I just completed the Academy 1/72 PBM-5A Mariner.
I was very happy with this kit, the fit and decals were excellent as well as the detail. The cockpit could use a little work but it was decent. If you build this kit I have just 2 recommendations.
First, the nose turret would probably be easier to install if it is installed prior to closing the fuselage rather than shoehorning it in later as the instructions state. Second, there is some surgery required to allow the wing to sit properly on its saddle.
The seams were very small and needed very little filler and sanding.
Comments and Critiques welcome.
Steve
excellent action pose of a cool seaplane!
It’s…beautiful! Your work with water effects is above and beyond.
Nice display!
Very realistic! Excellent build!
Toshi
Yea what he said.
WOW, again excellent work. I only wish i could reproduce that as I love sea planes. .[Y]
Utterly speechless! What an amazing build you’ve got there. My only criticism is that it’s far better than anything I could ever do!
Excellent job on the kit. It definitely deserves a standing “O” from all of us on the forum.
[:D[
Eric
Stunging !! The display gives it that look of power it takes to Break the surface tension
Great subject and outstanding build and presentation! [t$t]
Mike
Oh Man Steve, That is awesome. Your PBM is beautifully painted and weathered. But that dio, now that is the boss. I am very impressed with you work. Kudos bro, kudos.
Thank you so much for the look in and comments guys!! I will be taking this down, along with a few other of my water builds (so far three), to the IPMS contest in SLC. Hopefully one of them will bring home an award, even if it’s an honorable mention. I know I will be up against some very stiff competition.
Steve
Beautiful model and beautiful display!
As always, Steve, fantastic job! I really like how you did the props! Good luck at IPMS!
Very nice! Somewhere I have the old Mach 2 tvrd on a shelf, unbuilt. I was very happy to see this kit come out, and you did it justice.
Steve
Excellent work as usual. I see you made the spinning props so how about a quick tut. The water looks fantastic as usual and that pose is like it’s about to jump out of ther base.[t$t]
Another outstanding model and base there Steve. Love the ‘spinning’ props and water spray. [:D[
WOW! That looks awesome. I love the action on the landing. It gives the whole thing a really nice sense of movement.
Very well done.
-BD-
Thanks again gentlemen!!! Your praise means a lot to me. My wife tells me how nice they look but she’s not a modeler so everything I do looks good to her, even the dogs I don’t post.
“I see you made the spinning props so how about a quick tut.”
PJ,
I ran into this method purely by accident. I usually mask off two, three or four quadrants on a plastic disk and spray with black enamel, darker at the center where the blade would be and feather out to the maskings. My AB was spitting at the time and I was unhappy with the results, so I started to clean off the paint with alcohol so as not to damage the plastic disk. As I started to wipe the paint I noticed this effect. I thought what the heck I’m removing it anyway so I’ll continue to wet the edge of the paint with Alcohol and gently wipe the paint off and see how it looks. Well you see the result. I will try it again, but intentionally next time. Just watch though, it won’t turn out half as good.
I just talked with the Lexington Museum and they want this one as well, after the contest that is.
Steve
Aw man Steve, I would love to make it up for the SLC contest but, I’m not sure I will be able to. WestFest is in Grand Junction, Co. the weekend before and I’m helping out with judging in addition to entering some of my builds. Thus, It’s unlikely I will be able to take 2 weekends off in a row from work. I’m still going to try though. My brother lives in Sandy so I have a free place to stay. I would love the opportunity to meet you there.