The FB.19 first flew in August 1916. It was powered by either a 100hp Gnome or a 110hp Clerget. Armament consisted of a single Vickers gun mounted in a trough on the fuselage side - out of reach of the pilot - and fired through a hole in the front of the cowl.
Less than 50 were built and of these 12 saw service with Nos. 14, 17, 47 and 111 squadrons in the Middle East. Some were delivered to Russia where at least some were seen wearing Bolshevik stars.
The Kit
RVHP have produced a fine resin kit of this rare little fighter. All told there are 20 resin pieces and brass material for the struts. It is typical of their product and has a single piece main fuselage with an opening below the cockpit to enable interior detail to be added. Stringer detail is nicely done and there are tiny dimples for where the control wires should exit the fuselage.
The wings are thin and have good rib detail. My sample has tiny holes along the upper wing trailing edge that will require filling. Tail surfaces are fine, as are the undercarriage struts and other details. Care should be taken in aligning the cowl as there is a tiny hole in the front for the Vickers to fire through.
Decals are provided for an IRAS example. The instructions consist of a three view drawing showing IRAS markings circa 1917, and anexploded drawing showing all parts as well as actual strut lengths.
Conclusion
The kit appears to be an easy OOB build with its single bay of struts, minimal interior and will find a nice place in any collection of British aircraft of the WWI period.
I ordered my sample from Lubos Vinar of HOBBYSHOP.CZ
