Tom's Modelworks Halberstadt CL.IV in 1/48 resin...any good?

Grapeape · 25 October 2005, 04:23 PM

Hi all,

I've noticed that Meteor Productions is still selling (or else found a stash of unsold kits of!) the old Tom's Modelworks resin 1/48 scale Halberstadt CL.IV - I was just wondering what your educated opinions on this kit are (decal options, interior detail, resin casting quality, etc...) - and much appreciate any input, because I cannot find a review of this kit ANYWHERE online

Thanks,

Ben
gorilla@nycap.rr.com

buzz1941 · 25 October 2005, 04:35 PM

Tom's Modellwerke kits take some extra effort, being garage kits, but they're accurate and build up into nice replicas. They generally come with metal and brass parts. I'm building Tom's ancient vacform of the Hannover, and it isn't any more difficult than wrestling with the old Eduard kit and looks better.

Also working on Tom's Modellwerke "clinker" fuselage kit of the Roland D.VIb, and it's REALLY nice.

StephenLawson · 26 October 2005, 02:25 AM

Greetings Grapeape;

Thomas Wictor of Calif. did the Tom's Modelworks kit for Challenge pub. so years ago. Wait here while I run down stairs to the dungeon....

StephenLawson · 26 October 2005, 02:43 AM

Ok I'm back whew! Scale Models December 1993 he used both of the early Tom's Modelworks 1/48 Vacuform kits for the CL. II & IV ... Since these were the basis of the resin kits it is a reasonable asumption that they'll turn out well. I have the resin CL. IV kit too and plan on doing in the future. I'll crack the box in a day or two and give you a quick review. It will help me to familarize myself with the kit and write up a tenative plan for the build.

Tripehound · 26 October 2005, 07:00 AM

Overall the kit is fairly good, and should make a good model. It is supposed to depict the longer Roland-built version. The leading edges of the wings are a bit blunt but can be sanded. Rib detail is good. There's almost no detail on the fuselage, both inside and out. White metal parts: engine, landing gear, and gun ring are very good; prop is OK; seat too small. Struts are Contrail stock except the metal "V" cabane. Metal guns are poor. Minimal decals appear to be good, with a good manufacturer's mark: HalbCL.IV(Rol)9440/18. Copper State Models has a PE fret for it, and I advise getting it. Mine is under (slow) construction.

Tripehound · 26 October 2005, 07:46 AM

Oops... I think the thing comes with its own brass PE. The one I bought from CSM went into my Blue Max CL.II kit. Maybe Mister Lawson can check his kit.

RAGIII · 26 October 2005, 09:57 AM

My kit not only has Blunt leading edges but a large "Lump" or Hump in the upper wing. Rib detail will be destroyed if I ever decide to fix the problems.The kit does come with photo etched details.
RAGIII

buzz1941 · 26 October 2005, 12:09 PM

I'm out here in the left end of nowhere, and my kits are at home, but what I remember most about the Tom's Halberstadt kits is that the tail surfaces were correctly sized, while the Datafile drawings were incorrect.

Grapeape · 27 October 2005, 05:11 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies! Looking forward to the kit review, but it generally sounds like with a little bit of interior scratchbuilding and detail work, a nice model can result

Besides, there's NO other good 1/48 scale Halberstadt Cl.IV anyways, right? I've heard that the (apparently VERY short run) Copper State Cl.IV kit was a complete dog, and that's the only other 1/48 scale kit I;m aware of.

Now, in 1/72 scale, the Ardpol resin kit is a REAL beauty!