RS Models 1/48th Lippisch DFS 39By Andrew Bertschi Andrew Bertschi |
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Introduction
Alexander Lippisch's Delta IV was a continuation of his work on delta wing designs pioneered in his Delta I, Delta II and Delta III aircraft. The project began with an order from Gerhard Fieseler for a design that his company could build for him to fly in the 1932 Europarundflug air rally. The result was a highly unorthodox design, sporting large delta wings, canards, and an engine and propeller mounted in both the nose and tail of the plane. Fieseler built this design as the F-3 Vespe ("Wasp"), but it proved highly unstable, causing Fieseler to crash it while on his first flight. Further refinements were unable to correct these deficiencies, and after one final crash, Fieseler abandoned the aircraft.
Lippisch continued to believe that the problems were surmountable, and found an ally in Professor Walter Georgii of the DFS (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug - German Research Institute for Sailplane Flight). Georgii secured funding from the RLM (Reichsluftfahrtministerium - Reich Air Ministry) to purchase the aircraft from Fieseler and work on perfecting it.
At the DFS, Lippisch rebuilt the aircraft, removing the canards and the rear engine and renaming it the Delta IVa. Although this flew much better than its predecessor, it was still involved in a very serious crash which led to an investigation of Lippisch's endeavours. The RLM and the DVL (Deutschen Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt - German Aviation Research Institute) eventually concluded that the Delta series was not only dangerous, but an aeronautical dead end. Only Georgii's continued support prevented them from ordering the discontinuation of the research.
The
aircraft was rebuilt again, this time incorporating new aerodynamic refinements
based on Lippisch's experiences with his recent Storch X glider. The new
incarnation, dubbed Delta IVb proved to be a step in the right direction.
Success finally came with a last round of changes. The aircraft was rebuilt yet again, making the sweep of its wings less severe, and adding small, downturned fins at their tips. And the fuselage was lengthened somewhat, and a small rudder was added to it. Now called the Delta IVc, the result was finally what Lippisch had been looking for. In 1936, the aircraft was taken to the Luftwaffe flight-testing centre at Rechlin where test pilot Heini Dittmar put it through its paces, gaining an airworthiness certificate for the type and an official RLM designation - DFS 39.
It was powered by a 75 hp English Pobjoy R seven cylinder air cooled radial engine and proved to be an extremely stable and well-behaved design that now attracted the interest of the RLM as a starting point for "Project X" - the programme to develop a rocket-powered fighter aircraft. This would eventually lead to the development of the Messerschmitt Me 163.
The Kit
If you are looking for an unusual aircraft, RS Model's 1/48 DFS 39 kit definitely fits the bill. With its streamlined 'moon crescent' wing offset by a Townsend ring cowled radial engine out front, there certainly are a few contrasting design elements.
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The kit is cleanly molded in tan colored resin, with a single vacuformed canopy, small fret of photoetch parts plus a relatively large decal sheet that looks well printed. All the resin parts have recessed panel lines and are nicely done though both wheel pants and landing gear legs on my review example had pinholes in several areas. The Pobjoy radial engine has good detail and will paint up nicely. A general downside is the way many of the smaller parts are attached very closely to their casting blocks which will make removal without damage or loss of detail tricky. This is most obvious with the engine exhaust ring, tail skid, control column and propeller. The photoetch fret is well done and provides seat belts as well as some small interior details.
Cockpit detail is simple, but completely acceptable. As this was a pure research aircraft it was more than likely that way to begin with and since the front cockpit opening is small, not much will be visible when finished. At the same time though, the rear cockpit area is completely open and might build up looking a bit on the bare side.
The wings are a butt joint to the fuselage, as are the fixed leading edge slats, wingtip fins and landing gear and the modeler should probably pin all of them for strength. The instructions are quite simplified and do not include any scale drawings or at least a head-on view of the aircraft to help with wing and landing gear alignment. Since my own exposure and knowledge of the DFS 39 is quite limited, I cannot comment on accuracy any more than to say that the span and length dimensions agree with published information.
In Conclusion
Despite a few shortcomings, overall this is a very good effort from RS Models on a significant though relatively obscure aircraft. Recommended, especially for anyone interested in experimental or research types. Its interesting shape would definitely make for a change of pace from more traditional looking aircraft.
My thanks to RS Models for the review kit. Lippisch Delta IV developmental overview from Wikipedia.org.
