Herpa WINGS Collection releases their new die-cast Austrian Airlines Douglas DC-3, First Austrian DC-3 Club today. Herpa issues over 20 DC-3's in various livery in scales ranging from 1/100 to 1/500. This is Herpa's 75th anniversary and they even have a 1/1 scale DC-3 painted for the occasion on tour!

First Austrian DC-3 Dakota Club

For 15 years, the First Austrian DC-3 Dakota Club has been involved in the preservation of a Douglas DC-3 because in the 60s, this airplane type had also been in the fleet of Austrian Airlines. In 1995, the association purchased a DC-3 which was painted in the colors of the Austrian airline and was given the name “Arizona Lady”. Today, it is on display at the Salzburg airport.* Arizona Lady began life with Douglas serial number 13073, serving during the Second World War as USAAF 42-93189, when it became operational on 20 April 1944. After the war it flew with Trans World Airlines thence over a dozen other owners before her current incarnation in 1995. Her current registration number is N86U, though some sources list it as N86AU; all photographs I have found show N86U. She is registered as OE-LBC for Austrian Airlines.

The Model

Herpa packages the Austrian Airlines Douglas DC-3 in an attractive, sturdy end-opening box featuring a portrait of Arizona Lady. Inside, the model is well protected inside a fitted sandwich of foam, protected from the foam by small sheets of plastic. Each end of the foam sandwich are thoughtfully notched for easy gripping.

The model is fully assembled. The airframe is metal with rotating plastic propellers, and plastic landing gear and rotating tires. The hubs are out of scale. Surface detail is basic: recessed lines outline the control surfaces from the surrounding airframe. The fairing over the inner and outer wing junction just outboard the nacelles is properly raised. There are no clear windows, these being simulated with paint, as are the fuselage doors.

A chrome plated two-piece stand is provided for the aircraft to set upon. You attach the airfoil profiled pylon to the base with screws. The tab on the top is canted so the aircraft is not in level flight. The base identifies the subject with a printed placard.

Paint and Markings

Arizona Lady sports the striking livery of Austrian Airlines: white upper fuselage separated from a natural metal underside by red stripping, natural metal or aluminum-painted wings and engine nacelles, and the Austrian national colors of red, white and red on the tail. Austrian Airlines in "speed lettering" adorns the fuselage above the windows. The herald of the First Austrian DC-3 Dakota Club is emblazoned on both sides of the fuselage behind the cockpit glazing. The "end number" N86U is printed but not the Austrian Airlines end number OE-LBC. This corresponds to all photographs I have found.

The only oddity is the wing antiskid paths are painted white. I have not found any resources to verify nor debunk the accuracy of this.

All markings are sharp. These are printed on and not decals. The paint is smooth and blemish free.

Summary

This Herpa small scale display DC-3 is a sharp model! The painting and markings are first rate. The attractive display stand with placard information is a fine way to display this model. Recommend!

*Herpa website.