Monogram 1/72 F11C-2 Goshawk

KIT #

 PA-210

PRICE:

 $.70 in 1968

DECALS:

 One aircraft

REVIEWER:

Rick Crabill

NOTES:

 Classic kit from the '60s

HISTORY

  The Curtiss Goshawk was a U.S. Navy fighter and dive-bomber in service from 1933 to 1938 with VF-1B “High Hat”. This was a record for peacetime deployment of the same aircraft in the same squadron. Goshawks later received the designation BFC-2 to indicate their dual role as bomber-fighters. They were also given raised turtlebacks and partial canopies. The Goshawk was heavily exported, and saw combat in China, Thailand and South America.  Ernst Udet purchased two examples for the fledgling Luftwaffe after Udet saw a dive-bombing demonstration in America. The F11C is thus the progenitor of the WWII Stuka.

THE KIT

One of three biplane fighters of the 1930s put out by Monogram in the 1960s. Like the others, the F11C-2 had the cabane struts molded as part of the fuselage halves making alignment of the top wing a snap. The gear legs were also integral with the fuselage. Nice fabric effect, crisp detail, and a well-molded radial engine made this kit one of the better ones of the period. Its only drawback is a lack of cockpit detail. This model has not been reissued for some time and should be snapped up on sight. No known aftermarket accessories or decals are available. This is an excellent kit for beginners. 

CONSTRUCTION

Kit construction was basically out of the box. Parts fit is excellent and presents no difficulties to the beginning modeler. The exploded view makes the directions easy to follow. Step 2 calls for flaring the end of the propeller shaft with “the heated blade of an old knife” after slipping the shaft through the motor – ah, the good old days! I chose not to do this so that the propeller can be removed for shipping.

PAINT & MARKINGS

USN aircraft of the 1930’s had some of the most colorful schemes of the period. Standard colors were Chrome Yellow for the wings, Aluminum Dope fabric elsewhere, with metal parts such as cowlings being Light Grey. To that were added Cowling and Fuselage bands, as well as wing chevrons, to indicate the Section color. These bright markings were enhanced by the tail codes, each carrier having a distinct color for their aircraft. At the time of the Goshawk’s introduction in February 1933,VF-1B on Saratoga was recognized by the Red tails of their planes. The kit markings give the White cowling, fuselage stripe, and wing chevron of the leader of the second section, aircraft # 4 flown by Lt. Thomas S. Combs. This plane had BuAer serial number 9270, making it the sixth production F11C-2.

CONCLUSIONS

This is an excellent kit, not merely for its nostalgic value. The F11C-2 represents one of the most colorful periods in aviation history and is an essential addition to any collection of Golden Era aircraft. It goes together well and is an easy build for the less experienced modeler. Highly recommended.

REFERENCES

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