Review
The Junkers-Larsen JL.6 was the first all metal skinned passenger aircraft to go into production and could be considered the Lear jet of the interwar period. MiniArt has released several versions of the aircraft and I have decided to tackle this review in a slightly different manner by looking at what is correct for a period aircraft over current flying version.
The period aircraft carried four passenger or freight with the seating removed. The seats all faced forward in the passenger area; which was also an enclosed space with a glazed panel in the bulkhead between the open cockpit and this detail is correct in the model. The seat harnesses are missing and need to be added by the modeller using a method of your choice. The seats appear to be a mix of a leather couch at the rear and almost individual wicker looking seats at the front. The access doors are the correct shape and location as best that I can tell.
The engine offered here is the Daimler D.III 6 cylinder inline and it has been very well replicated in the model with a few minor issues. I should add at this point that the aircraft had a number of different engines fitted during their 30+ years of service, but this is the engine I have indicated. The engine is a mix of brass and steel which creates a nice contrast in colour. The cylinders heads are steel and most of the rest brass and so could be a stunning aspect of a model. Issues look to be a case of a missing magneto as there should be two at least that is what I believe the feature is. Other than this you just need to add some wire detail.
The open cockpit looks good on the whole with a correctly period specific central instrument layout in every detail from what I can see. The foot controls are ok as the steering portion is the main body of the pedals and the brake applicators at the top of the pedal on modern aircraft. The seats need some help not least again the seat harnesses being needed. The seats are metal framed with leather cushioning and a leather ridge all around the edges. The control columns are spot on in every detail but the handgrips could be round if desired. On the exterior the open cockpit has a leather protective strip around the open that also gives the pilots a positive hand hold. Entry is via the left wing where three steps are provided and correctly detailed on the model. Modern flying examples have steps on both wings which are not a period feature. A kick plate step on both sides of the fuselage should be present for the pilots to gain entry but this detail has not been replicated as best I can see. I made an error the harness detail for the seats is present and I just misidentified the parts.
Moving to the aircraft exterior proper we have a number of details that vary from past to present. The wings join the aircraft at the short stub wing point correctly detailed on the model, but modern examples protects the joint with a domed metal runner. The flight control surfaces are correct in shape and look so all good. Modern examples do have counter balance weights on the wing controls. A weakness of the model is that the tail flaps droop down on static aircraft and so a little surgery is needed to replicate that detail and the tail has been moulded in single pieces. The corrugated detail on the aircraft is so far as I can tell perfect scale and detail wise.
The undercarriage is a perfect replication for a period specific aircraft and no braking system I can see is present. On modern examples the central brace is reversed and brake lines run from the central point to the wheels. The tail wheel is free spinning but can be locked from inside the cockpit via a handle next to the inner side of the seats. It is my understanding it is locked to assist landing and takeoff.
MiniArt has provided four finishing options for this release which Are:
JL-6 “Vic” G-CADP Imperial Oil Ltd 1921
Detroit-Chicago Air Line, USA, Early 1920’s
J-BBEO, Nihon Koku Yuso Kabushiki Kaisha Airline, Japan, Late 1920’s
JL-6 “GOOSE”, Mercury Air Lines, Early 1920’s