Gotha

Gotha G.IV, 1/72 scale vacuform by RAREPLANES VACUFORMS.

After ceasing Zeppelin operations in 1916, Germany instituted the first strategic bomber attacks on British cities. From May 1917 to August 1918 mass flights were made, mostly at night from bases in Belgium. Operations were finally switched to the Western Front where the Gothas flew short tactical missions to back up German offensive thrusts. 230 G.IV aircraft were built. This model represents a G.IV (possibly of Kaghol 3) serial 'K' 604/16, based near Ghent, Belgium during 1917.

This kit was first produced in 1983 by Gordon Stevens and was a basic vacuform kit, containing no decals or metal parts. Either the G.IV or G.V could be built. The fuselage decals are handpainted and the guns are from an Airfix kit. A metal pack is now available from Aeroclub Models that includes engines, props and wheels. The kit now supplies these metal parts. The wings are single thickness and have not sagged in over 15 years.

V.L.E. Models 1/72 scale Vacuform/Resin/White metal

"Since the Gotha G.I had been originally conceived as a civil floatplane, Ursinus was in a good position to propose a similar version to the German navy. On 14 April 1915, only two weeks after the first order for G.I Kampfflugzeuge was received, the navy ordered one Gotha UWD floatplane (Ursinus Wasser Doppeldecker). It was assigned marine number 120. The navy command had an interest in long-range aircraft for scouting and torpedo carrying purposes which only could be performed by twin-engined seaplanes.

It was accepted for service on 6 February 1916. The UWD was reportedly easy to fly, took off with full load with the merest amount of elevator, came down lightly and landed smoothly. The view from the cockpit over and between the wings was reported as satisfactory." (Windsock Datafile 83, pages 13, 14)

This is a very ambitious undertaking by VLE and this is not an easy kit to build. Thicker card stock should be used to give the long wings some stability. Extreme care must be used when attaching the floats to the lower wing. The VLE instruction sheet is very complete but it is highly recommended that the above Datafile be used as it gives very clear locations of the float strut arrangement as well as the other small details. Model Master paints were used throughout. The kit includes decals. To me this was a must build kit but be prepared to put in a major building effort to bring it to completion.

Sierra Scale Models Kit no. 72-15 Gotha WD-7 1/72nd scale

The Gotha WD-7 was the first twin engined seaplane ordered in quantity by the German Navy although only eight were completed. The prototype flew in 1915 and was allocated the marine number 119, the small production batch being numbered 670-676. The WD-7 was mainly employed as a trainer for later twin-engined torpedo bombers. German pilots did not like the big twins for torpedo work as they were slow, cumbersome and offered perfect targets for defending gunners. Eventually, the big twins in the North Sea and Baltic were used for general maritime reconnaissance work whilst some were employed as minelayers. (Windsock International, Volume 13, No. 5 Sept/Oct 1997, page 21)

This is my first Sierra Scale Models kit and I was very pleased with the results. There are no decals and the engines and guns were resin. These were replaced with Aeroclub engines, gun and props. I used the double thickness wings and was not happy with the way they turned out. The interior is scratchbuilt using various parts from here and there. The gunner's windscreen is a piece of clear plastic bent and trimmed until it fit and it was attached with white glue. The paints were Model Master French Light Blue Gray for the wings, tail and fuselage. Dark Ghost Gray was used for engine nacelles, pontoons and struts. Americal decals were used for the numbers and national markings.

A special thanks to John Freeman for giving me the kit, Brad and Merville for a huge supply of photos and other information and Joel Christy for his help and excellent scratchbuilt WD-7 in Windsock Vol. 4, July/Aug 2000 pages 20 and 21.

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