The Beast is Back

A couple of years ago Academy issued their 1/72 SB2C, a superb kit.  More recently another Helldiver appeared, this time from Cybermodel.  Not cheap but another excellent kit.

But What of Revell's effort that was issued way back in 1997?  Three guesses what I found in my stash.  When I was asked about a Helldiver as a build, I remembered I had one somewhere.  I had forgotten just how good it was - subtly rendered panel and rivet detail, lovely detail in both crew positions, and open bomb bay, engine and landing gear. There is even a set of brass etched parts - the brass dive brakes are beautiful.  I felt I should  make the most of this bounty, so I added an Eduard colour etch set, a set of brake pipes, engine wiring and a full rivet job.  It was an intensive build but it was great fun.

Your Fly's Are Open!

For years I've been wanting to know when there will be an injection-moulded 1/48 Provost.  Well, here it is, and this new tool from Fly looks pretty good.

A colourful end-opening box reveals a kit in medium brown plastic.  Finely engraved panel lines and subtle rivet detail enhance parts that will be very straight forward in construction.

A selection of resin parts include ejector seats, centre console, sidewall detail, joystick and some minor levers.  The instrument panel is in plastic, but it is very convincing.

The only thing i didn't care for - the big sprue gates, but they are soon dealt with with a sharp pair of cutters.  The two-piece transparencies are a little cloudy but a bath in Johnsons' Klear will sort that out.

Four colour schemes are included: brown/green camo, blue/white, red/white/blue and an unusual Canadian aircraft with blue stripes over bare metal.

This may not be a kit for beginners, but a beautiful job can be realised by a modeller with a little more experience.  Lovely kit, then.  Get one!  Priced around £30 and well worth a go.

(Kit courtesy of Models R Go)