Small Stuff 1/72 Le Rhône 9C Engine
By Matt Bittner
If the world of aftermarket for WW1 aircraft, Aeroclub used to be the be-all/end-all. With their white metal engines (and other bits) you could outfit practically any 1/72 model with their aftermarket products. There were other "players" on the market as well, all creating items that much needed in the WW1-modeling world.
Every once in a while comes a product from a manufacturer that is considered the "go-to" item, one that sets the bar so high that it will be difficult to get "any better". This is the case with Small Stuff's 1/72 Le Rhône 9C (80 hp) engine. This is truly a modeling work-of-art.
You'll need patience, tweezers and a good magnifier when you build this engine, even if you have near-perfect eye sight. That is because everything that could be a separate part, is. Naturally you start with the crankcase. To that you add each and every cylinder. However, before adding those cylinders, you'll want to attach the separate spark plug to each cylinder. Once the cylinders are attached to the crankcase, you'll then need to add the separate intake manifold and rocker arm, both sitting between the crankcase and the cylinder.
Thankfully Small Stuff does include spares - four spark plugs, one cylinder, one rocker arm and one intake manifold. However, that is it, so definitely take your time to avoid losing parts.
Once assembled, though, this engine will look stunning. With the right amount of painting, washed and dry brushing, the detail will really stand out. Plus, being able to paint the different parts off the engine will also help.
As I mentioned, this is the be-all/end-all when it comes to the 80 hp Le Rhône 9C engine in 1/72. Types this engine will work on include the Nieuport 10, Nieuport 11, Nieuport 21, Morane-Saulnier Types G, H, L, N and P and Thomas-Morse S-4, amongst others.
If you have the need for a 1/72 Le Rhône 9C engine, this one from Small Stuff is the one you want.
Huge, huge thanks to Small Stuff for sending the review engine. I now see they just released the Le Rhône 9J (110 hp) engine as well.