Through this thin issue, which is well - illustrated with photographs, the author shares his passion for aircraft kits ( 1/3 and 1/4 scales ).

In order to build a beautiful scale model, there is nothing new to invent, but you only have to make the most faithful replica of the real plane. I discovered this simple truth when I built my first Fieseler Storch which had a welded steel tubing fuselage like the real one. The final result was simply astonishing !

 

Thanks to this type of skeletal structure which one can admire looking through the cabin glazing and can also be guessed under the skin of fabric covering, the model looks extremely realistic. You are not in front of the same old big scale model, but of a real, true - to - scale aircraft. These aircraft ( I apologise, but I really can’t call them simply ’ models ’ ) are not only a pleasure to the eye, but their flight characteristics are incredibly similar to those of the real ones. I obtained these results thanks to the large scales adopted and through a rigorous and respectful work on the original plans and airfoils. But there is more : unlike what one could imagine, these stainless steel structures are not only extremely strong, but also very light, much lighter than their traditional balsa / ply counterparts.

 

( ... ) In my kits nothing is left to chance and every modeler can finish the work making his own unique masterpiece, a wonderful replica which can withstand a lot of abuse and even the hardest landings. Anyway, small repairs and servicing are simple and straightforward. The operational life of these small aircraft is bound to be similar to that of their beautifully preserved full - size brothers who are still flying today after so many years and are still giving wonderful emotions and great satisfactions to their owners.

 

Paolo Severin