Mikro-Mir – 72-030 – Dyle et Bacalan DB-10

Description:

Unassembled plastic model kit in 1/72 scale of a French Dyle et Bacalan DB-10 night bomber.

The Dyle et Bacalan DB-10 was an experimental French heavy night bomber developed in the mid-1920s by the shipbuilding company Société Anonyme de Travaux Dyle et Bacalan, based in Bordeaux. It was their first foray into aircraft manufacturing, marking a bold entry into aviation with a distinctive and unconventional design.

First flown in 1926, the DB-10 was a twin-engine, high-wing monoplane constructed primarily of metal—a notable innovation for its time. Its most striking feature was the exceptionally thick center wing section, which seamlessly integrated the forward fuselage and housed both the crew and the Gnome-Rhône 9A Jupiter radial engines. This design choice not only provided structural integrity but also accommodated internal bomb racks and fuel tanks within the wing itself.

The aircraft featured a fixed conventional undercarriage, with each main wheel mounted on a pair of V-shaped struts behind the engines. Crew positions were arranged in open cockpits atop the thick wing section, including a navigator/bombardier at the leading edge, a pilot’s cockpit slightly elevated behind, and a dorsal gunner’s position further aft. Defensive armament comprised two Lewis machine guns, while the internal bomb bay could carry up to 1,300 kg of ordnance.

Despite its innovative design, the DB-10 faced stiff competition in the 1926 French government BN3 specification trials for a new three-man night bomber. Competing against aircraft such as the Amiot 122, Farman F.123, Latécoère 19, and the eventual winner, the Lioré et Olivier LéO 20, the DB-10 did not secure a production contract. Only a single prototype was built, which continued to fly until 1929 and served as a testbed for future designs, notably influencing the subsequent Dyle et Bacalan DB-70 transport aircraft.

Today, the DB-10 remains a fascinating example of interwar aviation experimentation, reflecting the innovative spirit and engineering challenges of the era. Its unique design continues to intrigue aviation enthusiasts and modelers alike.

Mikro-Mir offers this exclusive topic for first time in 1/72 injected plastic kit, a new tool of 2025. Kit include also 3D printed parts for the engine detail, PE parts and decal sheet with one single marking. It’s a quite big model with an important wingspan, kit is recommended for experienced modelers.