Pro Resin 1/72nd Boeing P-12B/D and F4B-2
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Introduction
The Boeing P-12/F4B were some of the last biplane fighters still flying
for the U.S.A. Because Boeing successfully used the Pratt & Whitney
Wasp radial in their previous design, they decided to stick with it for
their latest. In fact, unlike Curtiss, Boeing did not have two sets of
engine installations depending on the service the aircraft would be flying
for. Both the U.S.A.A.C. and the U.S. Navy deliveries came with the Pratt
& Whitney. Curtiss tended to use in-line engines for the Air Corps
while switching to the mandatory radials for the Navy. No doubt this saved
Boeing a little bit of money.
 The
P-12/F4B series were actually better than their Curtiss counterparts and
this was probably the main reason why the total production of the aircraft
was far greater than the Curtiss fighters. In fact, the P-12 was the last
biplane fighter for the Air Corp, until the Boeing P-26 Peashooter replaced
it. Not so with the Navy, since the Grumman series (F2F/F3F) and the Curtiss
SBC Helldiver were the ones to earn that distinction with the U.S. Navy.
I truly enjoyed researching the Curtiss series of fighters, and enjoyed
almost as much researching the Boeings. Both aren't well represented in
current documents, and aside from the Squadron In Action books, little
is found in one or two reference books. Still, the 'tweener years in the
U.S. was fascinating, especially with how fast each aircraft was phased
out with a new one.
The Kits
 The
Olimp Pro Resin Boeing P-12/F4B series of kits are, so far, their best
produced. It's great seeing a company still progress and improve from
their first release to their latest. Pro Resin is on par with these releases
with the likes of Choroszy and Ardpol which is quite the distinction.
In fact, I can no longer complain about Pro Resin kits anymore, since
they now have their decals produced for them by Begemot. This is a very
good thing as I have had trouble with their original decals on the Loening
M-8-1 and Curtiss
P-1A I've built in the past.
Each kit consists of common parts as well as unique. The P-12B/D contains
54 resin pieces while the F4B-2 contains 61. Both share the same photoetch
(consisting of 10 pieces) and clear film (used for the instruments and
the windscreen). The P-12 has the option of making either the P-12B or
the P-12D, the difference being the type of landing gear used. The extra
pieces in the F4B-2 kit are for the nicely molded bombs, bomb racks and
tail hook. I have finally found one air-hole in a  Pro
Resin kit, and unfortunately it's part of the P-12 on a molded-in piece
on one of the lower wings. While it's not a problem to fix this with some
round, plastic sprue, it is the first major molding flaw I've found with
a Pro Resin kit. Don't take this as an insult, because that's a good thing
that with all the Pro Resin kits I've built, this is the first to contain
such a problem. And it's not that big of a problem to fix! Quite amazing,
really.
Decals are nicely printed by Begemot - as I previously mentioned - and
appear in register. The P-12 comes with schemes for a P-12D, 31-244, of
the 34th Pursuit Squadron, 17th Pursuit Group, March Field, CA, 1934;
and for a P-12B, 29-332, "White 1" of the 95th Pursuit Squadron,
1st Pursuit Group, 1931. The F4B-2 comes with decals for and F4B-2, 9827,
5-F-15, of VF-5 aboard USS Lexington, 1932; and for an F4B-2, 8535, 6-F-1,
of the Commanding Officer of VF-6B in 1931. Colors are listed for Humbrol,
Model Master and Revell.
 Instructions
contain a very comprehensive rigging diagram as well as a list of references.
If only all model companies showed the sources for their models, it would
be a great thing.
 As
with most aircraft articles I write, I have to say that construction starts
with the cockpit. And a most complete cockpit it is! Coupled with the
resin pieces, the photoetch really enhance the cockpit and make it quite
complete. There is nothing needed and it is pretty accurate out of the
box. So, construction should continue quickly once the cockpit is assembled
and glued into one fuselage-half. It's in this same step where the majority
of the kit is assembled. Remember to leave off the upper wing until all
painting is complete. You might also want to leave off the landing gear
until that time as well.
 Final
construction is adding all the final external bits before putting on the
upper wing and finishing off with the rigging.
Conclusion
As I previously mentioned, Pro Resin kits have steadily improved over
time. These Boeings are so far their finest to date and can be highly
recommended for those who enjoy the types and have a few resin builds
under their belt. These kits are quite awesome and will look great once
finished.
Now, for the inevitable. How do the Pro Resin kits compare to the venerable
Matchbox P-12E and Monogram F4B-4? Well, for starters, they're for the
earlier versions of those two aircraft types. The Pro Resin kits are meant
to replace the old Rarebits vacuform conversion pieces and there is no
comparison between these kits and the vac fuselage halves. The resin is
much better and are  complete
kits. The Monogram kit - at least - isn't a difficult build, since the
center struts are molded in-situ with the fuselage halves, so lining up
the upper wing will be a cinch. However, there is *no* interior to either
the Monogram nor the Matchbox kits and will need to be scratchbuilt. Be
that as it may, though, converting the fuselage in either kit (and not
using the Rarebits fuselage halves) will be quite the challenge, and you'll
need to scratch new tail surfaces, at least for the F4B-4. So, when it
all comes down to it, there is no comparison. Building the Matchbox and
Monogram kits to the earlier version is a lot more difficult than just
purchasing the Pro Resin kits. Let alone trying to find the Monogram kit
(although there is a rumor out there Accurate Miniatures will be re-releasing
the old Monogram kits in the future).
My sincerest thanks to Olimp for
supplying these review kits.
References
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