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This
is the Academy 1/72 PBY-5 Catalina, finished as a PB2B-1 of the RNZAF. The
detail in the waist gun positions has all been scratchbuilt, including
the C-shaped gunner’s platforms and the ammunition box and feed
chutes. The small blister windows just aft of the main observation
blisters were scratchbuilt from a short length of Perspex rod sanded to
shape.
The
cockpit utilises the Eduard photoetch set for the PBY-5A, in particular
the intricate but very nice throttle quadrant, seats, ad instrument
panel. Finished
as NZ4049, the decals
were very kindly custom printed by Pete Mossong. The finish is Model
Master acrylic Dark Gull Gray over Humbrol’s gloss white; the gray was
randomly oversprayed with patches of a slightly lighter shade to weather
it slightly.
The
detail within the float wells was scratchbuilt, and the football radome
above the canopy was pilfered from the Academy “Black Cat” edition
of the -5A.
Overall
I found this a most enjoyable build; even without adding extra detail a
most pleasing model will result with a bit of care and patience.
Pictures and text by Mike Aldridge.
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