1/48 scale Ryan NYP
Spirit of St. Louis

Revell-Monogram

Reviewed by Brett Green

Revell-Monogram's 1/48 scale "Spirit of St Louis" is available online from Squadron

One of the most famous and influential aircraft of all time, few modellers have not heard of the Spirit of St. Louis, and most have probably made at least one. Surprisingly, there have been only three injection-molded kits of this airplane over the last 50 years, Lindberg’s, Hawk’s and now Revell’s. Lindberg’s was acceptable for a 1/48 scale kit at the time (1955) and is still generally available from Glencoe (with ScaleMaster decals that are greatly superior to the originals) and Hawk’s (now Testor’s) was in 1/72nd scale, so Revell’s is a most welcome newcomer.

The IPMS site at http://www.ipmsusa.org/EventsGallery/05-07-15_Nat_Con/Manufacturers-new-releases/RevellMonogram.htm  has pictures of the kit parts as provided in the box. Molded in silver and clear plastic China, the more than 50 parts are clean, accurate and well-engineered and well-molded. Clear parts are commendably clear, and bagged separately.

Decals are well-done but highly glossy waterslide transfers which will require some flattening once applied.

Two pilot figures are provided, one seated and one standing, and the resemblance to Charles Lindbergh is apparent, even in this small scale. Even the style of the flight suit is correct. Sadly, there is only one head provided for the two bodies, but if you have a spare head in the parts box, the unused figure may fine an alternate role.

There was no flash on any of the parts.

Construction - A First Fit

The instructions (two sheets, eight pages, nine steps) are very good with clearly drawn assembly diagrams. All parts are numbered and paint call-outs are clearly marked. I test fitted a number of the parts and subassemblies to see what was what when I began construction of the kit; the fit was good.

The cockpit is the center of this kit. It’s extremely well detailed, including the wicker seat, stick and rudder pedals, throttle, map case (in which the cockpit windows were stoted when they were not in place; that’s a hint in case you want to leave them off the kit) and even the compass mounted directly above the seat. You know, the compass that required the famous mirror stuck to the instrument with chewing gum. Even the Lunkheimer fuel manifold is present below the instrument panel, and the panel attaches to a representation of the fuel tank just in front of the cockpit. A representation of the pilot’s periscope is on the left side of the panel. It’s this sort of detail that makes the kit more than normally educational, and a great subject for younger modelers as well as more experienced ones. Fortunately, the cockpit door may be left open (or off) to view all this detail.

Control surfaces are highly detailed, with separate hinges simulated, but molded in place. The wings are molded in top and bottom halves, with a very thin trailing edge attained at the cost of a joint about 3/16 inch from the edge. This join line will be difficult to fill and sand without removing the subtle surface detail. Paint may help.

Marking Options

Exterior painting presents few problems if you like silver. In fact, you will need two main shades, one for the cloth covering that makes up most of the airplane, and one for the aluminum panels and the steel propeller and exhaust stubs. If you use a gloss silver overall, apply the decals, then apply a flattening agent for the wings and fuselage, the outcome should be satisfactory. The Wright J-5C engine was new, and should be semi-gloss black. Flat dark gray for the tires, and you’ve basically completed the exterior.

The interior was largely the inside of the aluminum-doped fabric covering. The cockpit floor was initially unpainted plywood, and the seat was wicker withy an inflated rubber cushion. This cushion was lost at Le Bourget, and was replaced with a black leather cushion which is still present in the airplane in the Smithsonian.

The decals provides markings and details for the airplane as prepared for departure from Mitchell Field, New York and as on arrival at Le Bourget, Paris. Lindberg’s fuel econometer, used on the transcontinental flights but not on the transatlantic flight, is missing, is it should be. There is an option to add the flags and markings accumulated on overseas visits made after the transatlantic flight.

The decals also provide for the engine-turned (damascene) effect on the aluminum engine cowling and panels. Those familiar with the old Lindberg (Glencoe) kit may recall the difficulty of duplicating this effect in the mold.

Decals are a compromise, but keeps the suggest price of the kit $12.75.

I am impressed with the quality of this release from Revell-Monogram, and I look forward to completing the model as soon as I can clear the space. I would recommend this kit for both beginners (say, 10 years old or so) and experienced builders, and it would make an excellent diorama subject of the kind so loved for end-of-the-school-year history projects. Overall, everything is provided to build an accurate, highly detailed replica out of the box.
Excellent value for money.

 

Review and Images Copyright © 2006 by D.C. Shoemaker
Page Created 18 January, 2006
Last updated 18 January, 2006

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