The Kit
According to Scalemates, this kit began life in 1949 under the Hawk label. The last boxing was in 1993 and I suspect, being that I bought the kit still in the wrapping and the parts were taped inside a rolled bag, this release is more recent. Regardless, the molding is looking long in the tooth with some dense flash on numerous parts and mold ejection points. Fortunately, most of the 19 (including a two-part stand and pilot figure) light gray parts were still attached to the sprues with the one-piece wing separate. Unfortunately, the one clear part was left loose in the bag but was not scratched. Of note is that the radial engine, without pushrod tubes, is molded into the cowl. Nor is there any interior detail. As was customary in the era of the kit’s release, raised outlines for the race and registration numbers are molded on the surfaces. The decal sheet of the numbers is sandwiched into the folded size 11 X 17 instructions.
The Build
A 21st century modeler is presented with a conundrum with this kit. Should it be built in the spirit of the limited post-WWII technology, or try to produce a more contempory model? If the latter choice is selected, how much effort should go into it?
In my case, I initially wanted a quick simple build, but as I did more and more on-line research, I found more and more inaccuracies that I found annoying. Sigh. How deep should I go down this rabbit hole? Browsing through my parts stash, I settled on a new engine, add some cockpit detail, and, aside from a floor and rear bulkhead, leave the cabin alone.
A test fit of the fuselage halves and wing gave me some idea of how to install the frame members that can be seen through the windshield. Those parts were also were cleared of flash and the raised lettering outlines removed.
The fuselage halves were taped together to determine where a disk of .020 styrene could fit as a firewall and mount for the instrument pane. Using a pair of calipers, the diameter was measured at 7/8 inch. Some material had to be removed on the inside, particularly around to locating pin and socket. Once the disk fit well, the cowl/engine piece was test fitted. That fit was reasonable, but the 1/16-inch-thick trailing edge became noticeable. The engine facade was removed by a rotary tool, which was also employed thinning the cowl, followed by some light sanding. The spare engine from the parts bin dropped into place within the cowl. That meant that disk in the cockpit was only needed to support the instrument panel.
Inside each fuselage half is a molded mounting bracket for the bench that the pilot figure sits upon. These were also ground off. The socket for the landing gear fairing were used as a tab to glue the new cabin floor in place. It took constant test fitting and two iterations to get the correct shape for the floor. Finally, there was something to glue together. Once again, the fuselage halves were taped together, this time with the disk in place. The floor was inserted through the windshield opening and glued to the right half.
Also in the parts bin was a sprue fragment of seats. Two were removed and strips of HO scale 4 X 8 (.043 X .090) styrene were glued to the bottom to elevate them. Neutral gray was brushed and a black wash applied in the cervices. When they were dry, seatbelts fabricated from card stock were added.
Instead of fabricating an instrument panel, one was painted on the disc with two-tone gray and dials marked with a felt tip pen. Brass rod of 1mm was wrapped around a small screwdriver shank into a horseshoe shape to serve as control yokes. A rod was glued across the back side of each, followed by a disc punched out of .020 styrene to simulate a hub on the front. Once painted black, they were glued into place.
A two-tone interior was applied by brush. The instrument panel was added and the fuselage halves glued together. Seams and sink marks were filled and sanded. Unfortunately, no longerons are molded on the topside. I didn’t bother with that detail and went with the flat surface. The kit has a spreader bar between the wheels. Photos show that this is incorrect. Instead, V-shaped bracing was employed. Holes in the fuselage were drill for that rigging as well as in the fin.
Next, the wing was glued on, followed by addressing the seam at the top of the fuselage.
Before installing the frame members behind the windshield, a test fit of the clear part revealed a poor fit. After careful filing and sanding, it eventually settled into place, but with GAPS. The frame members were cut to length from 3/64-inch styrene rod and then painted light gray.
More Later
5 attached images. Click to enlarge.
