Reviews : Academy SPAD XIII WWI RAF

This is a great beginners kit. There are better kits with more detail and decal options for the experienced modeler. I am not an experienced modeler. I find myself exploring a hobby I haven't done since I was a child. I see the great models some guys do and want to build kits like that, but I was just as clumsy at building it as I thought I would be. I received one of these for Christmas and I wasn't satisfied with my work, i.e. I made a lot of mistakes, but this kit is only a bit over $4 so I bought another one. All of the advanced techniques you use on expensive kits can be applied to this kit, it is nicely detailed, or so I think. These are great kits to learn on, even experienced modelers can use these kits to practice new techniques upon. For us newbies, there are painting techniques to master, there are decals to be applied, you can add your own rigging, you have work with small parts (my fingers are clumsy and I need the practice), and even have fit issues that will require you to step up and problem solve. All of these things are standard procedure for plastic models. I say practice on this kit and if you screw it up, so what? As for the plane the kit represents, it is a Spad XIII, a French built fighter noted for its ruggedness and speed. The decals show the markings of the 103rd Aero Squadron, which absorbed the pilots of the famous Escadrille de Lafayette (Lafayette Squandron) of the French Air Service, which were American volunteers flying for France, but who transferred to American service when the US entered the war. I don't know which pilot this plane belonged to, but a Spad VII with these markings appeared in a French newspaper article during the war. The 103rd replaced their Spad VIIs with Spad XIIIsand the pilots seemed to have kept their personal symbols pretty much intact on their new planes, but I was not able to verify a Spad XIII with these markings (only a Spad VII), but I was okay with that since I saw evidence of other pilots transferring their personal insignia over to their new planes. The insignia of the Escadrille Lafayette that came with them over to American service was and Indian chief in a war bonnet. It is not shown on the box, but there swastika decals as well, which despite their association with Nazi Germany, are ancient symbols used all over the world such as India, China, Japan, the Nordic countries, and even by Native Americans and American military units and It is still in use by religions in the Far East. Since there weren't any Nazis in WWI, it shouldn't be a problem if you are sensitive to their use, however if you chose to leave off these decals the model would still be accurate for this squadron.

This is hardly the best SPAD kit on the market (If you're looking for a high level of detail, buy the superb Eduard kit), but it is adequate if you're looking for a relatively straightforward biplane build. Detail is limited, with no cockpit interior, and vague bazooka-like shapes instead of the front machine guns. However, some of the surface detail is reasonably crisp, and the fit of most parts is good. The struts fit into large grooves on the wings, so alignment is easier. One word of advice: attach all of the struts to the bottom wing and fuselage first, instead of the top wing, and you will get a better fit. Decals are OK, not as thick as some other Academy releases. There is no marking information provided, but the aircraft appears to be from an American volunteer unit fighting for France on the Western front (not the RAF). Therefore, you would need 5 colors to paint the French camouflage: a dark green, a pale green, dark/chocolate brown, tan/beige, and a light blue (I used RLM 78 for the undersides). The SPAD kit is better than the ancient Revell release (which is horribly off in terms of dimensions), but much less detailed than the Eduard version. Considering the Eduard release costs more than 3x as much, the Academy is not a bad buy. I used mine to learn rigging and how to paint faux woodgrain. For $4, it was worth it.

I recently did a Stopwith Camel , it did have some problems with the decals really not wanting to stick on plus the clear line. But other wise the Stopwith Camel was a decent model. When I was first making the model their were gaps, by the engine and were the machine guns would go on. The Wooden spars were the worst to get on the middle and farthest to the cockpit were easy to get on but the ones in the center didn't even fit in size sadly which that was a problem. The wings were hard to get on. As I said about the decals they had a clear yet visible line. When I was trying to get them on they weren't even sticking due to the surface of the model being metallic like parts (By that the structure of them) I wouldn't recommend this to beginner models but if you are more of an experienced model maker I would. Furthermore the price wasn't that bad but for it being difficult abit Its a good price though.

It's not an excuse, but this Nieuport WWI kit, is really small, and also, this one is really cheap to buy, taking in account all that, it's a nice model. Easy to build, and as it has very few parts, you can do it fast. The molding is OK, but some sanding needed. The decals in general are fine, but the big ones are a little transparent, so when placed over a dark scheme of paint, it shows a little, that there are different colors in the background. The model is a rather weak one, so be carefull when placing the strings. The model finished looks very fine, except for the decals issue.

Academy makes very nice models! The panel lines are crisp and the parts fit together well. I would make 2 suggestions: 1st, I would make the writing in the directions....Bigger , LOL. These old eyes are not what they used to be. 2nd, Remove the alignment pins on the fuselage sides, sand them flat and then glue the halves together. The alignment pins are slightly off and it will create a high and low side on the fuselage. At any rate the overall fit of the kit parts is perfect. This will build up into a nicely detailed model. The price is VERY reasonable as well. Enjoy!

In my opinion one of the most handsome fighters of WWI. I also really like the association to American Ace Frank Luke jr. who shot down 18 balloons or planes in 17 days in his service in the skies over Europe. Crash landing he refused to be captured and shot it out with the enemy being mortally wounded. This 20+ piecer is simple and easy. It goes together without any fuss and I thought looked great on completion.

Not very many parts to this model. Most fit together fairly well. The decals looked great, but didn't go on well. Some were over-sized and needed to be trimmed and others just would not conform to the body, even with several applications of micro sol and micro set. The painting guide could have been a bit more descriptive, but it all worked out. Well worth the price though. It was a fun build.

I hate this kit it was a pain to cement together. The parts that hold the top wing on would not stay in place and cement properly because there wasn't a snug fit. Several of the parts broke when I tried to remove them from the sprue and some of the other parts didn't fit well either. Never buying academy plastic models again.

I got this little plane because the price was right and the connection to Eddie Rickenbacker. I enjoyed putting it together and painting it and was surprised by how sturdy it felt once assembled. Take your time, run the rigging cable and you will be pleased. It is one of my favorites.

Parts on this one fit perfectly, happily surprised. The fit on this small model inspire me to look for more Academy 1/72 WWI models to make one long display under a glass or plastic case to showcase the many planes and progression to better performing planes in WWI.

good kit for the money... fit well with minimal sanding... good thing is its tiny so any detail is a lot of detail... bad thing is decals are horrible... need need need decal softener... wish i would have none how many pieces were in the box...

Model is a little basic. But, what do you expect for $5. I used to build these things as a kid about 50 years ago. This will be my first since then. The model is 100% gray plastic. I need to go get some more paint before starting.

Instructions were clear, there was no flash and no fit issues. Parts are very small, and not recommended for the first time modeler. It is a small, low parts count kit, good to practice skills on, but not so for super detailing.

Only one drawback to this kit. It states that it is 1:72 scale. It is actually much smaller. More like 1:110. Otherwise it has good detail and instuctions. Have your tweezers handy and use as little glue as possible.

Not a big model, small and not a lot of detail. It was an easy build, wish there was a pilot and better cockpit but it's a start to my WW1 plane collection.

Fun small scale biplane from by-gone era to build. Chaulk full of historic ideals of grass runways and early aviation combat.

Can. Or wait till these are back in stock. Needed for a WWI diorama, except for rigging, this was a fun build.

A good easy start to building biplanes. The parts go together easy and art sturdy for the size.

Well known WWI airplane to display. Small scale 1/72. Nice to display on a small space.

Perfect fit. Everything fit together nicely . Not best I got but close.