Model Aircraft – September 2019

be itted at this stage and cannot
be added at the end of the build.
The other daunting area are the
expansive wings which can be deployed or
folded. I would recommend making your
decision and sticking to it as the folding
mechanism may not be very successful
if you try to have it operational.
Personally, I like the wings to be
deployed but even this requires patience
when it comes to aligning the sections
and ixing them into position. There are
also some photo-etch strengthening plates
that have to be placed over the connecting
halves. I did this with a combination of PVA
adhesive for the lat parts and Cyano-Acrylate
for the curved leading-edge plates. These were
pre formed by bending the plate around the
leading edge of the wing until you get the right
curvature. On the subject of etched parts, the
kit also comes with some very nicely detailed
interior bomb bay door sections that also act
as a hinge. Then there are the seatbelts, but I
prefer to replace these with the superb Eduard
coloured seatbelts as they are more detailed and

lexible than the ones provided in the

kit. They also have a more natural looking shape

mimicking the drape of the fabric belts. By now

you realise what a substantial size this model is

and it proves to be quite a handful when on the

bench. Personally, I like to have a large canvas

when it comes to the painting and weathering

and although this at times may seem like a slap

dash method it is actually more involved and

multi layered than the construction process.

Using the ‘Hairspray Technique’ for example

requires forethought as to how you layer the

paint as it is counter intuitive. Usually you inish

a models paintwork of and then add chips and

undercoats to this layer of paint. Whereas with

this technique you apply the undercoats irst

and then work back to them with successive

layers of top coats being removed. Essentially

this is a more authentic way of weathering as

this is what happens in real life. Applying various

oil washes brings the weathering together and

gives a very natural patina and sheen to the

model. The irst of these is not so much

of a wash as it is not as heavily thinned,

later more thinned oil ‘pin washes’ can

be applied to panels and panel lines to

give streaks and stains. Finally, I add other

weathering efects such as exhaust, gun smoke

and dust using an airbrush and pigments on

the tires. This model certainly has presence and

stands out in a crowd on the shelf. Trumpeter

have done a superb job with this kit and

although it is getting along in years it makes for

a relatively easy build if you take your time with

the itting and alignment of all the parts. If you

are a fan of PTO US Navy aircraft and the larger

scales, I highly recommend this kit. MA

MODEL AIRCRAFT SEPTEMBER 2019

PACIFIC AVENGER

9