Profimodeller Fieseler Fi103 V1 Transport Trolley

[JeroenPeters]

1:32 Transport Trolley for Fieseler FI-103 (V1)

Profimodeller

 

Catalogue # 32280

 

Available from Profimodeller for $36,60

 

 

Introduction

Recently I reviewed the full V1 kit by Profimodeller. A sweet, well researched multimedia (resin and photo-etc) kit for the price of 55 euros. Today I’m taking a look at the complimentary trolley. Profimodeller calls it a transport trolley on the box and in a sense it is, but the more appropriate name is loading trolley. The germans called it ‘Zubringerwagen’, which means something along those lines.

 

It was quite a challenge to find good reference on this trolley, because not a lot are left (or maybe none at all!). The Transport or Loading trolley was a two-stage construction that transports the V1 to the launching site and then delivers the V1 to the launching ramp via the smaller upper cart that sits as a leech on the trolley. See the two schematic drawings below for clarification (somewhat

 

 

 

 

And here are some photo's of the real thing:

 

 

 

I’ve found a scan of the V1 instruction manual which has one chapter dedicated to the transport and loading of the V1. The drawings of these steps are shown here. The quality of the scan is a bit shady, but it gives an idea of the complicated details the upper cart had.

 

 

This lead me to a 3D model on Shapeways in 1/16^th scale that is actually quite nicely done. It does appear to be s lightly different version of the trolley than the Profimodeller one, since the Profimodeller version does not feature the loading winches and the push beams for the ground crew.

 

The 3D version on Shapeways:

 

 

As I’ve found several photo’s showing differences in almost every single one of them, it seems as if there was no definite standard, OR changes were made so fast for improvement that it’s hard to say what’s right or wrong.

 

We’ve seen Tamiya offer one of these in simplified shape in 48^th scale (see photo below). And we’ve seen a transport cart (that looks like the upper part of the transport trolley) done by Bronco in 35^th scale. But if you look at the photo references I’ve been able to find, you’ll see that the construction is actually quite intricate. Springs, couplings and cross bracings. Much like the towing cart Profimodeller also offers. A review of that super detailed and model engineering marvel can be found here (scroll down).

 

The very much simplified Tamiya version:

 

 

The kit

The materials Profimodeller uses for their sets are not always the most obvious and can certainly surprise. As does this kit. When opening the box three bags show different materials.

 

 

One bag of your standard yellow resin. One bag filled with metal springs. And one bag filled with some sort of black resin that I have only seen in their arsenal. It’s a stiff, crisp and shape steady material that is often used by Profimodeller for important parts that need to carry a bit of weight. The parts that are cast in this material are the main frames, main wheels, several cross beams and hand holds for the ground crew. Another smaller bag inside the bag with black resin, holds a handful of small eye-lets from the same material. It’s difficult to guess what their use is. To tie down tarps? To attach extra pulling ropes? Lord knows.

 

Black resin (?):

 

 

Main frame:

 

 

One of the main wheels:

 

 

Wheels of the small cart:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The yellow resin provides the U-shaped beams (which are all straight thank god), the body for the smaller cart, winch installations, parts for the chassis and the two long pulling handles on either side of the trolley.

 

 

Yellow resin:

 

 

The body of the small cart:

 

 

 

 

One of the 18 U-beams:

 

 

Pulling bar:

 

 

 

 

The metal springs that are in bag #3 can be seen in the drawing and are pushed down by the upper loading cart.

 

 

When we take a look at the instructions, it becomes clear the this kit calls for:

• a clean bench!

• a steady hand

• a ruler

• and patience

 

 

The instructions:

 

 

We start with the main body which looks pretty straightforward. At step 2 the instructions call for cutting the U-beams to length. At step 4 the instructions show the jig that holds the main wheels being connected to the main body. Looking at the engineering I would recommend a strong 2 component glue that doesn’t have the risk of becoming brittle like many super-glues. The same goes for the 4 guiding beams on which the ground crew handling holds are connected. These can be pretty fragile if the wrong choice of glue is used. All in all it looks like the build can be pretty straightforward if care is taken and alignment is properly measured.

 

Verdict

This set is what the lovely V1 kit deserves. Lots of detail and the first well researched transport trolley on the market in any scale. It will make the otherwise blunt V1 with not a lot of visual interest sit proud on it’s base.

 

Very much recommended and a necessity if you already have the V1 kit.

Keep an eye out for my imminent build of this kit.

 

My sincere thanks to Profimodeller for providing the review sample.

To buy your trolley, click here.

 

Kind regards,

 

Jeroen Peters

 

[James H]

I quite like the Profi stuff, and want to build the Scheuchschlepper this year.

 

Great review, and looking forward to seeing you do your stuff with this one. 

 

Dio, with the schlepper cart too

[Mikester]

Nice one!

[wackyracer]

Nice review as always Jeroen

 

When mine arrived it was a bit intimidating to say the least, but like you say a clear bench might help!

[Fran]

Profimodeller does have great subjects! 

Nive review JP.

 

Fran