Lockheed Vega DL-1 Special / Y1C-12

"Metallic Fuselage"

MPM, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

 MPM's 1/72 scale Lockheed Vega is available online from Squadron.com
 

The Czech Republic based MPM Productions seem to be making the most out of their Lockheed Vega moulds with this, their fourth version of the kit.

And rightly so too! MPM should be applauded for producing kits of what was very much a pioneering machine of the late 20s and 30s.

This issue provides parts to build one of two different versions of the Vega - firstly, the military version, the Y1C-12 and secondly the DL-1 Special.

The kit comprises of 69 grey pieces of grey plastic and a further 11 in clear. MPM seems to provide a basic "Vega" sprue with each of its issues as well as a type-specific sprue peculiar to the version being modelled. This kit is no exception and as a consequence you get at least seven pieces that are not used as well as choices of vertical stabilizers, exhausts, wheel spats and interiors. Curiously, you also get a separate fuselage door that is not mentioned in the instructions.

The kit is of the limited-run type but to be truthful, you would be hard-pressed to find better even from the likes of Hasegawa or Tamiya. The parts are sharply moulded and exhibit petite detail, even the trailing edges of the flying surfaces are commendably thin.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

A couple of odd things have crept in though. The rear most fuselage windows have been moulded the same size as the others when in fact it was squarer in shape than the other ones and the other one being the fact that you are given the option of shaving the moulded-in navigation lights off the wings and replacing them with identical ones from the grey moulded sprue. Perhaps these should have been moulded on the clear sprues. Thankfully, the window problem isn't all that hard to rectify as it will simply be a matter of fitting the plastic "window", sanding the surrounding plastic smooth and masking a square one.

Decals are offered for three versions. Two bright, colourful USAAC "yellow wing" era Y1C-12s – 36th Pursuit Squadron, 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Field 1932-35 and 14th Bomb Squadron at Bolling Field in April 1932. The markings for the DL-1 version are for an historic (through Western Australian eyes at least!) machine. These markings are for the machine flown by Don Bennett (latter of RAF Pathfinders fame) and James (Jimmy) Woods a local West Australia aviation pioneer in the Centenary air race from London to Melbourne. Unfortunately, they did not finish the race as the machine crashed on landing at Aleppo in Syria. The machine was subsequently repaired and purchased by Jimmy Woods who operated it out of Perth until it was impressed into RAAF service during WWII. Unfortunately, MPM have supplied the markings for this machine as black when in fact they should be red. The decals themselves are thin and beautifully printed, with everything in perfect register.

The instructions are of the "exploded view" type with each of the parts being called out by sprue and individual number. They provide a brief history of each version and painting instructions of details as well as the overall finish.

Packaging is via a large plastic bag for the sprues and an individual one for the decals. These are in turn placed into a flimsy and easily crushed cardboard box.

Be aware that this is not a kit for the beginner as it lacks positive alignment pins and parts will require some preparation. It is though an excellent effort from MPM of what until recently, a machine that would have only have been kitted as a vacform.

Recommended.

Thanks to MPM for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2005 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 15 June, 2005
Last updated 15 June, 2005

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