Does anyone make a good kit of the F4B-4 (USN bi-wing plane, ca. 1930)? Looking for quarter scale, preferably. A guy in our laboratory down the street really likes the plane, and I’ve sort of thought about building one for him.
Thanks in advance,
Gip Winecoff
Classic Airframes produces a kit in 1/48. The injection parts are limited run type, and it includes resin.
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=CF0417
By shopping around, a better price can probably be found.
Hope this helps.
Thanks, Bill
Any thoughts on how Classics’ kits usually go together?
Gip Winecoff
Gip
Think this was reviewed in FSM a year or two ago. I seem to remember them saying it was a rough build. I won’t swear to it. Could be a senior moment.
The injection molded parts on all the Classic Airframes kits I’ve built Have very fine recessed lines and good detail. They are attached to the sprues with thick runners, requiring care when removing the parts. Its easy to “chip” the part when removing it. The larger parts, such as fuselage halves, will benefit from block-sanding the the edges before committing the parts to glue. There are usually no (mis) alignment pins, and tail surfaces are butt-joints, which will attach more firmly with wire reinforcements inserted. If you use care, go slowly, and apply basic skills (dry-fitting, sanding, filling seams, etc.) they build to very nice kits. Mold separation lines are also usually present, with rod-shaped pieces being a challenge to clean & keep round.
Assembling biplanes can be tricky, especially with a liimited run kit. To assure proper allignment, an assembly jig for the wings can prevent much frustration. Biplanes are also easier to paint before attaching the top wing.
The interiors are beautifully cast in resin. Vac canopies usually include a spare.
While not a fall-together build by any means, a successful completion of one of their kits is very rewarding.
Bill and Wayne,
Thanks for the information. This may be a biting off a little more than I care to chew at the moment. I already have a workbench full of stuff I’m trying to complete before Phoenix (I’m incredibly slow.), and in order to do this plane, I’d like to start with a clean plate…
We’ll see…
Gip Winecoff
Hasegawa made a 1/32 kit. I don’t know if it is still available or not.
I got the Hasegawa Kit of the P-12 at the Scale Model Show in Buffalo, but it didn’t have any directions. The guy had a F4B-4 I think but I didn’t have tha cash. Nice looking kit though.
I found a lot of nice kits for cheap at www.hobbylinc.com try there , It’s pretty easy to find your way around the site