Tamiya's 1/48 scale
Fieseler Fi 156 C Storch

by Roger Hardy

Fieseler Fi 156 C Storch

Tamiya's 1/48 Fieseler Fi 156 C Storch is available online from Squadron

This model has been comprehensively reviewed by Brett Green here so there is no point me repeating it except to say that I agree with pretty well all the praise showered on this kit.  I made it straight from the box, as I usually do. 

There is not much to say about the assembly of the model without being anally retentive; it’s typical Tamiya which means that it is accurate, well-engineered and goes together perfectly…but follow the instructions! 

The model, like the real aircraft, is a simple if gangly affair; the only complexity is in the masking of the greenhouse canopy, for which masking material is provided.  You will need a sharp scalpel to cut these out but they fit perfectly and do not allow any paint seepage.  

Harnesses are supplied as decals but I used some Eduard pre-coloured Luftwaffe WWII harness which look better.  The only thing to watch out for in the construction is to make sure that the undercarriage is really symmetrical because it is easy to let the metal legs slide in the lower part without noticing it.  The cockpit door (if you are going to mount it open) is tricky to attach when the wings are on. 

Note that these aircraft often flew with the side engine panels removed and there is a nicely-detailed little Argus engine inside. 

The kit also provides some nicely-moulded characters to sit in the cockpit (including Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel himself!) or stand about plus some scenery props or use in a diorama if that’s your thing. 

I did some minor surgery to the elevator and rudder so that they could be deflected slightly for a bit more life.

I primed the whole aircraft with Alclad grey primer which always works fine and sprayed the colours, RLM 65, 70 and 71, using a new Agora-tec airbrush (Chinese - nicely made, dead cheap and works well) which I am trying out. 

To gloss-up matt paint for taking decals without silvering I used Alclad’s ‘Aqua Gloss’ which I think is their version of Johnson’s Kleer (which is good for me because Kleer is not available in Portugal where I live). 

Once the decals had been applied I sprayed the whole aircraft with Alclad ‘Light Sheen’ which toned everything down without having the dead surface of 100% matt paint.  I strongly recommend these general Alclad finishes because they work well and come in big bottles so last forever.  Then the canopy masking can be removed to reveal that  nice complex detailed interior. 

Finally, I added some MV lenses for the navigation lights.

The model itself is surprisingly small but looks the part, being light and spindly; everything is in scale and I’m pleased with the overall result.  The flaps and ailerons hang off their own hinges just like the real thing but are quite rigid and secure.  I know that a lot of thought went into this kit and it is absolutely complete, needing nothing from the after-market except maybe harnesses, but I still think that it is rather over-priced.  However, I’d still recommend it over the only other kit of the Storch in this scale, that from Esci, unless you’re on a budget.

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Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2016 by Roger Hardy
Page Created 10 August, 2016
Last Updated 10 August, 2016

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