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In-Box Review
132
Mercedes D.IVa
Timing gear w/ valves springs and lifters
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by: Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]

History

An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine of 1914-1918 (also informally called pushrod engine) is a type of piston engine that places the camshaft running above the cylinder heads (with the the crankshaft in the block below), and uses lifters to actuate rocker arms above the cylinder heads that in turn actuate the valves. The lifters or tappets are located in the above the engine camshaft that runs above the tops of the cylinders. The Mercedes D.IVa was an six cylinder, liquid-cooled inline aircraft engine built by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG). The D.IVa replaced the failed Mercedes D.IV inline eight cylinder engine. The D.IVa was primarily used to power bombers and large reconnaissance aircraft. Its design was relatively advanced, including four valves per cylinder powered by an overhead cam, also used on the earlier two-valve per cylinder D.I through D.IIIa series powerplants.

Designed specifically to be installed within a gondola or fuselage, the engine featured a number of design elements intended to reduce its width. For instance, the carburetor was placed behind the engine, feeding fuel to the cylinders via a long pipe. This had the disadvantage of poor fuel distribution. Two versions of the engine were produced in mirror copies, running in opposite directions.

kit contents

Taurus Models makes high quality details its forte. Now they spring into action with a set of rocker valve lifters / tappets and springs and over head camshaft for the 1:32 Mercedes D.IVa motors in today's popular kits. As of this writing its available in the "Easy to build version".

#D3206 an "easy to build" option with the rocker box tops moulded on the over head camshaft. There are six blocks of resin with 53 items packaged in a Ziplock bag. 3 block of springs, 2 of rocker arms, the overhead camshaft with rocker boxes moulded to it. There are enough parts to do one motor with some extras included. It has a simple easy to read instruction sheet showing what needs to be removed from the main kit and locations for the replacement resin pieces.

This set is an ideal set to detail any kit that uses the Mercedes D.IVa powerplant. In the WNW range this includes:

Gotha G.IV #32005 (Needs 2 sets if detailing both motors.)
Rumpler C.IV #32023 early version.
Rumpler C.IV #32037 late version.

The builder might have to experiment with the applications. It seems the best method is to add the Over Head Cam first then the springs loaded and unloaded according to the provided diagram. Then use gel cyano to add the rocker arms.

Here is something for "larger scale" modellers containing timing gear, lifters & springs in 32 scale. A very simple product and very useful. WNW models don't have detailed items like this in their kits. Note the images of the actual engine are from the Taurus Models website.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AEROSCALE.

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Well defined detailed parts that are engineered to drop in and replace existing simplified kit parts.
Lows: An exploded view of the build up might give the average modeler a more steady approach.
Verdict: Well worth the price. These parts will add scale setails not available from even the better manufacturers.
  DETAILS & DESIGN:97%
  INSTRUCTIONS:93%
  RESIN QUALITY:90%
Percentage Rating
94%
  Scale: 1:32
  Mfg. ID: # D3206
  Suggested Retail: $9.43
  Related Link: taurus release for Oct. 2012
  PUBLISHED: Dec 11, 2012
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.97%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 92.36%

Our Thanks to Taurus Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Stephen T. Lawson (JackFlash)
FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES

I was building Off topic jet age kits at the age of 7. I remember building my first WWI kit way back in 1964-5 at the age of 8-9. Hundreds of 1/72 scale Revell and Airfix kits later my eyes started to change and I wanted to do more detail. With the advent of DML / Dragon and Eduard I sold off my ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Stephen T. Lawson [ JACKFLASH ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AeroScale. All rights reserved.



   
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