dewertus
Active member
Few weeks ago i order this model to my Northern Front collection 
History background.
The Dornier Do 17Z series was the most recognised and mass produced variant, and saw more combat service than the other "17" types. The "Z" was modified as a result of combat experience during the Spanish Civil War. The forward fuselage was redesigned, with the cockpit area being "dropped", or extended further to enable a rear firing gunner position to be installed, and the canopy extended aft, until it was nearly parallel with the leading edge and wing root.
The “Z” variants being fitted with Bramo Fafnir 323 A radial engines due to the call for all DB 600 series engines to be reserved for fighters. The bomb load was increased to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and a fourth crew member was added. It proved to be underpowered, so Bramo 323 P engines were then fitted. With the updates, the Dornier, with a full bomb load, had a combat radius of 322 km (200 mi). Later variants, in the Do 17 Z-3, Z-4 and Z-5, which were fitted with cameras, dual trainer controls and flotation aids (for maritime operations) respectively, still could not solve the problems with range and bomb load.
In November 1941, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring decided to give 15 Dornier Do 17Z aircraft to the Finnish Air Force. The Finns used their Do 17 aircraft mainly for night bombing and against "soft" targets at the front, since the aircraft were considered obsolete – the speed and climbing abilities of the Do 17 were deemed inadequate by 1942 standards. Fifteen Do 17s (three Z-1, three Z-2 and nine Z-3) saw service with the Finns. Ten were lost between January 1943 and January 1945, the remaining five were not scrapped until in 1952.
Specifications
Data from Fighters and Bombers of World War II
General characteristics
Crew: 4 (pilot, bombardier/gunner, two gunners)
Length: 15.80 m (51 ft 9⅝ in.)
Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 0⅝ in.)
Height: 4.56 m (14 ft 11½ in.)
Wing area: 55 m² (590 ft²)
Empty weight: 5,209 kg (11,480 lb)
Loaded weight: 8,578 kg (18,872 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 8,850 kg (19,500 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × BMW Bramo 323P Fafnir 9-cylinder radial engines, 746 kW (1,000 hp) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 427 km/h (231 kn, 265 mph)
Range: 1,160 km (626 nmi, 721 mi) at half combat load
Service ceiling: 7,000 m (22,965 ft)
Wing loading: 156 kg/m² (32 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 170 W/kg (0.11 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns: 6 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun; lower nose gun occasionally replaced with 20 mm MG FF or MG 151 cannon
Bombs:
500 kilograms (1,100 lb) in the main internal bomb bay.
500 kilograms (1,100 lb) in the secondary bay created by removing fuel tanks. The lower fuel level reduced range greatly and the extra weight degraded the aircraft's performance characteristics.
Model.
The model consists of a dozen parts cast from gray plastic. General, molded parts are clean, in most cases with no shifts and flash. Panel lines are delicate and engraved but as for so big model and scale their numbers are modest. Existing event not covering all main lines (I’m not mention about viewfinder, lesser lines or rivets) . The texture and quality of the material make a decent impression - treatment should be easy and painless. The quality and the details of elements is satisfying, although does not overly done - thanks to this a model will be a good choice for a beginner, but advanced modelers will be forced to enhancements and modifications (special cockpit haunted emptiness). Never less this model is a good base to build “flaying pencil” model.
Glass elements are clear and unfortunately not fully transparent – in my specimen there is a slight dulling as if inside the material (the same surfaces are smooth). For beginner it can help to hide almost empty cockpit, but for more demanding modelers this will be a problem.
Decals and assembly instructions.
Decals are the weakest element of each model produced by KITECH - the technology used for printing and their quality resembles the decals from first short run made within eighties. Decals print is very thick and for this scale vague. Unfortunately used colors are totally wrong (except black). Additional concern is the texture of the decals base - it can raise concerns of the sustainability (possible fracture) and a weak response on softening lotions. Fortunately decals can be replaced by very good product made by TECHMOD (including Finns marks). Basis on KITECH decals we can finish model in two versions:
1. Do-17Z-2, Luftwaffe Stab/KG.3, 1940
2. Do-17Z-1/2/3, Suomen Ilmavoimat PLeLv 46, 1943
The instructions are printed on both sides of a big sheet. The first page includes a brief description of the aircraft (the history and technical data) and the paint scheme. On second is printed a assembly chart shown on 5 drawings. Assembly is illustrated clearly and logically - building the model should not be a problem
Summary.
In my opinion it’s a good alternative for less demanding modelers, special that price is not to high and oscillates at 15$ (in Poland). The main problem is that KITECH models are not available in regular model shops but from time to time in normal toys shops or on ebay / allegro.
History background.
The Dornier Do 17Z series was the most recognised and mass produced variant, and saw more combat service than the other "17" types. The "Z" was modified as a result of combat experience during the Spanish Civil War. The forward fuselage was redesigned, with the cockpit area being "dropped", or extended further to enable a rear firing gunner position to be installed, and the canopy extended aft, until it was nearly parallel with the leading edge and wing root.
The “Z” variants being fitted with Bramo Fafnir 323 A radial engines due to the call for all DB 600 series engines to be reserved for fighters. The bomb load was increased to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and a fourth crew member was added. It proved to be underpowered, so Bramo 323 P engines were then fitted. With the updates, the Dornier, with a full bomb load, had a combat radius of 322 km (200 mi). Later variants, in the Do 17 Z-3, Z-4 and Z-5, which were fitted with cameras, dual trainer controls and flotation aids (for maritime operations) respectively, still could not solve the problems with range and bomb load.
In November 1941, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring decided to give 15 Dornier Do 17Z aircraft to the Finnish Air Force. The Finns used their Do 17 aircraft mainly for night bombing and against "soft" targets at the front, since the aircraft were considered obsolete – the speed and climbing abilities of the Do 17 were deemed inadequate by 1942 standards. Fifteen Do 17s (three Z-1, three Z-2 and nine Z-3) saw service with the Finns. Ten were lost between January 1943 and January 1945, the remaining five were not scrapped until in 1952.
Specifications
Data from Fighters and Bombers of World War II
General characteristics
Crew: 4 (pilot, bombardier/gunner, two gunners)
Length: 15.80 m (51 ft 9⅝ in.)
Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 0⅝ in.)
Height: 4.56 m (14 ft 11½ in.)
Wing area: 55 m² (590 ft²)
Empty weight: 5,209 kg (11,480 lb)
Loaded weight: 8,578 kg (18,872 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 8,850 kg (19,500 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × BMW Bramo 323P Fafnir 9-cylinder radial engines, 746 kW (1,000 hp) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 427 km/h (231 kn, 265 mph)
Range: 1,160 km (626 nmi, 721 mi) at half combat load
Service ceiling: 7,000 m (22,965 ft)
Wing loading: 156 kg/m² (32 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 170 W/kg (0.11 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns: 6 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine gun; lower nose gun occasionally replaced with 20 mm MG FF or MG 151 cannon
Bombs:
500 kilograms (1,100 lb) in the main internal bomb bay.
500 kilograms (1,100 lb) in the secondary bay created by removing fuel tanks. The lower fuel level reduced range greatly and the extra weight degraded the aircraft's performance characteristics.
Model.
The model consists of a dozen parts cast from gray plastic. General, molded parts are clean, in most cases with no shifts and flash. Panel lines are delicate and engraved but as for so big model and scale their numbers are modest. Existing event not covering all main lines (I’m not mention about viewfinder, lesser lines or rivets) . The texture and quality of the material make a decent impression - treatment should be easy and painless. The quality and the details of elements is satisfying, although does not overly done - thanks to this a model will be a good choice for a beginner, but advanced modelers will be forced to enhancements and modifications (special cockpit haunted emptiness). Never less this model is a good base to build “flaying pencil” model.
Glass elements are clear and unfortunately not fully transparent – in my specimen there is a slight dulling as if inside the material (the same surfaces are smooth). For beginner it can help to hide almost empty cockpit, but for more demanding modelers this will be a problem.
Decals and assembly instructions.
Decals are the weakest element of each model produced by KITECH - the technology used for printing and their quality resembles the decals from first short run made within eighties. Decals print is very thick and for this scale vague. Unfortunately used colors are totally wrong (except black). Additional concern is the texture of the decals base - it can raise concerns of the sustainability (possible fracture) and a weak response on softening lotions. Fortunately decals can be replaced by very good product made by TECHMOD (including Finns marks). Basis on KITECH decals we can finish model in two versions:
1. Do-17Z-2, Luftwaffe Stab/KG.3, 1940
2. Do-17Z-1/2/3, Suomen Ilmavoimat PLeLv 46, 1943
The instructions are printed on both sides of a big sheet. The first page includes a brief description of the aircraft (the history and technical data) and the paint scheme. On second is printed a assembly chart shown on 5 drawings. Assembly is illustrated clearly and logically - building the model should not be a problem
Summary.
In my opinion it’s a good alternative for less demanding modelers, special that price is not to high and oscillates at 15$ (in Poland). The main problem is that KITECH models are not available in regular model shops but from time to time in normal toys shops or on ebay / allegro.
