de Havilland DH.88 Comet
"Red & Green"

SBS Model, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Luke Pitt

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There is an old saying “You only get what you pay for” and for this particular 72nd scale kit from S.B.S models this statement beautifully sums up the kit presented for review.

In 1933, an air race was being planned that would not only test man and machine but also bring forth a new sleek twin aircraft design that would eventually evolve into the WW II Mosquito.

De Havilland's chief designer A.E Hagg at first proposed a wire braced wing with fixed landing gear. This was abandoned and in its place a clean tapered cantilever wing of stressed skin construction with a fully retractable landing gear would take shape.

The wooden wing construction and its bonding was an entirely new concept, light weight but incredibly strong.

The finished design was not only pleasing to the eye but futuristic when it took to the air in 1934. In fact, the design so new and clean it was copied by many Science Fiction artists of the day.

SBS's 1/72 scale de Havilland Comet comprises some 30 high quality resin parts, 6 white metal pieces a small photo etch fret and instrument film.

A decal sheet with either the all red race winner “Grosvenor House” or the all green 3rd place entry is included.

The quality of the resin casting is first class.

The castings have no air bubbles or warpage present.

Attention to detail is simply amazing with a very detailed and complete cockpit included.

The one piece resin canopy is both crystal clear and remarkably thin.

The two engine nacelles are cast as one piece each and have detail within the wheel well itself.

The wings and tailplane assemblies are wafer thin and almost scale in thickness.

The instructions are simple yet effective and should provide no challenges in parts placement.  A full colour painting guide rounds this out.

The kit is almost broken down into a conventional plastic kit configuration and has even location holes with in the fuselage.

This kit is without a doubt one of the best 1/72 scale resin aircraft kits that I have ever seen. The ease of construction, the attention to detail and the finesse of the trailing edges puts this kit in a class all of its own.

If you like this aircraft and have the old Airfix example, do yourself a favour and throw it away (as I have now done).

In comparison, this kit is light years ahead in every possible way.

Highly Recommended   

Thanks to SBS Model for the samples

Review Text Copyright © 2015 by Luke Pitt
Images Copyright © 2015 by Brett Green
Page Created 26 August, 2015
Last updated 26 August, 2015

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