Silver Wings 1/32 Fokker D.XXI

By Ronald Dorenbos

The Fokker D.XXI was the main fighter in the ‘Wapen der Militaire Luchtvaart’ (Military Aviation Arm; ML) of the Netherlands armed forces in May 1940, with 36 aircraft in service. The D.XXI was armed with 4 FN Browning 7.9mm machine guns. ‘241’ was assigned to 1 JaVA (No.1 Fighter Wing), stationed at De Kooy naval air station, piloted by Lt Jan Bosch. He only flew a single sortie during the German invasion, 241 being destroyed on May 10th by strafing German fighters just after returning from its mission. Lt Bosch managed to escape to the UK, where he joined No.139 Squadron to fly 61 combat missions on DH Mosquito’s as a Pathfinder pilot for Bomber Command. He survived the war and retired as a KLM Boeing 747 captain. He passed away in 2003.

Silver Wing’s D.XXI is an all-resin kit with a few PE parts. Construction is fairly straightforward, except for the cockpit tub. The main problem is the confusing manual which doesn’t clearly indicate the parts to be used, so finding out what goes together where is a bit of trial and error. The manual even tells you on page 2 to fit the radial engine inside the cowling and install the propellor, whereas the actual construction of the engine only takes place on page 8. The suggested national markings do not correspond to the indicated period: the orange triangles and rudder being introduced in September 1939. Nevertheless, the kit builds up to a nice model of a rather unusual subject.

The model was airbrushed with White Ensign enamels. decals are by DutchDecal and Flevo Decals The only AM additions are the Master pitot tube & gun barrels and the Uschi van der Rosten antenna wire.

Silver Wings 1/32 Fokker D.XXI

By Ronald Dorenbos

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