Xotic-72 1/72nd North American P-64/NA-68
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Last month I did a sneak-peak of the masters that were being cut for
this kit of the P-64. This month I have the kit in hand.
Introduction
From the instruction sheet. "The NA-68 for Siam was initially designated
NA-50A and was an extension of the NA-50 design produced for Peru, in
1938. Based on the BC-1 design, the NA-68 was longer, featured a larger
engine in a revised cowl, and the BC-1 tail assembly. The first aircraft
flew on September 1, 1940.
"The 6 aircraft were ready for shipment to Siam in December, 1940,
when they were seized by the US Government. The aircraft were designated
as P-64 and sent to Luke Field, Arizona, for use as fighter trainers.
One passed into civilian hands in the postwar and, after numerous changes
and refinements, now resides at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin."
The Kit
The Xotic-72 P-64 consists of approximately 29 pieces. I say "approximately"
because I wasn't going to remove the kit from its bubble packaging, since
I'm not sure where this kit will end up. Also included is one vac canopy
(not shown). Be careful with the canopy, though, because there is only
one and there is not a spare.
The decals cover every scheme this aircraft flew under. First, as a
prototype with some natural metal and overall gray. Follow that by the
Siam (Thailand) version in Siamese markings. Naturally the next scheme
is for the US version once the US siezed the aircraft. And finally, there
are two marking choices for the civilian version sporting yellow wings,
and two types of blue for the fuselage depending on the year being modeled.
However, if you build this as the civilian version, you'll have to do
your own striping on the fuselage sides.
One thing to keep in mind with the decals. They are ALPS printed, and
while they have a layer of Microscale Liquid Decal over them, they're
still more fragile than "regular" decals, so care must be taken.
In fact, because they are ALPS-generated, there are separate white circles
that are placed under the insignia so the colors don't "bleed"
into the paint, resulting in insignia that's difficult to see.
Parts are decently cast, and I could only find a few airbubbles on this
kit. Unfortunately one rudder-half and one horizontal tail piece has holes
that go all the way through. You'll definitely want to fill these with
round sprue and glue with CA. The tricky part will be to sand them flush
without sanding through the rest of the surface (these are thin surfaces)
as well as not sand away any of the nicely molded detail.
The kit couldn't be simpler. After clean up, you paint the engine (as
well as the interior area of the fuselage where the engine goes) and glue
it in. Once that is accomplished you glue the fuselage halves together.
The cockpit pieces are added after the fuselage halves are assembled,
through the large fuselage opening. Actually, the instructions have you
add the cockpit pieces after the wings and horizontal tail pieces are
glued on as well. However, I would do some preliminary painting in the
cockpit prior to gluing the fuselage halves together. If the cockpit floor
has any gaps to resolve, then you can do some touch up painting later.
After the cockpit is assembled, and you figure you want to - or not
want to - add the gun pods and/or the gun tubes, then assembly is finished
with the smaller details. Naturally saved until after painting is accomplished.
Keep in mind you'll have to "build the prop", as the blades
are separate from the hub.
Conclusion
I never knew before about the existence of the P-64, until I talked
to the person running Xotic and he mentioned what was forthcoming. It's
an interesting aircraft and one that will have people, as unfamiliar as
I was, asking about what that aircraft type is. All in all the Xotic-72
P-64 is a relatively simple kit. In fact, I would recommend this kit as
someone's first resin build, since the number of parts is small, and major
assembly happens relatively quickly. Definitely recommended.
My thanks to Xotic-72 for the
review sample.
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