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Pro Resin 1/72nd Boeing P-12B/D and F4B-2
 

Pro Resin 1/72nd Boeing P-12B/D and F4B-2

By Matt Bittner

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