Fokker D.VII (Mag)

Eduard Limited Edition, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by David Couche

In 1918 there were contacts between Fokker and the Austro-Hungarian Luftfahrttruppe regarding the D.VII. It was to be built by the MAG, Magyar Általános Gépgyár (Hungarian General Machine Factory), which received the V.22 prototype as a pattern aircraft. It was ordered from MAG, the Oestereichische-Ungarische Flugzeugfabrik Aviatik and Fokker. Six engineless airframes were send by Fokker in 1918, and a number were built by MAG. The engines installed where Austro-Daimler engines of 225hp, and the machineguns were from the Schwarzlose type. Also, a different, more angular, type radiator was used. Production for the Austro-Hungarians during the war did not materialize, and D.VII’s have not been used by them.

After the war, the D.VII’s were used by the Hungarian Red Army, as well as the Czechoslovakians and Romanians, and it is believed that MAG build 50 D.VII’s, some as two-seaters.

It was from early 1919 to July 1919 that the Hungarian Soviet Republic used their D.VIIs emblazoned with the red star as seen on this model.

The Eduard Fokker D.VII (Mag) Limited Edition comes in a sturdy top opening box, containing 4 grey injected moulded sprues with a parts count of 102 with 43 of these not used on this version. Great detail on all parts with not flash visible.

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Thumbnail panels:

There is a smallish sheet of photo-etch which has a mix of pre-painted and plain etch.

Also there is one resin part, a cover panel for the aircraft versions without the guns.

Along with all of this you get 3 sheets of decals. One with the 4 colour lozenge decals, one with rib tapes and one with then national markings and individual aircraft markings. Plenty to keep you busy there for many nights.

This kit also comes with a bonus book(let) by Marek Mincbergr, detailing the Hungarian Mag built versions of the Fokker D.VII. It has many reference photos that match with the schemes provided for the Hungarian, Czechoslovakian and Romanian Fokkers.

To complete the kit there is a sheets of masks and a small sheet of marked film for a windscreen.

Sprue A

This sprue of 42 parts (17 not used) has the Austro-Daimler engine on it, mounts for the engine, some of the struts, wheels, cockpit floor, seat and some other small parts.

Good detail on all parts with no flash visible.

Sprue B

A similar sprue to A containing 40 parts (20 not used), with more of the struts, instrument panel, control stick, cockpit rear wall and other smaller detail parts.

Excellent details on all parts with no flash visible

Sprue C

This sprue contains 10 parts of which 7 are not used. The only parts used from this sprue is the lower wing, which is a one piece moulding, the tailplane and one half of the undercarriage centre section.

The spares collection gains a pair of fuselage halves for other D.VII versions and a number of propeller types not used with the Mag versions.

Sprue J

Sprue J, with 10 parts of which only 1 is not used, has the fuselage halves, upper wing as a one piece moulding, the other half of the undercarriage section and a set of 4 propellers.

Options are needed for 2 bladed props, clockwise and anti-clockwise, as well as a 4 bladed option for several of the schemes. Great detail on the fuselage with recessed and raised detail as is required.

Photo-Etch & Masks

The kit provides a small sheet of 35 photo-etch parts, some painted and the remainder are plain metal. These include the instrument panel, seat belts, propeller hubs and many small gauges and extras for the cockpit.

You also have a small sheet of masks that include masking for the choice of radiator panels and the wheels. A most useful inclusion

Instructions and Decals

The kit comes with the usual Eduard high quality instructions of 20 A5 sheets with copious colour call outs for Gunze and Mission Model Paints branded paints. A rigging plan is also included.

The decals look to be in perfect register and suitably thin.  There are 2 pages dedicated to the lozenge decals and rib tape placement.

There are 10 schemes offered, but some are variations of one aircraft at different times are quite interesting ranging from full lozenge versions and camouflaged aircraft to single colour doped aircraft. Plenty of choices given here.

The schemes are;

• 8 Vörös Repülöszazad, Hungarian Red Army, Hungarian Soviet Republic, 1919

• W.Nr.93.07, Hungarian Red Army, Hungarian Soviet Republic, 1919

• C1. W.Nr 3867, Czechoslovak Air Force, Czechoslovakia, summer 1919

• C2. W.Nr 3867, Czechoslovak Air Force, Czechoslovakia, autumn 1919

• D1. W.Nr 3867, Czechoslovak Air Force, Czechoslovakia, 1920

• D2. W.Nr 3867, First National Air Meeting, Czechoslovak Air Force, Czechoslovakia, September 1921

• E1.  W.Nr 3867, Czechoslovak Air Force, Czechoslovakia, summer 1922

• E2.  W.Nr 3867, Czechoslovak Air Force, Czechoslovakia, summer 1923

• E3.  W.Nr 3867, Czechoslovak Air Force, Czechoslovakia, late summer 1923

• F.    W.Nr 93.18, Romanian Air Force, Romania, 1919/1920

A well and highly detailed late/post WWI aircraft has been produced by Eduard. For the WWI interested modellers, and especially for those with an interest in the more Eastern European countries, this Eduard Fokker D.VII (Mag) version gives you another interesting subject of quality to add to the stash or even make and add the model cabinet. A highly recommended kit.

Thanks to Eduard for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2020 by David Couche
Page Created 26 March, 2020
Last updated 27 March, 2020

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