Does anyone have any build advice on the Matchbox 1-72 PB4Y-2 Privateer? I’ve just managed to track one down and was hoping someone out there had first-hand experience of building/finishing etc…
Many thanks,
Dermot
Dear Dermont:
Can you tell me more about that model? I have pictures from my father about a Mexican PB4Y that I wish to built.
Best regards
Manuel
Haven’t built it, but I know the nacelle shapes are incorrect. Matchbox made them just like the PB4Y-1/B-24, wider than they are high. On the Privateer, the aft nacelles follow the proportion of the front, taller and narrower, and the ends round up to the under wing surface, rather than being chopped off. I have seen AM “PB4Y-2 cowlings” listed, but I don’t know whether this includes the whole nacelle. Anybody know?
Dick
I grew up around these aircraft! One of my personal favorite!!
Check these links out:
http://broadcast.illuminatedtech.com/display/story.cfm?bp=106&sid=8034
If you notice on most of the examples, the engines have been replaced by late model B-25 engines and cowls.
If you gat a lot of money “burning” a hole in your pocket, go here:
They are selling the last known 4 of 5 that a still in “flying” condition.
Engine & Things sells the correct engines for the PB4Y-2, haven’t seen any cowlings though.
Hope this helps…
Hi Manuel,
The kit was produced by Matchbox in the early 1980’s and its code is PK606. Parts are moulded in three separate colours on four sprues with an additional clear parts sprue. The kit can be built as either the maritime patrol PBY model (2 versions) or the Canadian R3Y transport version. Markings are provided for three aircraft - US Navy, French Navy version or Canadian transport.
From looking at the parts, the fit looks ok but I think the separate nose section and side blisters might cause some trouble. Also, it will probably need lots of weight to keep if from being a tail sitter. Detail looks, again ok but not on a par with Japanese kit makers or even some of the more recent Revell 1-72 releases. But if you want a Privateer in 1-72, this is the only way to go.
As far as I know, the kit was never re-issued so you’ll need to search Ebay or other sources for one. I got mine from a UK supplier of out-of-production kits called “KitKrazy”; their website is (http://www.kitkrazy.com) Mine cost £20 which works out at US$37. A bit pricey for a second-hand kit of this quality plus it was missing a couple of clear parts (not a problem as I’m replacing them all with better vacform ones from Squadron.com) but I think it was worth it for a kit of an impressive aircraft.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Dermot
Dear friends:
Thank you Dermont for tell me more about the PB4Y scale model, I will try to finding the way you wrote…and if you and Kagemusha want to learn more about a Mexican Privateer, please try:
http://www.laahs.com/art51.htm
I hope you liked
Best regards
Manuel
Kagemusha (and Dermot)
I finally found the Privateer cowlings listed on meteorprod.com. They’re made by Ron’s Resins in Australia, come in a set of four. No further description, so I doubt they’re the whole nacelles, which would have been nice.
Good luck to you both.
Dick
Hello, I have 2 of the Matchbox kits as well as 2 of the Revell kits. The Revell kit is better in that the plastic is better quality. I’ve got 5 B-24 D kits as well as Eduard PE sets for them. I will build them as PB4Y-1’s and later-1’s The Squadron vac form canopies are a nice addition. Cobra Company makes replacement resin parts that will fit the Matchbox & Revell kits. You will definitely need metal landing gear as well as lead for weighting the nose. I’ve got 2 of the Pavla Liberator GR Mk V kits. Quickboost makes a nice assortment of add on parts. CMK makes a nice set ofcontrol surface. Airwaves makes a nice set of PE for the flaps. This might prove to be an expense, but it beats trying to scratch build everything.
Unfortunately Cobra Company went out of business last year.
And Mike West of Lonestar has picked up most if not all of the Cobra Company molds.
Obviously thread resurrection isn’t going away anytime soon…
Just thought I’d toss this into the mix. There is a Privateer on the airshow circuit now. The airplane is a retired fiebomber and the only one of its type that still flies. Also, I saw recently in Route62’s mega-stash, he has this Matchbox kit. Food for thought…
This is the airplane when it was working, I think:
This is the airplane at Oshkosh this past year:
Anyway, build ideas?
I’ve got one and both Cobra kits somewhere in the stash. I would be happy to trade them for something. Contact me offline.
I think I’ll get with Route62 about acquiring his…