Here is the dashing figure of this Bendix winner biplane. Colorful, compact, and in the capable hands of Jimmy Doolittle, it left its trail on the aviation history sky.
For more details and the step-by-step building process please go here:
https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2021/08/laird-super-solution-172nd-dekno-resin.html
Dekno has released a comprehensive line of attractive civil machines. This is not an easy feat for a small manufacturer that belongs to the so-called cottage industry, and the fact that these kits do exists at all is a good thing for modelers and the hobby and a lot of merit has to be given to the owner* for persevering and for his hard work. Dekno's products have visibly evolved over time, but there is still some way to go. True, I have only built two kits from this firm, but I encountered some commonalities in the "things to improve" department. The resin used for the main parts seems a bit unstable, and both my kits arrived with some warping/bends on the main parts. Hot water and careful handling cures some of it, but the fit is not ideal anyway. This leads to some fussing, huffing and puffing that I rather would not deal with, given the price. I know that is very laborious and expensive to produce these kits, and that the manufacturer is not seating, like Scrooge McDuck (Tío Rico o Rico McPato in Spanish) on a pile of money, but improvements could be made. The fit of the main parts is where these kits can do better. May be changing the resin? I have no idea, but there are issues with the material used, which again seems unstable and arrived warped in my sample. The instructions, which are in general good, have accuracy issues regarding decal placement in this kit, and the decals in turn have also one minor inaccuracy.
Do not let these caveats cool your enthusiasm, as Dekno's products are of a fair standard generally speaking, but still as said there is room for improvement. I hope Dekno keeps evolving as it has been doing, because I really, truly love the range of civil planes they offer. Dry-fit all your parts before committing to painting or gluing, as in my sample all locating devices, when present, had to be revised to some degree.
All things considered, for a number of modelers the extra effort and time involved in the building of this somewhat challenging kits will at the end be worth it.
I am glad I can see the peppy figure of this historical little biplane, reputedly the only such configured machine to ever win the Bendix trophy, even if my blood pressure went up a couple times during the build.
*And well deserved cheers to valiant paladins of the cottage industry like Lars Opland of Khee-Kha Art Products or Matías Hagen of 72Topia, both with great products in their respective departments.
A very compact plane, almost an engine with wings:
It is not unusual for modelers to realize that something is missing (especially when is not provided in the kit) after the photo session of the "completed" model is done, and today is no exception:
Tie rods:
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