Phönix D.II

Special Hobby, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

 Special Hobby's 1/48 scale Phonix D.II is available online from Squadron.com
 

It was with much relief that I spied the Special Hobby release of the Phönix D.II. Having acquired their earlier representation of the D.I, I was keen to add this version to the stable.

Despite outward appearances, there is very little commonality between the two kits. The main sprue is familiar but due to the different length fuselage of the D.II, new items are provided.

Interior items remain the same as do the wheels, engine and struts. New wings are supplied because of the different rib arrangement, and the distinctive fin and rudder also make the necessary appearance.

There are 37 plastic parts in total and these are complimented by 16 resin items. The latter takes care of the exhausts and upper wing radiator but the icing on the cake has to be the delightful flare pistol. The detail was delicate and there were no casting problems on any of the items.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

A photo-etched fret caters for the seatbelts, gun sights, flare rack, flare pistol (with mounting brace), tailplane struts, and instrument panel. This last part is a generic arrangement and purists will no doubt build their own. An acetate sheet allows for the dial faces and this medium is also used for the windshields.

The outline of the major components is excellent and is based on the latest information published in the recent JaPo book on the type. This is good news as previous publications have maintained that both the D.I and D.II had the same length fuselage. This reference source also points out the different fin and rudder, which the new type demands.

Interestingly, Special Hobby decided to mould the lower wing with one less rib inboard of the outer struts when compared to the plans in the previously mentioned book. They do however match George Haddrow’s general arrangements in the Windsock Datafile on the subject. A study of contemporary photographs will have to sort matters out here.

The trailing edges of the flying surfaces are very thin and it is commendable to see that the manufacturers have even included the characteristic “washout” on the ailerons. The rib detail is subtle and the sprue attachment points are such that no detail will be lost on the removal of the parts.

A minimum of clean up time will be necessary, and the soft plastic helps here. There is plenty of scope to add extra items to the cockpit such as switches, throttle lever, magneto, pressure pump and the like.

The decal sheet is beautifully printed but unfortunately my example was out of register. This included both the black on white and red on white subjects.

The carrier film is wonderfully thin and the manufacturers should be applauded for including both the propeller and Phönix logos. Note though, that the supplied airscrew will require some modification to represent a typical type attached to the aircraft in question.

Two different aircraft are made available by the decal sheet.

1. Phönix D.II, 222.10, Flick 55J, June/July 1918, Pergine airfield.

Oblt. Eduard Ritter von Hebra flew this machine and it is the subject for which the lovely flare pistol and mount are supplied. Being a Kettenführer he used it for signalling purposes and had it mounted centrally on the upper wing.

On the 15th July 1918 he was shot down in this aircraft.

2. Phönix D.IIa; 422.30, Flick 14J, October/November 1918, Feltre airfield.

This is how Fw. Karl Teichmann’s aircraft looked at the end of the war. He scored the last of his five victories in it on 22 August 1918.

Austria was his final resting place where he died of natural causes in 1927.

The latest published information has been used to create this kit and that makes it the most accurate Phönix D.II to date. As usual, all of the basic elements are presented and it is up to the builder as to how much extra detail is to be incorporated.

This is a fine release from Special Hobby and one that makes a great companion to the previously released D.I.

Recommended

Thanks to MPM/Special Hobby for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2005 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 17 November, 2005
Last updated 16 November, 2005

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