Renwal Products Inc. collection of 1/72nd scale WWI aircraft was produced during the mid 1960s. Their big innovation and claim to fame was the "Aero-skin" fabric used for markings. They also produced a number of 1/48th scale kits with this feature. Having built the entire series as a kid, I could not resist the nostalgia of these kits. When an example came up for auction on a Internet auction website, I had to have it.
My how a person's perceptions of the past cloud over...I remembered the kits as being fantastically detailed. Typical of mid 60's model kits, the overall molding is crude by today's standards. The overall kit could be compared to a early airfix or Aurora offering. One interesting feature of the kit is the Aeroskin. To facilitate the "look" of a fabric over wooden framework of WWI aircraft, the wings and tail section have deep "ribs" molded in. As you can see in the photos. When covered by the Aeroskin fabric a representation of ribs is modeled.
Not having a 1/72nd scale set of Albatros plans, the dimensions of the kit look fairly good. When compared to a Pegasus D.V, the wingspan is about 1/8" short. A pilot is included, which is about it for the cockpit. Both the engines and the spandaus are simple.
The application of the Aeroskin fabric is accomplished by cutting out the fabric pieces and applying liquid cement (painting it on) over the fabric. This "slightly dissolves the plastic which flows into the pores of the Aeroskin"
While not a kit to build into a completely accurate rendition of the Albatros DV, with today's aftermarket parts/castings available, one could put together an interesting "vintage" kit. I am told that collector value of the kit is in the $10.00 to $15.00 dollar range. The kit is Renewal #272:69 Copyrighted 1966.
Not being a died in the wool kit collector. This blast from the past was a nostalgic eye opener. I plan to use today's modeling skills with some aftermarket photoetched Spandaus and a resin Mercedes engine and recreate my memories from the 5th grade....only better!
Mike Dicianna
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