Albatros Publications ltd.

AMC DH9A "Ninak" Volume One, Windsock Datafile No. 139

by  John Alcorn

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS # 43146

MSRP: 10.90 GBP ISBN: 978-1-906798-02-4 Website: www.windsockdatafilespecials.co.uk This is the first of two volumes dealing with one of the most influential single engine biplanes of World War I and the nineteen-twenties. Although the DH-4 was a famous airplane in its own right, some of its design features, such as the cockpits separated by a fuel tank causing communications problems in the days before electronic intercoms and low power, required modification. The solution was the installation of the American-built 400 hp. Liberty 12 engine, which increased the power and allowed relocation of the cockpits. Although only small numbers of DH-9A's had reached the Western Front by late 1918, some were used with effect against the Germans, but the airplane became the standard RAF day bomber after the war, and continued in service in the UK and the Middle East until they were replaced by more modern airplanes in the late twenties. This book, billed as Volume One, outlines the design development of the DH-9A, along with its operational history. This is very complete, and especially interesting is the coverage of the DH-9A's use against various groups of Iraqi and other Middle Eastern insurgents in the late ‘twenties. Apparently, not much has changed in that part of the world. In addition to the very informative text, 65 excellently reproduced photos show the aircraft at various stages of its career, 10 color profile views, and a selection of excellent 1/72 and 1/48 scale drawings. In addition, 41 photos are provided showing details of the only surviving example of the type in the RAF Museum. The story of this particular airplane is related, as it was captured by the Germans towards the end of World War I, exhibited in a German museum until late in World War II, finally winding up in Poland after the war. It was later returned to Britain in 1977, where it was restored and placed on exhibit. This publication was developed primarily for modelers, and gives enough detailed information for a serious modeler to super-detail a model of the DH-9. Incidentally, several kits of the DH-9A are available, in 1/72 and 1/32 scale, as is a kit of the Russian version, the R-1, which is really a Russian production version of the airplane. These include vacuform, resin, and injection molded kits, so this book will prove very useful to modelers. (Editor's Note: If the author's name looks familiar, John Alcorn is a long-time member of IPMS/USA and has authored several related books. His scratchbuilt "Ninak" in 1/24 scale took several "Best of" awards at IPMS conventions here and in the UK, and his love for this particular type certainly shows throughout his body of work…JN) Highly recommended. Thanks to Albatros Productions and John Noack for the review copy.