The DM.09 Duet Mantis is the evolution of the AG-77 GunWing, which was a design expiriment showcasing high-resolution and intricate details through modeling.

The Duet Mantis is one of my highest detailed models to date. The design and planning of the Duet Mantis involved designing a heavy destroyer class ship, but principles concerning its flight control system where designed from the fighter's inception. I feel that it is important to not only build a great looking model, but adding realism and giving it some basis for belivability is nessecary.

If you study the model there are hints to how it works, and has enough mass in various areas to back up its looks. The flight control system was of particular importance, as flying a ship in space, is different from flying something through a medium, such as air. I wanted the ship to be highly maneuverable, and take full advantage of the fact that it has no real limitations in zero-G, and outside of an atmosphere.

The model was planned based around this idea, hence some of the very heavy weaponry on- board, and the absense of any type of landing gear. The maneuvering jets where positioned around the fighter and the engines where given several degrees of freedom to swivel, so that the fighter combined with an advanced thrust controller could be flown intuativley with two sticks, much like a tank would be driven. I feel its important to include such details so that its easier to swollow if the fighter is ever animated.