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Last Updated: Aug 21st, 2020 - 13:06:35 |
One of a small number of dedicated dive-bombers in service at the beginning of WW2, the LN411, and its ship-board counterpart, the LN 401, served with Escadrilles AB2 and AB4 of the Aeronavale during the Battle of France. Employed attacking German armour, but without accompanying fighters, both units were decimated and surviving examples of the type were placed in storage after the Armistice, apparently never to be used again. This latest kit from the Czech firm, Azur, is a welcome addition to their growing range of early WW2 French aircraft. One can but hope the policy continues (the kit box states ?design and conception in France, tooling and moulding in the Czech Republic?).
Moulded in a softish light grey plastic the kit contains 44 injection moulded parts, vacformed canopy, 9 etched brass components and photo-negative backing for the instrument panel. According to my limited references the span and length are correct although the canopy seems a little undersize. Nevertheless the overall shape of the model is satisfactory.
External detailing is by way of fine engraved lines, although my preference would be to accentuate those delineating the control surfaces. Internals are simple but adequate considering the small cockpit canopy. However the wing-mounted 7.5mm machine guns are not included in the kit parts (but are shown correctly on the camouflage schemes) and the spinner needs to have the 20mm cannon port drilled in its centre. An arrestor hook is included in the parts but there is no indication of its location nor any information on wing-fold lines (presumably at the adhedral/dihedral junction) - a future LN401 release perhaps? Similarly no bomb crutch or bomb are provided and I have been unable to unearth any details of same - perhaps a reader can help.
A dry run indicates no fit problems other than removal of some ejection pins on the inside of various components and despite being a short-run kit there is no flash, heavy ?gates? or thick trailing edges.
Markings are provided for two aircraft of AB4 during 1940. These include decals for the rudder stripes and lettering, and also the lettering alone for those who wish to paint the stripes.
Overall this is good value for money and fills a niche in the range of WW2 Gallic aircraft. Buy one and hopefully, encourage Azur to produce more kits of lesser-known subjects.
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