Arado Ar 65 “Luftpolizei” 

RS Models, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Rob Baumgartner

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron.com
 

Considered to be the Luftwaffe’s first production fighter, the Arado 65 made its debut as a prototype in 1931.

After various modifications it entered production at Warnemünde as the Ar 65E with the first deliveries taking place in late 1933.The aircraft was armed with two 7.9mm MG 17 machine guns with each having 500 rounds located in the forward fuselage.

Construction was typical for the time with the biplane being made from a combination of welded steel tube, light alloy skinning, plywood, and a covering of fabric.

On April 1st 1934, the DVL Reklame-Staffel Mitteldeutschland was made ready with Ar 65E fighters and, later in July, was bolstered with the Heinkel He 51A. In 1935 the former aircraft were transferred to DVS Jagdfliegerschule to serve as fighter trainers and also as short-term equipment in the Luftwaffe’s first dive bomber unit.

Not long after production started, the Ar 65F was introduced but differed in only minor respects.

RS models has released this boxing of the Arado as the AR 65 “Luftpolizei”. One does get a decal option from this “unit” operating in Germany in 1937 but a further two choices allow the modeller to build versions still operating in 1940 and 1941.

The single plastic sprue contains a modest 27 parts but all are moulded with a very high level of detail. The wings in particular are worthy of special mention, as they exhibit sharp trailing edges and subtle rib detail. The upper flying surface is in one piece which eliminates the need to play with the dihedral. Each lower wing is butt joined to the fuselage so some pinning would not go astray to add structural rigidity.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

A modicum of cleanup will be required for some of the items but this is easily done. Do not forget one of the lower ailerons as there is a blemish needing correction courtesy of the pattern maker.

The finesse of the kit continues with the fuselage and into these halves the builder adds a range of items from Eduard’s welcome photo etched fret. These cater for the internal framing, control column, instrument panel (with film for dials), rudder bar, floor, seat and accompanying belts.

Resin takes care of the radiator and a couple of clear windscreens complete the package.

The single decal sheet is produced by Aviprint and as such is well printed with minimal carrier film. The registration on my example was good and experience shows that they adhere to surfaces vey well.

A confusing rigging diagram is provided which sadly is not helped by the differing box art.

RS Models continues to put together well detailed packages.

Not being a “main stream” manufacturer means that test fitting of parts is the norm but the kit does its best to help in this area. By delivering complicated assemblies like the undercarriage struts with as few parts as possible puts the product in reach of those that would not normally tackle a subject such as this.

Experienced modellers will have no trouble building this kit and for those that have not built a biplane before…be brave, you may be rewarded.

Recommended

Thanks to RS Models for the sample

Review Text and Imags Copyright © 2008 by Rob Baumgartner
Page Created 24 June, 2008
Last updated 24 June, 2008

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page