Eduard 1/48 Scale RFC Personnel WWI
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Background
 For
the majority of the Great War, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was considered
a branch of the British Army. Uniforms worn by members of the RFC were
generally a mixture of British Army and Colonial service types, often
reflecting regimental affiliations prior to transfer to the RFC. Other
than badges and some specialty clothing types, such as the “maternity
jacket” and various flight suits, there was no standard RFC uniform
until after the formation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918.
The Kit
The kit box contains 33 parts on two tan colored sprues for six figures.
Molding is crisp and refined, with well-defined facial features and folds
in the fabric, while the bodies, heads, hands and feet seem to appear
in proper proportion. The figures are of the multi-pose variety, with
separate arms, legs, torsos and heads. The box art is a little misleading,
as the poses and look of the figures included do not match exactly the
contents. The set consists of two officers dressed in standard British
Army issue four-pocket tunic, riding style breeches and putties, one wearing
a Sam Brown belt and peaked cap, the other with a flying helmet. These
two could easily have come straight from the trenches. Three figures represent
ground crewmen in working rig, posed swinging propellers or kneeling at
work unloading a nondescript box with lid that is included. The box is
empty, and can be filled with the modeler’s choice of items, whether
Lewis drums, egg timers, or what have you. ;-). The highlight of the kit
to me is a figure in flight gear wearing a Sidcot type flight suit and
leather flying helmet – the quintessential WWI aviator. Sadly, no
figure with the distinctive RFC “maternity jacket” is included.
A small paper sheet containing four maps is included in the box as well.
Conclusion
 This
looks like a very useful set. The figures will compliment any 1/48 WWI
RFC subject, and many others besides. The figures are versatile enough
to allow adaptation to other uses, especially the mechanics who appear
generic enough to be adapted to just about any era or nationality.
Highly recommended.
Also from Eduard in this series:
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