Roden 1/32nd Scale Triplane Cowling

Trackpad · 8 April 2006, 08:19 AM

Roden has been criticized for the cowling in their 1/32nd Fokker triplane: no surface detail at all, looks vacuformed, lacks the rivetted front plate, and so on. At least one aftermarket manufacturer now provides "the real" cowling. However, I have recently seen a magazine comment that indicates that Fokker did, in fact, use this type of cowling, along with two other types: what I would call the "standard, recognised" type, and a horseshoe-shaped model. There may have been yet another type, with larger, modified cooling holes, although this might have been a field modification. Does anyone have any information on the accuracy of this magazine statement? If so, is there any further information as to when the various types were used? Thanks!

Troy Raines · 8 April 2006, 08:59 AM

The larger cooling holes I know can be seen in photos of Jasta 14 triplanes, field modification most likely as you said. The horseshoe type cowling I believe springs from photos of a captured example in French hands. They had fitted a Nieuport 11 type cowling, my guess the original cowling was damaged. I personally cannot remember having seen the horseshoe type cowling anywhere else although I have a vague memory of perhaps a re-engined training machine having one? I have read that the hole diameter for the prop shaft varied in production models but have no exact details. Other than the F.I type cowling I don't know of any other cowling variations. We're in the right place to find out.

Trackpad · 10 April 2006, 04:28 PM

Thanks for the response. Maybe we will get the definitive answer soon. I am fairly sure that the aftermarket cowling is pretty close to the standard (sure hope so, having bought one!). And I have only seen the one reference saying that the Roden offering could be one other model of cowling fitted. And I thought there was only one type used. (Sigh). Gotta love this hobby! Cheers!

Troy Raines · 10 April 2006, 06:56 PM

Someone has posted a thread elsewhere on this forum with pictures from Cutting Edge aftermarket kits for the Tripe. If that is where you got your cowling you will be fine. They were nice IMHO. Have fun building, sir.