Kovozávody Prostějov 1/72 scale Airco DH5 – Australian FC

[Dave W]

Kovozávody Prostějov 1/72 scale Airco DH5 – Australian FC



REVIEWED BY David Wilson

Scale: 1/72nd
Item #: KPM 0253              
Price: € 12.99 from KP at https://eshop.kovozavody.cz/
Ł14.20 in UK. $A 24.99 in Australia. Also available through quality hobby retailers worldwide.
Contents:   Injected plastic parts on 1 frame; 3 decal options.

Background:
The Airco DH.5 is largely forgotten today and even during its service with the RFC and the Australian Flying Corps in WW1 it was not widely liked.
The single seat, back-staggered wing fighter was designed by the British company Airco, led by designer Geoffrey de Havilland as a replacement for the obsolete DH.2 pusher.
However with its single Vickers gun, the DH.5 was already surpassed by the more nimble Sopwith Pup and the emerging Sopwith Camel and SE5a by the time it entered service in 1917.
The DH.5 was unpopular with its pilots but did find support in the ground attack role. In all more than 550 DH.5s were produced.
In model form the DH.5 has fared reasonably well given it’s an obscure type. There have been at least two resin/ mixed media kits in 1/48th scale and Merlin produced a limited run 1/72 kit in the 1980s.
KP have now introduced a new tool, limited run styrene 1/72 Airco DH.5 in RFC and Australian Flying Corps boxings.



KP’s model
Czech Republic manufacturer Kovozávody Prostějov (KP) have excited the 1/72 scale market with their WW1 kits that have injected a new enthusiasm into this often neglected scale.
From a first inspection the Airco DH.5 looks like a limited run product but provides a basis for super detailing fans to get busy.
This is a new tool kit and the end-opening box is colourfully illustrated and appealing.
As could be imagined, there’s not a large parts selection on the frame and the cockpit is minimal- a floor, seat, control column, rudder bar and rudimentary instrument panel. In all, little more than 30 parts.




The parts are contained in a single plastic bag, and are moulded in medium grey styrene. Overall moulding detail and quality is acceptable given it’s obviously a limited run mould. Each of the parts would benefit from some careful cleaning up, especially the engine though little is seen once the cowling is installed.





Personally I’m a fan of models that are not over-complicated with too many parts. KP’s kits are a nice balance between detail and quality and affordability.
The instructions are on an A5 format two page foldout showing an exploded view which seem fairly clear. Colours are keyed to Humbrol paints.



Markings:
The kit features three Australian Flying Corps marking options.
1.   A9197 2 Squadron AFC 1917
2.   A9249 68 Squadron 1917
3.   A9242 1918
Decals are in register and the small sheet contains national and individual markings.




Summary:
In the box, KP’s 1/72 scale Airco DH.5 seems to be an interesting and straightforward build, but given the simplicity of the parts I recommend modellers get a copy of the Windsock Datafile #50 by J. M. Bruce. This is your ideal reference manual.
Verdict:
Definitely Recommended.
(Review sample kindly supplied by Kovozávody Prostějov. Please support the businesses that support your Forum.)

[KiwiZac]

This kit looks fantastic Dave, thanks for such a comprehensive review. We have a replica DH.5 flying in NZ: built by John Shiveley in the USA in the 1980s, it does have a modern flat-four motor so isn't entirely accurate but shape-wise it's very faithful. TVAL use it as their second trainer after the Tiger Moth, and it flies in the markings of the box art aircraft! So I for one am very pleased to see this particular boxing of a largely ignored but very cool part of Great War history, and that of Geoffrey de Havilland.