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Rob Pollock
195 articles

Arado 196 in 1/32

November 24, 2013 · in Aviation · · 17 · 3.1K

This is the kit that was issued about three years ago. After a couple of 'clean' photos, I added a (modified) Verlinden figure, inspired by the photo at the end of this series. If you haven't built or otherwise seen this kit, it has remarkable detail for a relatively small amount of money (£25, or about $30).

As with all Revell kits, there is the Mad Engineering Moment. In this case, despite all the wonderful attention to floats, engine, and cockpit, Revell offers the complex canopies as flat-packs, that have to be balanced along the cockpit lines as side pieces, the top sections then eased into place afterwards, not unlike a house or cards. I used two or three drops of rubber cement along the joints, waited a minute until the unit hung together, and then settled them in place as one piece - fiddlesome, but it works.

It has its own, broad base, which makes it convenient for taking to shows, and which also sits securely on a revolving turntable for viewing, if preferred.

For the rudder control lines (often overlooked), I used aircraft rigging thread. These aircraft had a dirty green two-tone splinter scheme topside, and the familiar RLM pale blue underneath. Decals here are one of the kit choices. They are accurately printed and settle without a whimper.

Reader reactions:
9  Awesome

4 additional images. Click to enlarge.


17 responses

  1. Nice work there Rob, very detailed. The Engine and cockpit look stunning, as does the rest of it! Nice weathering as well.

  2. Ye Gads! Thats a whole lotta kit. Extremely well done!

  3. Yep...agree - good job all around, Rob.

  4. That is a very nice Arado sir , Great to see the detail, instaed of being hid away.

  5. This is probably the best build of this aircraft I can recall seeing. Great engine detail always a plus in my book!

  6. That looks very nice, Rob. I have seen the model at the store and you're right, it is a very good price for what you get. You really spent time and effort on the details and the cockpit and engine really make the model stand out. You need to go full tilt on recreating the photo and make the pull-up ramp on the water's edge!

  7. It's a lovely looking model of a seaplane, Rob, I can see that a lot of work has gone into this.

  8. Rob,
    You never cease to amaze me. This is absolutely gorgeous.

  9. Rob, Beautifully done- really like the detail and subtle weathering!

  10. Nice job, I wouldn't mind one of these myself, looks like that dog in the last pic is trying to drag it ashore by it's collar.
    N.

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