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Gavia's 1/48 scale
Pfalz E.I

by Jerry Creager

This kit is listed as being manufactured by Gavia but I believe it is carried by Eduard. My first impression upon opening the box was “Wow”, for a small model there sure are a lot parts. The level of detail is superb and virtually flash free. The instructions are the same quality as most of the newer Eduard kits, which is to say excellent. The computer produced exploded views make assembly easy and straightforward. The rigging diagram is color coded and almost impossible to get wrong. The photo etched parts are typical Eduard quality.

The cockpit has a surprising amount of detail but when you close the fuselage most of it is covered up. Some dry fitting is necessary because the fit is so tight between the cockpit sub assembly and the fuselage halves there is zero tolerance. Any little misalignment will cause a problem with the fuselage fit.

If I had to criticize any part of this build it was the lack of engine detail. I thought I would add the obviously missing valve rocker arms. This looked great until I tried to install the cowling. The fit was simply too tight and I had to remove the rocker arms from the top three cylinders in order to get the cowling over the engine.

Painting was done with enamels and was blended to try and simulate doped linen. I primed the whole plane with a very light cream color after which I used a brown fine tip marker over each rib and bulkhead. I sprayed several light coats of paint over the wings and fuselage until the ribs and framing were barely visible.

This kit is a relatively fast build and I think it took me about 12 hours to complete.

I recommend this kit to anyone enjoying WW I subjects.

 

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Images Copyright © 2006 by Jerry Creager
Page Created 06 November, 2006
Last Updated 21 February, 2007

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