Roseplane 1/72
Farman F.40bis
Vacform & Resin Kit
$17.95

By Bob Pearson

Ever since the release of the FMP book 'French Aircraft of the First World War" we have been seeing more and more new kits of French WW1 aircraft. Coincidence? I think not!

A very welcome addition to the growing field of French aircraft is this vacform kit of the Farman F.40bis by the manufacturing side of Rosemont Hobbies.

Yet another in the Farman brothers stable of pusher designs the F.40bis was a modified F.40 fitted with a 160hp Renault engine instead of the standard 135hp Renault. Arriving at the front in 1916, it had been withdrawn from French service by 1917. However the Belgians continued to use their F.40bis into 1918.

Roseplane's Farman consists of a single sheet containing upper and lower wing, nacelle halves, tail surfaces and a jig for the tailboom and undercarriage to be constructed. Resin parts are very well moulded and consist of four wheels, propellor, Lewis gun, two seats, two side mounted radiators and an exhaust - the engine on the F.40bis was fully enclosed.

Documentation includes a three-view drawing of teh F.40bis as well as marking notes, however no decals are included. Interior details will have to be scratchbuilt and the manufacturer admits that this area is one that they could stand to use more information on, but they do provide drawings for what they know of inside the nacelle.

All-in-all the Farman F.40bis will be a unique addition to any modeler's collection. So Barry, what about a Breguet V next?