Dora Wings Marcel Bloch MB.152 (Late) (48019) - 1:48 Dora Wings

[Julien]

Marcel Bloch MB.152 (Late) (48019)

1:48 Dora Wings

 

 

The MB.152 stemmed from the MB.150 deign which lost out to the MS/406 in a 1934 competition to find a new fighter for the French Air Force. The MB.150 showed promise and that is why development was taken further. A new wing was designed and a more powerful engine was fitted. By the time WWII broke out about 120 were delivered, however they were not considered combat ready at the time.  Problems with the tails had lead to them being stored pending modification. 

 

Despite these problems some aircraft were modified though they still demonstrated unfavourable flight characteristics. Although outmatched by Luftwaffe aircraft the MB.152 accounted for 188 aircraft for the loss of 86. The aircraft would subsequently be used be the Vichy Forces before being passed to the Romanian Air Force by the Germans. The only other Air Combat these would see was of the 9 sent to Greece (out of an order of 25).  All of these would end up being destroyed though they did account for some German and Italian Aircraft in the defence of Greece. 

 

The Kit

This is a new tool kit from Dora wings with 2 versions so far being produced, with this boxing being the latest one. The kit arrives on eight small sprues, a clear sprue, a sheet of PE and masts for the canopy (not shown). Quality is good with no defects of flash. 

 

 

Construction starts with the cockpit. The front bulkhead is mounted to the floor, the rudder pedals are added along with the flight controls and the seat. Belts are provided on the PE fret. Next up the propeller and fin/rudder are made up. All these sub assemblies can then be put to one side.  Next up the engine is made up, there are two banks of cylinders along with a PE and other parts. Once made up it can be mounted to the firewall and the cowlings attached. The tail planes are then made up, as are the main landing gear. Again all put to one side. 

 

 

Internal parts are added inside the main fuselage and then the cockpit can be added in and the fuselage closed up. Wing roots are then added to the side of the fuselage. The wings are then made up. The lower one is made up from a centre section, and two sides, the uppers are left & right. Separate flaps and wing tip lights are provided. The main gear well is also built up in the middle of the lower wing. Guns, pitot and landing lights are also added along with the separate flaps. 

 

 

 

Now we can utilise those sub assemblies. The Tail, tail planes, engine and propeller are all added. The deck behind the cockpit is added and the glazing also added. This is only for a closed canopy. Lastly on the underside the main landing gear is added, along with the oil cooler, cannon magazine humps and the tail skid. The struts for the tail planes are also added though I suspect most modellers will do this at the same time as adding the tail planes/ 

 

 

Markings

The decals have no makers name on them but look to be crisp, in register and with minimal carrier film. The whites look dense enough. Four options are included;

 

 

• No. 528 1 Esc GC 1/8. Claye-Souilly June 1940
• No. 236 2 Esc GC 1/8. Velaine-en-Haye April 1940
• No. 622 3 Esc GC 1/6. Chaleaurox-Care June 1940
• No.672 GC II/9 Aulant Vichy Forces 1942

 

 

 

Conclusion

This is a nice looking kit of a lesser known WWII type. Highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of