Huma 1/72 Dornier Do-27

The Dornier Do 27 was a German single-engine STOL utility aircraft, manufactured by Dornier GmbH (later DASA Dornier, Fairchild-Dornier). Configuration was a classic high-wing, "tail-dragger" aircraft with fixed landing gear.

Dornier's facilities in Spain designed the Do 25, to a Spanish military requirement for a light utility aircraft, as a precursor to the production Do 27. Powered by a single 110 kilowatts (150 hp) ENMA Tigre G.V engine, the Do 25 was not selected for production.

The Do 27 seated four to six and the original prototype first flew in Spain on 27 June 1955. Most production aircraft were built in Germany, the first German built aircraft taking flight on 17 October 1956, 50 more were manufactured in Spain by Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA as the CASA-127.

The German Air Force and German Army ordered a total of 428 of the Do 27A and Do 27B (with dual controls).

A later version with the same basic specifications but equipped with wider track landing gear was known as the Do 27Q-5. The aircraft was offered as a twin-float seaplane, the Do 27S-1, and with a larger engine (254 kW/340 hp Lycoming GSO-480-B1B6) and a three-blade propeller as the Do 27H-2.

In addition to the military operators in Germany and Spain, Portugal received 40 new build and 106 ex-German aircraft. The Portuguese Air Force used these extensively in the colonial war in Portuguese Africa during the 1960s-70s. In the Portuguese Guinea, in April 1973, two Do 27s were shot down by SAM-7 Grail shoulder launched AAMs.

The Do 27 was notable for being the first mass-produced aircraft in Germany after World War II. It was appreciated for its relatively wide, comfortable cabin and excellent short-field performance.

Let me start this by stating that I am not sure if Huma is still in business as they have not released anything new in many years. However, looking at some major retailers, I notice that most of their line is still available. I purchased most of my Huma kits back when they were still in bags and since that time, they moved to placing their products in boxes, and while the kit numbers changed (this one is HM0025 in the box), the kits are the same.

This one came in a bag with a clear sprue, white sprue, decals and instructions. Huma's detailing is actually very good and this one is no exception. The sprue gates are commendably small and there is none of the overlap of sprue onto the parts as one often sees in short run kits. The cockpit is fairly well detailed with a pair of seats, instrument panel and console along with control sticks. There is an optional co-pilot's seat provided. Huma also provides a photo of the cockpit and a cut away drawing of the interior for those who want to add detail. The cabin area has a pair of bench seats that face each other.

The rest of the kit is pretty standard stuff. The wing is a single molding as is the tailplane, which is slotted into the rear fuselage prior to installing the fin. All of the clear bits can be installed from the outside, something I like as it helps with masking. There is a forward cowling piece into which a prop and its retainer are installed so you can have a rotating prop. The only option provided comes with the landing gear. You have the initial production version along with the wider one introduced later on. A good read of the instructions will tell you which variants used the wider gear.

Instructions are superb and consist of a very large foldout sheet. This includes a history in both German and English along with a large three view, sprue layout, construction diagrams and six markings options. Two are German, one army and the other air force, a civil version in white covered with zebra stripes, a Portuguese plane, Israeli version and a Spanish aircraft. The decal sheet is very nicely done though I'm betting its age means it will need some decal film to prevent it from breaking up. There is no interior painting information provided so you are on your own in that regard.

Those of us who have built Huma kits like them. They offer interesting subjects not often done by others in this scale. They are a step above short run and so do not provide the hassles one frequently comes across with short run kits. If the subject is to your liking, then I would suggest searching for one of these. You will be pleased with your choice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_27

February 2015

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