Reviews : Roden Gotha G.IV

The Roden Gotha IV is undoubtedly one of the most complex kits I have ever assembled. The plastic is rather soft and has a huge number of small parts. The best thing about this kit is the level of detail. You get a really complete kit with detailed cockpits, bomb area and gunners positions. Also well detailed are the engines and the landing gear. This kit is definitely not for the newbie to WWI modeling as there are a plethora of struts and braces. The connection of the lower wing to the upper wing, as well as to the engines and the fuselage, using very slender and fragile struts that are easy to break and very difficult to position at the correct angle, it was to me, a really frustrating task, just remembering it gives me nightmares; that is the most difficult part of the kit. And then there is a comprehensive, but daunting, rigging diagram provided that will keep masochists happy for hours. The kit instructions are not very clear in several steps, which adds difficulty to the construction. What it does bring is very well-explained diagrams for six different models, along with very colorful, accurate, and complete decals. The kit has great potential thanks to its details, but it requires patience, perseverance, a delicate touch, and a lot of passion for this hobby. The reward, in my case, is having a very satisfying representation of this beautiful German bomber.

Some parts fit exceptionally, others well. Average trim, fit, sand required. Molding plates must be nearly new as there was no flashing or over-flow.