Subject: Gotha 244

Manufacturer: Italeri

Constructed in 1974

In 1974, the products of Airfix and Frog were about all that were available in 1/72nd scale in my rural neck of the woods. Choice of subject was fairly limited as well. I was really pleased to find this on the shelf in the local model shop. This was something completely different from the Spits. and Me109's and by a manufacturer whose name was new to me as well. 

For the day this was an excellent kit. Yes, the panel lines were raised rather than engraved but the parts were crisply moulded and their fit very good - and you got a Kubelwagen Jeep-like vehicle to pose as a typical cargo! The fit of all the kit components was a revelation as was the lack of giant rivets by the hundred which in the 1960's came with every Airfix kit and most of those from Frog. The cockpit interior was quite detailed for the time - I do wish that I had added seat belts! Building it gave me a great deal of pleasure. The mottled camouflage was applied using a brush with cropped bristles, a method that I still prefer. In 2004 it is still available from some outlets and appears regularly on eBay.co.uk. Buy one and enjoy!