Finally
a kit of the IA-24 Calquin of the Argentine Air Force (AAF). The aircraft
was known as the Widow Maker.
The
AAF need a twin-engined and light bomber aircraft, the “Instituto
Aerotecnico” based its development in an configuration similar to the De
Havilland DH-98 Mosquito. The first parts started to be manufactured in
April 1945 and the subject was finished around the middle of February
1946, coming up in this way the IA-24 Calquin (Royal Eagle). 100 of this
type of aircraft were manufactured in Córdoba.
The
aircraft saw service in several Argentine Air Force units until 1957 when
they were retired from active service. The last of them, the A-72 was
retired in 1959.
The
Calquin was developed in three versions, all of them with 4 machine-guns
of 0,50 caliber with 750 rounds each, placed on the lower area of the
nose.
The
bomber version could load
200 kg
in its bomb bay (two bays of
100 kg
, or 18 of 15kg); in its attack version, the machine-guns ammunitions
increased up to 1170 rounds each gun, while in the assault version, each
wing could load up to five 75MM rockets.
Mirage
Resin Models launch themselves putting on the market this kit that
represents one of the so many chapters of the Argentine aeronautical
industry in their attempt to be less dependent on foreign models. This is
a limited run kit.
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images below to see larger images
At
first sight, I was a little disappointed since it seemed to lack of
details and panel lines, but after studying the references very carefully,
I could find that the real thing lacked access panels, due to the
simple reason that it was a manufactured wood product, so there were no
visible joints, thus the lack of the panels we are so accustomed to
finding on aircraft.
After
the first impression, I can say that its construction was straightforward,
a good quality resin kit offering no fit problems. The high quality
white metal parts may be polished and used with their natural metal finish
such the case of the propeller spinners.
The
kit provides two vacuformed parts (for each clear part) which offer no
problems of fit. The
etched parts are right and necessary ones to detail what really resembles
a Spartan cockpit.
It’s
construction was simple, once the cockpit was painted following the
manufacturer’s instructions (all the references pictures I got were
black and white), I went on assembling the fuselage which was not
difficult at all in spite of the fact the fuselage comes in three
sections.
The
overall assembly was accomplished as per instructions which are easy to
follow. Some putty was necessary for the joints, but no more than the
amount any other resin kit needs.
I´m
very surprise with the quality of the landing gears; that will support the kit
weight perfectly thanks to the high quality material used (is a little smaller
than a Mosquito).
The
kit supplies decals to chose between two different airplanes with the same
scheme that was the only one these airplanes used in its short active service.
Well, I decided to paint mine to match the A-59, which is the showiest and
represents one of the two airplanes used by the IVth Air
Brigade “El Plumerillo” in the Province of Mendoza.
The
Calquin is a first release from Mirage Resin Models who now give us the chance
to add to our collection an exclusive and singular model based on an excellent
well made kit that was not very time-consuming.
Fabián
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