Pioneer/PM 1/72 Fokker D.21
Kit Number: 3004
Price: $5.00
Decals: one version; Spring 1940
Date of Review: 22 March 1998
Review and Photos by Scott Van Aken
Fokker's sprightly D.21 was his last successful fighter design. Sold in some numbers to the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland, this rugged little fighter did well against superior numbers, especially in Finland. The Finns were especially successful with the D.21 and produced it under license, some powered by Pratt & Whitney engines in place of the unobtainable Mercury's that were made in England.
When this kit arrived in the mid eighties, I quickly purchased one, hoping for an improvement of the decidedly Spartan Frog version that was, at the time, a collector's item. Upon opening the box, I was greeted by an almost exact duplicate of the Frog molds, right down to the choice of markings on the decal sheet. To say I was somewhat disappointed would be a bit of an understatement, however, I had built the Frog kit before so this was to be like constructing an old friend.
To start of with, the kit is minimalist in all things. Since the real D.21 was constructed mostly of wood, there are few panel lines to worry about, all of them being raised. If I remember, it being over ten years since this kit was built, the wheels are included as part of the landing gear fairings, thus simplifying construction. The cockpit is devoid of excessive detail consisting of a seat and stick that are of a very generic nature. So is the engine, which is just a collection of straight cylinders stuck onto a central core. Lots of room for extra detail work for those so inclined.
Having said that, the fit of the parts is very good; little filler needed at all and that at the wing/fuselage join. The canopy is nice and clear with well marked areas for the framework. If anything, the landing gear appears to be a bit tall and might benefit from a bit of shortening.
The model was painted using Gunze acrylics. I used Rust, Middlestone and RAF dark green for the primary colors. The exhaust collector was painted a dirty brass color. Decals were admirably opaque and did not let the different background colors show through, even on the white markings.
Overall a very simple kit that begs for superdetailing. I liked it and would build another. Highly recommended, especially for the beginning builder.
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