Greetings to all
modelers!!!
My name is Josip.
I'm 30 years old and live in Slovenia (a tiny young republic
cornered between Austria, Hungary, Croatia and Italy) and since this is my
first ARC contribution let me write a bit more than you are used to. I've
been building plastic model kits since I was 12 and after visiting this
wonderful site for several years I finally decided to contribute to it
with some of my work. It would also be fair to mention that my modelling
skills got a tremendous boost after discovering quality modelling websites (like ARC) on
the internet. I prefer to build my kits in 1:72 scale but have
also been known to venture in 1:48 and 1:35. I like building WW2 airplanes
but if a certain kit of a jet, a ship or an armored vehicle
crosses my path I'll build it as well. I prefer to build mainly OOB and will
only resort to scratchbuilding when in dire need. So far I haven't
used any aftermarket accesories (besides spare box parts or decals) for any
of my builds but enough about me and more about this model:
The kit:
This Academy kit has
been widely available for almost 2 years but people don't
seem to like it for I've only seen it built once on a German
modelling website. Some modelers have claimed that it is a scaled down version
of a Promodeler 1:48 kit and since Academy like to base their molds on
Heller or Hasegawa that might not be far from truth. It certainly is a
formidable kit for this scale. I used to think of it as a little jewel
(much like with their P-38J) but with a few serious flaws. Bomb bay which is the main
attraction of this kit comes with a great interior detail but can
only be built in the open position which is a shame since you can't load it with
bombs because they won't fit inside (the interior gets too narrow after you
insert the doors). Academy only provides you with two bombs for the bomb bay but
doesn't include any extra bombs or drop tanks for the wing racks. You
also get so far unpreceeded level of detail in this scale in both cockpits
with side panels, wires, radios and hand cranks which all look great when
carefully painted but these become allmost invisible once you include
the rear gunner's seat and machine gun ring. The clear parts are great and can
be set in the open or closed position. There is also a clear pilot's gunsight
which looks great despite being very small. Dive brakes in the closed
position are finely simulated with tiny holes of various sizes in several
rows but are best replaced with aftermarket metal brakes set in open
position. Upper air scoop on the engine cowling front comes without a
characteristic grill and is only simulated as a shallow dent!?! All parts are
bagged and packed in a sturdy box. Decal options are for 3 aircraft. For
more info there are several reviews available on the internet.
The build:
It started with a
cockpit which is a bit more detailed than the 1:48 kit! No hassles there. I only
included seat belts made from Scotch tape. Bomb bay serves as a cockpit
floor and was completed at the same time. R-2600 engine could be a bit more
detailed but because it is tightly cowled and hidden behind a lovely 4 bladed
prop with spinner it is O.K. as it is. Undercarriage and wheel wells are
finely represented with great detail and have exposed 20mm cannon barrels
(like in FW-190A). Fit of the main parts was generaly good but
some carefully puttying will be required at the wings to fuselage fit. Also I
should mention that a fair amount of superglue was used on main parts and
undercarriage legs because the finished model is unusually heavy and ordinary
glue just wouldn't do. Besides drilling some lightening holes on MG ring,
seatbelts, scratchbuilding scoop grill and fixing MG barrels form
spare box the model is completely OOB.
Painting:
To my eyes Helldiver
looks best in mid war 3 colour US Navy camo and my model was finished in
accordance with markings for a 2nd Yorktown Helldiver in late 1944
(also used in support of Iwo Jima landing). The model was airbrushed with
UHU tac
being used as a demarcation line.
Apart from Modelmaster Bluegrey
all other colours and interior green were handmixed by me from Revell and
Modelmaster enamels. Upper blue colour was enhanced with apropriate dark blue
pastel on a cotton stick. Wear & tear were simulated with a
sharpened pencil and dry pastels (burnt umber & black) and I wasn't shy
because I wanted to represent a well used warplane from a crowded carrier
deck. Instead of bothering with numerous tiny stencils I chose to simulate them
with a fine brush dipped in white or black.
Academy decals are still
lagging far behind in quality compared to other manufacturers. I restricted
myself in using them only when necessary (unit numbers and unit badges).
National insignia decals proved to be inflexible, wrong in colour, shiny and
wouldn't stick on the fuselage sides without wrinkling because then
sides are curved. They were promptly replaced with some Revell spares. Erdal
glanzer (German Future) was used to seal the model and Modelmaster
flat laquer was airbrushed in the end. Dive brakes were carefully painted
with red water colour. All canopies were hand painted and overpaint was scraped
away with a sharpened toothpick. My favourite way of doing it;-)
Click on
images below to see larger images
And there you
have it! A well built and painted model of the last true dive bomber. The Beast
looks best to me in 3 colour cammo and with all doors and canopies opened.
I consider it to be my best build so far and intend to compete with it on a
local contest level in 1:72 OOB category. The model was photographed on my
balcony in strong sunlight, ( I know, I know) on a large sheet of light
blue paper. Sony DSC-100 digital camera was used for all the pics and Photoshop
for resizing and sharpening. I hope this article will be of some help to
anybody building this kit.
Josip
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