Magna Models 1/72 Percival Q.6 Petrel
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History
First flown in the Summer of 1937, the Q.6, known to the RAF as the
Petrel, was Percival's first twin-engined design. Bearing a strong family
likeness to the Vega Gull, it was a fast (175 mph cruise) and attractive
4/6 seater, intended for use either as an “executive” aircraft
(though the term was unknown back then), or as a small airliner. Only
26 examples had been built before production ceased upon the outbreak
of WW II.
Some of these went on to have surprisingly long careers. The prototype,
G-AEYE, was still airworthy in the early 'sixties. There are, in fact,
rumours that this aircraft is under restoration to fly again. It is reported
in the September 2007 issue of Aeroplane that another Q.6, G-AFFD, the
restoration to airworthiness of which was begun several years ago on the
Isle of Man, has been delivered to Fenland Airfield, Lincolnshire for
completion. Fenland Aero Services expect the completion to take a couple
of years.
The Kit
Resin is not my favourite modelling material. It is expensive, prone
to distortion and air bubbles, and needs large pouring gates that have
to be sawn off the parts before building can begin. It does, however,
have one huge advantage; kits can be made from it without investing large
amounts of capital in tooling and machinery, which permits the production
of models of rare types like the Q.6.
 The
aircraft of the inter-war period are my favourite modelling subjects,
so, upon seeing Magna Models' kit of the Q.6 in Hannants, I rather guiltily
forked out the £23.25 (~$46.50) it cost. When I opened the box at
home, my heart sank. Enormous pouring gates, lots of flash, ragged edges
on the metal parts, everything that puts me off this sort of kit. I felt
my empty pocket, and grieved for the good cash that had once filled it.
I was, however, in for a very pleasant surprise. When I had sawed the
gates off, cleaned the stumps up, and cut the flash away, I found that
the main parts fitted precisely, only needing a very thin skim of filler
along the joints; no sign or air bubbles or distortion either.
There is not a great deal of surface detail, as one would expect on
a wooden aircraft, but what there is neatly done in fine engraved lines.
The vacform canopies (Magna provide a spare) are easy to cut to shape
along a clearly marked line, and also fit well. Sections cut from a sheet
of acetate with the positions of the windows marked out on them, fit into
ledges along cut-outs in the fuselage sides. The depth of the ledges is
almost the same as the thickness of the acetate, and little cleaning up
is needed.
The transparencies are very clear, enabling the 6-seat cabin and the
detailed cockpit to be clearly seen. No instructions for painting the
interior are given, but Magna can hardly be blamed for this; it is doubtful
if anyone remembers anymore what the original colors were. Advice is given
to fit the transparencies with white glue, to avoid fogging, but I never
trust PVA to hold these firmly. It is better to dip them into Kleer (Future),
allow this to dry and then cement them into place with superglue.
The minor parts are cast in white metal, and are distinctly rough. Once
the flash and roughness has been removed with files and emery, they fit
without trouble.
The instructions are detailed and easy to follow. They include a brief
history of the aircraft, quite a good plan, and drawings of six colour
schemes. I have some doubt about the red-white-blue roundels on the wing
uppersurfaces of the camouflaged aircraft, and feel that red and blue
would be more likely. There are no decals, a serious omission from a relatively
small kit as expensive as this. See, however, Jim Schubert's review below
of an interesting decal sheet from Arctic Decals for two Q.6s of Lithuania’s
Lietuvos Oro Linijos.
Conclusion
For those who like inter-war civil aircraft this kit is worth buying,
despite its high price. For those who must have military markings, it
even fits into a WW II collection! It proved to be a surprisingly easy
kit to put together, and makes up into a pretty model of a pretty aeroplane.
Its one serious fault is the omission of a decal sheet, however small.
When the price of this is added to that of the kit, it becomes a very
expensive model indeed. |
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