SRAM 1/144 Gotha G.IV By Bob Pearson

During WW1 the name Gotha inspired fear to the civilian population of Britain, so much so that two veteran fighter squadrons were ordered to return to England in a dubious attempt to intercept the incoming bombers. This first 'Battle of Britain' was fought on the German side by AEG, Friedrichshafen and Gotha bombers, but it was the latter that formed the bulk of the forces as well as most in the mind of those on the receiving end.

SRAM has added to their ever growing line of 1/144 kits with this representation of the feared Gotha G.IV. Like their earlier releases the Gotha is cast in a tan resin and has finely engraved panel lines.

The fuselage has the infamous gun tunnel as well as the forward section is open. Interior detail is limited to seats. All other interior details will need to be scratchbuilt, and since the interior is totally visible, some sort of detail should be added here. The fuselage walls are commendably thin.

The wings are in six pieces - two upper wings and four lower. Instead of a single panel per side for the lower wing, it is split at the engine and has a small inboard portion that connects the engine nacelle to the fuselage. The wing ribs are engraved, but at this size it is very difficult to tell that they are not raised, so I forsee no problem on that account.Tail surfaces are the same as the wings.

Other details include seats, upperwing fuel tanks, bombs, wheels, propellor, Parabellum machine guns with separate ammo drum, gunring. No struts are supplied, however SRAM usually supplies small wire for this, and I probably lost it in the last couple of weeks.

Decals are provided for two aircraft: the snake-marked 602/16 of and 604/16 of KAGOHL III (seen on the boxtop). Instructions are limited to a three view drawing.

Conclusion

As with the previous SRAM kits I have seen in this scale I have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone wanting a change from the usual 72 vs. 48 scale wars. The only downside is also their selling point - their size. At this scale rigging will be very interesting to attempt and my hat is off to any who attempt it.

Thanks to Lubos Vinar of Hobbyshop.cz for the review sample