1:48 de Havilland Chipmunk T.10/T.20

The real subject

The Chipmunk is a two-seat trainer with tandem seats, a piston engine and landing gear with a tailwheel. It came out of de Havilland's Canadian branch as the successor to the Tiger Moth biplane and with the Royal Air Force (RAF) it became the basic machine for pilot training. The T.10 version served in Britain; the T.20 was the military export version. A number of machines fly to this day in civilian hands, so even a modeler who sees the Chipmunk at air shows knows it.

What the kit contains

A plastic kit in 1:48 scale for building either the T.10 or the T.20 version. The parts are on sprues and are separated with nippers; the model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. To finish it you need plastic cement, paints and basic tools.

Building and painting tips

First finish and paint both cockpits; once the fuselage is glued you will not reach them. The glazing of the canopy is extensive and it can be seen into, so it pays to mask and spray the frames rather than paint them with a brush. On an aircraft with a tailwheel, watch the angle of the stance on the landing gear, so that the model does not stand level. Before painting, wash and degrease the whole model.

Who it is for

For the modeler who likes small trainers and a classic build with no major reworking. In 1:48 scale the model is large enough for the detail of the cabin to come out, while taking up less room in a display case than a fighter. It will also serve as a quieter build between more demanding projects. Paints, glue and filler are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.