DML 1/72 Aichi Type 99 Val Dive Bomber Kit First Look

By Dave Manter

First Look

The Aichi D3A, Allied reporting name "Val" was a World War II carrier-borne dive bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). It was the primary dive bomber in the Imperial Japanese Navy, and participated in almost all actions, including Pearl Harbor. The Aichi D3A was the first Japanese aircraft to bomb American targets in World War II, commencing with Pearl Harbor and U.S. bases in the Philippines, such as Clark Air Force Base. During the course of the Second World War, the Val dive bomber sank more Allied warships than any other Axis aircraft.

The Dragon Aichi Type 99 Val Dive Bomber kit consists of 89 parts molded in grey styrene and 6 parts molded in clear styrene. All of the parts are very well molded and all feature great detail. The panel lines are very fine and recessed. The cockpit is very well detailed for this scale. The kit gives you the options of positional control surfaces, open or closed canopy and the option of folding the wing tips. You also get the option of open or closed cowl flaps. Decals are printed extremely well and they give you the option for 4 aircraft, two from the carrier Akagi during the battle of Midway, one from the carrier Shokaku during the battle of the Coral Sea and one aircraft stationed on Celebes Island during 1942.

Some key features of the kit:

• Open or closed canopy
• Amazing levels of detail on the engine
• Cockpit interior and instrument panel possess fine detail
• Fully detailed rear cockpit
• Foldable wing tips
• Munition pylons fitter beneath wings
• Ailerons can be assembled in different positions
• Accurate 250kg bombs
• Landing gear realistically produced
• True to scale propeller
• Decals by Cartograf

My sincere thanks to DML for this review sample!