INTERMEDIATE BUILD
Cast with Dekno’s resin Howard DGA-15P, Mike Grant builds the model in Free French colours as an ambulance airframe.
Catalonia-based manufacturer Dekno produces a range of resin kits depicting golden-age aircraft subjects, mainly in 1/72, and most are civilian types including several 1930s air racers, but there are also a few military variants based on civilian prototypes.
As a case in point, Dekno offers the Howard DGA-15P in civil guise (GA.720701), with wheel spats and Humble Oil Company decals for an all-red aircraft or as a military variant (GA.720700) with both US and French markings. The latter was to be the subject of this build, depicting the high-wing monoplane fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine (hence the ‘P’ designation) but no wheel spats or propeller spinner, as operated during World War Two.
Packed in a sturdy little box, the resin parts were cast in a light, bright blue material (reminiscent of the old Airfix 1/72 Bf 109G, though that was styrene) and sealed in pouches for protection. The casting appeared clean and crisp, though the surface of the major parts had a slight pebbled texture and there was sporadic flash – removed easily with a sharp blade. Windscreen and windows…
