Luedemann resin 1/72 Lohner D.I (10.20) prototype

The Plane

Sometimes an airplane becames very popular not because of its quality or effectivenes, but just because it 'looks funny'. One of those funny planes is the famous German DFW Floh (Flea) experimental fighter, and another - its lesser known Austrian cousin, Lohner D.I (10.20) prototype. Designed in Autumn 1916, powered with quite strong 160 h.p. engine, this airplane was very small - with span 6.55m and length 4,70. From the first moment of testing, the Austrian Flea proved to be an almost hopeless flyer. Even with a lengthened fuselage, redesignated wing cellule and new rudder and fin, the design was unsuccessful and was soon abandoned. But - after 80 years it still looks cool, especially since the Lohner factory painted it with a high gloss light blue colour!

The kit

As usual for Luedemann, the kit contains only resin parts and basic xeroxed instruction sheet, packed in transparent plastic bag. No decals.

Resin parts are very nicely moulded in ivory-coloured resin and contain virtually no visible airbubbles (there is a one in undercarriage leg), and surface detailing is very good. Wings have very subtle ribs and nice leading edges. Trailing edges are decently sharp, but doesn't follow the authentic airfoil.

The fuselage is very well detailed on the exterior surfaces, but has no interior - it's a one-piece "full resin block" with a shallow hole in the cockpit area. Modeler can only install a seat, or will need to hollow the fuselage with motor tool (or other way) and scratchbuilt the interior details. There is also a nice surprise - alternate, longer rear part of the fuselage, which can replace the original one (some surgery needed).

The rest of parts are undercarriage, tailplane, two different rudders (one with fin), two different radiators and of course propeller. There are also two wheels, but I've lost them somewhere in my kit stash, so you can't see them on the photos.

Conclusion

Thanks to simplicity of the construction, this well moulded kit can be one of the first resins built by only a slightly advanced modeller. All four wings should be attached directly to the fuselage (no cabane struts), basic version has only two flat wingstruts, and the engine is fully covered, so there is no need to fight with its details. On the other hand, quality and accuracy (I checked in AH FMP book) is good enough for the most serious and demanding builder. Finally, it is very cool looking and original airplane, and even if you have tens of Fokkers and Nieuports in your collection, it is very possible, that you don't have this little blue bird, and you will want to get it!