Azur/FRROM 1/72 Martin type 166 in Dutch Service, previewed by Scott Van Aken

HISTORY

The Martin B-10 is a bomber aircraft designed by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Entering service in June 1934, it was the first all-metal monoplane bomber to be regularly used by the United States Army Air Corps. It was also the first mass-produced bomber whose performance was superior to that of the Army's pursuit aircraft of the time.

The B-10 served as the airframe for the B-12, B-13, B-14, A-15, and O-45 designations – using Pratt & Whitney engines instead of Wright Cyclones. A total of 348 of all versions were built. The largest users were the US, with 166, and the Netherlands, with 121.

The type 166 was the export version for the Netherlands, used in the Netherlands East Indies. It had redesigned wings, nose and single 'glass house' canopy, bomb shackles between engines and fuselage, and better engines. The WH-3 had two 900 hp (670 kW) R-1820-G5 (40 built, delivered September 1938), the WH-3A had two 1,000 hp (750 kW) R-1820-G-105A (42 built, delivered March 1940). With the bomb shackles, the bomb load could be doubled for a shorter range.

The way I understand it, Azur/FRROM kits are molded by Special Hobby with the deal that SH can do one boxing and A/F do all the rest on a specific subject. At least, that is how it seems. There have been several boxings of the type 139/B-10 variant and so it is now time for the type 166. This version has different wings and the upper greenhouse is considerably different from the earlier version. The type 166 was solely built for the Dutch. To my knowledge, this is the only kit of this later variant.

As you'd expect, some of the sprues look to be the same or similar as on the earlier kit. There are different sprues for the wings and I think the fuselage, along with the clear parts. These latter items have the long greenhouse in three different sections. The main fuselage is split horizontally, which is a bit different from most kits. There are a goodly number of bits and pieces to fit in the interior so it will be nicely busy when done.

Once the fuselage is closed, constructions turns to building up the main gear wells. The main gear legs have to be installed during the gear well construction and once the roof of the well is installed, the gear will be firmly trapped. You are provided nicely molded engines and those will be installed prior to gluing the wing halves together.

Now all the flight surfaces are glued onto the fuselage and the forward turret assembly along with the front of the engine cowls are attached. The clear bits are now installed followed by the wheels, props and other small items.

Instructions are very well done and provide Gunze and generic color information. There are three camouflage options. One is the box art aircraft with pre-war insignia in the blue and yellow scheme. The others are in the orange insignia scheme. These two are painted in a dark green/black green over light grey camouflage. The nicely done decal sheet includes instrument panels and the wing walks.

This looks as if it will make into a very nice model when done. I'd recommend getting a canopy mask set for this one. Special Hobby makes a set, but finding a set is one thing, and getting them to ship it to the US is another as apparently the USA is non gratis at the moment. Besides, the tariffs can make shipping stupidly expensive.

KIT #:	FR0060
PRICE:	$
DECALS:	Three options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
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