McCudden SE5a Conversion Set - True Details

[Fran]

1:32 True Details McCudden SE5a Conversion Set - TD32507

$14.99 – available on-line on Squadron.com

 

 

          This small set is to convert the Wingnut Wings SE 5a 'Hisso' kit (32003) to British ace James McCudden's B 4863.

          Some History about this Gentleman:

James McCudden was one of the most successful fighter aces of World War One. McCudden is credited with being seventh on the list of all fighter pilots in terms of the number of ‘kills’ he made. As with so many of the fighter aces of World War One, McCudden died young. By the time of his death he was also a very highly decorated pilot.

James McCudden was born on March 28^th 1895 into a military family. His father had served as a sergeant major in the British Army and it was not a surprise when McCudden joined the Royal Engineers in 1910. In 1913, trained as a mechanic, he transferred to the newly formed Royal Flying Corps. In August 1914 at the start of the war he went to France. Here he was allowed to fly as an observer. The RFC had a more passive role at the start of World War One with reconnaissance and intelligence gathering being its primary task. In January 1916, McCudden returned to England to learn how to fly and he was awarded his wings in April 1916. He returned to France as a sergeant and in September 1916 made his first ‘kill’.

 

Such was his reputation that McCudden was awarded a commission in 1917 as well as being awarded a Military Medal (for his work as a non-commissioned rank) and a Military Cross (as an officer) in the same year.

 

McCudden gained a reputation for being a highly skilled pilot who put a great deal of thought into his tactics. He was also well respected by younger and less experienced pilots, as he was known to protect the young men under his command while in flight and combat.

 

His success against the Germans and his overall leadership qualities were recognised when he was awarded the Victoria Cross in April 1918. His citation for the Victoria Cross reads:

 

For most conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance, and a very high devotion to duty. Captain McCudden has at the present time accounted for 54 enemy aeroplanes. Of these, 42 have been destroyed, 19 of them on our side of the lines. Only 12 out of the 54 have been driven down out of control. On two occasions, he had totally destroyed 4 two-seater enemy aeroplanes on the same day, and on the last occasion all 4 machines were destroyed in the space of one hour and thirty minutes. While in his present squadron, he has participated in 78 offensive patrols, and in nearly every case has been the leader. On at least 30 occasions, whilst with the same squadron, he has crossed the lines alone, either in pursuit or in quest of enemy aeroplanes. The following incidents are examples of the work he has done recently: on 23 December 1917, when leading his patrol, 8 enemy aeroplanes were attacked between 1430/1550 and of these 2 were shot down by Captain McCudden in our lines; on the morning of the same day, he left the ground at 1050 and encountered 4 enemy aeroplanes and of these he shot 2 down; on 30 January 1918, he, single-handed, attacked 5 enemy scouts, as a result of which 2 were destroyed. On this occasion, he only returned home when the enemy scouts had been driven far east; his Lewis gun ammunition was all finished and the belt of his Vickers gun had broken. As a patrol leader he has at all times shown the utmost gallantry and skill, not only in the manner in which he has attacked and destroyed the enemy, but in the way he has, during several aerial fights, protected the newer members of his flight, thus keeping down their casualties to a minimum. This officer is considered, by the record he has made, by his fearlessness, and by the great service which he has rendered to his country, deserving of the very highest honour.

 

McCudden died in a flying accident and not in combat. On July 9^th 1918, his aeroplane suffered engine failure after taking off and he was killed in the accident.

 

Major James McCudden was credited with 57 in World War One. His final tally of medals also included a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a bar to his Military Cross. Combined with his VC and MM, McCudden was one of the most decorated combatants of World War One. (courtesy of http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/james_mccudden.htm)

 

Returning for our detail set, it includes replacement fuselage decking, short exhaust stacks, standing McCudden figure (in a total of 11 resin parts) and aircraft specific decals.

As the theme of this conversion is Captain James Byford McCudden, it is quite appropriate that Squadron have included a resin figure of the man himself. It is also in 1:32 scale and was sculptured by Bill Chilstrom.

This figure it`s just a re-release of the figure that was in the SE.5 of Encore Kit No. EC32002 (RAF S.E.5a “McCudden”)

Fuselage decking and exhaust stacks represents the real conversion set and it`s only 3 parts.

However they are quite nice with a good cast quality and exquisite detail.

 

 

 

The fuselage decking has the same size and detail than the kit part D9, so the conversion is simple as it is. There is no interior bracing detail as the WNW kit, but it is rather unnoticed once buttoned up, or it could be simulated with paint or plastic strips for those real want to.

 

 

The same with exhaust no representing any difficulty.

 

 

 

 

The other 8 parts are to the standing McCudden figure.

 

 

 

 

 

The casting is quite good, with attention to detail.

I personally like very much the look on the face… I believe it´s very well achieve as you can see by the photo of McCudden himself.

The small decal sheet comes courtesy of AeroMaster and these are printed by Cartograf of Italy.

The registration was very good with the minimal carrier film being kept as thin as possible.

 

 

 

The instructions are a single one-side A4 sheet with the assembly instructions (nothing more the replacements parts) marking guide and painting guide of McCudden.

 

 In conclusion, it`s a very simple and effective conversion, with a nice figure of McCudden to put along with the Hisso at a nice price.

Detail set courtesy of my wallet.

            Highly recommended to all fans of McCudden or simply who wants a different and famous Hisso.

(You can buy it directly here.)

 

Cheers

Francisco

[swapilot]

Thanks for the update, it looks like a nice yet simple conversion.

[James H]

That's a real interesting conversion. I might be tempted by this one. 

 

Thanks for a great review too! 

[JonathanReed]

Hmmm.  Have the Hisso and may get this.  Thank you for the info!

[Fran]

Hmmm.  Have the Hisso and may get this.  Thank you for the info!

 You welcome Jonathan!! It`s a great little conversion!