Author Topic: Pheon Decal's Post-War DH9a 'Ninack' for the WNW kit  (Read 3200 times)

Offline Jamo

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Pheon Decal's Post-War DH9a 'Ninack' for the WNW kit
« on: June 14, 2018, 04:48:25 PM »
#32059 Post War RAF Airco DH9A for the WNW kit
From Pheon Decals





History
The Airco DH.9A was a British single-engined light bomber which entered service shortly before the end of the First World War. It was a development of the unsuccessful Airco DH.9 bomber, featuring a strengthened structure and, crucially, replacing the under-powered and unreliable inline 6-cylinder Siddeley Puma engine of the DH.9 with the American V-12 Liberty engine.
Colloquially known as the "Ninak" (from the phonetic alphabet treatment of designation "nine-A"), it served on in large numbers for the Royal Air Force following the end of the war, both at home and overseas, where it was used for colonial policing in the Middle East.

The DH.9A was one of the key weapons used by Britain to manage the territories that were in its control following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following the Great War. Five squadrons of DH.9As served in the Middle East, occasionally carrying out bombing raids against rebellious tribesmen and villages. An additional radiator was fitted under the fuselage to cope with the high temperatures, while additional water containers and spares (including spare wheels lashed to the fuselage) were carried in case the aircraft were forced down in the desert, the DH.9A's struggling under ever heavier loads. Despite this the aircraft served successfully, with the Liberty engine being picked out for particular praise for its reliability ("as good as any Rolls Royce") in such harsh conditions. Some DH.9A aircraft were also transported to India to supplement the British Indian Army.

At home, the DH.9A continued on in regular RAF service until 1930, also forming the initial equipment of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF).
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

Things I liked about the set



• Plenty of choices – nine in all, with varied and interesting stories for each:
  1.   E8627 "B” Flight, 601 (County of London) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Hendon, 1928.
  2.   J8184 "A" Flight, 600 (City of London) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Northolt, 1926.
  3.   J7340 27 Squadron RAF, Risalpur (now in Pakistan), India 1927.
  4.   J6959 84 Squadron RAF, Mosul, Iraq, 1927. This aircraft was the personal aeroplane of Air Vice Marshall Sir Edward Ellingham, AOC-in-C, RAF Middle East
  5.   E8650 84 Squadron RAF, Mosul, Iraq, 1927. Used by Group Captain (later Sir Air Chief Marshall, Sir) Arthur Longmore
  6.   H3627 55 Squadron RAF, Hinaidi, India, 1922.
  7.   H3430 55 Squadron RAF, Mosul, Iraq, 1923. Personal aircraft of Sqn. Ldr. Arthur (‘Mary’) Coningham, who was credited with 14 victories from his wartime service in France
  8.   J7338 47 Squadron RAF, Helwan, Egypt, 1926
  9.   J7124 "A" Flight, 30 Squadron RAF, Hinaidi, India, 1924. Piloted at one time by Flt. Lt. S.M. Kincaid, a South African who flew with Naval One Squadron RNAS and was credited with 32 victories during WWI. He also served with the British mission to support the White Russians in Russia in1919, and later flew the Supermarine S.5 in an attempt on the World Speed Record in 1928, sadly killed in the endeavour.

Note that the first three markings options could be built from the earlier WNW wartime Ninack kit, #32007. The other six options use various parts only included in the post-war kit #32061. Specific alternative parts from the WNW kit are noted in Pheon’s instruction booklet (where known).

• The subject lends itself to very colourful markings, exactly what modellers look for with after-market decals.

• Full colour profiles to assist with decal placement, beautifully printed on light card

• Particular care has been taken by Pheon to minimise the potential of “silvering” of the clear varnish areas around each decal element by eliminating clear areas as much as possible. As Pheon note in the instructions, the trade off with this feature is that repositioning once laid on the model should be minimised due to the risk of distorting the decal.

• Printed by Fantasy Printshop in the UK using a new, superior type of acrylic ink (these are the first from Pheon to use this new process)

• Five of the nine options use spoked wheels which Pheon have produced as a separate item, E32003  DH9A Etched Brass Wire Wheels - set of 3 (with 2 additional resin wheel hub spindles). Cost: GBP 8.50



• Useful list of references for those who would like to read more about the Ninack

• Detailed application instructions including use of certain brands of decal softeners



Things that might have been improved
To provide some semblance of balance, reviews of Pheon decals generally have to resort to nit-picking. In the case of this set the only ‘negative’ to be noted is that on Option 5, the four blue stripes around the fuselage are not included in the decal sheet. Careful matching of the blue colour to the blue of the roundels will be required, and also some careful masking to get the gap and alignment correct (Pheon do note the scale width of the stripes and gap between each). Most modellers should be able to manage this with little difficulty.

Ordering
Price: GBP15.50 excluding postage. Available only direct from Pheon: https://www.pheondecals.com/



Conclusion
This decal set opens up many interesting and colourful markings options for those modellers wanting something a bit different for their post-war Ninack. Another comprehensive package from Pheon: thoroughly researched, detailed instruction booklet, pretty artwork and quality decals printed by well-known manufacturer Fantasy Printshop.

Highly recommended

Thanks to Pheon for providing the set for this review

James Fahey
Happy Modelling
James Fahey

Check out my massive photo collection here: https://jamesfahey.smugmug.com/