Dauphin II
SA.365F/AS.565SA

Kitty Hawk Models, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Mike Robertson

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On opening the box of Kitty Hawk's 1/48 cale Dauphin, it is difficult not to be impressed with contents supplied. A large number of parts are provided to build two variants of the Dauphin II, the SA.365F and AS.565A variants.

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Thumbnail panels:

The plastic components are moulded in a soft grey plastic with some smaller parts slightly marred by sink marks. Also, some slight flash evident. The clear components are crisp and very clear.

A small photo-etched fret provides the instrument panel, smaller consoles, seat belts for the pilot’s seats, some antenna and external hoist details.

A small but comprehensive decal sheet provides the modeller with 4 marking options plus an instrument panel decal.

The instruction booklet is well laid out and clear. The relief on the etched instrument and console panels will provide a challenge when painting. It is a shame Kitty Hawk didn’t provide the option of a plastic instrument panel (a personal preference).

Details

Surface detail presented is crisply engraved with some delicate raised details also evident.

Cabin detail is well catered for, although seat belts are only provided for the pilot’s seats.

The transmission housing and rotor head are well detailed and impressive.

Two engines are provided and the breakdown of the cowling panels lend themselves to being displayed open though, this is not indicated in the instructions.

All crew doors will be able to be displayed open. An extensive suite of antennas are provided though, these will make for delicate handling of the kit during painting if fitted prior to this task.

The larger of the tail surfaces is used for this boxing of the Dauphine II.

External stores indicated for this kit are two torpedoes.    

Markings

1. A/C 522 a two tone grey camouflage of Flotille 36F,

2. A/C  318 in single tone grey with nil unit noted,

3. A/C 247 in Sand and Green, perhaps a company demonstrator,

4. A/C unknown in Red, White and Grey scheme with mauve and yellow tail flash of Flotille 36F.       

5. Two of the schemes provided are represented by four views, the remaining two schemes are left and right side views only. As such, the Sand and Green option leaves the modeller to work out the under and upper fuselage patterns.

Whilst the four options provided are appreciated, a little more information would have been nice on the Units of the two options not identified.

Accuracy

My knowledge of the Dauphin II is limited and as such I am unable to comment on its accuracy. Suffice to say,  this kit looks to capture the Dauphin II in impressive detail based on the contents in the box. In due course, modellers who build this kit with knowledge of the Dauphin II will no doubt be able to comment on its accuracy.

This is an impressive and well detailed kit with great surface detail. I suspect that its complexity makes it most appropriate to experienced modellers. Kudos to Kitty Hawk for providing the modelling fraternity with this helicopter in kit form. I look forward to their SH2.

Thanks to Kitty Hawk Models for the sample

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