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Douglas DB-8A heavy fighter, Royal Netherlands AF

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  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Douglas DB-8A heavy fighter, Royal Netherlands AF
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, October 20, 2011 2:24 PM

Something a little different: MPM's 1/72 DB-8A-3N, built straight out of the box.

An export version of the Northrop A-17 Nomad ground attack aircraft, the Netherlands ordered 18 to serve, disastrously, as heavy fighters with the 5th Fighter Squadron of the RNAF. At the start of the German offensive in May of 1940, one had already been lost in a training accident and five were in reserve. When the Luftwaffe attack came, the active DB-8's managed to down several Ju52s before most were shot down by Me110s. The 4 that managed to survive were destroyed on the ground in a subsequent attack, and the Germans captured all the reserve aircraft intact.

This was an impulse buy, simply because the awkward, condor-like lines of the 1930s design appealed to me. It's the first MPM kit I've ever done, and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality for a limited-release subject. Though the detail is nowhere near "Tamigawa" mainstream kits, it supplied a complete cockpit and gunner's position inside (complete with nicely-done sidewall detail), and cleanly-molded exteriors with subtle recessed panel lines. The two clear parts were thin and crystal-clear with sharply-molded frames. Overall fit was excellent, and the kit-supplied decals were trouble-free. All in all an enjoyable build of an uncommon subject.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, October 20, 2011 2:30 PM

Very cool! I love seeing different stuff and you did a beautiful job on her. Plus the Dutch camo and insignia are very colourful and attention-grabbing. Yes

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Thursday, October 20, 2011 2:31 PM

wow, that was a large machine to be considered for the fighter role - that late-'30's heavy fighter logic didn't really work out did it!? Nice job on an interesting a/c! (The antenna wires didn't even sag - what material did you use there?)

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Thursday, October 20, 2011 5:17 PM

Nice

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Thursday, October 20, 2011 6:01 PM

Great job on an uncommon subject. Everything that I read about the Dutch Air Force in 1940 points to their gallant fighting in the air, but their massive losses on the ground that destroyed their effectiveness.

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Netherlands
Posted by kermit on Thursday, October 20, 2011 11:34 PM

Wow!Indifferent It is such an honor to see someone do a dutch marked bird on here. And a seldom modeled one at that, even for dutch standards!Yes

You have absolutely done a great job at mixing the correct shades imho and the model looks fantastic! Congratulations on a build you can be proud of

These dutch prewar/ early war markings do look cool dont they?Stick out tongue

Richard

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm." - Sir Winston Churchill

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Friday, October 21, 2011 7:09 AM

Thanks to all for your kind words.

VanceCrozier

wow, that was a large machine to be considered for the fighter role - that late-'30's heavy fighter logic didn't really work out did it!?

You're right on there, Vance---you know you're having a bad "heavy fighter" day when you're way-less maneuverable than Me110s.

To be fair, the Dutch really wanted the aircraft for its intended role as a light attack aircraft. Apparently the War Dept. here kept stalling the Dutch purchasing commission over the sale of compatible bombs for the DB-8s, and since in the end they were left with bombless bombers, the ill-considered interceptor role was all that was left.

VanceCrozier

(The antenna wires didn't even sag - what material did you use there?)

Just regular stretched sprue, attached with Elmer's glue, and tightened with the glowing ember of a toothpick. I used the gray sprue from the kit, which is really too light in color. I'll probably switch it for something darker and less obvious as soon as I can pull out my old sprues collection.

Richard:     Thanks for the enthusiastic response. The availability of color material on the internet really helps with paint mixing and dialing in a proper range of tones. I, too, love the Dutch pre-war/early war schemes and markings. So far I've done Buffaloes and D.XXIs, and I have one of the old Hawk/Testors PT-20/STM-S2's on tap for the same markings in the near future.

Regards to all.

Greg

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: italy
Posted by bsyamato on Friday, October 21, 2011 11:34 AM

Gamera

Very cool! I love seeing different stuff and you did a beautiful job on her. Plus the Dutch camo and insignia are very colourful and attention-grabbing. Yes

Ditto

Really like rare seen (in this case never) aircraft kits and recently lots of them here Beer

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Canada
Posted by dogsbody on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 4:48 PM

Very nice job on an unusual subject.

 

 

Chris

"What young man could possibly be bored
with a uniform to wear,
a fast aeroplane to fly,
and something to shoot at?"

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 10:18 AM

Very nice to see a DB-8 in Dutch colors.

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 10:38 AM

Very nice...love those orange panels


13151015

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 11:31 AM

Nice results!

Wouldn't it be great to see a 1/48 kit of this subject?

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Thursday, November 3, 2011 3:32 AM

the Baron

Nice results!

Wouldn't it be great to see a 1/48 kit of this subject?

I think Rarepalnes (or Eagles Thalon) had vacform kit of the DB-8.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, November 3, 2011 6:36 AM

Borg R3-MC0

 

 the Baron:

 

Nice results!

Wouldn't it be great to see a 1/48 kit of this subject?

 

 

I think Rarepalnes (or Eagles Thalon) had vacform kit of the DB-8.

Also, Lone Star Models has announced a 1/48 A-17 Nomad (the same plane, in most respects) in resin, still listed on his website as TBA.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, November 4, 2011 12:05 PM

Thanks, guys!  I'll have to check that out and see.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Monday, November 7, 2011 1:04 PM

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Monday, November 7, 2011 3:45 PM

Wayyyyy too rich for my blood, as they say, but the kit looks really nice. I've never heard of Geromy before. Interesting website.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 1:48 AM

gregbale

Wayyyyy too rich for my blood, as they say, but the kit looks really nice. I've never heard of Geromy before. Interesting website.

Yes it is an expensive kit! Geromy is a new Dutch brand that specializes in WOII Dutch planes in 1/48 and books about Dutch aviation.
The website itself the aviationmegastore, europs largest hobby store. It is huge!

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