Albatros C.III

Czech Master Resin, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

CMR's 1/72 scale Albatros C.III is available online from Squadron.com

The C.III was probably the best known of the Albatros two-seaters and struggled on to the Armistice despite having first seen service in 1915.

It truly was an all-purpose machine, having been used for reconnaissance, observation, training, and even light bombing duties.

CMR released a kit of this aircraft many moons ago but thankfully have seen fit to update it in this latest boxing.

Over 40 resin parts are supplied, along with a generous decal sheet. The packaging is very good which sees various components sealed in their own section of a secure plastic bag. This helps to minimize damage and nothing in my example was broken.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Albatros Productions Datafile #13 contains a set of general arrangement drawings specifically on this aircraft and was used to determine the accuracy of the kit. The outline of both major and minor components matched exceedingly well.

A modicum of cockpit and observer fittings is provided so this is where the detailer can really go to town. Some interior structural details wouldn’t go amiss either as the two openings allow plenty of space for the eye to roam.

The casting of the smaller items is first-class with fine detail and near scale thickness parts. This latter point will deter many from using the delicate wing struts as strength may be an issue.

No problems though as there are after market items that are designed to replace the above. Brass “Strutz” and shaped extruded plastic rod are two products that come to mind. The brave may even want to carve their own out of cocktail sticks or a similar material…it’s not as hard as it seems.

Flying surfaces can make or break a kit and those supplied here pass with flying colours. The trailing edges are very thin and the representation of the ribs is superb. A couple of air bubbles found their way onto the leading edges and these will need some minor filling.

Marking Options

Five subjects are presented on the decal sheet which is sharply printed and in perfect register. The carrier film has been kept to an absolute minimum and the density of colour looks good.

Three of the options are for German machines, these being C.106/16, C.722/16 (Kampfgeschwader IV, Staffel 20), and C.736/16. The other two come from the Turkish Air Service and the Latvian Naval Aviation Division.

This is a worthy re-release from CMR and one that will please WWI aircraft enthusiasts.
The kit will require some patience to assemble due to the layout of the original machine but nothing out of the ordinary.

The modeler must be aware that there were differences between individual machines. This being due to the seven different manufacturers, as well as the parent company, that all had a hand in building the C.III.

CMR’s result is a well executed kit of a famous WWI “workhorse”, and would make a worthy subject for any modeler with experience in resin biplanes.

Highly recommended

Thanks to CMR for the review sample

CMR Models are available online from Hannants in the UK, Squadron in the USA
NKR Models in Australia and quality specialist model retailers worldwide.