Gotha G.V

Roden

Roden's 1/72 scale Gotha G.V is available online from Squadron.com

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Gotha G.V was an update of the successful but often dangerous Gotha G.IV. The earlier aircraft suffered very high losses in landing accidents. Indeed, three-quarters of all German bomber losses were due to unsuccessful landings.

The Gotha G.V incorporated new engine nacelles and relocation of the fuel storage. A later modification was the addition of a supplementary undercarriage gear in front of the main wheels to prevent rollover after landing. Although these changes had a negative impact on flight characteristics, they did improve the safety record of the big bomber.

100 Gotha G.Vs were built.

Roden's 1/72 scale Gotha G.V is a large and impressive model even in the box. The wingspan is around 33cm - big for a WWI model in this scale. 208 parts are supplied in pale grey styrene, with another 12 in clear injected plastic. In general the kit is very well moulded but the fuselage suffers from some nasty sinkmarks, and some ragged flash is apparent on other parts. Detail parts are impressively rendered and surface texture is subtle and appropriate.

The wings are supplied as centre sections with outer panels. All these sections have suitably thin trailing edges. The rib tape and fabric texture also look great. The biggest concern is that these wing sections are simply butt-joined to each other without the benefit of locating pins or other reinforcement. I strongly recommend the insertion of pins or fine rod to add strength to these important joins.

All of the distinctive features of this bomber are depicted including the "gun tunnel" - the hollow lower fuselage permitting the gunner an unobstructed field of defensive fire below and to the rear of the aircraft.

A full compliment of bombs is supplied. The detail of these parts is a little soft, but some Plasticard or brass might be used for in-scale replacements for the fins.

Supplementary landing gear rounds out a very impressive model.

Most of the parts are common to Roden's earlier Gotha G.IV release as reviewed on HyperScale by Rob Baumartner. For more detail, click here to see Rob's review.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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The decal sheets are almost as impressive as the kit parts. One enormous sheet of blue "night bomber" lozenge for two of the three marking options. This is supplemented with another sheet containing national markings and individual aircraft identification. The two lozenge-covered machines are especially attractive, with distinctive black and white tactical markings plus, on one aircraft, large "KZ" codes in an art-deco font; and the name "Erika" on the second. The third option is an overall white machine that was lost in action over London in December 1917.

The decals are flat in finish and look like they will be tricky to manoeuvre after they have been applied to the surface of the model. A gloss coat and plenty of setting solution will be a sensible insurance measure.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

 

Conclusion

 

Roden’s 1/72 scale Gotha G.V is a very impressive kit in the box and, with the application of appropriate time and effort, should be a showstopper when it is finished.

This kit is definitely not for the first-time WWI modeller or the feint of heart. However, if you are confident with complex models, aligning multiple parts, reinforcing potentially weak joins and rigging, you will be capable of tackling this project!

Recommended to experienced WWI modellers.