Contact Resine | 1/24 Hansa Brandenburg D.I
Reviewed by Jay Laverty
My God, it’s Full of Stars!
Occasionally I suffer from illusions of grandeur and think that I am pretty good at this modelling lark. Then something like this comes along and brings me back to earth with a hard thump. Having been very fortunate recently to have had the opportunity to build some superb model kits from the likes of Hasegawa, Battle Axe and at the moment MDC, I have been somewhat spoiled and one could understand if I were to become somewhat jaded. No chance of that here with this very special limited edition of 500 model kit.
Opening the box here revealed some of the most wonderfully cast and intricately detailed resin, etched, wood (yes, plenty of Balsa in here) and white metal I have ever seen. Immediately struck with the quality of the model, as sense of eager anticipation built up that was accompanied with a lesser sensation of anxiety that would ultimately become a white hot fear, questioning my ability to actually do this model justice, let alone get it together without ruining it.
All the Small Things…
After collecting my jaw from the floor I began to thoroughly inspect all of the aspects of the model, and was dumfounded with what presented itself so proudly before me. It truly is a pleasure to see work of this level, and a genuine honour to have the opportunity to assemble the result of such fine craftsmanship, if not somewhat humbling. Small details like the cushion of the seat, the padding around the cockpit, and the stunningly complex engine are what elevates this model beyond every resin kit I have ever seen, and scream out for paint. Aspects like the texture of the wood grain covering the surfaces of most of the model, clearly illustrate the appropriateness of resin for subjects such as this. One can only surmise that the master was made from balsa and subsequently cast, the grain texture is so perfect. I couldn’t imagine any injection manufacturer being able to tackle this texture properly.
The story continues for the rest of the preliminary examination of the parts, with the customary “ooohs and aaaahs” surfacing upon the examination of parts like the coaming around the cockpit as every detail is present down to the stitching for the leather padding. The seat is another stunning rendition as the perfection of it makes it look very comfortable and if a scale person were to sit in it all they would need is the Sunday paper and a cup of tea.
The entire cockpit itself is a wonderfully detailed bit of modelling and crisply cast. Using a combination of resin, photo etched, and in the case of the ornately detailed seatbelts, paper.
There are five options available from the nicely printed decals and two frets of photo-etched details round out the contents of the box nicely. The etched is well rendered and one of my favourite parts is the engine cap with Austro Daimler written on it. A nice touch.
Things Can Only Get Better
As you can imagine I was well and truly on my way to model kit ecstasy at this point and it would take something pretty impressive to top what I had seen so far. Well how about trying out a completely new style of modelling to me?
The wings are pretty much a traditionally balsa model kit design, and will force me to attempt something that I have not done since I partially and poorly made the Guillows Bf.109 when I was 13. As I gently removed the framework from the box, laid it to one side and questioningly looked at the tissue paper in the bottom of the box, a fear crept over me as I wondered if I had the ability to pull this model off without seriously embarrassing myself. Then I realised something was missing.
Instructions. There were no instructions to be seen. Was I meant to know how to make the balsa framework already? I quickly looked on the box for a note saying “For extremely experienced modeller who knows exactly what they are doing, and can figure out how to make a model without any instructions” but couldn’t find it anywhere. At this point I noticed the CD in the box that I had immediately assumed to be some sort of reference item.
Incredible Instructions
Quickly sliding it into the disc drive, it was instantly obvious that this collection of PDF files were the key to the successful completion of this kit. I have to confess at being slightly disappointed at the prospect of making a model sitting in from of my computer for the first time, but as I scrolled through the pages I realised that a disc was the only logical method for Contact Resine to produce the instructions.
They are very thorough and extremely easy to follow. The photography is as good as any I have seen, and perfectly illustrate the steps needed to complete the model. Of particular help is the simple, and step by step layout to assembling the Balsa wings, clear and concise enough to inspire confidence in even the most inexperienced wood modeller like myself. Obviously a lot of patience and time will be required if I plan on doing the wings properly, but it will not be for lack of help from the instructions as just about every question I had about how to do it is answered in photographic and written explanation .
As they are presented in Adobe PDF format they can easily be printed for closer examination, or if you prefer to work from paper, and I myself will print off several of the pages where I think having something at hand to closely scrutinise will come in handy.
68 pages long there is no room for confusion after studying the instructions and to top things off the last 15-20 pages chronicle Marc Guererro’s and Rolland Michel’s stunning build in full colour from beginning to end and offer some extremely helpful insights and views into what parts should look like when done.
The Overall Story
I have to confess to being more than slightly intimidated when I examined the contents of the box at first, as a white fear gradually spread across me as I anguished over the uncertainty of my ability to make a decent model of this. The feeling continued as I examined all of the intricately detailed and superbly cast parts, but when I began to examine the instructions carefully, I realised that I was safely in the hands of professionals and am armed with everything I need to build this into a great model. If it goes horribly wrong it will not be the fault of Contact Resine, there will be no one to blame but myself.
Easily one of the best model kits I have ever had the pleasure of possessing, hands down. Granted, a very definitive and final statement, but I confidently stand by it as I have seen a lot of models, and been deeply impressed by plenty, but I have never seen anything with such a complete attention to detail, ambitiously incorporating all of the aspects of modelling that would best suit a certain area of the kit, and successfully pulling it off in one fantastic and exciting model kit. This kit will be immediately added to the cue of kits to be built and may even jump ahead of one or two plastic kits.
This kit is a limited availability model and with only 500 being produced to fulfill the entire planets demand for this model, I cannot imagine this kit being in stock for too long.
© Jay Laverty 2006
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This review was published on Saturday, July 02 2011; Last modified on Wednesday, May 18 2016