online from Squadron.com

Gnome Lambda

The Gnome 7 Lambda was a French designed, seven-cylinder, air-cooled rotary aero engine that was produced under license in Britain and Germany. Powering several World War I era aircraft types it was claimed to produce 80 horsepower (60 kW) from its capacity of 12 litres (720 cubic inches) although recorded figures are lower.[1]
Just under 1,000 units were produced in Britain, the majority (967) by the Daimler Company of Coventry. A 14-cylinder variant was known as the Gnome 14 Lambda-Lambda.

In Germany Motorenfabrik Oberursel license-built the seven-cylinder engine as the Oberursel U.0 and later copied the 14-cylinder design and designated it as the Oberursel U.III.

The Gnome 7 Lambda is a seven cylinder, single row rotary engine and the Gnome 14 is a 14 cylinder, two row rotary engine generating 160hp*

Le Rhone 9J

The Le Rhône 9J is a nine-cylinder rotary aircraft engine produced in France by Gnome et Rhône. Also known as the Le Rhône 110 hp in a reference to its nominal power rating, the engine was fitted to a number of military aircraft types of the First World War. Le Rhône 9J engines were produced under license in Great Britain by W.H. Allen Son & Company of Bedford, and in Germany by Motorenfabrik Oberursel.Oberusel Ur.II.

Three versions of the 9J were developed during 1916. The 9Ja, 9Jb and the 9Jby.*

Oberursel Ur.II

The Oberursel Ur.II was a straight copy of the Le Rhone 9J engine manufactured by Motorenfabrik Oberursel A.G. near Frankfurt in Germany. Fokker E.V aircraft that used the Ur.II experienced numerous engine failures due a different lubricating oil used in the engines.*

I’ve heard of the detail and quality of the Small Stuff Engines but upon seeing these I can only agree with those opinions. The level of detail packed into these little engines is quite simply amazing. The parts arrive separately bagged in the zip lock bag which should reduce any damage.

Instructions are very well illustrated and laid out and basic painting instruction are laid out within the instructions. What did strike me as quite remarkable is the quality if the moulding and the casting. These items must be pressure moulded as there is not a flaw to be seen in any of the sets. Where appropriate the tops of the spark plugs which are minuscule are provided. These tiny parts tend to go ‘ping’ when they are removed though Small Stuff have provided a handy tool to help remove and place the ignition plug in their correct location on the cylinder head. Simply dip the tool in water and place over the ignition plug and snap it from the pour block. The water will hold the part. Dip the part in your preferred adhesive and apply to the final location. The instructions recommend to use an alternative to CA glue such as Future or foil glue as there is some setup time available with both of these types of glue. Though these glues may not have the strong of epoxy or CA glues, the parts have fine tolerances and should provide a snug fit which will in turn lead to minimal amounts of adhesive being required

A list of aircraft that used each engine is also provided in each set which will aid in selecting the correct set.

A handy assembly guide can also be found at this location.

It doesn’t matter what model aircraft these incredibly detailed engines make their way into, they will no doubt provide a welcome enhancement over a kit supplied item. I’ve recently received a 1/48 DH.2 kit to review and I can assure you that the Le Rhone 9J will be replacing the kit part. These are quite simply outstanding scale engines from Small Stuff and the handy assembly tool is a thoughtful and welcomed addition to the set. I can only recommend these sets.

Thanks to Small Stuff Models for the samples and images.

Review Text Copyright © 2016 by Michael Drover
Page Created 16 November, 2016
Last updated 16 November, 2016

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