After
a long wait, there is finally a PC-9 kit in 1:72 scale, released by L & M
model company, from Croatia. The only previously available PC-9 kit was from
Aeroclub, long time out of production, an not being entirely accurate. A
new-tool 1/72 PC-9 kit scale released by L & M captured the proper smudge
lines of Pilatus made aircraft. It’s important to point out that this is a
limited edition kit, which means that is a short run, made in resin but this
disadvantage doesn’t mean that is not made by today's standards of a modern
kits.
So,
starting from the box …
On the
box there is all black side view of a first of three PC-9 in Croatian AF colors,
used only on the first aircraft in very short period around 1997. Later the
Croatian AF acquired additional 17 new PC-9M aircraft, making the total of 20 of
them and Pilatus remanufactured first three CrAF PC-9 to M standard and given
all of them a new, combination of white and red, aerobatic like colour scheme.
Pilatus PC-9 within Croatian AF replaced Utva 75 light aircraft in the advanced
training role.
Curiously,
but neighbour state Slovenia, around the same time also bought some of the
Pilatus PC-9 and PC-6 aircraft second hand.
Additionaly,
there is also a L & M PC-9 1:72 model kit, produced with a different
artwork, with a Slovenian AF on it. It is the same kit inside, but this time
with diferent decals for Slovenia.
Opening
the box you can find around 50 resin parts, two vacumform made clear canopies
and decal sets with instruction booklet. There are two main fuselage parts,
split vertically, two wings, vertical and horizontal stabilizer, cockpit, seats
and many, many tiny parts like antenas, jogs, tubes, wheels and so.
The
surface finish is smooth and all the parts are produced to a very high standard
with crisply engraved panel lines. There
are no nasty ejector pin marks or air bubbles anywhere on my specimen, and
imagine, nose weight is given. Nice touch L & M. The dry fit test of the fuselage and wings didn’t unveil any
gaps between or any other disadvantage … and what is important, it fits nicely
to my Pilatus procured planes of actual aircraft.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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Next
is the booklet … or instructions, with brief history of the plane and users,
and diagram of parts, few actual photographs of aircraft (again, nice touch L
& M) and assembly instructions with 3 view color scheme.
Decals are provided, in this version for Croatian AF aircraft number 051,
all black, and 052 white red color schemes.
Slovenian version has decals for other two aircraft in Slovenian AF
colors.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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There
are also indications, that there will be soon another version of Pilatus PC-9M
aircraft, and PC-9A (M) aircraft with decals for Thai AF, RAAF, and new version
of Croatian and Slovenian AF.
Conclusions
Finally
there is entirely accurate PC-9 kit in 1:72 scale, with smooth surface finish
and very high standard produced parts with crisply engraved panel lines.
This kit is not for the beginners, but it would certainly deserve to take
a place on many modelers shelves.
Thanks
to Mr. Likso, manager of a L & M model company for proving me with the kit.
Igor