The limited-run kit specialist has provided one of World War Two’s rarer aircraft in the shape of Fieseler’s Fi 167, as CHRIS CLIFFORD explains.
Mostly overshadowed by Fieseler’s more famous Fi 156 Storch, the same firm’s Fi 167 is nonetheless fascinating and a worthy modelling subject. Just Pavla had, until now released a styrene1/72 version, but AZ Model has stepped in to offer an all-new 1/72 tooling of this torpedo-bomber/recce machine, whose fate was intertwined with German ship Graf Zeppelin.
The Fi 167 was conceived for use aboard the aforementioned aircraft carrier, but the latter’s failure to enter service meant the Fi 167 was relegated to trial work, before being passed to Balkans air arms. Besides two prototypes, just 12 pre-production airframes were constructed. Noting the interest factor of the type, AZ Model has issued four different 1/72 boxings featuring the same generic runners, but with different decals. Here, we inspect item 7845 ‘Over the Balkans’.
Above: Reasonably fine and consistent panel line engraving is evident and there’s a distinct lack of flash.
Above: Basic interior framing is moulded on the inner faces of the fuselage halves.
Above: A stepped cockpit floor (of mixed quality) is provided. Note how some runner attachments extend beyond the initial join, exemplified here by one of the seats (top-left).
AZ’s kit replicating the Fi 167A-0 comes via two grey styrene runners in traditional limited-run format, meaning there are no locating pins, but some part attachment gates extend to mating faces on components such as the wheel spats and fuselage halves. Despite these challenging traits, much of the detail is reasonably good, involving neat and finely engraved panel lines, plus delicate replication of partial fabric covering. In terms of interior detail, inner faces of the fuselage halves feature basic structural ribs and electrical boxes, while a separate, stepped cockpit floor is the foundation for two seats, an excellent pilot’s control column and a post-mounted defensive rear-cockpit machine gun, with a double-drum magazine unit. Also present are instrument panels with moulded features (but no accompanying decals). Nolte that the pilot’s panel is not moulded well, necessitating fine drill work to neaten the dials.
If you're a Luftwaffe fan, see our review of Eduard's new-tool Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2/F-4
Limited-run traits
Externally, the surface finish is par for the limited-run course, being slightly rough and blemished in places… but it’s nothing careful abrasive work and polishing can’t remedy. One piece upper and lower wings are supplied but, oddly, while the lower mainplane has corresponding holes for locating pins on the interplane struts, the underside of the upper wings features raised ‘pips’ rather than holes. Arguably, it’s best to remove these tiny protuberances, and drill your own locating holes.
The wheel spats come in halves, with the mainwheels moulded in situ, but even after you’ve removed the runner attachment stubs, the mating surfaces are not completely flat, so a modicum of sanding and filler will almost certainly come into play. Pleasingly, though, no flash is apparent on any parts… just slight heavy mould seams here and there. Finer detail is mixed in quality and execution. An example is the rather good rear machine-gun, which has an attempt as moulding holes in the cooling jacket. However, the exhaust units are patchy, the detail on one of these not being fully formed.
Above: While the rear instrument panel (right) is reasonable, that for the pilot is poor, requiring drill-bit work for neatening… or you could simply scratch-build a more sharply-rendered replacement.
Above: Subtle fabric replication is a high point of both wings, the upper mainplane being shown here.
Above: Wheels are moulded integrally with the spat halves.
Three individual propeller blades are evenly shaped, requiring just minor neatening to ensure sharp trailing edges and smooth surfaces. The type’s forward-firing machine-gun and attendant fairing are provided, along with a torpedo… although that’s not relevant for the three colour schemes represented. Worthy of mention if buying the Luftwaffe boxing (therefore employing said weapon) though, is that the tail fin on one half of the torp’ was not moulded completely on our sample. It does, however, have its own separate launch rack with separate shackles. One-piece cockpit glazing is present, this being open-ended to accommodate the machine-gun, and having prominent frame moulding.
Above: The separate propeller blades need just a little sanding to sharpen the trailing edges and smooth the leading edges.
Decals for three airframes are supplied; they are thin and well printed, the white portions seemingly having decent opacity. The subjects are:
• White 9, Yugoslavian Partisans, 1944
• 0553, Yugoslavian Air Force, 1946
• White 56, Romanian Air Force, 1944
The first airframe wears RLM 71 over RLM 65, with darker green mottle on the fuselage and spats. Overall grey covers the fuselage and wing upper surfaces of the second machine, while the Romanian example wears RLM 71 over 65, but with RLM 4 yellow wing panels and a fuselage band.
Above: Beware the moulding of the torpedo – ‘short-shot’, or possibly just broken on our sample.
Above: One-piece cockpit glazing is supplied… slightly thick but the frames are well defined.
Ultimately, no major manufacturer would consider tooling this Luftwaffe rarity, such types being the bread and butter of limited-run specialists. That brings its own challenges, but we should be thankful that at least one company has taken the plunge and produced this unusual machine. With care and attention, a decent replica will be the result… and it may be good enough to tempt you into purchasing the other boxings. These are labelled ‘Luftwaffe’ (7847), ‘Are Comming’ (7846) and ‘Croatian AF’ (7844. Each costs €16.95, being available from AZ Model direct via the Kovozávody Prostějov website (the two firms appear to operate in a partnership). In the UK the kits are at Hannants mail order.
