I was helping a buddy bring back a stash that an older gentleman wanted to cell. We drove up to Ocala, FL in two separate trucks to accomplish this mission of mercy. He had a storage bin FULL of boxes that were loaded with model kits. Literally thousands. We packed as much as we could and left, planning on returning in a couple of weeks to remove more.
Inside one of the boxes, I saw these blue Monogram boxes. There was this kit, the P-6, a Boing F4B-4, and another Curtiss Navy fighter, a F11C-2 "Goshawk". All in boxes that were in very good shape. AND, these are all first run, like when these were released in 1968. I also picked out a Curtiss P-36C.
Upon inspection, none had decals which, is pretty much what I expected after all this time. None had instructions either. Enter Star Fighter Decals and Hannants.
Star Fighter makes resin cockpits for all four kits. Only the F11C was sold out. Hannants saved the day for me, and it's on the way here as I write this. Decals for the P-36 and the F11 are also an issue, but I do have a line on them and will be good to go with them after this weekend.
Star Fighter also makes a PE fret for the rigging on all of these. Reasonably priced to boot. So $50 later. I have pretty much everything I need to get busy.
This is where I am right now. Model is painted, decaled and sealed. I want to get the rigging done, before attaching the main upper wing. I will have to paint the wheels and do a smattering of weathering to the air frame too, before I rig her. I am about to get a lesson on the care and handling of fine PE! Wish me luck, iModelers!
Markings are for a P-6E attached to the 17th Pursuit Squadron, based at Selfredge Field, Michigan. This is supposed to be the aircraft flown by Lt. Schlatter. The 17th, was known as the "Snow Owls", hence, the black and white feathers on the nose and the owl claws on the wheel spats.
5 attached images. Click to enlarge.
