* (112-98) DE HAVILLAND DH-4
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AURORA KIT NO.112-98-DE HAVILLAND DH-4
AN original 1957 1:48 scale release from Aurora Plastics Corp., of Hempstead , Long Island, New York, USA, the De Havilland DH4 remains one of the best WWI aircraft kits they ever did -and certainly one of the rarest. Our kit is complete with all 38 olive and 16 black parts accounted for. Based on early William Wylam drawings, the DH4 is generally accurate in outline,carries reasonable surface detail and offers almost endless scope for conversion to any number of WWI and post-war variants. The plastic content is in near mint condition with most smaller parts remaining attached to their runners and those few that have escaped, recaptured and confined within polythene bags. Transfers are basic featuring the wing and fuselage roundels, together with a fin flash designed to fit the under-sized kit part. No serial number is allocated. Bonus items include black-moulded wheels; two Scarff rings and a pair of Lewis guns with mounts. The box is somewhat worn in a few places and minor internal repairs at one end have been made to retain integrity.
*CONTAINS EXTRA PARTS!
THIS example of the Aurora DH4 is the first version issued in 1957 bearing a boxtop that once again showcased the talents of house-artist Jo Kotula. With catalogue number 112-98-the latter numbers signified the 98 cent price tag-it was released that year with five other WWI models: SPAD XIII; Pfalz D.III; Nieuport 28; F2B Brisfit and a Curtiss Jenny. Moulded in olive and black plastic,the DH4 is considered one of Aurora's best WWI kits being based on William Wylam plans published in Model Airplane News around that time.The kit also remains one of the rarest, re-issued only twice in the USA circa 1960 and 1964. In later years a revised version was announced by Glencoe which has yet to appear. All 54 parts of our kit are in good condition and once the etched roundels and rudder stripes have been eliminated there's little corrective work required. Wing panels are a few mm short in span,tips require some re-shaping and rib tapes applied beneath. Tailplane and fin/rudder warrant some reduction to match scale drawings and sufficient plastic enables this.Fuselage halves are representative of early production 'Fours' with cut-down gunner's compartment; stringered turtledeck and only requires to be slightly truncated at the kingpost by a few mm-and the tailplane being moved forwards accordingly.With a few louvres added and radiator front modified you'll be good to go.
Cockpit detail is minimal but that's normal with most kits of this vintage,however separate wing struts,undercarriage legs,underwing skids,fuel line and control horns are commendably thin. Black parts comprise airscrew; engine manifolds; vertical exhausts and rather clumsy Vickers and Lewis guns with the latter's Scarff ring mounts pleasingly thin-sectioned.Trademark ground base,figure and nameplate are topped off with a modest decal sheet bearing national markings with yellow roundel outlines.No serials or squadron markings are present.The box is somewhat worn in places with one corner repaired from the inside,sufficiently strong to protect the contents.
NB: In 1960 Aurora re-issued their DH-4 along with the even rarer Curtiss Jenny as a 'Barnstormers Customising set' (Kit No.200-1.98) moulded in bright yellow and lurid metallic green respectively.Both models received exotic new decal markings despite the original embossed military markings being retained!
DH Data: AIRCO DH 4-A WINDSOCK DATAFILE SPECIAL by J M Bruce published in 2000 by Albatros is the best reference currently available.With over 140 archive photos; 1:48 scale drawings showing wartime variants; 1918 DH handbook sketches; rigging notes and 14 highly accurate colour profiles.
* See also the original Profile Publications No. 26 on the DH4 written by Jack Bruce and published in 1965 with photos and colour profiles on inner covers.
* Finally 'The DH4 kits' on pages 60-62 in WIND-SOCK Special 20th Anniversary Edition (1985-2005) for further photos and four additional colour profiles. All three titles are in stock-please see links below...
