{"product_id":"plastic-model-aircraft-kit-encore-models-ec32002-raf-s-e-5a-mccudden-1-32","title":"Plastic model aircraft kit Encore Models EC32002 RAF S.E.5a McCudden — 1:32 with scale aircraft conversions metal parts","description":"\u003cp\u003eEncore Models and what makes this kit different\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEncore was essentially Squadron Products' reboxing\/upgrading brand, rather than a conventional model manufacturer developing its own range of injection moulds. Squadron took existing kits from other manufacturers and combined them with additional resin, photo-etched metal, decals and other accessories to create more comprehensive special editions. A contemporary description of the brand specifically explains that Encore kits were upgraded versions of existing manufacturers' kits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat distinction is particularly important with EC32002. The basic plastic is derived from the Roden 1:32 S.E.5a, but Encore turned it into a much more elaborate McCudden-specific package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLarge Scale Planes records the Encore kit as EC32002, injection moulded, 1:32 scale, while separately listing Roden's S.E.5a kits.\n\u003cbr\u003eWhat is actually in the box?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where the Encore kit is substantially more interesting than an ordinary Roden boxing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe documented contents are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Over 150 injection-moulded plastic parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    25 resin parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Three photo-etched frets\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Colour photo-etched cockpit components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Resin components specifically intended to reproduce McCudden's modified aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Resin propellers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Resin radiator-related components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Resin exhaust components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Resin wing inspection plates\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    1:32 resin figure of James McCudden\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Painting masks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Cartograf decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Markings for four aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Full-colour assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Dedicated photo-etch installation instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Complete aircraft rigging diagram\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis unusually detailed contents list is confirmed by contemporary reviews from both Modeling Madness and HyperScale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe HyperScale review is particularly useful because it records more than 150 plastic parts, 25 resin parts and three photo-etched frets, while also noting that the kit was supplied with markings for four aircraft.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe plastic tooling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe underlying Roden plastic was already regarded as a good representation of the S.E.5a. The HyperScale review notes that the main components matched published plans well, with particularly restrained fabric representation on the wings. The reviewer did note that the wings were slightly longer than expected and could be corrected by sanding the extremities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEncore's major contribution was therefore not a new airframe tooling, but the extensive detailing package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis includes the areas that modellers commonly wanted to improve on the original Roden kit, particularly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    cockpit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    seat and harness\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    radiator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    exhaust\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    inspection panels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    undercarriage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    cockpit surround\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    engine details\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe three photo-etched frets are a particularly important part of the package. One contains coloured cockpit parts, allowing the modeller to achieve considerably more detail without having to scratch-build instrument panels and other small components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe review describes the kit as essentially a complete makeover of the Roden release, rather than simply a rebox with different decals.\n\u003cbr\u003eMcCudden-specific parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is probably the most interesting feature for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJames McCudden's S.E.5a was not entirely standard. Encore included resin components to reproduce the aircraft's individual configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis early S.E.5a had a modified\/enlarged cockpit area, and the kit provides this as a resin replacement component.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit also provides alternative landing-gear arrangements and other components because McCudden's aircraft changed during his operational career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the contemporary review, the options allow the modeller to build two of McCudden's aircraft in three different configurations\/markings, while the decal package overall contains four aircraft options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe marking options include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    McCudden's early 56 Squadron machine with the large “G” marking and squadron dumbbell\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    The same aircraft after the rear fuselage marking was changed to a white band\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    His later aircraft carrying the number “6”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    The later aircraft's distinctive red spinner\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe later aircraft also had a strengthened double-tube undercarriage arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat makes this much more than a generic S.E.5a: it is effectively a McCudden-specific conversion\/detail set packaged together with the basic kit.\n\u003cbr\u003eDecals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe decals are another significant upgrade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit uses Cartograf-printed decals, which the contemporary review specifically praised for excellent registration and minimal carrier film.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor collectors, this means that a complete kit should ideally retain its original decal sheet. Replacement aftermarket decals can be found for the S.E.5a, but they don't necessarily reproduce the specific McCudden options supplied in this kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eConsequently, an opened example should be checked for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    the decal sheet;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    all three photo-etched frets;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    the resin components;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    the resin McCudden figure;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    the painting masks;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    instructions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe resin and photo-etch are particularly important because replacing all of those components individually could be difficult and expensive.\n\u003cbr\u003eInstructions and rigging\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe instruction package is unusually comprehensive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe contemporary review describes the instructions as full colour, with detailed construction illustrations and a substantial section explaining exactly where the photo-etched parts are fitted and which plastic parts need modification or removal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also a dedicated rigging diagram, with portions of the rigging highlighted in colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is useful because the S.E.5a has extensive external bracing wires, and the Encore instructions are intended to guide the modeller through the complete arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't therefore a beginner-oriented 1:32 kit despite its conventional injection-moulded foundation. The combination of plastic, resin, photo-etch and rigging makes it much more of a serious scale-modelling project.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe real aircraft — shorter history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 first flew in 1916 and was developed into the S.E.5a, which became one of Britain's principal fighters during the latter part of the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt combined a relatively robust airframe with good high-altitude performance and was particularly effective as an escort and reconnaissance fighter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe S.E.5a was normally powered by the 200 hp Hispano-Suiza or related Wolseley Viper engine depending on production batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt became strongly associated with several famous RFC\/RAF pilots, including Albert Ball, Edward Mannock and James McCudden.\n\u003cbr\u003eJames McCudden\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMcCudden was one of Britain's most highly decorated WWI airmen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHe joined the Royal Flying Corps in 1913, initially as an air mechanic, and subsequently became a pilot and commander. His technical knowledge was unusual for a fighter pilot and influenced the way he prepared and operated his aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the time of his death in July 1918, McCudden was credited with 57 aerial victories, making him one of the highest-scoring British Empire aces of the war. The contemporary Encore review describes him as the seventh-highest-scoring WWI ace and notes his exceptionally long service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMcCudden was killed in an accident on 9 July 1918, shortly after take-off from Auxi-le-Château, while flying an S.E.5a.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Encore kit concentrates specifically on this late-war chapter of his career, which explains the inclusion of the resin figure and the several personalised aircraft configurations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Encore Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57509849530748,"sku":"Encore-32002","price":74.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0432\/8584\/0033\/files\/1F5E56C6-9F31-4714-8699-F066118ACA9B.jpg?v=1790574635","url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/plastic-model-aircraft-kit-encore-models-ec32002-raf-s-e-5a-mccudden-1-32","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}