Tom's Modelworks 1/48 Pfalz D.VIII By Tom Cleaver

Overview

Back in the 80s, Tom Harrison (Tom's Modelworks) was known for producing a series of really first-rate vacuforms of 1/48 World War I aircraft, most of which I built. Then in the 90s, the airplanes showed up in some pretty indifferent resin castings, the vacuforms became difficult to find, and Tom's Modelworks became known for a very good series of cast-resin ships. I always wondered what happened to those good models.

What happened was Tom sold off the airplanes to someone who wanted to do cast-resin, and signed a non-competition clause. He then went into ships and made the reputation he has today.

The non-competition clause has now run its course, and Tom's Modelworks will become known for more 1/48 cast-resin World War I aircraft. The first one up is the little-known Pfalz D.VIII, a contemporary of the Siemens-Schukert D.IV, and it looks to restore the reputation Tom had with World War I modelers.

The Kit

This is a simple kit with only seven resin parts: fuselage halves, upper wing, left and right lower wings, vertical and horizontal stablilizers. The cowling, propeller, machine guns, struts and wheels are done in white metal, and there is a nice photo-etch fret of machine gun jackets, and cockpit detail. National insignia are provided, but the modeler will need to provide their own 5-color lozenge for the wings.

The upper wing on our review copy was warped, but a quick dunking in hot water restored it to its proper shape. All other parts look to fit well and the quality of castings, both resin and white metal, are excellent.

Tom has told me about future plans for aircraft, and he had this World War One fan salivating at the prospect. At present, all I can say is they are well-known aircraft of the war that modelers have cried for in the past. These will be available after the first of the year, and you can look forward to further announcements of this line of kits here in Internet Modeler.