Pavla 1/72 Curtiss AT-9 Jeep (Curtiss Wright CW 25)

PAVLA 1:72 CURTISS AT-9 JEEP

Reviewer: Richard Stracey (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 15 September 2002 (#49)

Kit Details:
Curtiss AT-9 Jeep (Curtiss Wright CW 25) - Pavla 1/72 72013

Aircraft:
The AT-9 was a twin seat advanced trainer with the handling characteristics of a light bomber to ready pilots for the B25’s and B26’s. It was an all metal machine with wings from the CW19/21 and two Lycoming R680 radial engines. Although a total of 791 aircraft were built they were only in service for a short time commencing in 1940. They were considered a “hot ship” and had a span of 40’4” (12.29m) and length of 31’8” (9.65m).

The Kit:
This top quality, limited run Pavla kit from the Czech republic has been around since 1999 and consists of 33 plastic parts, one vacform canopy, one Eduard photo etch fret and resin engines and propeller blades. The instructions are adequate with Humbrol and Agama colours shown.

Construction:
I must first say that nice as they are the photo etch parts are not of much use. Most of the internal details can’t be seen and the external parts are too small and/or delicate. Eduard have made a beautiful dashboard reduced, I suspect, from original plans. Unfortunately they haven’t taken into consideration the thickness of the kit fuselage and therefore need “butchering” to fit. As with all limited run kits that I have come across, the internal fittings are too wide/high for the fuselage and everything needs trimming. I know, I know, we modellers are never satisfied but I reckon that the etched metal control wheels (M5) are just too fine! Once the coming (3) is in place the dashboard is lost to sight and the radio gear (M13) cannot be seen.

I have information that shows that the top “windows” of the canopy to be tinted green. This is best done using Tamiya X25 Clear Green on the inside, before the canopy is fitted. While on the subject of the canopy, I found it to be a very good fit.

I did replace the ariel (M9), steps (M3) and horn balances (M10) with more substantial scratch built wire items. If you add the engines after the nacelles have been joined you will have to file down the engine diameter to get them in. This is no problem as not much of the cylinders can be seen. Pavla are a bit vague as to the location of the exhausts. I fitted mine (made from short lengths of Contrail tube) after the painting stage. They protrude slightly from the rear of part No.19.

I did drill out the underwing landing lights and the three formation lights and filled the holes with Kristal Kleer (white glue). Don’t forget the pitot tube and navigation lights. That’s about it, really quite simple.

Versions & Decals:
Four decal options are supplied but only three shown in the instructions. The fourth, U-124 2-57103 is bare metal with blue/white insignia, no “tail feathers” or “US ARMY” under the wings and white cowlings and nose. I chose another bare metal machine as I couldn’t bring myself to paint such a sleek, sporty looking machine in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey! The decals are by Propagteam but more robust than their usual offerings. T58 and 620 both require the red/white/blue stars and Propagteam (and other Eastern European decal manufactures) always get them wrong. Their red centres are always too big and come in contact with the blue. Look at any photo of a pre WWII American aircraft and you will see what I mean. Anyway, I used the blue/white insignia (2) and some red centres from a Hasegawa generic sheet and cut the wing walkways from black decal sheet.

Conclusion:
I must admit to knowing next to nothing about the “Jeep” before I started this project and not much more after! The only information that came to hand was in the Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Aircraft V6 p.1294. Other than the very nice but pointless photo etch sheet I enjoyed the kit and am happy with the result. Thanks Pavla.

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