RS Models 1/72 Fokker D. XXIII, previewed by Scott Van Aken

HISTORY

The Fokker D.XXIII was designed as a twin-engined single-seat aircraft. To overcome the problems of asymmetric flight it had a tractor engine at the front and a pusher engine at the rear. The D.XXIII was a cantilever monoplane with the twin tail units on booms. The pilot had an enclosed cockpit in between the tractor and pusher engines and it had a retractable tricycle landing gear.

The prototype first flew on 30 May 1939 powered by two Walter Sagitta I-SR liquid cooled vee piston engines. The trial flights identified problems with the cooling of the rear engine and general engine performance. It was proposed to use Rolls-Royce or Daimler-Benz engines in the production aircraft. Concerns were also raised about the pilot clearing the rear propeller if he had to bail out and an ejector seat was studied. The programme was abandoned in May 1940 when the German forces invaded the Netherlands. The lone prototype had flown a total of four hours in the year since its initial flight.

THE KIT

The kit is molded in a medium grey plastic and like most all RS kits, has very nicely done engraved panel line detail. The large parts also have rather large ejector towers that will probably need to be replaced. Unlike some other kits, this one does not have any photo etch or resin parts. A single grey sprue has been cut into parts so that it will fit into the smaller box. A one-piece canopy is the sole clear part.

The cockpit is pretty basic with a seat, control stick and rudder pedals. There is some framework detail on the sidewalls and an instrument panel is also included. This one will require 10 grams of nose weight and there is room but you'll have little spare space. Both the front and rear props fit into small cowling bits that butt fit onto the fuselage once it is assembled. It appears that one can see a large fuel tank just behind the cockpit as that is included.

As in most boomed aircraft, the booms are in two halves and are butt joined to the appropriate area on the wing. The wing is a complete lower section with two upper section pieces. The horizontal stab is a single casting. The kit has a separate nose gear well with the main wells molded in with the lower wing. The landing gear is fairly well done and there is a separate nose wheel. All wheels are a single mold. You can see that construction will not be an issue.

Instructions are well done and provide generic color information as required. It is on the back of the box where we have the full color four views of the aircraft. There are four markings options all in the same tan, brown and green camouflage scheme. Two of these are of the prototype at various stages, one with the X-4 markings and no insignia and the other with 998 on the booms and the orange triangle insignia. Then we have the box art plane as it might have been if sent to the Netherlands East Indies. Finally, a captured one with Japanese insignia. The decals are superbly done and if like other RS sheets, will be quite thin.

CONCLUSIONS

For those who like to model the Dutch Air Force or who like prototypes or the unusual, this would be an excellent kit. The lack of exotic materials makes this a kit that should build rather quickly and would be a good choice for those who are just getting used to short run kits.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

KIT #:	92081
PRICE:	$17.60 ($27.95 SRP)
DECALS:	Four options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	Short run kit