An overlooked aircraft - no bombs, no guns. First flown in 1930. First designed as a sports plane, gained a significant position in aviation history as 8673 were produced in the war years. Served in Europe, Africa and the Pacific, as courier, observation, liaison, and ambulance with the US Army and Navy. Its reliability earned it the nickname "The Flying Jeep" also known as "The Grasshopper".

I say it is overlooked because when I picked it up my LHS owner said they'd been slow to move, but were finally being picked up. He'd had them about a month. Kopro also makes a float equipped version.

The Kit

Type: Plastic Injection
Parts: 42
Clear Parts: 4

New Kopro packaging is an improvement over the older packaging. Kit is bagged inside box, decals have protective sheet.

Parts have little to no "flash", good detail. (Downside - its raised detail, but this is a fabric covered aircraft). Lots of "go blind parts" add to the detail, though interior is a little sparse.

Clear Parts

Clear and thin, not bad for the scale, framing should be interesting to paint (very fine).

Decals

Decals for several versions provided, unfortunately some are not for L-4H. Color and registration are excellent. Invasion stripes included.

Instructions

Not easy to read (usual faded photo copy). Easy to use though, as all parts placement is clear in drawings. Too bad they provide inserts to show how to build the L-4A version but no parts.

Value

For the possibilities not a bad price for a small kit.

Conclusions

If you are interested in history making aircraft and don't need the bombs and guns this is a great little kit. The diorama possibilities are endless, I'll be doing mine as an air ambulance version (don't look for it soon). With all the small parts it is definitely one to be build under a magnifier, with a steady hand, but with the effort in my opinion.

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