Roseplane 1/72nd AEG J.I

By Matt Bittner

History

In 1916 the German high command wanted an armored ground attack aircraft. After it put out the specification, it chose AEG, Albatros and Junkers to produce three armor-plated prototypes. Since the war was progressing and aircraft were sorely needed, the high command decided to award contracts to all three producers.

AEG decided that their already in production AEG C.IV was ideally suited for adoption. They added a more powerful engine (the 200hp Benz Bz.IV) and bolted some armor plate to the metal airframe.

The prototype was delivered in April 1917 with the first production machine delivered by June. Production grew so that the AEG J-types were the most numerous of this type of aircraft at the front.

The Kit

The Roseplane all-resin kit of the AEG J.I consists of x pieces, all molded exceptionally well. There is one decal option for J.151/17 finished in the then-standard camoflage of mauve and green over light blue.

As I already mentioned, the Roseplane AEG J.I is molded exceptionally well and the exterior detail is exquisite and sharp. There is also molded-in interior detail as well as other separate parts.

While the instructions are mainly text-based for construction, naturally construction begins with the interior, including the engine. Once all cockpit pieces are glued to one of the fuselage halves, the engine will have to be as well (but be aware that the area will need to be trimmed for the engine to fit - something the instructions thankfully point out). Now the fuselage halves can be glued together.

One thing the instructions would have you do next I don't agree with. The instructions have you glue on the top wing before the lower wing. While I haven't tried this technique, normally you glue on the lower wing first. This way you have something to align to as you're glueing on the upper wing.

Now you can glue together the rest of the kit. Tail pieces, landing gear struts, etc. It's up to you how you want to paint each separate assembly before you add it to the main model.

Conclusion

Overall this is a very well done model. If I was to nitpick, I would say that there isn't enough provided for the interior. However, most modeler will have no problems adding all the extra pieces. This kit is definitely recommended.

Our thanks to Rosemont Hobby Shop for the review kit.