Azur/FRROM 1/72 Potez 25 A2/B2 Hispano, previewed by Scott Van Aken

HISTORY

Potez 25 (also written as Potez XXV) was a French twin-seat, single-engine biplane designed during the 1920s. A multi-purpose fighter-bomber, it was designed as a line aircraft and used in a variety of roles, including fighter and escort missions, tactical bombing and reconnaissance missions. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Potez 25 was the standard multi-purpose aircraft of over 20 air forces, including French, Polish and American. It was also popular among private operators, notably mail transport companies.

2,500 aircraft were built in France with license production taking place in Yugoslavia, Poland and Romania as well as other countries.. The popularity of the type was in part due to the airframe being able to be adapted to a variety of engines. This particular kit provides the option to build a Hispano powered aircraft.

THE KIT

Azur/FRROM kits are all made by the MPM/Special Hobby group. This one is typical with the molding in a light grey plastic. As the base sprues are used for other variants, you'll fine several parts not used in this boxing, which is for the Hispano powered aircraft. Typical of these sorts of kits, you will need to drill some holes and fill a bit to properly portray this variant. The instructions show you exactly where this needs to be done so it would be wise to actually read through it before starting. The photo etch fret is fairly extensive. It consists of the wire wheels, control actuators and rigging attachment points. This latter feature is the first I've seen in a kit of this scale.

Construction starts logically with the interior and is quite complete with both the pilot and observer/gunner's positions. In addition to the rear gun (which is on a Scarff ring and installed near the end), you are provided with a camera. Fuselage is in left and right halves with a separate bottom. The forward fuselage is also separate to deal with the different engines. Two cowling options are provided depending on the markings option you choose. Attaching the upper cowling pieces traps a set of cabane struts. Lower wings are a single piece and while the 'hills and valleys' may be a bit much for some, this can be sanded or even filled in if you wish.

One thing to note is that one of the options is for a parasol version of this aircraft without the lower wing. The construction sequence for that option will be different from the other three so be sure to pay attention. There is no rigging diagram for this option so I have to assume that only the cabane struts are rigged. Not having a lower wing also precludes the use of the bomb racks.

Once the nose is attached, then comes the upper wing. Some of these planes had fuel tanks attached and the instructions guide you through that. All the other struts are single pieces so some sort of jig would probably be useful. Next the tailplanes are attached and the landing gear made up. Not all options use wire wheels so you need to know which set of markings you'll be using fairly early. If you do pick the wire wheels, you'll need to replace the axle stubs with something thinner.

One of the final steps is rigging. The kit provides wire attachment areas in the p.e. set. You are also provided a complete rigging diagram for the biplane options. After that, one attaches the bomb racks and bombs if you are using those as well as the gun and the proper propeller depending on the markings option chosen.

Instructions are excellent and in color. It provides Gunze paint references. First is the box art plane with the Greek air force in 1941 during the German invasion. Next we have two Romanian planes, one of which is a parasol wing version. Finally a Yugoslav version from 1928. All but the Greek plane are in overall dark green. The large decal sheet is very nicely done. I've darkened it a bit so you can see the white bits.

CONCLUSIONS

It is great seeing interwar planes being kitted. Especially this one as it was used so widely in the late 1920s and the 1930s. There will be additional boxings for sure so that you can build other variations.

My thanks to Azur/FRROM for the review kit. Get yours today at your local retailer or ask them to order it in for you.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

KIT #:	FR0038
PRICE:	$
DECALS:	Four options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	2019 tooling. Short run with p.e.