Caudron G.IV Late Version

Copper State Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

G.W.H.s 1/48 scale T-33A Shooting Star will be available online from Squadron.com

The Caudron G.IV was a French biplane with twin engines, widely used during World War I as a bomber aircraft.

It was designed by René and Gaston Caudron as an improvement over their single engined Caudron G.3. The aircraft employed wing warping for banking. The first G.IV was built in 1915, and it was manufactured in France, England and Italy.

The Caudron G.IV was used as a reconnaissance bomber into the heart of Germany.

Later, when Germany developed a fighter force, the aircraft had to be used for night bombings.

The G.IV was in use in Belgium, France, Finland, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Copper State Models

Copper State Models was originally an American cottage industry manufacturer of WWI aircraft kits and accessories. Its models were generally a multimedia mix of resin and white metal parts.

A recent change of ownership has led to a change in direction. Still focused on WWI subjects, the company is now revisiting the Copper State Models back catalogue and restoring the kits.

They have also launched the first two in a series of all-new injection moulded plastic models.

Here is how the new Copper State Models describe themselves on their website:

"We are group of WWI scale modelling enthusiasts from two continents and six countries united by common interests and hobby. We produce the finest quality World War One aeroplane multimedia resin kits in 1:48 and aftermarket accessories in 1:72, 1:48, 1:32, and 1:28 scales. Our high-quality 1:48 scale multimedia kits contain resin, and NiAg Photo-Etch (PE) parts, and include decals for the appropriate colour schemes. Some of the kits include WM parts. When documentation exists for interior details they will be provided for you, but please note that some minor parts may need to be made from scratch (such as tailskids, control sticks etc.). Most of our kits will be the first time these aircraft have been produced in 1:48 scale.

Since we took over the CSM from the founder Mr Eric R. Hight of Phoenix, Arizona who is still an inspiration to us, we have sent all master kits for the restoration. Unfortunately two 1/48 master kits were run down completely and to be re-built from the scratch.

Please note that all of us at CSM have daytime jobs and families.

The Copper State Models SIA. as company registered in Latvia (EU)."

Copper State Models' first injection moulded plastic kit was a 1/48 scale Sopwith 5F.1 Dolphin, released in May of this year. This was a gorgeous kit with excellent detail, appropriate use of multimedia, lovely surface textures and a relatively straightforward subject.

Copper State has added an ambitious and interesting model to its injection moulded lineup with its all-new 1/48 scale Caudron G.IV.

Copper State Models' 1/48 scale Caudron G.IV comprises 115 parts in medium grey plastic, four parts printed onto clear acetate sheet, around 123 photo-etched parts on two frets and markings for four French aircraft.

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The quality of moulding is excellent with no flash and narrow sprue attachment points.

Surface textures are restrained. The fabric effect is beautifully done, being subtly sagged on the control surfaces.

The heavily raised rib/stringer textures on the trailing halves of the wings stand in striking contrast to the rest of the fabric surfaces, but reference photos show that Copper State has gotten this completely correct.

Inside the little fuselage pod, abundant detail is offered for the front and rear cockpits using plastic and photo-etched parts. Structural detail in the form of framework is moulded to the inside of the fuselage.

The lower wing is supplied as a full-span single part, while the upper wing requires extensions on each end. In contrast to the diminutive fuselage pod, this aircraft featured a substantial wing span!

There are deep, crisp locating holes in the wings for the 12 interplane struts. In a clever piece of engineering, Copper State supplies flower-like photo-etched locating points for the rigging. These are glued to the locating holes in the wings, which are then glued to the struts. They are also supplied for the diminutive cabane struts.

The booms are moulded cleverly as one part per side, avoiding some potentially tricky alignment.

The engines are simply presented as two plastic parts but they are crisply detailed. The plastic engine nacelles are detailed with additional photo-etched parts.

The instructions are presented very much in the style of Wingnut Wings - clear, concise colour keyed illustrations broken down into steps of assembly and painting. Colour callouts are made throughout.

The rigging diagram is also in the style of Wingnut Wings.

Markings

Markings are supplied for four French Caudrons. All four are finished in Ecru and Beige. One of the aircraft features red and white (or black and white - alternative decals are included) chequered markings.

The glossy decals are well printed and in register. They have been produced by Cartograf.

This is another great kit from the new incarnation of Copper State. Detail is excellent, moulding quality is first class, engineering is clever, the instructions are a joy and the whole package exudes quality.

Compared to their last release, the Sopwith Dolphin, this one has a higher degree of difficulty making it more suitable for WWI modellers with experience of struts and rigging.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Copper State Models for the sample

*Historical background courtesy of Wikipedia

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2016 by Brett Green
Page Created 28 November, 2016
Last updated 29 November, 2016

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