Curtiss-Wright CW-21B
Euro Scale Modelling Limited Edition

Dora Wings, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Curtiss-Wright Model 21 (also known as the Curtiss-Wright Model 21 Demonstrator, the Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Interceptor, the Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon) was an American fighter-interceptor developed by the St. Louis Airplane Division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation during the 1930s.

In April 1940, the Dutch Army Aviation Brigade, desperate for modern combat aircraft, placed an order for 24 CW-21Bs from Curtiss-Wright. After the Battle of the Netherlands, which resulted in the Dutch Army surrendering to the invading Germans on 15 May 1940, the order for the CW-21Bs (together with a number of Curtiss Model 75 fighters and Curtiss-Wright CW-22 trainers), was transferred to the government of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), for the Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger ("Military Aviation of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army"; ML-KNIL).

The 24 CW-21Bs were assembled at Andir airfield, Bandung, Java, in February 1941, equipping Vliegtuiggroep IV, Afdeling 2 ("Air Group IV, No. 2 Squadron"; 2-VLG IV). The lightweight construction of the Curtiss-Wrights gave rise to structural problems, and several aircraft were grounded by cracks in the undercarriage, and were still awaiting repair when war with Japan began on 8 December 1941.

With its light construction, radial engine, low wing loading, limited pilot protection and lack of self-sealing fuel tanks, the CW-21B was the Allied fighter most similar to the opposing Japanese fighters. It had a rate of climb superior to the Nakajima Ki-43-I ("Oscar") and Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero.

The CW-21B had similar firepower to the "Oscar", but worse than the cannon-armed Zero.

2-VLG IV claimed four aerial victories during the Netherlands East Indies campaign, but the ML-KNIL was overwhelmed by the sheer number of Japanese aircraft; almost all of its fighters were soon lost in combat or destroyed on the ground.*

To my knowledge, the only 1/48 scale Curtiss-Wright CW-21B kits were a high quality vacform kit from Sierra Scale Models released in the 1990s now long out of production, and a resin limited edition kit from WSW Modelbau in 1999.

Dora Wings has a knack for picking interesting and esoteric subjects, and they have now expanded their range to include this 1/48 scale injection moulded plastic 1/48 scale Curtiss-Wright CW-21B Interceptor.

Please note that this is a genuine limited edition pre-production kit that was brought forward to coincide with the 2021 IPMS Netherlands Euro Scale Modelling show.

The full commercial release will be available in the northern hemisphere Spring with more marking options, including other Dutch subjects and an example captured by Japanese forces.

For the time being though, Dora Wings' 1/48 scale Limited Edition CW-21B comprises 103 parts in medium grey coloured plastic, three parts in clear plastic, 14 parts on one photo-etched fret, die-cut masks and decals for four marking options.

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Thumbnail panels:

The plastic is smooth and quite shiny. Surface textures are made up mainly from crisply recessed, fine and consistent panel lines. Sprue attachment points are narrow, but they do extend onto the visible outside surfaces of the wings and the fuselage so do take care when removing the parts and cleaning up.

The simple cockpit is fitted out with a photo-etched instrument panel, small switches, handles and harness straps, rudder pedals and more. Dial decals are included.

The engine is detailed with pushrods, finely detailed cylinder banks, crankcase, exhaust manifold and mounts.

Mercifully, the engine cowling is all-plastic - no photo-etched cowl flaps here.

The wings are made up from a full span lower half and and port and starboard upper parts. All control surfaces are separate parts and may be posed neutral or offset. Flaps are moulded closed.

Clear parts are thin and free from distortion although the canopy and windscreen are moulded together as a single part. It might have been nice to have a separate sliding section

Dora Wings has thoughtfully provided die-cut, self-adhesive canopy and landing light masks, which will save some time.

Instructions are supplied on a 12-page, glossy booklet. There are 31 illustrated construction steps.

The marking guide is in full colour.

Markings

The decal sheet is printed by Decograph from Ukraine. The decals are satin in finish.

Registration and printing look good.

Markings are supplied for four options. All four options are finished in bare metal lower surfaces with a disruptive camouflage scheme of Olive Drab 41 and Medium Green 42 on the upper surfaces.

Dora Wings' CW-21B Interceptor is a high quality kit of a type that has never before been offered in injection moulded plastic in 1/48 scale.

This may technically be a limited run kit in terms of production techniques but it looks very mainstream to me, with small locating pins and holes, high quality plastic and fine sprue attachment points.

Dora Wings' 1/48 scale CW-21B will be warmly welcomed by lovers of esoteric fighter subjects worldwide.

*Historical summary adapted from Wikipedia

Thanks to Dora Wings for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2021 by Brett Green
Page Created 18 January, 2022
Last updated 20 January, 2022

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