The Blackburn B-24 Skua was a carrier-based low-wing, two-seater, single-radial engine aircraft by the British aviation company Blackburn Aircraft. It was the first Royal Navy carrier-borne all-metal cantilever monoplane aircraft, as well as the first dive bomber in Fleet Air Arm (FAA) service. The aircraft took its name from the sea bird which 'divebombs' any potential predators that come too close to its nest.

The Skua was designed during the mid-1930s to Specification O.27/34, and was a radical design for the era, combining the functions of a dive bomber and fighter. Its enclosed cockpit and monoplane configuration were obvious shifts from preceding FAA aircraft such as the Hawker Nimrod and Hawker Osprey biplanes. On 9 February 1937, the first prototype performed its maiden flight; it was ordered straight off the drawing board to accelerate its development. In November 1938, the Skua was introduced to FAA service; 33 aircraft were operational by the outbreak of the Second World War.

During the early half of the conflict, the Skua was heavily involved in the Norwegian campaign and sank the German cruiser Königsberg, the first major warship sunk in war by air attack and by dive-bombers. It was present during the Battles of Narvik, the Dunkirk evacuation and also the early stages of the Mediterranean theatre. While a capable dive bomber, its poor top speed and rate of climb meant it was severely limited as a fighter aircraft. Despite this, Fleet Air Arm pilots achieved moderate success with the Skua, scoring numerous aerial victories during the Norwegian and Mediterranean campaigns, with at least one pilot making ace status with five victories. In 1941, the Skua was relegated from frontline operations, but continued to be operated in secondary roles, typically training and target tug duties, as late as March 1945.

Like most Frog kits, this one is quite uncomplicated, as was the norm when the kit was tooled in 1964. From what I understand, this is not the same kit that was released in 1939 as part of the penguin series. Any external detail is raised panel lines. All the control surfaces are separate.

The interior has no detail, nor is there even an instrument panel. Simply two generic seats and two equally generic figures to place in them. The kit is designed to have the prop spin. The engine is simply skinny cyliners with no backing at all. Landing gear are simply shapes as are the wheels and one does the heated screwdriver method of holding them in place. A thick but fairly clear greenhouse transparency is included and there is a machine gun to stick in the back. Typically, there is a display stand, but it is quite angular and as such will not be able to utilize the decal for it.

Instructions are all pictograms and nicely drawn so there should be no issue figuring out what goes where. No color information is included. ONe will need the images on the box top and bottom to help with the camouflage scheme. The decals are very generic with only insignia and a serial number. Though the decals are unusable, there are plenty of aftermarket insignia and codes/letters to help in that area. 

Few people will actually build this kit. It is one more appealing to collectors or those who like constructing kits from back when dinosaurs ruled the earth. However, it does seem to have good shape and for those who like to scratchbuild, it is a sound basis. Others will head for the Special Hobby kit.

January 2025

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