Brewster Buffalo (Tamiya 1/48)

Started by Dmitry Stropalov · 88 · 6 years ago · buffalo, Tamiya
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    Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said 6 years, 8 months ago:

    Dmitry, I believe so. Have a look at his site. Superscale and Aeromaster might also have sheets.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 8 months ago:

    Engine is finished. I've used a resin part from Quickboost with my own additions.

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    Louis Gardner said 6 years, 8 months ago:

    Here's a few F2A-2 pictures that I had stored...



    From what I have gathered, the information on the decal sheet for the #24 (Blue Gray over Gull Gray scheme ) plane is wrong. I have several photos of it in flight, and they are listed as a F2A-3, which was used as a training plane out of Miami NAS.


    Hope they help.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 8 months ago:

    @lgardner Thanks Louis, I'll check these options, and maybe there are some decals available.

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    Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said 6 years, 8 months ago:

    Dmitry, Starfighter Decals/Marks Models (he's in Virginia, down the road a piece) has a 48th Buffalo sheet. Both of their Yellow Wings choices are -1s. The same outfits used -2s, so you could change the serials and the individual aircraft numbers. The other two are a -2 from VS-201 on the escort carrier Long Island in overall grey, and a -3 in blue/gray.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 8 months ago:

    @berniehackettboymodeler Thanks, Bernard! I'll check these also.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    Engine has been installed along with the cowling part. Mainly everything will be hidden by the spinner.


    Next was the bottom window. As it should be visible from the both sides, I've decided to paint it from the both sides also. I've used kit masks (yes, Tamiya put masks inside) for inside works – black and aluminum. Very carefully I've installed window using Tamiya's extra thin cement. Next, window was masked using Montex masks.



    Finally, I've added landing gear hydrocylinder and rods – that was the last details, wheel bay is finished.

    Also, there should be photos of vacuum-formed canopy parts, but I spoiled the wind screen, so I need to order another one.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    Today I've received a second vacuum-formed canopy replacement by Pavla Models. And I was really disappointed, because again there were issues with it – a huge scratch directly on the windscreen:

    I was frustrating for an hour, thinking about what to do. I did a lot in the cockpit, so I want the canopy to be opened. There are no more vacu-canopies for Buffalo in my local stores, and ordering a Squadron one will cost more than a kit itself. And then I've tried to polish it, and somehow Micromesh sanding sheets + polishing compound + Future did the thing. I didn't believe in this, because it's not a styrene, but something different – a badly malleable material.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    I've failed to adjust the second canopy by Pavla – windscreen just doesn't fit the model. And I decided to make this part by myself, using kit part as a template. I've started from cutting windscreen from a canopy part.

    Next, I've sanded it a little to have a room for foil.

    Then, I've prepared my template for extrusion:

    Right after extrusion:

    And finally, I've cut out exceed material and made a hole for the gun sight:


    I need to mask it, but I hope, that I'll be able to use Montex masks for this kit.

    Also, I've bought a new book from Kagero, "Top Drawings" #51 dedicated to F2A. I was hoping, that this edition will include decals or masks in 1/72 and 1/48 scales – previously it was so with other editions of this "Top Drwaings" series, for example – "Early Bf 109's" includes Cartograf decals for three options in 1/32, 1/48 and 1/72 scale. But I've got a nice A4 poster instead 🙂 But I can say, that this book is quite good, contains drawings and visualized differences between all Buffalo's version, which may be extremely helpful for modelers.


    And I've decided about marking options – it will be 201-S-13 in overall light gray color, and I've already bought Montex masks for national insignia and code – will try it.

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    david leigh-smith said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    Brilliant work, Dmitry. I'm glad you rescued this build from the shelf, I like the Buffalo and your posts are really informative and interesting to follow. Lots of patience and perseverance with this, and a lot of skill. I have to say I really, really like those TopDrawings books - excellent art and great Cartograf decals.

    Thanks for dusting her off and sharing.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    Thanks, David!

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    Greg Kittinger said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    Excellent work on the windscreen - more determination that I have!

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    @gkittinger Thanks, Greg! Actually, I'm acting without any hope for a good result 🙂

    Somehow, Buffalo is ready for priming and painting. This had to be a simple OOB build, ha-ha...

    2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

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    Dmitry Stropalov said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    ... and it's primed with Mr.Surfacer 1500.

    3 attached images. Click to enlarge.

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    Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said 6 years, 7 months ago:

    Dmitry, like the jig/cradle to hold her steady! Ready for the paint!