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To present a kit review, should be to my understanding a little more than describing the parts it is composed of. The reader should be informed about the possible troubles and, perhaps the main important, which version we could build, besides the offered by the manufacturer.
Having this idea in mind, we will analyze one of the most MPM releases, the DouglasDC-2.
It's a welcome kit that the modelers were looking forward to it, because there was not an injection one on sale. MPM offers us this one at a really low price (about U$S 25 in South America), perhaps this is the reason why this kit doesn't have PE or resin parts.
The Argentine version of the Douglas DC-2
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MPM provides decals for four versions, US Navy, US Marines, RAAF and a version belonging to the Spanish Civil War. Regrettably there are not decals for a commercial airline model (TWA had DC-2 beautifully decorated). The sample kit we are reviewing will be built with the Argentine colors.
The Argentina Navy (A.R.A.) had in the '40, in flying operations, several DC-2. With a very showy painting scheme in white on the original aluminum panels, it will be a very valuable collection piece.
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The kit
It is presented in a beautiful box where we can find three grey plastic branches of parts, the injection is good with nice recessed panel lines, which is an good beginning for a more complex and detailed project. The fuselage doesn't have the rudder, (which is injected separately) this will allow the modeler to join both halves more easily. We tested the halves joining verifying there is no visible gap, which will do the building work easier. The interior is simple, just pair of seats, an instrument panel and two control wheels, but the floor and bulkheads of the load section are provided, which is a good beginning. Besides two possible noses, with and without lights are offered.
The wings are composed of five parts, and the adjustment to the fuselage is good, there won't be necessary to add plastic or putty. The wheels and the whole landing gear have good details as well as the bays. About the motors, if you are looking for more precision, will need to use resin ones or take them from other kit, the propellers will have to be built gluing to the hub the blades, which are provided separately, it's not a problem since the injection is good.
The decals are of good quality, I have tested them and they stick on a painting surface without "silvering" effect, I didn't use any special set agent.
Conclusion
This is my first approach to a MPM kit, and I'm really pleasurably surprised. I carried out several tests with positive results, the parts finishing are good, without flashes or mold marks on inconvenient places, perhaps the windows clear plastic parts, could be thinner, but they have a positive point, the pilot cockpit ones are well designed in five parts (including two small crosspieces), this gives it a lot of realism.
In a couple of months we will be able to see this model finished with the Argentine colors.
Support us ordering our notes in PDF > Here
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