Special Hobby Dornier Do 27 'Civilian Service' - 1:72

[Paul A H]

Dornier Do 27 'Civilian Service'

1:72 Special Hobby

 

 

The Dornier Do 27 is a Short Take-off/Landing aircraft fitted with a high wing and fixed landing gear. The aircraft was actually designed in Spain by the Dornier operation there to a Spanish Air Force requirement for a light utility aircraft. This aircraft - the Do 25 - was not selected for production, although the Do 27 design would later be manufactured in Spain by CASA as the CASA-127. The aircraft's excellent STOL performance ensured a lot of interest, however, and it was ordered by many armed forces.  The aircraft was also the first aircraft to be mass produced in postwar Germany.

 

This is the second of three Do 27 kits released (so far) by Special Hobby. The first edition, with decals for German and Spanish military versions, was released last year, so this is still very much a new kit. Inside the box are five sprues of grey plastic and a single clear sprue. The moulds for this kit were manufactured from steel, and there are no signs of flash or other flaws on the parts. The kit look nicely detailed throughout, and surface details are fine and crisps. 

 

 

 

 

Construction starts with the cabin. The modeller will have to select the version they are building at this stage, because the cabin layout varies according to the scheme chosen. The rear seats and bulkhead are added to the cabin floor along with the front seats, instrument panel and flying controls. Instruments themselves are represented by a small decal. The overall impression is of a cabinet that is well-detailed for the scale. Once the cabin is complete it can be added into the main fuselage halves.  Next up the engine cowling and radiator have to be assembled and fitted to the front of the airframe. Again, there are three possible options, so make sure you select the parts appropriate for your chosen scheme. The same applies to the tail wheel, which must also be appropriate to the version being built.

 

Next up is the main wing  and the rest of the flying surfaces. The wing is split horizontally, while the elevators are solid parts. The rudder is moulded separately, so can at least be finished in a deflected position, subject to a little plastic surgery. Next up is the fixed landing gear, which is pretty simple and therefore difficult to get wrong. A couple of small photo etched parts are included, mainly for the crew and passenger access footholds. Last up, the canopy and main cabin doors and glazing are added. The doors can be posed in the open position, allowing you to show off all of the interior detail if you are so inclined. 

 

 

The decal sheet provides for three options:

• Dornier Do 27B-2 D-ENTE, Tanzania 1958-59. This is the zebra striped example featured in the box artwork;
• Dornier Do 27Q-5 HB-HKA. This is a Swiss aircraft painted in an all-over yellow scheme;
• Dornier Do 27H-2 VH-EXA, Lutheran Mission Aviation Services, Madang, Papua New Guinea 1962-4. This aircraft is finished in white over green, with a black cheat line.

 

 

Conclusion

 

Special Hobby's Do 27 is a nice little kit. Construction looks straightforward and the model is surprisingly well detailed. If this sort of subject interests you, then this looks like a really well-executed kit that can be highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of