Azur 1/48 Potez 630
The main difference between the Potez 630 and the more numerous 631 was their engines. The 630 was powered by a Hispano-Suiza HS-14A/B whereas the 631 utilized a Gnome-Rhone GR 14 M4/5 power plant. This model depicts an aircraft that operated with GC1/5 at Bordeaux-Merignac, June 1940.
The kit comes with a 1 piece canopy, and since the interior detail supplied in the kit is pretty good I decided to vacuform a canopy and open it up. The main motivation to do this kit was the art deco style camouflage. Vallejo Metal Colors were used for the main airframe with Polly Scale French Khaki for the camouflage color.
What a joy seeing one of these beauties built. Too bad the only available kit of the 630/631 is this one, not an easy build I assume.you did a wonderful job Dale
Thanks very much Pedro. As limited run kits go this one to me wasn't all that difficult. The parts fit pretty well, it has good photo etch details and the decals perform well. The complex landing gear was a bit of trouble but some patience and careful study of the parts placement will give a good result.
Nice work...love that paint job!
Glad you like the build Craig.
Now that is one rare bird in any form. Well done build and paint scheme, rather unusual. I have never seen this before. If I may what color was used for the interior? Looks like a form of US interior Green. Anyway Azur kits can be an adventure. And Travis loves a challenge. I love to just see the results. Well done and as always thanks for sharing.
Thanks much Chuck for the kind words. The interior color is dark gray.
Boy did I guess wrong, but I was looking at the wheel wells not the interior. Tell ya, though a build like this can motivate one to attempt one of these as a companion to the D.520 I have sitting on the shelf.
Give it a try Chuck, it's not that difficult. If you've done a few limited run kits you should have no trouble with this.
I don't ever recall seeing one of these built... This is definitely a rare example of a model. On top of it being a rare aircraft type, I never have seen any aircraft painted in this manner...I really like what you have done here ! It's definitely a one of a kind. Your builds always look so perfect. This one is no exception. Years ago I had a 1/72 scale kit of this type of plane, and I think it was from Heller. I don't remember what engines it had though.
"liked"
Your comments are really appreciated Louis. French aircraft prior to the Munich Crisis of 1938 were delivered in natural metal. A circular dated on the 23rd September 1938 required all metal planes be given a coat of khaki paint over their upper surfaces. Many planes like the Potez were more decorated than given a full camouflage.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
stunning work...i love that plane
Thanks Bob!
A really different and interesting build. looks great!
Thanks very much Robert!
🙂 … Greetings … 🙂 :
Dale … that is one eye catching scheme, your weathering makes it stand out.
This really is a model not often seen. It reminds me of the Me - 110.
Thanks very much !
Wow - I really like that! I've got one of these in 1/72, and may have to use that scheme - it's so unusual.
Thanks Greg. According to the MMP book "Potez 63 Family" almost all of the first batch of 630's delivered to the Armee de I'Air were painted this way.
Having done one of these, I know how much of a "difficult build" it is. You've got a great result here with this model. I really like it a lot.
Glad you like the build Tom!
VERY nice job. I started one of these ages ago (actually for an iModeler group build), but life got in the way and it is on the shelf of doom. So very happy to see one built up, and especially done up as well as you have. Like it! thanks for posting.
Thank you for the kind remarks.
Great job Dale. Always admire your work
Thanks George.