Samhongsa (2 Viewers)

[ivanmoe]

Have any of you gentlemen ever heard of a toy maker named Samhongsa? I certainly hadn't until very recently. A revelation of sorts, in this regard, occurred when I acquired one of its models in an Ebay auction. The set in question is an S.E.5a replica associated with Captain J.I.T. Jones:

However, Samhongsa made at least two additional S.E.5 models, including a Billy Bishop issue that the maker advertises as a "Toy Soldier Version." I believe that the TS-versions are somewhat less detailed than C'1117:

I used the usual means in attempting to research the models, BTW, which is to say Google. Most of what I learned about the Korean-based company revolved around the locomotives that it makes out of brass. I came across very little information about it's model planes, apart from the fact that the company has made at least three different S.E.5, and perhaps a fourth.

I'm going to post some pics below of the one that I purchased. In viewing them, please keep in mind that the model is all metal, brass to be specific:

The model above is 1/32 scale, and the parts are machined rather than molded.

The rendering of the cockpit is the best that I've ever seen in a pre-built S.E.5a model.

The cover over the "engine compartment" is removable. Beneath it lies a nicely machined replica of a Wolseley Viper. However, the best thing about these models may be that they are so hard-to-find. Were this not the case, I'm afraid that I'd be tempted to add yet another range to my collection!

-Moe

 

[TomNT]

Hey Moe

I have never heard of this company but I agree, the detail is outstanding on the bird! How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?

Tom

 

[cnq]

Very nice diecast/metal plane. It's got much better detail than traditional polystone airplane. Same here I've never heard of this manufacturer before.

 

[ivanmoe]

Hey Moe

I have never heard of this company but I agree, the detail is outstanding on the bird! How much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?

Tom

Hi Tom,

I inadvertently mis-characterized the purchase in my post above. I should have stated that it was an Ebay/BIN. I paid a little over $200 for the model. The packaging included a card from a UK outfit called "St James Armoury," but I have no idea what the original retail must have been. Apparently, there was a range of S.E.5a models produced, priced between $400 and $750, USD, depending on the level of detail. One way or the other, it was quite a bargain. The quality of workmanship is pretty amazing.

-Moe

 

[lancer]

Have any of you gentlemen ever heard of a toy maker named Samhongsa? I certainly hadn't until very recently. A revelation of sorts, in this regard, occurred when I acquired one of its models in an Ebay auction. The set in question is an S.E.5a replica associated with Captain J.I.T. Jones:

However, Samhongsa made at least two additional S.E.5 models, including a Billy Bishop issue that the maker advertises as a "Toy Soldier Version." I believe that the TS-versions are somewhat less detailed than C'1117:

I used the usual means in attempting to research the models, BTW, which is to say Google. Most of what I learned about the Korean-based company revolved around the locomotives that it makes out of brass. I came across very little information about it's model planes, apart from the fact that the company has made at least three different S.E.5, and perhaps a fourth.

I'm going to post some pics below of the one that I purchased. In viewing them, please keep in mind that the model is all metal, brass to be specific:

The model above is 1/32 scale, and the parts are machined rather than molded.

The rendering of the cockpit is the best that I've ever seen in a pre-built S.E.5a model.

The cover over the "engine compartment" is removable. Beneath it lies a nicely machined replica of a Wolseley Viper. However, the best thing about these models may be that they are so hard-to-find. Were this not the case, I'm afraid that I'd be tempted to add yet another range to my collection!

-Moe

Moe, the Dawn Patrol SE-5's are the best I've ever seen. I purchased one several years ago, a William Bishop version. In addition to the version you and I have, there is a Mannock version. There were also 3 levels of detail, mainly centered around the detail of the engine. Mine is the basic version with a well detailed engine but it doesn't have spark plug wires and some other finer details. The issue price was $395 for the lowest level of detail.. Oddly enough, my certificate for the Bishop version also states that it is #42 of 115 built. Weird coincidence, huh? They are gorgeous models with very fine and delicate lines/details. The only criticism I have of them is I think the roundels are incorrect in their color proportions (too much white), but that just may be me being overly critical. Really nice get. -- Al

 

[TomNT]

Hi Tom,

I inadvertently mis-characterized the purchase in my post above. I should have stated that it was an Ebay/BIN. I paid a little over $200 for the model. The packaging included a card from a UK outfit called "St James Armoury," but I have no idea what the original retail must have been. Apparently, there was a range of S.E.5a models produced, priced between $400 and $750, USD, depending on the level of detail. One way or the other, it was quite a bargain. The quality of workmanship is pretty amazing.

-Moe

Thanks Moe and yeah, that's a bargain considering how much detail is in that bird!

Tom

 

[Al Fisher]

Great plane! Great buy! Would have liked to bid on it, but the price was just too high. Does anyone know if Samhongsa is still in business . . . perhaps as Sam? Have they produced any more WW1 aircraft?

Bosun Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Does anyone know if Samhongsa is still in business . . . perhaps as Sam? Have they produced any more WW1 aircraft?

Hi Al,

That's one is one for Al/Lancer!

Al?:wink2:

 

[ivanmoe]

Moe, the Dawn Patrol SE-5's are the best I've ever seen. I purchased one several years ago, a William Bishop version. In addition to the version you and I have, there is a Mannock version. There were also 3 levels of detail, mainly centered around the detail of the engine. Mine is the basic version with a well detailed engine but it doesn't have spark plug wires and some other finer details. The issue price was $395 for the lowest level of detail.. Oddly enough, my certificate for the Bishop version also states that it is #42 of 115 built. Weird coincidence, huh? They are gorgeous models with very fine and delicate lines/details. The only criticism I have of them is I think the roundels are incorrect in their color proportions (too much white), but that just may be me being overly critical. Really nice get. -- Al

Hi Al,

I agree with you about the roundels. They look like bulls-eyes to me! It's also occurred to me that those on the lower-wings are too far inboard.

BTW, I've found evidence of a fourth model, one devoted to pilot "Elliot White Springs."

About your model, the Bishop replica, does it have a headrest for the pilot? If not, does that mean that it's an S.E.5, rather than an S.E.5a?

I feel pretty lucky for this to have come out as well as it did. I walked into the hunt pretty much blind as to the different versions. At one point, I came across an ad that included pics of a deluxe version certificate, but the model really did appear to be the toy soldier version. I requested pics of the cockpit, struts and engine from the seller, but he never responded. Ah, the menace of the photo-copier when wielded by the unscrupulous!

-Moe

 

[lancer]

Hi Al,

I agree with you about the roundels. They look like bulls-eyes to me! It's also occurred to me that those on the lower-wings are too far inboard.

BTW, I've found evidence of a fourth model, one devoted to pilot "Elliot White Springs."

About your model, the Bishop replica, does it have a headrest for the pilot? If not, does that mean that it's an S.E.5, rather than an S.E.5a?

I feel pretty lucky for this to have come out as well as it did. I walked into the hunt pretty much blind as to the different versions. At one point, I came across an ad that included pics of a deluxe version certificate, but the model really did appear to be the toy soldier version. I requested pics of the cockpit, struts and engine from the seller, but he never responded. Ah, the menace of the photo-copier when wielded by the unscrupulous!

-Moe

Hi Moe. Yeah, the roundels just look a bit 'off'. My SE does NOT have a headrest, but Bishop's C1904 did not have one, so it is correct. C1904 was an SE-5a. The headrest is not a true indicator of the SE-5 or SE-5a versions. There are plenty of photos where either version has or doesn't have the headrest. I have a tough time seeing any real visual difference between the 2 types as even the engine thrust line isn't an absolute ID, for me.
I do remember that there was a Springs version as well as the 3 Brit flyers. Thanks for the memory jog. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Great plane! Great buy! Would have liked to bid on it, but the price was just too high. Does anyone know if Samhongsa is still in business . . . perhaps as Sam? Have they produced any more WW1 aircraft?

Bosun Al

I have never seen any other aircraft by Samhongsa, nor heard any scuttlebutt about there being any other aircraft. Just the SE-5's and I don't know how many of them were ever made. Sorry for the lack of info. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Sorry for the lack of info. -- Al

Thanks for sharing, as YOU ARE the resident expert!^&cool

-Moe

 

[ivanmoe]

A friend stopped by earlier today, and looked the model over with a magnifying glass. He discovered something in the cockpit that I simply must show Al:

Al, note the sticker toward the top of the instrument panel. Our models have the production number rendered as a placard on the panel! Sorry for my exuberance, everyone, but I simply love detail like this.


-Moe

 

[lancer]

A friend stopped by earlier today, and looked the model over with a magnifying glass. He discovered something in the cockpit that I simply must show Al:

Al, note the sticker toward the top of the instrument panel. Our models have the production number rendered as a placard on the panel! Sorry for my exuberance, everyone, but I simply love detail like this.


-Moe

Thanks for posting this shot. That is incredible. I never noticed it. These really are superb models. -- Al

 

[4th Hussar]

The company maybe the same one that builds model railroad locomotives.

 

[lancer]

The company maybe the same one that builds model railroad locomotives.

I believe it is. -- Al

 

[ivanmoe]

Thanks for posting this shot. That is incredible. I never noticed it. These really are superb models. -- Al

Yeah, the others are going on my "search for and acquire list." That stated, I doubt that I'll find much at a price that I can afford. Hey, but it's fun to look!

Here are the rest of the pics that I took of the model, first the overall shots:

Notice how nice and square that everything is. This is the hallmark of a well-built biplane model. If anything is askew, you simply can't miss it in the view above.

The 3 o'clock view: Looks like an S.E.5a to me.

The dorsal view reveals the roundels over which Al and I expressed some misgivings. Notice also the foremost bracing wires on the tail surfaces. I'd prefer that they be somewhat more taut in appearance.

Viewed from the port quarter, the model once again proves to be a very believable replica of an S.E.5a.

 

[ivanmoe]

Finally, I want to post some more detail shots. I've split the posts up, as I've found that the UI will cut some of my pics off if I go over the default limits.

In the way of observations about the nose/prop of the model, I'd first note that the prop above is the "premium version." The TS version of the prop is pretty much plain and lacks the RAF logos that you see above. The faceplate on the front of the prop is a separate piece of metal. This is a good example of the advantages of using machined parts. On the other hand, the faux patina that's been applied to the radiator louvers is very much typical of what we might expect to see in a Jenkins' model like its own S.E.5a.

Speaking of JJ models, above we see an example of what may be a disadvantage of using machine-shop production techniques on a scale model. The pressed-metal, faux canvas treatment lacks the bloused effect and crispness of stitching that so many of us enjoy on the Jenkins' model. Notice, also, that there's no real rendering of the foot hold. It's suggested in relief, but that's it. In this instance, I'd say that molded resin wins out over metal.

The undercarriage is certainly well done. Again, the parts are machined and/or pressed metal. The tires may be a tad too dark, but that's a matter of interpretation. BTW, when I opened the packaging, one of the wheels was off. As almost anyone who builds or collects models will tell you, that invariably hints at the wheel shaft having sheared away. Crestfallen, I began to evaluate the situation for a possible fix. Further examination revealed something very interesting. The model has no shaft permanently affixed to the rest of the axle. Rather, the hub that you see in the pic is yet another separate, machined-part. It goes through the wheel and screws into the horizontal axle. The part was in the box and the smile returned to my face. RELIEF!

Above, we see a nicely machined barrel and ring sight of a Vickers Gun. I could get hooked on this method of producing parts, PDQ. However, it really is an expensive process.

When I've taken a look at Jenkins' models in the past, I've always paid close attention to the tail-surfaces. Jenkins invites this, as it does it so well. In the way of "turn about makes fair play," I feel compelled to comment on what we see above. It really does appear as though everything is there in terms of bracing and control cabling. However, the machined parts seem a bit stark in rendering compared to Jenkins somewhat more subtle/subdued molded parts. This comment is one-hundred-percent personal preference on my part, but this may be another area where Jenkins wins out against the much, higher-priced alternative.

Above, I've tried to sneak one more pic in. If it make it past "the gatekeepers," you ought to see a replica of the Viper engine that powered the S.E.5a. Not being the Deluxe Version, it lacks some wiring/plumbing of the more expensive model. I may try and add a spark-plug harness and other goodies to what you see above. Then again, I will more likely leave it just the way it is!

Clearly, the Samhongsa Dawn Patrol Collection, S.E.5a is in factory-fresh livery. There's not a stain on it. If that's the way you like 'em, then this bird's for you!^&cool

-Moe

 

[binder001]

Very interesting! Samhongsa is known to me as a company that produced (still produces?) hand crafted model trains. The company is Korean and worked with several importers such as Oriental Limited and others. If you walk through a model train store and they have the beautiful brass train models on display - that's what Samhongsa was famous for.

 

[lancer]

Great detail photos and review of the Dawn Patrol SE-5, Moe. I love the model I have but I think that, ultimately, I prefer the JJD SE-5 and this is mainly due to the subtle weathering and especially due to the fabric details that JJD achieved, ie., the blousing effect around the stitching. Still, I would not give up the Samhongsa SE-5.:wink2: -- Al