SRAM 1/144 Zeppelin Staaken R.VI By Bob Pearson

Introduction

The largest aircraft to ever bomb Britain was the Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI of 1917. There were a total of 18 built, of which at least 11 are known to have been destroyed in WWI. . however only one of these was due to enemy action, the rest were lost in accidents.

The kit

Cast in tan resin, the Staaken seems more akin to a 1/72 model in most respects. The fuselage is cleanly cast with openings for the windows and gunners. Interior detail is provided in the form of a pedestal containing the pilots seats and controls cast in place.

The wings are thin - very thin, so thin that I wonder just how well they will be affixed to one another and if they are prone to warping. The ribs are engraved rather than raised, but at this size, it is hard to tell the difference. The upper wing is in three pieces, while the lower will be butt-joined to the fuselage.

The remainder of the parts filled my scanner bed and look to contain guns, wheels, struts, engines, tail surfaces. The two engine nacelles are very nice and have engraved panel lines and a clean opening for the two engines per side.

Instructions are lacking and consist of a three-view drawing showing parts placement.

Decals are provided for R.37 - the only aircraft lost to enemy action when it was shot down by anti-aircraft fire while returing from a raid on Paris.

Conclusion

A very interesting model of a little known type. The wings will require care in assembling, and I'm not too sure on the survivability of the very thin struts, but perhaps at this size, they will be strong enough.

My thanks to Lubos Vinar of Hobbyshop.cz for the review sample