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KIT: |
Hasegawa 1/72 B-25J Mitchell |
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KIT # |
E16 |
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PRICE: |
3200 yen (about $27) at Hobby Link Japan |
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DECALS: |
3 aircraft |
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REVIEWER: |
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NOTES: |
A real beauty |
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HISTORY |
The J version was one of the last
large, mass produced variants of the Mitchell and it was this sub-type
that was most often modified and used post-war. The vast majority of
extant B-25s are J models or derivatives.
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THE KIT |
When I first opened up the box on this kit and started
taking a look at the parts, I though 'Accurate Miniatures'. The more I
looked at the kit and sprues and instructions, the more positive I became
that is is basically a shrunk down Accurate Miniatures B-25. Of course,
there are differences, such as the fuselage being a later version of the
Mitchell, but there is a huge amount of AM in this kit. The way the wings
are done, the horizontal stab, the gun turret, the interior are all just
like on the Accurate Miniatures kit. It leaves me wondering if I'll have
the same building experience. Once I got over the surprise, I was pretty pleased with
things. I've built a couple AM B-25s so know how things go together. As you
might expect, detailing is outstanding with all the interior bits and
pieces and all the outside panel lines just in the right place. In the
cockpit, the seat belts are molded on the seats (a first for Hasegawa, I do
believe) and all the instruments are decals. The kit also lacks the cockpit
sidewall detail that AM supplied, probably due to lack of space. There is a full bomb bay and it will be interesting to see
if the bay doors can be built closed or not. The cowling will require
little pieces of ejector stub to be glued on, and that was one area I'd
hoped Hasegawa would have made a modification. It will be interesting to
see if the cowling shape has been modified or not. Though a pair of
different gun noses have been provided, only one is used on the three
markings options. No info on supplying nose weigh First is 'Jaunty Jo' of the 498 BS in late 1944. It is the
plane on the box art. It has white wing tips and yellow cowling fronts.
Also from the 498th is 'Miss B Havin' in similar markings to the first and
shown in formation on the box art. The third is 'Bottoms Up' from the 486th
BS. It has very odd colors. It is overall natural metal with engine
cowlings and tailplanes in yellow zinc chromate. The outer fins are Olive
Drab. I find it hard to believe that the fabric elevators would be in
yellow primer. The aft parts of the engine nacelles and forward cowling are
in white. Decals are typical Hasegawa in that they are thick, a bit
transparent and the white is actually ivory. I'm sure there will be lots of
aftermarket for this kit, but for now one has to use what is provided in
the it.
t is provided as the kit
offers a small support for the rear crew entry door. Markings are provided
for three planes. Two are in OD over neutral grey while the third is a bit
different.
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CONCLUSIONS |
You know, Accurate Miniatures said they'd not develop any
1/72 models from their kits. Perhaps Hasegawa will be doing it for them!
:o) Thanks to
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