G’day Folk’s,
This re-issued Tamiya 48 F2A2 Buffalo has been converted to a 339 as flown by the RAAF from Pierce, Western Australia in 1942. The resin conversion added to the fuselage and tail wheel are clearly visible along with the cowling extension ring, which was cut from a sheet of styrene and sanded to fit. This conversion has a vacform canopy and white metal prop, yet to be fitted. The cockpit has PE added to it and the reflector gun sight was taken from the ‘spare’s’ box.
Rob.
I love the tubby look of that little plane. I built mine OOB about a decade ago and it’s still one of my favorite models [tup]. Can’t wait to see how yours will turn out. Thanks for sharing the pics so far [8D].
By the way, have you ever done a model of that other Aussie stop-gap fighter, the Boomerang? That one looks almost as cool as the Buffalo but I can only remember a 1/72 kit of it being available from Airfix in the 1970s…
great progress rob. should make a great subject.
joe
My first (and only so far, but not last) Tamiya Buffalo was built in 1984 for the Confederate Air Force museum. They needed at least one model in Dutch East Indies markings, because they wanted to represent every combatant in WW II as well as possible, and so the model was built OOB (this was pretty much before AM anyway) including the decals. And Filibert, it’s still one of my most fond memories too.
And Lobby, seeing what you are doing with that nice old, very reasonably priced kit, makes me really want to do a new one with lots and lots of AM stuff on it (maybe I could borrow a little of your skill, too?).
It’s funny how the most awful airplanes can make the greatest models.
On the other hand, probably alone among those who flew it, the Finns are alleged to have loved the dumpy little birds. But Brewster caused such a scandal with their business practices and lousy product, it led to investigations, congressional hearings and I believe their eventual demise.
The 339 conversion looks like it’s progressing very well, Rob, thank you for sharing your progress! [:)] Look forward to seeing it come together!
Take care,
Frank
Good progress so far. Looking forward to seeing the finished model.
Regards, Rick
Nice looking Buffalo Rob
Thad