SE 2415 Grognard II

Fonderie Miniature 1/48

Built and Reviewed by Mick Evans

Fonderie Miniature's 1/48 Grognard II is available online from Squadron.com

Two prototypes of the Grognard were built in 1950 for competition against the Vautour, which eventually won.  The SE 2415 Grognard II made its maiden flight on the 14 February 1951 following numerous changes after the 2410 Grognard first flew the previous year.  The unique configuration was maintained in the Grognard II, this included features such as:

-         the over under engines similar to the BAC Lightning

-         the engine intake above and behind the cockpit

-         large landing flaps

-         large leading edge flaps

-         underwing spoilers

-         Retractable rocket pack containing 32 projectiles

-         No traditional control column.  Moveable seat armrests allowed the pilot to control the aircraft with his elbows.

Despite a successful test flight program the Grognard lost to the Vautour and both Grognard prototypes were scrapped.

Fonderie Miniature's Grognard II is, I believe, the first injection moulded kit of this truly innovative aircraft in 1/48 scale. 

The kit is produced in the usual soft light grey plastic found in most Fonderie Miniatures kits.  The kit comprises 13 resin parts, 11 plastic parts, 14 white metal parts and 2 vac formed canopies. 

The plastic mouldings are cleanly moulded with a bit of flash that requires some cleanup work.  The trailing edges of the wings will need some thinning down before they are assembled, as they will be far to thick. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The white metal and resin parts are highly detailed considering that these would have to be engineered from drawings and photographs.  The wheel wells are in resin and contain some nice and convincing pipe work detail.   The cockpit is beautifully detailed but as I have no reference I am not sure how accurate this is.  The engine intakes and exhausts are in resin and are a good addition as these areas would be difficult to engineer in limited run plastic. 

The decals are provided for the prototype. They look thin and well printed.  The canopy is as usual a vac form that contains a few flaws.  

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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Comparing to the only photographs that I could find on the web, the kit looks to be accurate and nicely detailed. 

The instructions have improved slightly over previous kits but still lack in depth detail.

The proof will be in the building.  A full build review will appear shortly.

Highly Recommended for experienced modellers.

Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample.

Model, Review and Images Copyright © 2003 by Mick Evans
Page Created 11 June, 2003
Last updated 09 November, 2003

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