Special Hobby Phoenix D-1

cduckworth · 7 July 2004, 07:16 PM

I received the Special Hobby Phoenix D-1 yesterday from NRK and this company is really putting out some nice kits. Someone was asking about a 'first kit' or an intro to WWI modeling and I'd place this kit up somewhere in the top of the list. Rigging is pretty simple, same with the color schemes offered in the kit (sponged on brown or green).

Rimmel doesn't cover the CDL wings enough in the color section as several in service a/c show this as an alternative. So I'm wondering if the a/c with CDL fabric areas had dark stained fuselages?

Ross_Moorhouse · 8 July 2004, 09:24 PM

I here the cockpit detail is a bit sparse?

cduckworth · 9 July 2004, 10:37 AM

I'll look this evening and let you know.

StephenLawson · 9 July 2004, 10:53 AM

I remember the first vacuform I ever tried was the old J&L 1/72 Phönix D.I. Vacs were seen then as the alternate to main stream injection kits as the subject matter was seen by the big boys as too off beat for profit. Now a 1/48 Phönix D.I in plastic.

drIace · 9 July 2004, 12:06 PM

Yes, this also proves the old addage of.... "just about finish your scratch build and"... well at least mine was a D-II.

I still bought the D-I as will now do the kit OOB- only in the Naval markings. Yes, the interior is sparse (but then little is available) But the resin radiator is super!!!! and exhausts are equally fine.

cduckworth · 9 July 2004, 05:17 PM

The cockpit is pretty sparse - silkscreened instruments on a clear sheet or a plastic instrument panel you can paint instruments on. A seat, control stick, rudder bar, floor and rear bulkhead. Sides only have a a few wood braces molded on. PE seatbelts and shoulder harness.

I agree they could have added a few more controls but the rib stations are very nice and there's no flash or sink holes anywhere. I'm just glad to see another AH a/c be released. Looking forward to see if they release one in naval markings.

13 July 2004, 08:53 AM

I have ordered the kit from NRK several weeks ago, but have yet to receive it.
I did build the Blue Max kit of the Phoenix D ll in the colors of the Naval version. For a Blue Max kit, this one went together very well, certainly one of the easiest BM kit that I have ever built. The only thing that I had to replace were the wing strutts. I used brass strutts instead of the unusable plastic strutts that BM always supply with their kits.