Douglas DB-8A/3N "Attack bomber", MPM 1/72

[Grover 27]

Introduction

My latest build is a Douglass DB-8A-3N from MPM in scale 1/72.

The kit is based on the Northrop A-17 kit from MPM. The model is in the colours of the Dutch military aviation regiment (LVA) from around 1939-1940.

Then the  typical Brown-Green- Beige was common for Dutch war planes.

 

Some history

Already in 1935 it was the politics clear that the Dutch Military Aviation was down to nothing.

The intention was to remain neutral but for safety a new air war organization should be established with three Aviation Regiments (LVR).

·         1 LVR for air defence and strategic tasks

·         2 LVR to support the field army

·         3 LVR for training and such

 

But it was not until 1938 the Dutch government bought 18 Douglas DB-8A /3N.  

They arrived mid-November 1939 in the Netherlands. The planes were registers 381 to 399.

The armament was bought at FN in Belgium and consisted of four FN 7,9mm machine guns in the wings and one movable FN for the observer. The DB8A could carry up to 560kg of bombs.

 

The 2nd aviation regiment had worked hard, and on April 20, 1940 it consisted of two section single engine fighters and two section doubles engine fighters:

• 1-V-2 LVR eight Fokker D.21

• 2 V-2 LVR eight Fokker G.1 Wasp

• 3-V-2 LVR twelve DB-8A

• 4-V-2 LVR eight Fokker G.1 Wasp.

 

On airport Ypenburg were, in the early morning of May 10th, 11 Douglas 8A-3N combat-ready and ready to go.  After the alarm rose at 3:55 all those aircraft did take off.

 

A blunder of the General Staff was the use as a fighter instead of dive bomber.

The Douglas 8A proved to be no match for the faster and better armed Messerschmitt 110.  

Within an hour they were mostly shot out of the air.

From the 22 crewmembers eight were wounded or killed in action. A high price and great loss.

 

The five spare aircraft based at airfield Ockenburg were also lost.

 

Model Build

For the LVA paint I used enamels from White Ensign Models.

• Brown FS20059

• Green FS24077

• Sand Beige FS26360

Please beware when using MPM's painting instruction. There is an error between the FS numbers.

 

The interior green is from Model master and darkened with Flory Models wash.

 

I have upgraded the kit a little.  As brass guns, visor and so on. Also opened the engine cooling gills.

 

Some pictures from the airbrushing phase.

 

 

 

 

 

Adding details (like the red refuel covers) with water paint from the children.

 

 

And the finished model in a setting like this photo with the rear canopy open and moved inwards.

Although the pattern was always the same, there was, halfway the aircraft registers 381-398 an exchange with beige and green. As you can see comparing the picture above 390 and the model 388 below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After publishing these photos on an local site I got some constructive feedback about the missing knee at the landing gear. It is not included in the kit. During construction I have not noticed it.

Amputated from a Harvard and added later on (also some brake wires).

 

 

 

 

In my search for reference I found this:

 

What I secretly kept as an fall back paint plan should I accidentally ruining the LVA paintjob.

 

 

 

Feel free to give criticism. Thank you for watching.

Edited February 5, 2017 by Grover 27

[thorfinn]

28 minutes ago, Grover 27 said:

 

A blunder of the General Staff was the use as a fighter instead of dive bomber.

 

To be fair, the air staff wanted desperately to use it as an attack aircraft...but the US War Dept. kept stalling and delaying the sale of compatible bombs, so they were left with little choice in the end.

 

Superb job on a too-often overlooked and underappreciated kit! Really fine job on the details and the camouflage.

 

I built the same kit [in the same markings] OOB some years ago, and it remains one of my all-time favorites. Something about the awkward condor-like shape has an irresistible appeal.

 

Yours is a real stunner!

[VG 33]

Hi

 

I like her very much and I love the colours. I built twelve years ago a Fokker D XXI in the same period and colours.

Thank you for sharing this build.

 

Patrick

[Reini78]

a beautiful rendition of a rare subject

[celt]

An aircraft that I am not familiar with,great colour scheme and great model.Well tidy mun.

[Murray]

Really nicely done! 

[manuel]

really nice.

 

Manuel

[dogsbody]

Very well done.

 

 

Chris

[Antoine]

Whow!

Highly interesting!

The A-17 is a fascinating aircraft. Got three in my stash.

Might even get some more!

 

[Grover 27]

11 minutes ago, Antoine said:

Whow!

Highly interesting!

The A-17 is a fascinating aircraft. Got three in my stash.

Might even get some more!

 

It's definitely worth it. The kit has no fitting problems and actually goes smoothly together. 

Beware of the landing gear alignment. Mine is not 100% correct.

In actual the gear is some rearwards and somewhat inwards to the fuselage.

[AdrianMF]

That looks great, an out of the ordinary type in an unusual scheme. Beautiful build and finish too.

 

Regards,

Adrian

[old thumper]

Funnily enough I was not long ago reading about these aircraft being used by the Netherlands East Indies Air Force alongside Buffaloes against the Japanese.

Nice model.

[Grover 27]

Thank you all for your nice comments. It is motivating.

 

Hopefully you will forgive my grammar mistakes.

Then I also dare to post my new built in "Work in Progress - Aircraft" topic.

As I just (re-)started working on a 1/72 Heller Nord Noratlas in German Luftwaffe colors.