The Aerospatiale SA.365 Dauphin II is the twin-engined update to the single-engined SA.360 Dauphin. This twin-engined workhorse has become a major success in the helicopter community with examples serving with law enforcement, air ambulances, corporate transport, search and rescue, and airborne news platforms around the world. A special version of this aircraft was adopted for French Navy service as the SA.365F which led to a full-military platform designated as the AS-565 Panther series.
Trumpeter first released their Dauphin series in 1/48 scale and while we never had a look at one, it looks like they’ve repeated several glitches in this release as well. The kit is molded in light gray styrene and presented on 14 parts trees plus two trees of clear parts and eight frets of photo-etched parts.
Among the features and options in this box:
Nice radar under radome
Positionable radome
Cabin has seating for 13 with photo-etched restraints included
Instrument panel early steam gauge type
Positionable cabin doors
Detailed Arriel 1C engines and engine compartment
Positionable cowling doors
Detailed transmission and main rotor head
Nice Fenestron tail
The kit provides markings for one option:
AS365N2, 81, French Navy
