The PC-9M

I don’t know how it’s taken so long for a manufacturer to release the PC-9. Pilatus have been massively overlooked in the modelling scene, with only a few models released over the years – and for the PC-7 and PC-9 it’s often been in short run only kits. It’s kind of mad considering it’s one of the most recogniseable and widely used aircraft!

So finally KP – the kings of releasing the overlooked (alongside Pegasus, RIP) have released this gorgeous kit. With two display teams featured too – the Silver Swallows of Ireland and the Krila Oluje of Croatia. Technically Ireland’s isn’t advertised as such, but I’m 99% sure that’s why it was released as there are other more famous operators that don’t have boxings.

The model itself is fairly standard for KP. For the uninitiated this means it comes with more parts than you will use in order to make up for the fact that there are multiple variations of this kit. KP will then make sprues with parts for multiple options as a cheaper way to have multiple releases. I’m no opposed to it but it does mean you just need to pay attention to make sure you don’t accidentally put the wrong parts on…because like…they all fit!

“there’s no alignment or location pins”

The kit itself is pretty easy to use and build. I really enjoyed the build. For some reason I found it REALLY hard to align the fuselage and the wings. Eventually it worked, and with a bit of putty you can’t tell…but be warned.

Another standard feature of KP is the fact there’s no alignment or location pins. This is not uncommon for small to medium size model producers. If you’ve built one before this is still an easier one because there’s no warping. If wanted to throw some shade I’d point out that this is actually easier to align than Airfix’s new Eurofighter kit 👀Don’t be scared of it, it’s a really good kit.

I’m in the habit now of prop magnetization. With this kit you’ll want to even more – because my god you have to stick on each of the blades. So if you knock it off then you’ll be screaming to the gods when one inevitably snaps. So I’m always happy to have that risk mitigated by it just bouncing off instead. As someone with cats it’s become a life saver. And this kit is incredibly simple to adopt for this.

The Issues

I had some major issues when making this kit – but I don’t think they were the kits fault. The decals did fall apart, and I think this is likely my water being too hot and too much movement. Do I think they should be more dureable like Airfix or Revells? Yes. Is it still probably my fault? Also yes.

Paint

Paint was challenging. What on earth was I meant to use? If you’re using Humbrol or Revell this is easy. But I’m a weirdo who loves Lifecolor paints and therefore cannot ever find instructions for my paints.

I used the following:

• Panzer Grey Primer (don’t use their old one, buy their new single bottle primer it’s x100 better).
• LC-UA026 – Light Compass Ghost Grey – upper surfaces
• LC-UA021 – Light Grey – Lower surface (with literally a drop or two of sky blue for tint) – lower surfaces
• LC-02 – Matt black – anti reflective surfaces
• Gaahlari Paint Pens – metallic surfaces

Buy or Fly?

You could be fooled into thinking I agreed that this is worth buying because it’s the only one in it’s field. The Ozmod and older short run kits exist..but they aren’t really worth it unless you want specific decals (for example Roulettes). But to be honest the price point of this kit is perfect. Even if I bought third party decals it still works out at around the price of the KP kit (if we ignore shipping, which varies largely depending where you are anyway).

It hits the main great points for me:

• Good looking at the end
• Minimum swearing needed during production
• Decals that are well pigmented and fit nicely.