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OzMods 1/144 de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

The fourth design from de Havilland, the DHC-4 Caribou was the first twin from the company and quite a bit larger than its earlier designs. Created in response to a U.S. Army requirement for a tactical airlift aircraft, the first Caribou flew on July 30, 1958. With the typical excellent STOL capabilities familiar to de Havilland designs, the Army was impressed with the Caribou and ordered 159 aircraft. Designated the C-7, the Caribou saw combat operations in Vietnam, with both U.S. and Australian forces. Other military operators included Spain, Oman, Malaysia and India.

While mainly a military aircraft, some civil usage of the Caribou occurred. Ansett MAL operated the type in New Guinea. Other non-military operators included Greatland Air Cargo, Air Inuit, Intermountain Aviation, and Wardair Canada.

The Kit

This release from OzMods provides the only 1/144 Caribou kit that I know about. Luckily it is an excellent kit, well cast in a gray resin. The kit features recessed panel lines throughout, with white metal landing gear and propellers. The decal sheet provides markings for Australian, Spanish and U.S. Army examples, and for those ambitious souls a couple of vacuformed canopies are included.

Construction is very simple and straightforward, with most of the parts molded as solid pieces. The one-piece fuselage has notches in the fin for the horizontal stabilizer pieces, and a notch in the top for the one-piece wing. The wing itself has the engine nacelles molded in place, as well as all the flap hinges. The landing gear has metal struts with resin wheels, which will help greatly in supporting the weight of what ultimately will be a solid resin model. The packaging of the parts is very well done, with the wing and fuselage wrapped in bubble wrap. The smaller parts are taped to card stock, making sure they aren't broken in transit.

The decals - nicely printed and appear to be in register - cover the following aircraft:

Last flight of the Royal Australian DHC-4 Caribou, number 140
Last flight of the Royal Australian DHC-4 Caribou, number 210
Spanish Air Force DHC-4A Caribou T9-12, Ala Wing 37 based at Albacete, Spain, 1968-1991
U.S. Air Force, C-7A Caribou, 63-9733, 535th TAS, 483rd TAW, Vung Tau AB, Vietnam, 1969

The RAAF aircraft are finished in two greens and black; the Spanish machine is finished in tan, dark green, yellow sand upper surfaces, and light gray undersides; while the USAF machine is finished in typical SEA camouflage.

Conclusion

This is a wonderful kit of the Caribou, and a welcome addition to any 1/144 collection, either military or civilian. The great number of operators throughout the world means that there are lots of great options for markings out there. If you want to add a nice twin to your 1/144 collection, check this kit out.

I want to thank OzMods for supplying the review kit.