P6M photos needed

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I know this is a fairly esoteric aircraft, but I have found the dozen or so reasonable images of the Seamaster on the net, and I was wondering if anyone had some better pics, particularly of the XP6M-1 depicted in the Revell kit. I know there is a P6M book out there that is supposed to be a great ref, but it caosts about $30 and all I really need a is few good reference shots. I checked the libraries around here and they don’t have the book on the shelves. I would also appreciate any advice from anyone who has built the Revell kit. Specifically, I was thinking of sanding off all the rivets and panel lines. They just seem too gawdy. In the few pics I have seen of the real plane, the fuselage looks smooth. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Ray

2

These photos may be some you have already seen. They are from a brochure I got from Martin in the 50’s. I am pretty sure the construction picture is of the prototype. There is also a decent 3-view of the prototype.

3

John,

Thanks, that side view is just what the doctor ordered, and it is the same aircraft I am building! Much abliged for the help. Now, anyone have any other pics or construction tips?

Ray

PS: Any chance of posting the 3view? Sorry, I guess I’m greedy!

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John,

Thanks! I should be able to get by with those. I’ll post pics when she’s built so you can see what I did with what you sent.

Ray

6

I look forward to seeing photos of your model, Ray. Good luck. I’ve always thought the prototype and development aircraft looked better than the P6M-2, that cockpit just never looked right to me and the later grey and white paint schemes don’t look as good to me as the shiny dark sea blue. Might just be because of that Revell model I built so many years ago that the first versions look so good to me.

7

John,

Well, it took me a while but I finally finished the XP6M Seamaster. Actually, I finished it a while back but just got around to posting a pic. I just wanted to thank you again for the photos and advice. I sanded off all the rivet detail and made a nose data probe out of a toothpick. The paint is not the correct shade of blue I am sure, but I didn’t have a color ref and this was my first build so I decided to just have fun with the process. There are definitely things I would do differently, but I learned a lot doing it. I hope that it brings good memories for those of you who built this kit as kids. Comments, criticisms, suggestions welcome.

Ray

8

Very nice, Ray, it looks very nice in that glossy dark blue. Thanks for posting the photo.

9

John,

Thanks. I appreciate all your help. Glad you like the paint job. I had a heck of a time with the acrylic paint. I think I’m gonna go with enamels for awhile.

Ray