Roden 1/72 Felixstowe F.2A (Late Version) |  | Background The Felixstowe F.2A flying boat was one of the first anti-submarine aircraft which served in the First World War. Jointly developed by the UK and US, the aircraft was considered one of the best developments of that war. Armed with two 460 lb bombs, it could give the elusive U-Boat skippers a bad day when they inevitably had to surface to replenish the air and recharge the batteries. The aircraft also served as a maritime patrol aircraft. The aircraft was also equipped to defend itself from airborne predators with a machine gun position in the nose and three others in the middle of the aircraft. The Kit Roden has released the late version of the F.2A, with the kit comprised of two large trees containing the wings and main fuselage parts, and eight smaller trees containing ailerons, propellers, engine details, armament, etc. Molded in light grey styrene, this kit is beautifully molded and has only a slight amount of flash. Given that this is a limited production model, this is not surprising. In spite of the numerous parts that make up this kit, assembly is very straightforward. The kit provides positionable ailerons and elevators (the rudder is molded onto the tail, but that is easily overcome). For a 1/72 scale kit, each of the two engines have more detail than most kits in larger scales! The aircraft interior is nicely appointed with a detailed cockpit and mid-ships compartment. The numerous Lewis guns that provide the aircraft protection are nicely done. The real challenge on this kit is not the installation of all 12 interwing struts, but rather the rigging to keep it all together. I am not certain how WW1 modelers accomplish the rigging of such models and keep their sanity. The kit is rounded out with a nicely detailed carriage that is used for retrieving the aircraft from the water and moving it around on land.  Markings are provided for three examples:
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F.2A N4465, Killingholme 1918 -
F.2A N4567 'Zanardu', Chilean Navy -
F.2A (s/n unknown), Great Yarmouth, 1918 Conclusions This is a beautiful model that WW1 builders will enjoy having in their collection. My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample! | 
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