Yesterday, I unboxed the Patriot Models DC-10-10 prototype over at the Youtube channel, but most of Patriot's production recently has required more individual modification and the partner DC-10 release certainly does. New technology and new brands have made it a lot easier for one-off models to be produced in 400 scale, which makes it much easier to have some really unusual models in your collection, if you can find them and can afford them that is! Patriot Models may command a premium but the end-product has been impressive to date. To buy these models check out these retailers: Each review is to split into three key areas:
MOULD The pair of Patriot Models McDonnell Douglas DC-10s use the Aeroclassics mould and the base models here was produced at the Aeroclassics factory - but don't let that put you off - ha ha! The Aeroclassics DC-10 is excellent and it was only in November last year that I reviewed a Continental Airlines example here at the site - see: Due to that recent DC-10 review I will focus in this section not on the base mould, but on the modifications that have been made to it, undertaken I believe at the Patriot facility rather than the Aeroclassics factory. The differences that could be easily applied to all Aeroclassics DC-10s, but aren't, are the addition of proper rolling gear with tyrehubs and the addition of aerials. Both additions are a major improvement. Rather than simple tyre on a peg gear the tyres here come with very nicely detailed hubs, that rather transform the look of the undercarriage. Aeroclassics have tried this kind of better gear on some of their newer widebody moulds, like the 767-200 and L-1011, but have never managed it very well - especially when it comes to the nosegear. Patriot have no problem here and the new tyres and hubs are excellently sized. The model features 5 aerials, 3 on the forward underside. They look really nice, are sized well and show how much a simple addition like this improves the detailing of the model. The major tanker addition is of course the belly canoe fairing, which features three centre-line belly tanks for water of fire retardant. This is a bespoke add-on, which conveniently attaches to the fuselage belly using the standhole of the model. It is a really well designed addition, with a lot of detailing on it, including all the lateral line detailing. With the modifications to make the Air Tanker this is a superb mould. The only area of lower quality is the lip of the no 2 engine, which when not all silver rather stands out, but I'll discuss that in the QC section. SCORE - 10 PAINT & LIVERY There are four active DC-10 Air Tankers in service and N612AX has operated with the State Government of New South Wales several times: once in 2015/2016, again from November 2017 into 2018 and during 2019/2020. The orange livery worn here has been worn each time, but only with the level of detail shown here on the first lease. At later dates it lacked the aircraft name, crest and tail titles. Broadly, the livery has been replicated well. Here is a high quality photo of her in 2016. All the elements are present from the very small aircraft name 'Southern Belle' to the NSW RFS titles on the tail. Arguably, the fineness of the name and the printwork on the fire service badge forward of the L1 door could be better, but that's harsh. The orange colouring is fine and nothing is out of place. The main titles are good, but I think the black shadowing could be stronger. The font used on the model for the large N612AX registration also isn't correct. None of these are major criticisms. SCORE - 9 PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL Aeroclassics printwork isn't always superb, but this model has good detailing, no obvious overlap issues and looks fine. Zoom in and there is some untidiness at the nose in relation to the thin black pinstripe, but you've really got to be looking closely. Something I have seen criticised is the height of the windowline. I think it is very marginally too low, but it is by less than a mm and is certainly not as noticeable as on some photos I've seen. I do think that add-on central water tank canoe fairing could have more print detail to differentiate the three tanks, but once again it isn't a major issue. More annoying are the very silvery fanblades to the engines. On the quality front the only issue relates to the number two engine intake. The fit of the intake section to the nacelle is not great and the thin silver rim print is also a little messy. Worth mentioning of course is the excellent packaging and extras the model comes with. The box is a very high quality magnetic flip top effort, with foam support for the model. There is also a very nice postcard and collectors card that come with the model. The only downside of the packaging is that the foam insert does tend to leave small fibres on the model itself. SCORE - 7 SUMMARY I am increasingly a fan of these more obscure aircraft, especially now that the technology to make them well exists. It is somewhat ironic that this Patriot release uses an Aeroclassics base, as AC have been well known at times for not bothering to replicate detail differences (minor length differences between variants, different engine types etc), but you have to commend them here. Certainly, the basic Aeroclassics DC-10 is much improved with quality additions like the gear and aerials. This is another lovely model from Patriot. It isn't cheap (I got mine for 320rmb on taobao and it is available for £59.95 at Bedfordshire Diecast) but you get what you pay for.
FINAL SCORE - 26/30
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AuthorI'm Richard Stretton an aviation enthusiast and major collector of 400 scale models. On this page I take a detailed look at new releases. This site is free. Please donate to keep it going.
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