History

The FE.2b "FEE" (Royal Aircraft Factory / Farman Experimental 2b) was produced as a two-seat fighter/reconnaissance aircraft. The FE.2b arrived on the Western Front late 1915/early 1916, when 20 Squadron took possession of the FE.2b. The "FEE" was liked by its pilots and contributed in the RFC's battle to counter the Fokker scourge. The FE.2b continued to fly daylight operations until early 1917 before being relegated to night bombing and home defense roles. When I first received confirmation that I would have the opportunity to review the FE.2b kit by Wingnut Wings, I dropped a note to a couple of my RC Soaring buddies who are both fanatical about aviation related to "The Great War." Even now, two months later, I still chuckle at Ken's one sentence reply: “The FE.2b was the ugly stepsister to the DH-2.” Admittedly, the "FEE" isn't as graceful looking as the De Havilland pusher, but it still, however, has a great appeal to me and I'm sure many other builders.

Eight or so years ago, Tamiya resurrected 1/48th scale for military vehicles models. There is now a new player in the game: Bronco Models of Hong Kong. Bronco has recently launched three sister kits into this niche market: the T17E2 Staghound armored cars, each with a different turret layout. The kit under review here is the anti-aircraft version. And all I can say is WOW, what a fantastic kit it is!

Thanks go first to Squadron Products for supporting IPMS/USA with these review items; without the support of our model companies, we would all be carving wood again.

This accessory set contains two new cowls with corrected front opening, two sets of propellers, and engine gear box fronts with magnetos and control mechanisms. The price is right for what you get, too!

First, the propellers are exactly the same as those I reviewed earlier for the Revell/Monogram P-61 kit. The spinner contains prop hub mount detail, and the props themselves are all separate; the propeller mounting bosses fit tightly within the spinner/hub area. Just be careful to set the pitch and prop run-out and you’ll have no problems. Center-drill a hole for the prop shaft, and they are complete.