1/72 WH-1/model 139 ‘Early Dutch East Indies Bomber’

The Martin Model 139, known in the USAAF as the B-10, B-12 and B-14 after the engines used, represented a real revolution in military aircraft design in the mid-1930s. At a time when canvas-covered biplanes ruled the skies, the Model 139 introduced a completely new concept: an all-metal monoplane with enclosed crew compartments and covered engines. This bomber wasn't just faster than competing bombers - it was even faster than the fighters of the day. This necessitated the accelerated development of new, single-plane fighters and changed the approach of military aircraft designers worldwide. The Model 139 thus became the catalyst for the modernisation of aviation at the turn of the 1930s.

The success of the Martin bomber was not limited to the US Air Force. The Model 139 was an export success and was delivered to the air forces of several nations. Among them was the Netherlands, which ordered these machines for its colonial air force in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). The Dutch received the bombers in two variants, designated WH-1 and WH-2, which differed in the versions of the Wright R-1820 engines and their cowling. The WH-1 version was fitted with R-1820-F53 engines and served in the ML-KNIL (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force) in the distinctive blue and yellow livery with various types of national insignia.

The Special Hobby kit is the first sculpted offering of the WH-1 version and gives modelers the opportunity to build this previously unrestored type. The package includes decals for four interesting machines: three Dutch ML-KNIL bombers in blue and yellow - one with segmented emblems and two with insignia in the form of black-lined orange triangles - and one Thai Air Force machine with particularly interesting camouflage. Thailand ordered the Model 139 before the war and acquired other, looted Dutch machines purchased from Japan during the conflict. This aircraft wears Japanese-Thai camouflage, through which the original blue-yellow Dutch livery shines through, creating a unique multi-layered visual effect.

The kit offers an excellent rendition of a revolutionary aircraft that changed the face of military aviation. Clear part masks are available separately with the kit to facilitate painting. The package does not include the paint or adhesives needed for assembly.