Venom Review by Mark Davies (CMR 1/72)

de Havilland Venom Mk.1

Czech Master Resin, 1/72 scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number:	Czech Master Resin Kit No. 206 - Venom Mk.1
Scale:	1/72
Contents & Media	66 x cream resin airframe parts, 7 x “extra-strength” resin undercarriage parts, 46 x cream resin bomb, missile and pylon parts, 1 x Eduard coloured photo-etch (PE) fret of 22 parts, 1 x plain PE fret of 85 parts (mostly weapon fins), 2 x vac-form acetate canopies, 1 x Eduard pre-cut mask & decals for 7 schemes.
Price:	Available on-line from Hannants for £34.26, Squadron for US$74.69, Red Roo Models for Au$67.00, West Coast Hobbys for Cn$51.00, and various other CMR stockists.
Review Type:	First Look
Advantages:	Highly detailed and very comprehensive kit.
Disadvantages:
Conclusions:	One of three definitive Swiss DH Venom kits in 1/72 scale. Suited to modellers with some resin and multi-media experience. A superb kit.

Reviewed by Mark Davies

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com

Background

Please see my earlier review of CMR’s Swiss Venom Mk.1R for a shared history and background.

FirstLook

Not surprisingly, this kit is very much like CMR’s Swiss Mk.1R reviewed recently. Rather than repeat everything here please take the time to read the earlier “First Look” review as most comments apply equally to this kit

However there are some differences. With this kit you get the original style fuselage without the Pinocchio nose to provide for pre-1970 aircraft that weren’t fitted with IFF. It also comes with a plethora of underwing stores unique to the Swiss Air Force. There are several bomb choices, underwing tanks, free-flight rockets and multiple stores racks. These weapons should look superb thanks to the PE fins provided for them, and the detailed photographs of the real weapons to aid finishing.

Thumbnail panels:

In fact this kit is a tour-de-force when it comes to supporting information. The walk around photos are highly detailed, and as usual the colour schemes are very comprehensive. One aircraft features a special bird scheme that encompasses the upper wings and forward fuselage. This was applied for Exercise Phoenix in 1978. In what is I think a first time for CMR, coloured photos and coloured markings and painting guide for this version are provided. In all decals for seven schemes covering overall aluminium, camouflaged and special scheme are provided.

An example of the finished model (not by me) in the special Phoenix scheme can be found here. This link will also show you details of many of the box’s contents and illustrate the style of instructions etc.

Conclusion

This is a superbly executed kit with an incredible amount of additional information to aid finishing (and demonstrating considerable research). I suspect that Phoenix special scheme and diverse weapons will make this a popular choice out of the three CMR Swiss Venom kits. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Czech Master Resin for this review sample.

CMR Models are available online from Hannants in the UK,
Red Roo Models in Australia and quality specialist model retailers worldwide.

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Background

FirstLook

Conclusion

Text Copyright © 2009 by Mark Davies This Page Created on 24 November, 2009 Last updated 24 November, 2009

Text Copyright © 2009 by Mark Davies
This Page Created on 24 November, 2009
Last updated 24 November, 2009