Small Scale Military Headquarters

I was so pleased with three 1:30th scale polystone tanks that John Jenkins Designs put out, plus glowing reports about this company's WW1 fighter replicas, that I bought its 1:30th scale depiction of a Spanish Civil War I-16 and a BF-109E from the same conflict. I must say that I was a bit disappointed. I wont go into minute detail so the main points with the I-16 were amateurish attempts at staining and chipping, plus minimal detail in the cockpit and, in the case of the BF-109E, a bulky and not very convincing canopy, which gives the model an odd look. Here's a picture of the I-16 in its original form. As can be seen, the staining is heavy in some places and shouldn't be there in others ( they must have thought that the pitot head was a canon and added muzzle blast stains ):

Here's the same model from above. Here, you can see the crude chipping, with few of the irregular features and ragged edges you expect to see and many areas that should have chipping ----wing roots, engine cowl, Prop and spinner, etc. -----lacking it entirely;

Naturally, I have reworked the model, revising the stains and chipping on a somewhat subjective basis, to give a more realistic look. Here is the model as it appears today from the same angles. First, an upper/side view:

And a topside shot:

As for the BF-109E, I think that this picture says it all:

Despite my criticisms, I'm pretty well satisfied with my I-16 and can live with the BF-109. However, I'm not likely to buy any more 1:30th scale WW2 warbird models from the polystone folks---and there are more and more of these popping up from K&C, Figarti, etc. every day----until I'm satisfied that they are up to snuff, quality-wise.

Ed:

You make some very interesting observations about the John Jenkins Designs aircraft models.

I used to collect the WWI series but do not anymore and actually sold them off. While some of the details and the uniqueness of having WWI aircraft in a large scale was very appealing, some of the other details left a lot to be desired. The lack of rolling wheels and the use of fishing line for rigging was very surprising for a model that is so expensive. I also found the lack of a pilot for the cockpit to be a bit of a travesty given the models cost so much.

But for me, the most disappointing part of these pieces was surprisingly bad quality control on models at such a premium price range. Two of the Albatros models I got had to be returned because of broken rigging wires. A Sopwith Camel I had purchased had the rigging not hooked into the notch on the flap and only very careful care by me got it back into place. On two other models, the decals used for the markings were in one case applied unevenly and in the other flaked off. I spent more time returning the models then I did enjoying them in my collection.

They are nice pieces but the little issues they have don't justify their cost, in my opinion. I had been considering the I-16 and 109 but given what you have shown, think I will pass and save my money for other things

Corey

I failed to mention some of the more detailed criticisms, like omission of the hydraulic cables that pull the landing gear into the retracted position on the I-16, or the lack of shell casing ejection ports on both models, since this is almost like piling on. I guess that some of the niche manufacturers, once they get started, begin to get sloppy and fail to invest in small, but noticeable, details that separate OK models from great ones. Let's hope that JJD recognizes this and takes appropriate action.

Very very nice re-worked of the I-16. I myself also collect figures and fighting vehicles in 1:30 but only bought one polystone plane from Thomas Gunn (FW-190 which is a excellent model). I agree with you that most of the 1:30 planes don't have enough detail and/or accurate enough to justify the high price. That's why I prefier to build model planes in smaller scale (1:48) instead.

Greetings

Have to agree that for the price, the polystone planes are not accurate and have not enough detail. I was going to collect them but was overall very disappointed with them. A much better bet to buy 1/32 Corgi which have more detail.

Corey