Caudron-Renault CR.714
The Caudron 714 was one of the few true lightweight fighters to actually reach production status. During the Winter War of 1939-1940 between Finland and the Russia, France gifted 80 Caudron fighters to Finland. Due to various circumstances and the French armistice of March 13 1940 only 6 aircraft arrived in Finland. Short Finnish airfield runways and the Caudron's long take off runs made it apparent the plane and airfields were not compatible. All six planes were permanently grounded and put into storage. The model represents a plane that survives today in the Finnish Air Force Museum for restoration.
This is the 1/48 RS Models limited run kit. I added Eduard seat belts and lead wire brake lines to the landing gear. The gun sight was fabricated with plastic rod, fine stretched sprue and a photoetch ring sight. Paints are a combination of Pollyscale and Lifecolor water based acrylics.
Dale, you have a keen eye for unusual model subjects, and this one is no exception, I don’t think I’ve seen more than a couple Caudron 714 built regardless of scale. I like those French camouflages, must be fun painting them huh? Very nice work as usual
Thanks so much Pedro. Yes, French camouflage schemes are a gas to do, I love them as anything goes! As you know there was no formal camouflage pattern for French aircraft and it was up to the painters to do what they thought was proper. I'm finishing a Dora Wings 1/48 MB 151 and had a lot of fun doing the camouflage on it.
Dale, i’ve been considering getting one of those Marcel Bloch’s from Dora Wings. They look good in the photos and the reviews aren’t bad at all. What you think about it since you’re building one?
The Dora Wings kit is a high quality limited run kit similar to Special Hobby kits. It has some unconventional engineering with a 15 part wing and wheel well assembly but all parts fit pretty well. Cockpit detail is good but the canopy is just 2 parts, windscreen is separate with the hood and rear portion as 1 piece. I used a modified vac canopy hood from the old FM kit to display it open. Putty and sanding are also necessary as with all limited run kits. The decals are very well done.
That's a super build of this limited run kit, Dale.
Your Caudron looks spectacular at these markings (I love French WW2 camos as well).
A rarely seen kit built indeed! Nice weathering too.
All the best!
Thank you Spiros, I'm really glad you like it!
Looks great! I built the 1/72 Heller version - has an interesting shape, doesn't it?
Thanks Greg. These planes were based on a racing aircraft design of the mid 30's and have the same sleek small size.