1/48 i. A. R. 80
This is the Hobby Boss kit. The plane I chose to model was an early production aircraft that was utilized as a "school" plane that only carried the outboard wing guns. I blanked off the inner guns and shell ejection chutes. The kit aerial is inaccurate and was replaced by brass tubing squeezed to the appropriate oval shape and inserted into a hole drilled into the windscreen. Kit decals are of poor quality and were replaced by RB Productions decal sheet # 48021. These decals are excellent. Canopy slide rails were added to the cockpit side walls. Fly tying lead wire was used for brake lines and stretched sprue used as aerial wire. Baffles were added to the starboard wing oil cooler intake, and stripped pitot tube was hand painted.
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Good job!
Thanks Bogdan!
Is it just me, or does this plane look like they more-or-less copied the Hughes "hotrod" and added guns?
Great looking build, Dale!
Your right, this thing does look like the long wing H-1.
Looks nice. I’m no expert, but it does look like HB did a good job with it
Appreciate the comment Pedro!
Nice work, Dale. Another interesting subject.
Thanks much John!
what a scheme...awesome
Glad you like it Bob!
As I recall, the "usual suspects" had a fairly involved indictment of this kit when it was released. However, looking at yours and being at least semi-knowledgeable now about this type, I don't see what all the hoorah was (but then again, outside of a few really egregious defendants, I don't always see what the usual suspects see - or find it worth worrying all that much about when I do see it. But then, OCDs gotta OCD or they'll explode. I did used to worry about this more in my misbegotten youth, but nowadays I just don't have the time and it's not really fun.
This is a really nice, very well-done model, and you have a great result to your talented work.
Thanks Tom. I remember all the moaning and groaning too. The kit has some problems but for the most part they're relatively easy to fix. One thing for sure the HB kit is light years better than the LTD kit.
You did a good job.
Let them talk. I'm very glad that a big producer took the decision to make this kit and to put on the market one product of Romania.
PS. You missed two panel lines, one on the top of the cowling and one, just nearby, ahead of the fuel cap.
Thanks Bogdan, when I get the time I'll scribe them in.
Looks excellent! Love the paint work and the details.
Thanks Greg!
Nicely done, looks great!
Happy you like it Robert!
Another fabulous build Dale ! I have one of these HB kits in the stash, and another one made by LTD. Your description of the differences between the two manufacturers is spot on... I'd take the HB kit any day.
It's really good to see another one of these built. Bogdan built three I believe ... and not too long ago too.
Thanks for sharing this one with us.
"liked"
Thanks so much Louis. How's the Japanese aircraft camouflage research going?
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
A very interesting build for sure and the markings make it mode interesting.
Nice job over all Dale.
Thanks for the positive comment!