AMC DH.9 - 1:32 Wingnut Wings

[Viking]

AMC DH.9

1:32 Wingnut Wings

The DH.9 was a development of the earlier DH.4 and was intended as an improvement, but unfortunately turned out to be an inferior machine in many ways. Demand for the Rolls-Royce Eagle engine meant that the '9' was allocated the Siddeley-Deasy 'Puma' engine which turned out to be notoriously unreliable and unable to deliver its promised 300 hp, 230 hp being it's more likely output. Ordered into mass production before the bugs were ironed out, the DH.9 was a hugely disappointing aircraft but the RFC (soon to be RAF) had to make do with it when it achieved squadron service in April 1918. Despite its shortcomings it saw widespread service into the postwar era, serving with up to 16 foreign air forces including Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and many European countries.

A new Wingnut Wings kit always creates a great sense of anticipation and they never disappoint. The whole presentations is as we have come to expect, with the beautiful artwork on the silver gilt edged box crammed with sprues of exquisite quality, and an an instruction manual that is a reference work in it's own right. Eleven sprues, one photo etched sheet, and two decal sheets are supplied, all of which are beautifully done. A few parts are marked as not for use, so it is clear that other releases are planned.

Sprue A contains the majority of the cockpit parts and the tailplanes, and is in fact common with the DH.9a kit, although all the others are unique to each boxing.

Sprue B holds most of the remaining interior parts and is joined with sprue H which has the fuselage side panels, struts and undercarriage parts.

It's worth taking a look at the quality of mouldings, in case you have not seen one of these kits 'in the flesh' before. The propeller is a beautiful piece of work, such a complex shape and yet perfectly done.

Even more amazing are the two bomb cells, completely moulded as seen here. Wingnut Wings have raised the bar again by providing elements like this.

Sprue C is clear and contains the windscreen elements as we would expect.

Two Sprue D's are provided, holding all the items that need to be doubled up, such as wheels, struts and ailerons.
Alongside, two Sprue R's hold all the armament. Cooper, HERL, and HE bombs are there along with their appropriate racks. Vickers and Lewis guns, a Scarff ring and ammo drums complete the options.

Sprue E is for the Puma engine. The rocker covers have the legend 'Siddeley Puma' moulded in micro fine lettering on them which really need a magnifying glass to see properly. There are alternative right side cylinder mouldings depending upon whether a single or twin carburettor version is chosen.

Sprue F contains the upper and lower main planes, with the usual perfect Wingnut Wings depiction of the rib tapes and stitching. All the rigging points are indicated by fine holes which can be used 'as is' or further drilled for your favourite method of rigging.

Sprue G holds the fuselage halves and associated parts. Detail is finely recessed or raised as appropriate. The rear fuselage has separate side panels which are to be found on sprue H, see above where it is attached to sprue B.

The etched brass fret provides seat belts, ratchets for the scarff ring and minor fittings for the interior and exterior.

Decals are on two parts, the main one is a huge sheet the same size as the box and gives all the roundels, serials, stencils, bomb marking and even individual instruments for the main panel (all readable!).

A second sheet consists of white printing for the more complex areas of some of the finishing options, and should make completing any of them a breeze. They are produced by Cartograf, a name that stands for top quality.

Finishing options.

There are the usual five different options, there are two bonus offerings that can be completed with the elements provided. One is for 5636 of the RNZAF, and the other for C1283 of the RAF.

The main options are;

A) B7620, J.A. Gray and J.J. Comerford, A Flight, 211 Sqn, June 1918


'B) C6293, "3", 144 Sqn, August 1918


C) D2989, "Lobster", 49 TDS, February 1919


D) D7211, "Spetsai", HNAS, 1919


E) D7302, "N", R.S.S. Ingram & A.W. Wyncoll, C Flight, 108 Sqn, August 1918


Conclusion.

Part of reviewing a kit is to draw attention to the good and bad parts of any new offering. Well in this latest package from Wingnut Wings I have to admit that I can find nothing even slightly negative to comment on. This is as perfect a plastic model as I have ever seen, it is simple as that. Everything is done to the highest standard, from the presentation, to the quality of moulding, even the plastic itself is without sink marks or blemishes. The individually wrapped sprues, the instruction manual with it's use of photos to further explain assembly, and the beautifully illustrated finishing options all combine to create modelling heaven.

Highly Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[Julien]

Having had a look in the box of this one before John took it I must say the quality of the product in the box is something else.

Julien

[Shar2]

WOW kits really are brilliant. I've got the Sopwith Triplane to build and looks a joy in the box, the DH-9 looks just as good.

[stringbag]

Nice review as well John.