Czech Master Resin 1/144 Douglas DC-2 By Jim Schubert

History

The story of the DC-2 was recounted in the review of the initial release of this kit as CMR -06 in the February 2005 issue of this magazine.

The Kit

This issue of the kit, CMR-07, is essentially the same as the initial release but with additional optional parts and with decals for six pre war European airlines. The optional parts include the other two fin/rudder configurations used on later DC-2s and the version of the Hamilton-Standard constant speed propellers fitted with black rubber spinners as part of the de-icing system. The white metal undercarriage of the initial release has been replaced with parts cast in extra strength white resin.

The February review generated quite a bit of discussion about the DC-2. Some related to the nose. Michael Budworth and Tim and Tom Kalina provided helpful information on this area. I have included a photo and a drawing here of a "standard" nose to help readers see what it actually looked like. The third light in the center, above the lateral centerline of the landing lights is red. Below this is the fresh air intake for the cabin.

I said that I thought the TWA decals in the initial release needed the red filled in to touch the black outline of "TWA"; Tom Kalina pointed out this is actually a fine gold line between the red and the black.

Several people pointed out that American Airlines, amongst other users, did not have the landing lights in the nose; they were on the wings. An interesting bit of trivia was provided by Terrence McCosh: Shirley Temple's "Good Ship Lollypop", in the movie, was American Airlines' DC-2-120, msn1307, NC-14274. NB "msn" = Manufacturer's Serial Number.

The decals and markings are the really new things in this kit. Six pre-war European airliners are possible from the decals:

1. DC-2-115K, msn1582, OK-AIB delivered December 1936 to Cesklosovenka Letecka Spolecnost (CLS).

2. DC-2-115D, msn 1318, D-ABEQ delivered March 1936 to Deutsche Lufthansa (which the instructions incorrectly present as "Luft Hansa", which it was until June 30, 1933 when the name was changed to "Lufthansa". NOTE: either way it's pronounced "Looft-Hahnsah"; not "Loof-Thansah". The DLH folk drilled this into us at Boeing.

3. DC-2-115E, msn 1354, PH-AKH, delivered to Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschopij; the KLM folk never bothered to even try to get us to pronounce that one.

4/5. DC-2-115K, msn 1582 (see A above), OH-DLA; later OH-LDA. Seized by Germany in 1939, operated by DLH as D-AAIB and then sold to Aero O/Y of Finland in March 1941.

6. DC-2-115B, msn 1321, HB-ITI, delivered to Swissair December 1934.

The decal sheet is a beautiful piece of work sharply printed in perfect register.

Conclusion

This is essentially the same fine kit as reviewed in February but improved with more options. Still to come in CMR's DC-2 series are Far East and other "Exotic" users and the military versions.

References

As in the February review plus reader Michael McMurtrey adds:

• The Douglas DC-3 and its Predecessors: J.M.G. Gradidge, Air Britain, UK, 1984. I've not seen this book but Michael's description of it sounds awfully good.