Azur FFROM Northrop Gamma 2E "Bomber in China" - 1:72 Azur FFROM

[Julien]

Northrop Gamma 2E "Bomber in China"

1:72 Azur FR.ROM

 

The Delta was designed by Jack Northrop in 1932 when the Northrop Corporation was set up with as a joint venture with The Douglas Aircraft Company. This was developed alongside the Delt, the Gamma was to be a mail plane. It was a low wing monoplane with a fixed undercarriage. The wings were common to both aircraft.  The Gamma 2C was a proposed attack version to compete with the Curtiss A-12, with the 2E being a development of this but with a 1600lb bomb load. These were used by the Republic of China Air Force with some being built in China from kits supplied by Northrop.  One aircraft K5053 was supplied to the UK and was tested by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at RAF Martlesham Heath. Two aircraft were also supplied to the Japanese for testing.  The aircraft was eventually developed by Northrop into the A-17.

 

 

 

The Kit
The kit has four sprues of plastic and a clear sprure. The detail and moulding quality are as good as ever. There is also one small photo-etch fret.  Construction starts off unsurprisingly with the cockpit. The pilot seat, front & rear bulkheads are added to the main cockpit floor. The centre console and control column are also added. PE seatbelts are provided for the pilots seat. For the rear gunners area there is the rear gun with its mounting/seat to make up and add. Ammunition stowage is also added into the fuselage half. The instrument panel and a few other items are added to the fuselage half's and then they can be closed up around the cockpit area.

 

 

The engine is fitted to the exhaust ring and fitted into it's cowling and once complete this can be added to the main fuselage. The tail planes are made up and fitted, along with the main wing. The single part canopy can then be added after adding in the PE gunsight.

 

 

To finish off the wheel spats are made up and added to the wheels. The completed assemblies then being added to the underside of the main wing.  The bomb racks are added which sit under the fuselage between the spats. The lower observation window is also made up and added at this time. Lastly the propeller is added.

 

 

 

Decals
This boxing of the kit gives four choices of markings;

 

• White 901, Chinese Air Force, 9th Chungtui, 2nd Tutui, transferred to 14th Volunteer Sqn, Hanklow 1937-38.
• K5053, British Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, 1937-38.
• Black 14, unknown Chinese Unit 1937-38.
• Black 1412, transfered from unknown Chinese Unit to 14th Volunteer Sqn, Hanklow Jan 1938.

 

Conclusion
This is another left of field release from FFROM of an lesser well known but good looking aircraft from the earlier years of aviation. Highly recommended.
 

Review sample courtesy of

[John Masters]

I have this kit in the stack.  Looking forward to it...

[occa]

Any assessments on the overall shape and proportion accuracy ?

[VG 33]

My next build here after the Deltas.

 

Patrick

 

[Julien]

3 hours ago, occa said:

Any assessments on the overall shape and proportion accuracy ?

I am not a type expert, but everything looked good when I was doing my research.

 

Julien