I had begun to believe that Monogram's PBY-5 Catalina, the seaplane without amphibious landing gear, which was released in 1996 and never re-released, was made of the purest Unobtainium. I thought that Aeromaster 48-234, "Flying Cats Pt. 1" that I found and bought 22 years ago, was destined never to be used.
And then... and then... I got the most recent email from Rare Plane Detective, listing "Latest Arrivals" this past Thursday, and there, on the opening page, was - "PBY-5 Catalina" Kit number 5609. And only $81! Yes, a considerable amount more than the $30 or so it went for in 1996 when they were shelf-sitting everywhere, but not unreasonable for a 1/48 multi-engine model nowadays. It took a whole 10 seconds to click "Buy Now" and it arrived today. It turns out that at least this kit - still factory bagged - was made of Obtainium!
Those familiar with the kit will know it has a "fatal flaw" - the rear fuselage and consequently the vertical fin - is too wide. Belcher Bits produces (or at least produced) a resin correction set, which I used on a PBY-5A back 20 years ago. Not a good idea if you want a notorious tail-sitter without that heavy chunk of resin attached to nose-sit (every single cubic centimeter other than the pilot's cockpit ahead of the wing leading edge filled with weight and even then questionable). This being a natural tail-sitter, that wouldn't be a problem. Except Belcher Bits only has the PBY-6 tail left. Sooo... it's a case of Live With It Or Don't. I'll live with it.
And so now, I have 20 years of collected information on AH545, the 209 Squadron Catalina I that rediscovered the Bismarck in May 1941, leading to her ultimate demise. I have the decals to do the airplane. And now I have the kit!
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
