Kora 1/72 Seversky BT-8 FL
By Matt Bittner
Introduction
Not much is out there on the Seversky BT-8. Through on-line searches I've found it was based on the SEV-3 and was a result of a call from the US Army for a trainer. Unfortunately due to its heaviness as a two-seat trainer, as well as poor engine performance, only about 30 were built, and it didn't see much use during its short career.
Be that as it may, it's still interesting to see the development from the SEV-3/BT-8 leading up to the P-35, and finally the P-47.
The Kit
Kora's release of the Seversky BT-8 in 1/72 fills a small niche. Even though the type wasn't used extensively, it was still flown by the USAAC so for those with a need to build all US types, the Kora kit is (as far as I know) the only kit currently out there for the BT-8.
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The kit consists of approximatly 32 parts in resin with four in clear vacumformed plastic (for the canopy - two of them "just in case" and for the landing lights, one in each wing). The resin is very nicely molded and I can't find any flaws. The detailing of the smaller parts - along with the rivet detail - is very nicely done. The only problems will be with removal of the pour blocks from the single-piece wing, the cowl and the "loop antenna" under the fuselage. I can see the JLC Saw working great for the cowl and antenna, and RB Productions' "angled saw" working for the wing removal.
There are decals for three versions. Instructions in the kit state the decals are produced "by a non-standart technology" and the decal film exists across the entire sheet. It also states you should not use hard or sharp tools. Maybe these are ALPS-generated? Difficult to say because I don't see the "typical" dithering found on some ALPS decals. But there are higher-end ALPS printers that keep the dithering to a minimum, if not non-existant all together. In any event, there are three schemes that come with the kit. All three are finished in Blue 23 on the fuselage and Yellow 4 for the flying surfaces and are: BT-8, Wright Field, Ohio, 1939; BT-8 Randolph Field 1939; and BT-8, Randolph Field, 1940. Those last two are different aircraft - one having the "white house" emblem on the side; the other just with a yellow '301' on the fuselage sides and cowls.
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Like most aircraft kits, construction starts in the cockpit. Detail is extremely nice, and if you can figure out how the canopy opened you might want to display it that way. The molded-on detail on the fuselage sides is very nicely done, as is the floor, two seats (with seat belts molded in-situ), two control columns and two instrument panels/rudder pedal parts. There are also paper instruments you add to the back of the instrument panel to give the effects of real instruments. After painting I would add drops of Future into the instrument "holes" to give the impression of glass. With the proper washes and dry brushing, the cockpit will look extremely nice.
Add the cockpit to one of the fuselage sides and close the fuselage halves together. Now the rest can be added. The one-piece wing, the horizontal tail surfaces and definitely the wheel spats/pants. Also, you'll need to add the "wing lights" (minus the "clear" lenses) and a few other pieces, especially the parts of the cockpit directly under the canopy. In fact, if closing the canopy you'll want to add it as well, after masking it.
There are options listed on the instructions. Those are for different exhaust arrangements as well as different prop bosses. Unfortunately neither the instructions nor the color profiles mention which option is for which scheme. Also, with the dearth of information on the BT-8 itself, I'm not sure if anything could be matched up.
Conclusion
This is a really nice kit! It's the first Kora I've seen and if the rest of their kits are anything like the BT-8, then they're definitely worth tracking down. The detail is extremely well done, and I can think of only Choroszy, Ardpol and Czechmaster Resin being better (and Pro Resin being right in line with Kora). If you're looking to build a BT-8, or need it to complete your US collection (I know someone locally that has done this) then the Kora kit is "where it's at".
My thanks to Roll Models for the review kit.