KIT:

 Planet Models 1/72 Focke Wulf 3x1000 Project B

KIT #

 047

PRICE:

$38.95

DECALS:

One hypothetical aircraft

REVIEW BY:

Scott Van Aken

NOTES:

No swastika

 

 

HISTORY

 

In 1944, three design studies were performed by Focke-Wulf in response to a specification that called for a medium jet bomber able to carry a 1,000 kg load, 1,000 km at a speed of 1,000kph. Hence the 3x1000 designation. Focke-Wulf entered three designs; a projekt A, B, and C. The most interesting of them was Projekt B, the subject of this kit. Unlike the more conventional Projekts A and B, this aircraft was more of a flying wing with the HeS 011 turbojets buried in the wing. The wing was swept 25 degrees and had downturned rudders on the tips of the wings.

THE KIT

 

Planet Models kit of Projekt B is typical of their other kits. A light tan resin with superb detailing. Kit packaging is equally outstanding. Not only are the major bits segregated from each other to cut down on damage, but the entire ensemble is double bagged. There are 23 resin and one vacuformed part in the kit. Most of the resin parts are contained within a wafer of resin, but cleanup should be quite easy. There is also some flash on the major bits that will need cleaned up before construction begins.

The instruction sheet is basically a folded 8 1/2 by 14 sheet with an exploded view of the kit on one side and on the other, decal and painting instructions for the exterior of the aircraft. There is also a very brief history of the aircraft. Missing is any kind of interior color information. Camouflage scheme is given as RLM 76 blue-grey upper with RLM 75 grey blotches over it, with a black undersurface. The decal sheet is by Propagteam and though small, is sufficient for the aircraft. No swastika is provided.

There seems to be plenty of room to put nose weight in this kit so one should not have a tail sitter. I can see only two possible concerns regarding this kit. One is that there is only one vacuform canopy provided. Now I know that it is enough for most modelers, but I generally goof this up in my kits and having a spare would be nice and not increase the cost of the kit by much at all. Secondly is the all resin landing gear. All the kits I have built with straight resin gear have had the gear deform and bow under the weight of the aircraft in just a year or so. I have built kits where the gear is reinforced with wire so I know the technology is there. You may wish to replace the resin gear with wire or even plastic strut material.

 

Overall it looks like a great kit, and since there are not that many bits and pieces, it should be a relatively quick build.

My thanks to Dan Johnson and Planet Models for the review sample.