The history
The Pilatus PC-9M is arguably the best turboprop trainer aircraft in the world.
It was designed on the previous Pilatus trainer, the PC-7. The first
preproduction example first flight happened in 1984. In 1985 it lost a
competition for the RAF trainer to Shorts Tucano, but soon after that, the Saudi
Arabia became the first PC-9 costumer. In 1997 first Australian PC-9A flew.
PC-9B was designation of a special target-towing variant exported to Germany
with an increased fuel capacity. Pilatus developed a version called PC-9 Mk.II
for the US JPATS competition. The airframe won and Rayethon has now more than
1000 planes designated T-6 Texan II on order. In 1997 Pilatus unveiled the
improved version with many modifications, called the PC-9M. Slovenia was the
launch customer for the PC-9M, ordering nine planes, which were later modified
to »Swift« configuration (HOTAS, NVG, HUD, armed,...). The orders followed
from Oman and the latest was from Irish defence ministry.
Current users: Angola, Australia, Croatia, Cyprus, Iraq (?), Ireland, Myanmar,
Oman, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Thailand, US Army 1991-1993 (later
sold to Slovenia), Condor Flugdienst (PC-9B), USAF, USMC and USN as T-6A Texan
II.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The kit
The first and only 1/72 PC-9 kit was PC-9A from Aeroclub. This kit is long gone
and extremly hard to get now. Luckily a new kit is now available, made by
L&M Resin Kits. L&M is a Croatian company which produces resin kits of
the aircraft of historic significance in ex Yugoslavia; indeginous designs and
foreign designs which are not available on the modelling market. The Pilatus
PC-9 was a logical choice, since there was quite a demand from Croatian and
Slovenian modellers, since both countries operate these planes. Currently, there
are 5 versions available; 72-20 PC-9A (CroAF), 72-21 PC-9A mod. (CroAF), 72-22
PC-9M (CroAF), 72-23 PC-9A (SloAF) and 72-24 PC-9M (SloAF).
The kit contains around 50 resin parts and 2 canopies. All the panel lines are
mostly finely engraved. The sizes of plane are accurate. You also receive the
nose weight (!) and a resin model of canopy, in case you want to make your own.
In this version you receive the decals for the Slovenian PC-9M from Le Bourget
1999 with white 316 on the fuselage sides and a Swift – Radom sticker on the
horizontal stabilizer; Radom is an Israeli company with which Slovenia
modernised it's PC-9Ms. Only small stencils are omited from the small decal
sheet... The instructions are printed on one side of the A4 size sheet, while
there are mainly cockpit drawings taken from PC-9 flight manual on the other
side.
Conclusion
Finally a nice Pilatus PC-9 kit on the market, albeit in limited edition only. I
recommend this kit to more experienced modellers.
For info about purchasing this kit or other kits from L&M Resin Kits, please
contact Mr. Tihomir Likso at tihomir.likso@inet.hr
Sebastijan
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